A major international study suggests that gaming disorder is 98.9% similar to gambling disorder, while binge eating disorder and compulsive sexual behaviour disorder also show a high degree of overlap. The findings highlight the need to recognize behavioural addictions and seek support earlier, potentially reducing stigma and improving...
A new review in Medicine Plus traces the development of deep brain stimulation, mapping mechanisms and clinical targets across 16 disorders. It highlights future personalized strategies and calls for validated biomarkers and standardized reporting.
A Rutgers-led international team identified 36 genes linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and chronic tic disorders, providing a detailed biological understanding of how these conditions develop. The findings suggest that many of the genes are shared between the conditions and can be targeted using whole-network approaches.
Researchers used real human brain tissue samples to test the underlying mechanisms of deep brain stimulation. They found that brain cells became more synchronized in communicating, similar to memory formation, while altering gene expression across different types of brain cells.
A new review proposes a roadmap for developing cognitive brain-computer interfaces to treat cognitive disorders, integrating BCI research and clinical neuromodulation. The emerging field aims to detect dysfunctional brain states and respond with adaptive neurostimulation.
The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience launches a grant programme to support joint research projects between fundamental neuroscience and clinical psychiatry. The aim is to improve understanding of brain changes in psychiatric disorders, paving the way for more accurate diagnoses and targeted treatments.
A team of researchers at the Champalimaud Foundation has identified four brain regions - including the orbitofrontal cortex and basal ganglia - that are 'core hubs' for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. These regions show a positive connection to lesion sites, suggesting they become disconnected after lesions causing OCD.
A study by Rutgers researcher Chien-Chung Huang found that compulsive smartphone habits in older adults can deepen depression. Limited social participation and smartphone addiction were strong predictors of depression, while phone use supporting relationships and interactions was protective.
Intrinsic disorder in CuInSnS₄ influences its optical properties, with excitons showing direction-dependent responses. The discovery sheds light on the relationship between disorder and material properties.
Research suggests that an anti-inflammatory molecule, IL-6, plays a role in driving excessive drinking behavior in alcohol use disorder. Blocking IL-6 reduced alcohol consumption in female mice, but not male mice or non-dependent animals. The study adds to growing evidence of brain inflammation's involvement in alcohol use disorder.
A recent study found that shorter sleep duration is associated with increased perinatal anxiety and obsessive beliefs. Mothers who experience disturbed sleep tend to have higher levels of anxiety, particularly those with lower coping ability. The study suggests prioritizing mom's sleep may benefit her mental health.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) can remodel white matter pathways in the brain and alter communication across large-scale neural networks. The therapy helps patients recover from severe depression by increasing fractional anisotropy and myelination within specific pathways, suggesting a previously unrecognized mechanism.
Scientists at OIST create well-ordered antiferromagnetic crystal with controlled chemical disorder, tracking evolution from order to disorder. They clarify the definition of spin glass, offering a new baseline for studying exotic materials.
A study by Brown University researchers found that serotonin helps reduce belief stickiness, making it easier to update beliefs and adapt to changes. This discovery holds implications for understanding and treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Researchers at UC Riverside have identified a key neural circuit, the locus coeruleus, which plays a central role in cognitive flexibility and adapting to new rules. Disrupting this circuit impairs the brain's ability to reorganize neural networks during complex decision-making.
Researchers discover specific calcium signals in microglia that regulate anxiety and grooming behaviors, offering new opportunities for therapies and diagnosis. Mice lacking the Hoxb8 gene are susceptible to extreme anxiety and pathological overgrooming.
A study links insulin resistance and leptin dysregulation to cognitive impairment in bipolar disorder, highlighting the potential of targeted clinical pathways. Metabolic alterations are associated with cognitive deficits and poorer performance in memory and attention.
Atimiaphobia is a culturally specific psychological concept tied to honor cultures and shame societies, manifesting as intrusive thoughts and compulsive conformity to social norms. Researchers validated the Atimiaphobia Scale, revealing positive correlations between atimiaphobia and anxiety, as well as lower social intelligence.
Gonçalo Cotovio uses lesion network mapping to identify the circuits responsible for psychiatric symptoms, aiming to develop personalized brain stimulation treatments. His work has produced striking findings in mania and obsessive-compulsive disorder, with ambitions to extend to disordered feeding behavior.
Despite clear guidelines, fewer than half of privately insured pregnant women with opioid use disorder receive the standard treatment of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Early identification and timely intervention are crucial in addressing this public health issue.
