Articles tagged with Behavior Disorders
A recent brain imaging study suggests that men with a history of violent behavior may have greater gray matter volume in certain brain areas, whereas those with substance use disorders may have reduced volume in other areas. The study found associations between increased gray matter volume and higher scores for psychopathy and lifelong...
Research shows that moral responses differ across ages, with young children being more inclined to punish perpetrators for intentional harm versus accidental damage. As people mature, their brain's response to moral situations changes, becoming more tempered and reflecting on the values linked to outcomes and actions.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine developed a new fMRI technique that can distinguish between different mental states based on synchronized brain network activity. The study used a novel approach to capture brain activity in real-world, self-paced conditions, allowing for more accurate identification of brain states.
A new UCLA study reveals that individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) exhibit abnormal brain activity when processing holistic visual elements, such as the overall shape of an object. This finding suggests that BDD patients have general abnormalities in visual processing, which may contribute to the development of the disorder.
A study at the University of Cambridge found that compulsions lead to obsessions, challenging the traditional understanding of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The research provides insight into the debilitating repetitive behavior of OCD and could lead to more effective treatments.
A new study by University of Calgary researcher Dr. David Hodgins highlights the growing issue of problem gambling as access to online gambling increases. Problem gamblers often co-occur with other mental health and substance-abuse disorders, and treatment effectiveness is variable.
The prevalence of gambling disorders varies greatly across countries, with high rates in Asia and the US. Research suggests a complex interplay between genetic, environmental, and psychological factors contributing to the development of problem gambling.
A UA study using economic models backed up by fMRI scans explores the neural bases of guilt aversion and its role in sustaining human cooperation. The findings suggest that a critical neural system processes moral sentiments to sustain trust and reciprocity in complex situations.
A study of over 6.6 million California births from 1990 to 2002 found that children conceived in winter had a significantly greater risk of autism. The risk increased progressively throughout the fall and winter months, with the highest risk seen in March.
A study published in the American Psychological Association journal found that a person's current thoughts and behavior can predict their future mood swings, even when medical history is accounted for. The researchers developed a new form of cognitive behavioral therapy called TEAMS to manage bipolar symptoms.
Researchers found that people who experience stronger stimulating and lower sedative effects of alcohol are more likely to develop binge drinking problems. A new study published in Archives of General Psychiatry suggests that the 'double whammy' of alcohol effects predicts those who progress to severe drinking and alcohol-use disorders.
Children with extreme social anxiety struggle to interpret facial expressions, confusing angry faces with sad ones. This misinterpretation can lead to problematic interactions and difficulties in making friends.
Research finds smaller amygdala and insula regions in teenagers with conduct disorder, a psychiatric condition characterized by aggressive and antisocial behavior. The findings challenge the view that adolescence-onset CD is solely caused by imitating peers, suggesting a potential neurological basis for the condition.
Researchers found that gut bacteria influence how the brain is wired for learning and memory, leading to anxiety-like behavior. The study also suggests that targeting the immune system and gut function could lead to new therapies for psychiatric illnesses.
The Behavior Breakthroughs app uses game-based technology to teach ABA skills and techniques for managing behavior. Developed by Southwest Research Institute, it provides a practical guide for parents and caregivers based on sound science and expert advice.
The study found that eating disorders were common among US adolescents, with high prevalence rates of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. The researchers also discovered a strong association between eating disorders and social impairment, as well as increased risk of suicidality.
Researchers have found that increasing serotonin levels improves social behavior in mice with autism. A medication called buspirone was used to mimic the effects of serotonin, resulting in improved social interaction behaviors. Further study is planned to investigate the impact of a diet rich in tryptophan on social behavior.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine identified defects in two signaling pathways, Wnt and PS-1, associated with Lesch-Nyhan Disease. These findings also suggest common mechanisms for cognitive and behavioral defects in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Researchers recorded neuron activity in adolescent rat brains during a reward-driven task, showing that teen brains react with erratic excitement above adult levels. This finding could explain why teenagers are more prone to rash behavior, addiction, and mental diseases.
Research published in GENETICS suggests that being around the opposite sex activates genes in fruit flies that cause them to perform certain courtship behaviors. This study provides insight into the complex genetic machinery that affects social interactions, potentially leading to new understanding of disorders such as autism.
