The McLean Hospital Brain Bank has received a new contract from the NIH to fund 180 brains per year, allowing for enhanced procedures and deeper understanding of brain pathology in psychiatric disorders. The center is part of the NeuroBioBank national resource for investigators using postmortem brain tissue.
A UB researcher's study using 26,000 books suggests that the learning environment plays a significant role in shaping language behavior. The researchers analyzed data from 10 different studies involving over 1,000 participants and found that culture-specific books explained much of the variance in the data.
Researchers developed a computer model inspired by biological brain mechanisms to predict and recognize new information, enabling robots to mimic behaviors. The model may help reveal the cognitive underpinnings of Autism Spectrum Disorder, where individuals tend to minimize error and prefer repetitive social interactions.
A new group cognitive-behavioral therapy program is being used to help parents of children with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) improve their child's mealtime behaviors. The program, known as the Picky Eaters Clinic, has reported life-changing improvements in parents and their children.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in understanding the role of microglia in neuroinflammation, a hallmark of degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease. Studies show that changes in microglial cells can trigger hyperexcitability in the brain, leading to decreased sociability and motivation.
A University of Houston study found that hope increases during cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders, leading to greater recovery rates. Moderate-to-large increases in hope were consistent across different CBT protocols and anxiety disorders.
A study by MU researcher Bradley Ferguson found that 60% of the time before an individual showed behavioral issues, there was a rise in electrodermal activity - indicating physiological stress response. This allows parents and caregivers to intervene and de-escalate situations, ensuring health and safety.
A new study found that 58% of suicide deaths and 45% of non-fatal suicidal behaviors in low- and middle-income countries are linked to psychiatric disorders. The research suggests a wider approach is needed beyond just treating psychiatric illness to prevent suicidal behavior.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry highlights the need for individualised approaches to defining mental illness. The researchers found that compulsive behaviour maps onto cognitive flexibility better than expert-assigned diagnoses.
Researchers aim to develop treatments for behavioral symptoms of chronic stress and depression by understanding and controlling memory. Beier's project explores neuronal plasticity and synaptic protein interactions to engineer molecular reagents for selective modulation of memories.
Research shows that neurons outside the brain play a crucial role in autism spectrum disorders, particularly in touch perception and social behavior. Peripheral somatosensory neurons are key players in this process, suggesting a potential new approach to treating ASD-related symptoms.
A University of Michigan study found that Medicaid expansion improved the health, work, and job search outcomes of low-income adults with behavioral health conditions. Those with these conditions showed significant gains in physical and mental health, as well as better job performance.
A new study has revealed a possible role of oxytocin in hypersexual disorder, which affects 3-6% of the population. The researchers found that microRNA-4456 targets genes involved in regulating oxytocin, suggesting its potential as a treatment target.
Researchers will image protein structures at an atomic scale, gaining insight into disease mechanisms and developing new diagnostic and treatment strategies for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Lewy body dementia.
Research suggests that autoantibodies targeting the NMDA receptor in pregnant women may cause behavioral disorders in their children. Studies have found a link between these autoantibodies and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, and ADHD.
A key brain circuit has been identified as a critical regulator of reward cue-related behavior in rats. The study found that this circuit reduces the incentive value of food cues by controlling dopamine release, which may help explain why some individuals struggle to resist temptation.
A meta-analysis of 40 studies reveals that individuals with psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder exhibit heightened impulsivity. The study suggests a continuum between impulsive and self-controlled decision-making across different disorders.
Researchers have discovered that the prefrontal cortex directly encodes the intention to consume alcohol, but this ability is blunted in rats with a family history of excessive drinking. This finding suggests that restoring prefrontal cortex activity could be a new strategy for treating alcohol use disorders.
Researchers have developed an AI algorithm that can detect abnormal pupil dilation and heart rate patterns in mice with autism-like features. In a study, the algorithm accurately identified 80% of girls with Rett syndrome and showed promise for early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
New studies published in Birth Defects Research suggest prenatal marijuana exposure may cause FASD-like impairments, including physical and behavioral changes. The research also reveals timing- and dose-dependent effects of alcohol exposure, as well as increased risk of serious suicide attempts among adolescents with FASD.
Scientists have identified a previously unknown pathway connecting the hypothalamus and midbrain that drives defensive behaviors in mice. Further research on this pathway could increase understanding of anxiety disorders.