A Kobe University study reveals a neuronal connection between the motor cortex and insular cortex that regulates tics in Tourette's syndrome. The discovery suggests a new pathway for treating the condition, potentially involving non-invasive therapies like ultrasound neuromodulation.
Researchers identify calcium as a key chemical signal that triggers immune cells during obsessive-compulsive and anxiety-related behaviors. This discovery establishes a new framework to study how anxiety arises and persists through calcium signals in microglia, potentially leading to targeted therapies.
A recent study led by Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University found that the same brain neurons are activated when people perceive and imagine objects. The research provides a detailed understanding of the neural mechanism underlying visual perception and creation of mental images in the human brain.
The BD² Integrated Network Longitudinal Cohort Study combines clinical, biological, neuroimaging, and real-world behavioral data to transform understanding of bipolar disorder. The release includes data from 615 participants, covering mood, cognition, brain structure, wearable sensor data, and biological samples.
A study of nearly 700,000 health records reveals that young people with cannabis use disorder are more likely to be diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, recurrent major depression, and anxiety disorders. In contrast, adults with cannabis use disorder are less likely to develop these conditions.
Researchers discovered that acetylcholine can directly trigger the release of serotonin in the brain, promoting coordinated chemical signaling. This finding suggests that brain disorders may involve the internal coordination system being pushed into overdrive, leading to pathological increases in serotonin levels.
A study of over 1 million diagnosed individuals reveals genetic links between 14 psychiatric conditions, grouping them into five major factors. The findings may facilitate future treatments and drug repurposing, with potential applications in schizophrenia and substance abuse
A new study links compulsive traits to a type of decision-making strategy, favoring habitual behaviors over long-term planning. People with more compulsive traits are also more uncertain about the outcomes of their actions, leading them to rely on habits.
Researchers developed a single-item hoarding screen to quickly identify hoarding behaviors in patients with memory and brain disorders. The tool shows promise in flagging potentially serious hoarding behavior, especially in patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia.
Researchers found differences in how brain regions work together during certain cognitive tasks in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The findings may lead to new treatment targets for OCD, especially when involving transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
Researchers found that psilocybin reduced novelty-seeking in control mice, but heightened it in anorexia model mice. Inflammation levels were also altered, contradicting expectations based on human studies. The study's findings have implications for understanding anorexia nervosa and the potential therapeutic effects of psychedelics.
The study found that mania accounts for more than 80% of the genetic variation in bipolar disorder. The researchers identified 71 genetic variants linked specifically to mania, including 18 regions of genes that had never previously been associated with bipolar disorder.
Researchers found individuals with stronger cue sensitivity tend to have harder time updating beliefs, leading to persistent poor decision-making. This association can lead to biased avoidance or favoritism of cues in people with compulsive disorders, addictions, or anxiety.
Compulsive behaviours are common across many mental health conditions, where people repeat actions despite negative consequences. New research in rats suggests that triggering inflammation in the striatum may shift behaviour toward more deliberate decision-making, rather than habit.
A mouse study by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology researchers has found that acetylcholine release is essential for breaking habits and enabling new choices to be made. The study's findings may help understand diseases such as Parkinson's disease, addiction, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
A nationwide survey found high prevalence of OCD (2.43%) and severe impact on daily life, with significant comorbidity with other mental disorders. Treatment gaps were also identified, with only 6.74% seeking help after an average delay of over 10 years.
A new study identifies a brain circuit that can drive repetitive and compulsive behaviors in mice, even when natural rewards are available. The researchers used optogenetics to activate the circuit and induce negative states in mice, leading to prioritization of repetitive behaviors over natural needs.
A new study shows that AI-assisted interviews can diagnose mental illnesses with higher accuracy than traditional rating scales. The AI assistant Alba was able to differentiate between diagnoses that often overlap and received positive feedback from participants for its empathic and supportive user experience.
The BD² Discovery Research program awards $18 million to researchers exploring the neural circuitry of bipolar disorder. This funding enables the development of innovative treatment approaches and accelerates better care for those living with the condition.
A systematic review synthesizes clinical and preclinical evidence on psilocybin's effects on obsessive-compulsive behaviours, revealing consistent anti-compulsive effects in human patients and validated animal models. Single doses of psilocybin led to rapid symptom reductions in clinical populations.