A new study by Professor Ruth Striegel-Moore and team found that Native American (NA) women are more likely to report behavioral symptoms of eating disorders than men. Research also revealed a parallel between NA women and ethnically white women when considering binge eating, purging and eating disorder diagnoses.
Mount Sinai researchers create mouse model to investigate the impact of a single SHANK3 gene mutation on nerve cell communication and social behavior. The study identifies impaired communication and altered plasticity in nerve cells, providing critical insight into the development of autism spectrum disorders.
A new Université de Montréal study examines early indicators of a criminal lifestyle in preteens. The findings reveal that children with conduct disorders are six times more likely to sell illicit drugs, nine times more likely to join a gang, and eight times more likely to be arrested.
A new study found that deep brain stimulation (DBS) targets the same class of neuronal cells known to respond to exercise and Prozac, leading to an increase in new neurons in the hippocampus. The targeted area, anterior thalamic nucleus, may provide a guide for designing better treatments.
New research suggests that exposure to nicotine during pregnancy can lead to a decrease in adult stem cells and alter synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, increasing the risk of behavioral problems such as ADHD. The findings may provide a brain-circuitry mechanism for learning disabilities in children born to smoking mothers.
Researchers found a 30-50% difference in glial cells between female and male rats, which affected social behavior. Exposure to cannabis-like compounds normalized the difference in play behavior in female rats.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered a novel feedback mechanism controlled by the Zif protein that regulates the balance of brain stem cells. This discovery has implications for understanding neural stem cell self-renewal and may lead to new therapies against brain tumors and diseases.
A study by Donald Redelmeier and colleagues found that male teenagers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, or oppositional defiant disorder are more likely to be seriously injured in a road traffic crash. The researchers suggest that practical recommendations, such as avoiding excess speed and using seatbelt...
Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine created functional neurons from patients with Rett syndrome, providing a new human cellular model for studying autism spectrum disorder. The neurons featured fewer synapses, reduced spine density, and altered calcium signaling, suggesting that synaptic deficiencies may not be permanent.
A significant genetic deletion on chromosome 17 has been identified as a risk factor for autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. The study found that patients with this deletion were at least 13.58 times more likely to develop ASD or schizophrenia.
Researchers identified distinct brain network abnormalities in children with pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with the ADHD group showing more severe dysfunction in working memory circuits. The study suggests that better differentiation between the two disorders could lead to more ac...
Researchers propose a three-stage strategy for diagnosing personality disorders, considering normal personality traits, severity scores, and dimensional ratings. The new system may lead to better clinical efficiency and care, but has not yet been widely supported by research.
Teens with certain psychiatric diagnoses, such as bipolar disorder and externalizing disorders, are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors. The study found that those with mania are at an even higher risk for HIV and STIs, having significantly more sexual partners and being four times as likely to have an STI.
A new model by UCLA researchers suggests the WHO's test-and-treat strategy for HIV in South Africa may not be feasible due to substantial cost underestimation. The study found that annual testing, prevention programs, and healthcare infrastructure scaling up were not accounted for in the original proposal.
Adolescents from Latin American and Asian backgrounds experience more discrimination than peers from European backgrounds. Discrimination impacts their grade-point averages, health, and self-esteem.
A study found that individuals with a specific genotype of the GABRA2 gene may be more sensitive to alcohol odors, leading to stronger cravings and potentially increased risk of alcohol dependence. This suggests a genetic link between the brain's reward system and environmental cues.
A new study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that cognitive behavioral therapy significantly improved symptom control in adult ADHD patients taking medication. The skills-based approach taught patients how to cope with attention problems and manage symptoms more effectively.
Researchers will create novel tools for evaluating social interactions and behaviors to diagnose or treat autism. The project aims to develop a new discipline of computational behavioral science, transforming the study of human behavior with technologies like computer vision and machine learning.
A new study finds that young adolescents with delinquency problems are more likely to develop long-term crime, alcohol use disorders, and risky sex behaviors. Early intervention among disadvantaged youth may help prevent these outcomes.
