Unexpected Role of Immune Autoantibodies in Schizophrenia

Summary: A study reveals a connection between schizophrenia and autoimmune reactions. The researchers identified autoantibodies against the synaptic protein neurexin 1α in about 2% of patients with schizophrenia. These autoantibodies,…

Meditation Diminishes Bias Toward Negative Information

Summary: A new study reveals that daily mindfulness meditation can help reduce individuals’ tendency to avoid negative information. The practice of regular mindfulness meditation allows people to better process uncomfortable…

Iron Deficiency’s Unseen Impact on Mental Health

Summary: Recent research emphasizes the role of iron, an often overlooked nutrient, in maintaining mental health. Researchers suggest iron deficiency could exacerbate mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.…

Unlocking Addiction Risk: Genetic Test Could Shape Future Prevention Strategies

Summary: A new study hints at the potential of utilizing genetic test results to improve addiction prevention and treatment strategies. The study involved 325 college students who were given varying…

Happiness Now or Later? The Impact of Timing on Well-being

Summary: A new study explores how people’s preferences for immediate or delayed happiness can shape their behavior and overall well-being. It discusses two differing views on happiness: one where happiness…

Top 5 Neuroscience News Stories of the Week

Summary: This week, research teams from around the globe shared their remarkable findings from the field of neuroscience. Discoveries ranged from unraveling how Botox breaches neurons, to a study finding…

Gene Therapy Reverses Age-Related Hearing Loss

Summary: Researchers successfully demonstrated the efficacy of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors in reversing genetic hearing loss in aged animal models. The scientists developed a mature mouse model with a mutation…

Chronic pain can be objectively measured using brain signals—new research

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Using a brain implant that can record neural signals over many months, my research team and I have discovered objective biomarkers of chronic pain severity in…

In Decision Making Past Wins Shape Future Choices

Summary: Researchers established a model, termed “dynamic prospect theory,” which more accurately portrays human and monkey decision-making under uncertainty. In the study, 70 participants were asked to choose between two…

Child’s Play: Kids as Young as Six Consider Choices in Moral Judgments

Summary: Children as young as six factor in past choices when making moral judgments. Involving children aged four to nine, the study revealed that younger children’s judgments were mainly influenced…