Targeting Reward Pathways to Treat Depression

Summary: New research highlights how the brain’s reward-learning system can guide personalized treatments for depression. By studying two brain signals, expected value and prediction error, researchers identified markers that predict…

Microglia Act Differently in Male and Female Brains

Summary: Microglia, the brain’s immune cells, play vital roles in clearing toxins and maintaining neuronal health but can also contribute to neurodegenerative diseases if overactive. New research reveals sex-based differences…

GLP-1 Drugs Offer Brain Benefits but May Pose Other Health Risks

Summary: A study analyzing data from over 2 million veterans found that GLP-1 receptor agonists, popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, provide significant neurological and behavioral health benefits, including…

Early Exposure to Violent Media Linked to Teen Antisocial Behavior

Summary: A study of nearly 2,000 children found that boys exposed to violent television content at ages 3.5 to 4.5 were more likely to exhibit antisocial behaviors as teens. These…

Do Accents Influence Guilt Perceptions?

Summary: Accents influence perceptions of guilt, with those judged as “lower status” being considered more likely to commit crimes. Researchers analyzed responses from 180 participants who rated voices from 10…

Mapping the Link Between Personality and Cognitive Decline

Summary: A new study has identified three psychological profiles that influence brain health, cognitive decline, and dementia risk in aging adults. Profiles with high protective traits, like purpose and openness,…

How Our Brains Perceive Body Weight Differs From Objects

Summary: Research reveals that how we perceive the size and weight of body parts, such as hands, differs from our perception of objects. For objects, smaller items feel heavier than…

Decoding Favoritism: How Parents Shape Sibling Bonds

Summary: New research sheds light on how parents subtly favor children based on birth order, personality, and gender, shaping family dynamics. Younger siblings often receive more favorable treatment, while older…

Brain Connectivity Patterns Link Vascular Disease to Cognitive Decline

Summary: Researchers have identified how cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) disrupts brain connectivity, contributing to cognitive decline and neurodegeneration alongside Alzheimer’s disease (AD). By studying brain networks and blood biomarkers in older…

Red Light Therapy May Reduce Deadly Blood Clots

Summary: Exposure to long-wavelength red light significantly reduced blood clot formation in both mice and human studies. Red light was associated with lower inflammation, reduced immune system activation, and fewer…