Columbus, OH

The Independent

 Scientists have identified a unique brain signal that plays a key role in shaping the influence of rewards on human behaviour, an advance that may lead to new treatments for depression.Researchers from the Texas Children’s Hospital say the findings may particularly help develop therapies to treat the symptom of anhedonia, or lack of interest, associated with depression.Humans derive pleasure from a range of mental and physical activities, sensory experiences, and social interactions that tend to affect how the brain is wired.In both humans and animals, rewards in the form of food treats, gifts, or words of appreciation play a...

Unique brain signal found linked to depression may help treat ‘lack of interest’ symptom

A neuroimaging study has revealed differences in brain activity between cannabis users and nonusers during cognitive tasks that involve switching behavior based on changing task requirements. Cannabis users exhibited weaker neural responses during these switches compared to nonusers, although both groups performed equally well on the tasks. This research was published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.

Cannabis users have altered patterns of brain activity when switching tasks

New York Post

Night owls will find this new research a hoot.

A study from Imperial College London suggests that those most active at night perform better on cognitive tests. 

The researchers analyzed UK Biobank data from more than 26,000 people to see how sleep duration, patterns and quality affect mental acuity and cognitive capacity. Participants completed several tests and identified whether they felt more alert and productive in the morning or evening. 



Researchers found that a person’s preference for p.m. or a.m. activity, also known as chronotype, greatly affected test scores. These chronotypes were designated “night owls” and “morning larks.” 

En masse, owls...

Night owls vs. early birds: Study reveals who has better cognitive function

NEW YORK — Parkinson’s disease has long been a complex puzzle for researchers and patients alike. However, thanks to cutting-edge machine learning techniques, scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine have now made a breakthrough that could change the way we understand and treat this challenging condition. This form of artificial intelligence has helped to identify three new types of Parkinson’s, which could lead to new treatments depending on a patient’s symptoms.

Artificial intelligence helps doctors uncover 3 new types of Parkinson’s disease

San Diego, CA

An unusually large brain may be the first sign of autism — and visible as early as the first trimester, according to a recent study conducted by UCSD. Some children with profound autism face lifelong challenges with social, language, and cognitive skills, including the inability to speak. In contrast, others exhibit milder symptoms that may improve over time.

Scientists Have Uncovered Autism’s Earliest Biological Signs

Nagoya University researchers found that deficiencies in gut bacteria genes for vitamins B2 and B7 are linked to Parkinson’s disease, suggesting that B vitamin supplementation could be a potential treatment. A study conducted by the Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan has discovered a connection between gut...

New Study Links Gut Vitamin B Deficiency to Parkinson’s Disease

Researchers at Mainz University have discovered a natural compound that could potentially serve as a long-term alternative to opioids and may help alleviate the opioid crisis. Opioids, recognized for their significant pharmacological effects, have long been used as effective painkillers. Morphine, a notable example first isolated and synthesized in the early 19th century, provides crucial relief for patients in the final stages of severe illness.

Replacing Opioids: Natural Compound Promises Pain Relief Without Addiction

Visual hallucinations are a significant issue for many patients with Parkinson’s disease. A recent study published in the journal Brain reveals that these hallucinations are associated with a marked deficiency of cholinergic activity in specific regions of the brain, particularly the left ventral visual stream and the left superior temporal lobe. This research highlights the importance of cholinergic denervation in visual hallucinations, offering new insights into the underlying mechanisms and potential treatment options.

Visual hallucinations in Parkinson’s disease linked to cholinergic deficiency

The Healthy 

In a July 2023 Gallup survey, 62% of US adults reported drinking alcohol, while just under 20% of that group reported sometimes drinking more than they should. The link between alcohol consumption and brain health is a growing concern, especially considering projections that dementia rates could triple by 2050. Is alcohol part of the growing dementia problem—and if so, is the damage to your brain too far gone to try to correct?

Alcohol and Dementia: Can You Reverse Drinking’s Damage to Your Brain? Here’s an Expert Neurology Doctor’s Answer

ScienceAlert


Researchers have discovered how a cell surface protein called Aplp1 can play a role in spreading material responsible for  Parkinson's disease from cell-to-cell in the brain.
Promisingly, an FDA-approved  cancer drug that targets another protein called Lag3 – which interacts with Aplp1 – blocks the spread in mice, suggesting a potential therapy may already exist.



