Summary: New studies challenge the idea that variability in human behavior, often seen as “noise,” is simply an error to be minimized. Researchers argue that noise provides valuable insights into…
Category: Psychology
Anxiety and Apathy Affect Decision-Making in Opposite Ways
Summary: A new study reveals that anxiety and apathy lead to fundamentally different patterns in decision-making under uncertainty. Anxious individuals perceive their environment as highly volatile, leading them to explore…
Maternal Diet Influences ADHD and Autism Risk
Summary: A large study analyzing over 60,000 mother-child pairs found that a Western diet during pregnancy—high in fat, sugar, and processed foods—was associated with a significantly increased risk of ADHD…
Brain Changes From Early-Life Stress May Be Reversible
Summary: A new study reveals how prenatal infections followed by early-life stress—known as “two-hit stress”—can lead to brain dysfunction and psychiatric-like behaviors. Researchers found that affected mice showed abnormal cerebellar…
Study Links Spite to Conspiracy Theory Beliefs
Summary: A new study finds that spite—driven by feelings of uncertainty, threat, or disadvantage—plays a key role in conspiracy theory belief. Researchers analyzed data from 1,000 participants and found that…
Ignoring Your Better Judgment Increases Regret and Self-Blame
Summary: A new study reveals that people feel more culpable when they follow bad advice than when they make poor decisions independently. Researchers found that going against one’s better judgment…
Schizophrenia Symptoms Linked to Unique Brain Structures
Summary: A new international study reveals that schizophrenia manifests differently in the brain, reflecting the wide range of symptoms among patients. Researchers analyzed imaging data from over 6,000 individuals and…
SSRIs May Speed Up Cognitive Decline
Summary: A new study based on data from 18,740 dementia patients suggests that antidepressants may accelerate cognitive decline. Researchers found that patients taking antidepressants, particularly SSRIs like escitalopram, citalopram, and…
Adverse Childhood Experiences Impact Brain Development and Mental Health
Summary: A decade-long study reveals how childhood adversity alters brain development, increasing risks for mental health disorders and substance use. Researchers found that teens who experienced early adversity showed delayed…
Genetic Mutation Linked to Schizophrenia Alters Brain Function
Summary: Researchers identified a rare genetic mutation in two schizophrenia patients that increased schizophrenia-related behaviors in mice. The mutation led to higher levels of glycine decarboxylase (GLDC), an enzyme that…
