Recent research reports on Brain, Behavior and Memory
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Depressed? Crossed wires in the brain
New research used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to show aberrant connectivity in depressed brains. Daniella Furman from Stanford University commented, "Greater connectivity between the dorsal caudate and prefrontal cortex might reflect the inability of the depressed to update their working memory and, as a result, sustains negative thoughts. In fact we found evidence for a parallel increase in tendency to ruminate on bad thoughts."
Majority of jailed women face mental issues
The study’s preliminary data from 219 women incarcerated in rural and urban jails indicate that 55 percent of the women meet criteria for lifetime PTSD, and 60 percent have histories of substance dependence. Incarcerated women also showed increased rates of serious mental illness when compared with women in the general population. Those include major depression (31 percent), bipolar disorders (16 percent), schizophrenia spectrum (5 percent), and brief psychotic disorder (13 percent).
Oxytocin helps people feel more extroverted: Study finds people more sociable, open, trusting after taking oxytocin
New research has found an intranasal form of oxytocin can improve self-perception and make introverted individuals feel like socialites.
Cannabis harms the brain - but that's not the full story
For the first time, scientists have proven that cannabis harms the brain. But the same study challenges previously-held assumptions about use of the drug, showing that some brain irregularities predate drug use.
Stress reduction and mindful eating curb weight gain among overweight women
Mastering simple mindful eating and stress-reduction techniques helped prevent weight gain even without dieting in overweight women.
Traumatic experiences may make you tough
Your parents were right: Hard experiences may indeed make you tough. Psychological scientists have found that, while going through many experiences like assault, hurricanes, and bereavement can be psychologically damaging, small amounts of trauma may help people develop resilience.
Blood test might predict how well a depressed patient responds to antidepressants
Loyola University Medical Center researchers are reporting what could become the first reliable method to predict whether an antidepressant will work on a depressed patient.