					
			

In a new paper, an international team of scientists describes how the two proteins work together to help harmful alpha-synuclein protein clumps get into brain cells.
"Now that we know how Aplp1 and Lag3 interact, we have a new way of understanding how alpha-synuclein contributes to...

Parkinson's Discovery Suggests We May Already Have an FDA-Approved Treatment

Medical News Today

A new slow-release tablet form of ketamine, which can be safely taken at home, could help treat severe depression, according to a clinical trial.

At-home ketamine tablet may alleviate symptoms of severe depression, trial finds

Measurements from the LHCb collaboration expand scientific understanding of how individual quarks assemble to form observable matter. Research from the Large Hadron Collider has unveiled that quarks, the primary components of visible matter, form composite particles differently based on environmental conditions. This discovery challenges the previously held belief that baryon production from quarks is uniform, pointing to a need for revised theoretical models to explain matter formation under varying densities.

Decoding Quark Secrets: New Large Hadron Collider Findings Challenge Old Theories

Scientists have developed new biosensors that enable real-time tracking of opioid signaling in the brain, offering profound insights into the effects of opioids and enhancing the development of targeted therapeutics. New findings from a researcher at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience could revolutionize our understanding of how opioids...

Revolutionary Opioid Research Could Transform Addiction Treatment

The early signs of dementia in women include memory loss and confusion. Dementia is a collective term that describes various symptoms of cognitive decline, such as forgetfulness, confusion, and changes in behavior. It is not a specific disease but a group of conditions characterized by impairment of at least two brain functions, such as memory loss and judgment.

Early signs of dementia in women

The following is a summary of “Mid- and late-life lifestyle activities as main drivers of general and domain-specific cognitive reserve in individuals with Parkinson’s disease: cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence from the LANDSCAPE study,” published in the July 2024 issue of Neurology by Ophey et al. Individuals with...

Complex Lifestyle Activities Linked to Better Cognition in Parkinson’s Disease

Researchers analyzed data from patients with treatment-resistant depression given ketamine or electroconvulsive therapy. Those with less severe depression had better outcomes with ketamine compared with ECT. Individuals with moderate to less severe treatment-resistant depression may benefit from treatment with ketamine instead of electroconvulsive therapy, according to research from JAMA Network...

Ketamine may be better option than ECT for less severe treatment-resistant depression

Around 10% of individuals with major depression may experience psychotic features. Major depressive disorder with psychotic features is associated with a high risk of suicide. Early identification and treatment of major depression with psychotic features is imperative. Psychosis is a rainbow of experiences involving changes in how we perceive the...

A Forgotten Diagnosis: The Most Severe Depressive Disorder

The 2024 Perseids meteor shower, peaking on the night of August 11, promises an impressive display, though visibility may be slightly hindered by a waxing moon. Ideal viewing conditions include dark, clear skies away from city lights, and the shower can be best enjoyed by attending a local viewing party, staying warm, and being patient. Helpful resources from NASA and other astronomy sites offer tips and tools for tracking the shower’s peak.

Don’t Miss: Perseid Meteor Shower Spectacle Lights Up the Night Sky

WEKU

Scientists scanned the brains of people who took psilocybin, including a member of the research team. The scans showed how the drug disrupts key networks, potentially enhancing brain plasticity.

A scientist took a psychedelic drug — and watched his own brain 'fall apart'

This breakthrough may pave the way for innovative treatments for metabolic diseases that have reduced side effects. Obesity is a complex condition influenced by genetics, the food environment, behavior, and other factors. Historically, securing enough food to survive was challenging, but today, for most people, it’s as simple as opening a refrigerator.

Promising New Obesity Treatment Shows No Side Effects in Initial Studies

NewsBreak

Scientists Have Revealed a Unique Neural Signature for Depression

New research has identified beta frequency activity in the brain’s anterior cingulate cortex as key to how rewards influence behavior, linking it to potential new treatments...

Scientists Have Revealed a Unique Neural Signature for Depression

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