A new study reveals how prenatal alcohol exposure impairs key brain cells and circuits, leading to cognitive inflexibility and increased risk of compulsive alcohol use. Researchers identified a specific brain cell affected by early alcohol exposure, providing a clear target for developing more effective treatments of FASD.
A comprehensive review of emerging neuromodulation techniques reveals their potential to treat treatment-resistant OCD. Targeting abnormal brain activity, these methods aim to normalize circuits underlying decision-making and emotion regulation.
A new computer model called CogLinks simulates brain circuit decisions and adaptability, helping researchers understand how the brain misfires in psychiatric disorders. The model's results suggest that a specific pathway is essential for adaptability, and its predictions are confirmed by an fMRI study
A study of 105 dogs found that 33 exhibited compulsive engagement with toys despite negative consequences. Dogs showed excessive fixation on their toy, lack of interest in alternatives, and inability to calm down after toy removal.
A new MUSC study found that machine learning can analyze brain activity images to identify smokers most likely to benefit from targeted rTMS sessions, leading to improved effectiveness and reduced side effects. The research uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans to detect changes in blood flow and measure brain activity.
A new review from the University of Victoria suggests that psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT may help treat concussions and traumatic brain injuries by increasing neuroplasticity and reducing inflammation. The compounds have shown promise in treating depression, anxiety, and other conditions in clinical research.
A new study led by Prof. Eyal Kalanthroff and Prof. Helen Blair Simpson found that acute trauma can spark the onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or intensify existing symptoms. Nearly 40% of survivors from Gaza communities met OCD criteria, with new-onset symptoms reported by nearly one in four.
Breakthrough Discoveries for Thriving with Bipolar Disorder (BD²) has announced a fourth round of Discovery Research funding for bipolar disorder. The program aims to support groundbreaking research into the genetic, molecular, cellular, circuit, and behavioral mechanisms of the disorder.
A new study found that highly sensitive people are more likely to experience mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. The research also suggests that sensitivity is a significant risk factor for various mental health conditions, and that tailored treatments may be more effective.
A new study explores catheter-based polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) as a tool for improving the precision of electrode placement in deep brain stimulation. PS-OCT provides high-resolution intraoperative visualization of deep brain structures, distinguishing between white and gray matter more clearly than MRI.
Researchers have identified two brain waves, alpha and delta waves, as key markers for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). These findings could lead to more targeted deep brain stimulation treatments, improving outcomes for patients. The discovery provides a significant breakthrough in understanding OCD and its neural mechanisms.
The BD² Integrated Network, a collaborative research model, aims to improve care and outcomes for people with bipolar disorder. The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute will receive $2.3 million to join the network, accelerating recruitment and advancing discovery.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation invites a free webinar on transforming OCD treatment outcomes. Dr. Helen Blair Simpson will discuss the most effective first-line treatments and neuroimaging research seeking to uncover brain mechanisms underlying OCD.
Research reveals that children with OCD have significantly higher rates of rare copy number variants in their DNA compared to healthy children. The study's findings support previous studies and pave the way for future research into earlier diagnosis and targeted treatments.
A new meta-analysis found that symptom provocation before repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment may enhance clinical response for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and nicotine dependence. rTMS was nearly twice as effective when symptom provocation was used compared to when it wasn't.
A new study from the University of Texas at El Paso finds that adolescent antidepressant use, particularly Prozac, may contribute to increased pain sensitivity in adulthood. The research suggests that early exposure to these medications can disrupt brain development and increase inflammatory markers, leading to heightened pain perception.
A study by DGIST researchers found that brain inflammation leads to overactivity in NMDA glutamate receptors, causing repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Administering memantine, a treatment for Alzheimer's disease, reduced symptoms and restored normal activity.
A narrative review found disruptions in the cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical pathway and dysregulation of dopamine and GABA primary neurotransmitters in patients with obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders, chronic tic disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. This may lead to more effective treatments for sleep-relate...
A study of nearly 11,000 individuals found that men with panic disorder are more vulnerable to developing problematic drinking behaviors than women, potentially due to self-medication. The research highlights the need for sex-specific assessment and intervention strategies in treating comorbid conditions
Researchers found that dopamine signals in two key brain areas respond differently to negative experiences, helping the brain adapt based on predictability and controllability. This study sheds light on how excessive avoidance can lead to decreased quality of life and why the 'dopamine detox' trend is too simplistic.