Married Minds: Oral Microbiota May Mediate Shared Anxiety

Summary: A new study suggests that oral microbiota transmission between newlywed couples may influence the onset of depression and anxiety symptoms. Researchers observed that healthy spouses of partners with insomnia,…

Boosting Ketamine’s Antidepressant Effects to Last Two Months

Summary: Ketamine is a fast-acting antidepressant that can relieve symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) within hours, even in treatment-resistant cases. However, its effects typically last only a week, and…

Why People Trust Those Who Grew Up With Less

Summary: New research reveals that people are more likely to trust others who grew up in lower-income households than those from privileged backgrounds. Across multiple experiments, participants consistently showed greater…

Brain Activity Linked to Implicit Suicidal Thoughts

Summary: For the first time in Veterans, researchers have identified brain regions activated during subconscious associations between the self and suicide-related concepts using the Suicide Implicit Association Test (S-IAT). These…

Blood Test Identifies Depression Risk in Teenagers

Summary: Researchers have identified nine blood-based microRNAs that are elevated in teens diagnosed with depression, offering a potential biomarker for early detection. These molecules, absent in adult depression, may signal…

Long COVID Is Fueling a Mental Health Crisis in Children

Summary: A new study reveals that nearly 40% of children with long COVID are experiencing significant symptoms of anxiety or depression, many for the first time. Using validated mental health…

Color Knowledge Tied to Language-Visual Brain Circuitry

Summary: A new study shows that our ability to recall details about familiar objects, like a banana’s typical color, depends on strong connections between visual and language-processing areas of the brain.…

Depression May Signal Chronic Pain Years Before It Starts

Summary: Middle-aged and older adults who experience chronic pain often show worsening symptoms of depression up to eight years before the pain begins. A large-scale study found that depressive symptoms…

Inflammation Triggers Repetitive Behaviors in ASD and OCD

Summary: New research reveals that chronic brain inflammation can directly lead to repetitive behaviors, often seen in conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In mice with…

Vitamin B1 Derivative Sparks Dopamine, Boosts Wakefulness

Summary: Thiamine derivatives, once developed to treat nutrient deficiencies, are now being explored for their potential effects on brain function and energy. A new study shows that TTFD, a thiamine…