A Rutgers University researcher collaborated with the World Health Organization to gather input from people with common mental health issues on how their disorders are described in diagnostic guidelines. The study aimed to improve access to treatment and reduce stigma by incorporating personal experiences into diagnostic manuals.
Dr. Carlo C. DiClemente, an internationally renowned scientist, will deliver the 11th Annual Jack Mendelson Honorary Lecture at the NIH. His presentation focuses on the necessity of relapse and recycling in recovery from alcohol use disorder using the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change.
A new study by UK and US researchers found that WHO mental health diagnostic descriptions often focus on external symptoms, leading to alienation and misunderstanding among patients. The research recommends incorporating more information about the felt-experience into the guidelines to improve understanding and empathy for service users.
A team of researchers has identified a key link between pre-existing brain circuit function and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) vulnerability. The study found that rats with altered neural circuit connectivity were more prone to fearful responses to threats, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of PTSD.
Conduct disorder is a highly impairing psychiatric disorder that requires improved diagnosis and treatment. The condition is associated with a seven times greater health burden than ADHD and is linked to depression, anxiety, and substance abuse in children. Correct diagnosis and management can improve patient well-being and life chances.
Conduct Disorder is associated with an exceptionally high individual, societal, and economic burden, seven times greater than attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. If left untreated, CD can lead to negative consequences, including adult outcomes of antisocial or borderline personality disorder, criminal behavior, and gang involvement.
Researchers found a correlation between gastrointestinal symptoms and problematic behaviors in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Gastrointestinal issues such as constipation, stomach pain, diarrhea, and nausea were associated with different behaviors like anxiety and aggression.
A new approach to treating eating disorders involves teaching patients with anorexia how to eat normally, with promising results. The method, which uses a smartphone app to track and regulate food intake, has been shown to achieve a 75% remission rate after just one year of treatment.
Researchers at MIT and China create macaque monkeys with Shank3 gene mutation linked to autism, exhibiting behavioral traits similar to those seen in humans. The new model aims to study treatment options and potentially develop better medicines for severe neurodevelopmental disorders.
A new neural circuit related to VTAGABA+ neurons mediates visually evoked innate defensive responses, involving the SC Glut+_ VTAGABA+_ CeA pathway. This discovery provides insights into potential mechanisms of survival across species and maladaptive behavior in fear- and anxiety-related mental disorders.
A $1.6 million NIH grant supports a study using virtual reality (VR) to improve perspective-taking skills in youth with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder (CD). The research aims to assess the effectiveness of VR-based interventions in increasing empathy and reducing disruptive behaviors.
Researchers have created a primate model of autism using genome-editing technology, revealing insights into the genetic basis and potential treatments for neurodevelopmental disorders. The study's findings have significant implications for developing better treatment options for autism spectrum disorder.
A study using mouse models reveals that gut bacteria directly contribute to autism-like behaviors, affecting gene expression and metabolite production. Researchers hope this discovery may lead to new treatments targeting the gut, rather than the brain.
A study suggests that Leonardo da Vinci, the iconic artist, might have had ADHD due to his chronic procrastination and difficulty completing projects. His exceptional creativity and achievements across art and science could be linked to this condition.
A two-year project aims to explore the link between the human microbiome and autism spectrum disorder, a developmental disorder affecting communication and behavior. The study, funded by a $1.94 million grant, will analyze key metabolites produced by microbes in patients with central nervous system disorders.
A study found that 623,000 US parents with opioid use disorder live with children under 18, with few receiving treatment. Meanwhile, healthcare accounts for between 5-15% of premature death variation, with behavioral factors driving more mortality variation.
An estimated 623,000 US parents with opioid use disorder are living with children under 18, with fewer than one-third receiving treatment. Additionally, four million parents have other substance use disorders with low treatment rates.
Dr. Geoffrey K. Mumford received the Senator Harold Hughes Memorial Award for his work in promoting evidence-based findings and improving prevention and treatment of alcohol use disorders. His efforts have bridged communities across the field, fostering a stronger connection between research and policy.
A study found that mice infected with Zika virus during late gestation exhibited behaviors similar to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Children exposed to the virus during the 2015-16 epidemic may be at increased risk for developmental disorders, including ADHD and brain abnormalities.
