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…

The Psychology Behind Why Some People Give More Than Others

Summary: A new analysis of over 90,000 participants shows that personality traits influence how people engage in volunteering and charitable giving. Researchers found that extraverts are more likely to volunteer,…

How Oxytocin Tames “Mean Girl” Behavior

Summary: A new study finds that in some lemur species, evolving gender equality is linked to changes in the brain’s oxytocin system. Researchers compared seven closely related species, finding that…

Oxytocin Powers Altruistic Responses via Parallel Brain Circuits

Summary: A new study reveals that mice instinctively display rescue-like behaviors toward anesthetized peers, offering powerful evidence that prosociality may be hardwired in mammals. Researchers identified oxytocin as a key…

Herpes Virus Linked to Long-Term Brain and Neurological Problems

Summary: A new study reveals that herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), commonly known for causing cold sores, can travel through the nasal cavity directly to the brain, causing severe and lasting…

Eating Seafood Linked to Kinder, More Socially Skilled Young Children

Summary: Children who regularly eat seafood at age 7 exhibit more positive social behaviors—such as sharing, helping, and interacting kindly—by ages 7 and 9, compared to those who rarely consume…

Psychological “Noise” May Reveal More About Human Thought Than Expected

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…

15 Key Motives Drive Human Behavior

Summary: Researchers analyzed human motivation from an evolutionary perspective, identifying 15 key motives that drive behavior. These motives, grouped into five categories—environmental, physiological, reproductive, psychological, and social—reflect adaptations that helped…

Oxytocin Influences Social Behavior and Emotional Response

Summary: New research reveals how oxytocin profoundly influences social behavior and emotional responses in the brain. Animal models have shown how this hormone impacts social fear and how chronic stress…

Genetic Mechanism Links Emotional Experiences to Behavior Changes

Summary: Researchers have identified a genetic mechanism that regulates behavioral adaptations to emotional experiences by forming R-loops, unique RNA:DNA structures that activate target genes. The study focused on NPAS4, a…