Two Key Signals Shape Brain Structure Early, Varying by Person

Summary: A new study has revealed how two morphogens, WNT and Sonic Hedgehog, act as molecular “traffic cops,” directing early human brain development. Using a custom device and stem cell-derived…

Music Mindfulness Eases Anxiety and Depression

Summary: Mindfulness exercises paired with music were found to engage both neural and cardiac systems, potentially reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. A recent study showed that live and virtual…

Delusions Often Appear Before Hallucinations in Early Psychosis

Summary: A new study has found that delusions typically emerge before hallucinations in individuals at high risk for psychosis, overturning a long-standing belief that hallucinations drive delusional thinking. By analyzing…

Study Ties Visual Errors to Paranoid Beliefs

Summary: A new study suggests complex beliefs like paranoia may have roots in visual misperception. Participants prone to paranoia or teleological thinking were more likely to wrongly identify one moving…

The Secret to Raising Independent Kids? Let Them Learn on Their Own

Summary: Parents are 50% less likely to intervene in their young children’s tasks, such as getting dressed, when these activities are framed as learning opportunities. A new study demonstrated that…

Imaging Links Fewer Brain Connections to Autism Social Challenges

Summary: A recent study used PET imaging to examine synaptic connections in autistic and non-autistic adults, marking the first time this technology was applied to autism research. Findings show autistic…

First Gut Microbiome Map for Personalized Food Responses

Summary: A recent study has mapped how molecules in food interact with gut bacteria, revealing why people respond differently to the same diets. By examining 150 dietary compounds, researchers found…

Unexpected Sounds Boost Dopamine, Leading to Riskier Decisions

Summary: A new study shows that unexpected sounds can cause dopamine bursts in the brain, which may lead to riskier decision-making. Researchers found that participants were 4% more likely to…

100+ Genes Linked to Anxiety Disorders Identified

Summary: A large-scale genetic study involving over 1 million participants has uncovered more than 100 genes associated with anxiety. Researchers found that these genes contribute to the development of anxiety…

Increase in Protein Linked to Salt Intake Implicated in Multiple Sclerosis

Summary: Researchers have uncovered that increased levels of the protein PRDM1-S, triggered by high salt intake, disrupt immune regulation and contribute to autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS). This discovery…