A recent study by George Washington University researchers found a connection between mitochondrial dysfunction and cortical under-connectivity and cognitive impairment in DiGeorge/22q11 Deletion Syndrome. Restoration of mitochondrial function through antioxidant therapy restored connectivity and behavioral deficits.
A vaccine combining a fentanyl antigen with tetanus toxoid has been shown to reduce fentanyl choices and increase food choices in rats, with effects lasting several months. The findings suggest the vaccine may decrease dangerous drug-taking behavior and increase healthier behaviors.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that liver transplant recipients with alcoholic hepatitis have a comparable alcohol relapse rate regardless of their sobriety period. The study's outcomes support waiving the six-month sobriety requirement for selected patients, promoting equal access to lifesaving transplants.
A UC Davis and Concordia University study of nearly 4,000 families found that growing up in impoverished urban neighborhoods increases psychosis-spectrum disorder diagnoses by middle adulthood. The study suggests that early intervention through social policies and neighborhood improvements could prevent future mental health issues.
A study found prolonged exposure therapy to be more effective in reducing PTSD symptoms and heavy drinking in veterans with both conditions. The treatment also led to higher rates of PTSD remission compared to a coping skills therapy approach.
Researchers have found distinctive differences in white matter pathways among young people with conduct disorder, linked to callous behavior and reduced empathy. The study may help clinicians diagnose the condition more accurately and guide effective interventions.
Researchers at Yale University identified a possible biological cause for behavioral disorders in kids with autism: altered emotion regulation. They found reduced brain connectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex in autistic children exhibiting disruptive behavior.
A new study published in Games for Health Journal found that allowing dark play in a serious video game has no significant effect on its effectiveness. The researchers analyzed the effects of dark play on medical students' ability to advise care, learning motivation, and attitudes towards delirious patients.
Research on Caenorhabditis elegans reveals dopamine's role in sex-specific behaviors, such as food finding and mating strategies. The study demonstrates how dopamine acts through different molecular pathways to give rise to these differences.
Scientists have discovered the native structure of AMPA receptors in rodent models, which may lead to new insights into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. The research could provide novel approaches for therapies by understanding how these receptors differ in people with devastating diseases.
A Swedish study finds a strong link between stress-related disorders and cardiovascular disease, with a 64% higher risk among those with a stress related disorder compared to their unaffected sibling. The risk is highest during the first year after diagnosis, especially for heart failure and major blood clots.
Scientists found that disrupted autophagy leads to protein accumulation, causing neuronal communication problems and behavioral changes resembling human autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. The study confirms a link between mTOR-autophagy and GABA signaling in the development of social behavior deficits.
A new study found that adults with serious mental illness and substance use disorders are less likely to meet Medicaid work requirements due to their health conditions. Researchers warn policymakers to consider the accessibility of mental health treatment and exemptions for those affected by work requirements.
A randomized clinical trial tested a wearable behavioral intervention to reinforce facial engagement and emotion recognition in children with ASD. The study found that the intervention improved social behavior in these children.
Research suggests that spending large amounts of time sitting down increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and death. The study estimated that sedentary behaviour is associated with 11.6% of all deaths in the UK, with 69,276 potential deaths avoided if sedentary behaviour were eliminated.
A new study published in npj Digital Medicine found that a wearable tracking device called Tingle achieves higher accuracy in position tracking using thermal sensors. The device was able to distinguish between behaviors directed toward six different locations on the head, potentially aiding in the diagnosis and management of conditions...
An animal study published in The FASEB Journal explores the potential link between CD38 mutation and autism spectrum disorder. The research revealed that a deficit in CD38 expression leads to brain abnormalities and oxytocin dysregulation, particularly in males, which are associated with social behavior and emotional difficulties.
A recent study published in Neuropsychopharmacology reveals that young adults at risk of addiction show differences in the putamen brain region, which is associated with impulsivity and addictive disorders. The research suggests that individuals displaying higher levels of impulsivity tend to have lower myelin levels in this area.
A mutant gene encoding a human brain protein linked to autism has been introduced into the brains of fruit flies, producing abnormal behaviors reminiscent of autism impairments. The study found hyperactivity, repetitive behavior, and impaired social interaction in the fruit flies.
Researchers identified a key neural circuit involved in OCD, including connections between the basolateral amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex. Altering this circuit's activity was shown to impact OCD-like checking behavior, providing new insights into the disorder's pathophysiology.