A study found that relatives of individuals with autism exhibit abnormal eye movements and other sensorimotor impairments, similar to those seen in individuals with autism. These abnormalities are associated with brain pathways important for language skills, motor control, and executive function.
A recent brain study published in the Journal of Neuroscience has found that increased levels of dopamine in the brain make individuals more likely to choose instant gratification over longer-term rewards. This is linked to conditions such as ADHD, where high dopamine levels contribute to impulsive behavior.
Research by University of Illinois expert Janet Liechty finds that body-image distortion is a better screening tool to identify non-overweight girls at risk for unsafe weight-loss practices. Girls with distorted body-image are more likely to resort to dieting and extreme methods, increasing their risk of continued use.
A recent study found that anxiety/panic disorder is the most disabling psychiatric condition associated with Tourette syndrome (TS), contributing significantly to psychosocial and occupational disabilities. The study identified motor tics as a primary factor in disability, especially in adults whose tics persist into adulthood.
A study analyzing pro-eating disorder websites found that most were publicly accessible and featured calorie calculators. The sites also promoted eating disordered behaviors, such as extreme exercise and purging.
A recent study found that lesions in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) result in compulsive sexual behavior in rats, highlighting a potential role for mPFC dysfunction in regulating behavioral inhibition. The research suggests that intact mPFC function is not required for normal expression of sexual behavior.
The Air Force Suicide Prevention Program has reduced suicide rates significantly since its launch in 1996. The program's success is attributed to consistently supported interventions that promote coping skills and reduce stigma associated with mental health care.
Mental disorders are likely caused by brain circuit abnormalities, resulting from developmental processes. Genetics play a crucial role in mental illness, with high heritability rates for conditions like autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that African Americans' poorer physical health is linked to their effective coping strategies for depression, which also lead to higher rates of obesity and mortality. Researchers suggest improving living conditions and job opportunities as a key solution.
A recent study by Brandeis researchers found that medicalizing human problems has led to substantial economic costs, with $77.1 billion spent on conditions like menopause and ADHD in 2005.
Research suggests that individuals taking dopamine agonist medications for Parkinson's disease are at a higher risk of developing compulsive behaviors. The DOMINION Study, which analyzed data from 3,090 patients, found that dopamine agonists were associated with an increased odds of having an impulse control disorder.
A recent study by Autism Speaks' Autism Treatment Network reveals that 27% of children with ASD are prescribed at least one psychotropic medication, with stimulants being the most common. Medication use is more prevalent among older children, with 60% of those aged 11 and above taking at least one medication.
A large-scale study found an association between sleep disturbances and challenging daytime behaviors in children with autism. Children who experienced parasomnias had more behavior problems overall.
A special issue of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation focuses on the potential of autistic young adults, highlighting their ability to form relationships and enjoy employment benefits. Researchers provide case studies and programs to support practitioners in working with this population.
Research from the University of Manchester and Western Sydney found that sports stars' behavior has little impact on young people's drinking habits. Young people tend to overestimate their friends' drinking, with actual drinking levels influenced more by sport-specific cultural habits.
The Semel Institute has established a new Integrative Phenotyping Center to study genetic and environmental factors in neuropsychiatric disorders. The center will enable large-scale phenotyping studies, including personality, cognition, and brain activity analysis.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry compared the effects of medication, motivation, and a combination of both on response inhibition in children with ADHD. The results showed that stimulant medication tends to normalize brain function, while motivational incentives also play a role in improving performance.
Researchers explore the link between diabetes treatment and eating disorders, finding that insulin therapy can cause weight gain, increase hunger, and dysregulate appetite hormones. This can lead to unhealthy behaviors such as skipping or reducing insulin doses, which can exacerbate diabetes complications.
A new study finds that undergraduate women who join a sorority are more likely to experience self-objectification, higher levels of bulimic attitudes, and increased body shame. Sorority membership may exacerbate pre-existing problematic attitudes and behaviors.
Researchers identified critical phases in brain development that may be mistimed in people with Fragile X Syndrome, a leading known cause of autism. The study found these changes occur midway through a baby's development in the womb, which could inform the timing of effective treatments.
People with generalized anxiety disorder have abnormalities in brain emotion regulation, affecting response to negative stimuli. This study's findings may lead to more accurate diagnosis and effective treatment options.