THEPSYCHOLOGYTURKEY

Researchers identify the PKC-alpha enzyme as a promising therapeutic target in Alzheimer's disease; a mutation that increases its activity led to biochemical, cellular and cognitive impairments in mice. http://dlvr.it/SdbXdD

Researchers have shown that astrocytes in the mouse brain exhibit an acid response with intensified epileptic seizures. The astrocytes' acid response could lead to the amplification of excitatory neuronal signals and be the underlying drive for generating plasticity for epileptogenesis. http://dlvr.it/SdZFJW

A research team has demonstrated that, in a population of macaque monkeys, females with a higher social status had younger, more resilient molecular profiles, providing a key link between the social environment and healthy brains. http://dlvr.it/SdX2hY

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is one of the most common types of epilepsy worldwide. Although symptomatic medications are available, one-third of TLE patients remain unresponsive to current treatment, so new drug targets are critically needed. Neuroscientist have recently identified and developed a new drug candidate that has potential for effectively treating TLE by suppressing neuroinflammation. http://dlvr.it/SdWWXJ

New research suggests spinal cord and brainstem are essential for processing touch signals as they travel to the brain http://dlvr.it/SdHBc3

A new MRI study revealed that consumption of alcohol even in low to moderate amounts during pregnancy can change the baby's brain structure and delay brain development. http://dlvr.it/SdCfd7

No amount of alcohol consumption is safe for a developing fetus. A new study presents in molecular detail how alcohol harms growth and functioning of developing brain organoids. http://dlvr.it/Sd1vd8

A mind-controlled wheelchair can help a paralyzed person gain new mobility by translating users' thoughts into mechanical commands. Researchers now demonstrate that tetraplegic users can operate mind-controlled wheelchairs in a natural, cluttered environment after training for an extended period. http://dlvr.it/Sd1vPl

Researchers discover link between the protein medin and Alzheimer's disease. http://dlvr.it/Scz0Dx

In people carrying the APOE4 risk variant, a key brain cell type mismanages cholesterol needed to insulate neurons properly --another sign that APOE4 contributes to disease by disrupting lipids in the brain. http://dlvr.it/Scvw1q

The gene-silencing complex HUSH might be involved in complex disorders affecting the brain and neurons. However, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Researchers now uncover the in vivo targets and physiological functions of a component of the HUSH gene-silencing complex and one of its associated proteins. The work, conducted in laboratory mouse models and human brain organoids, links the HUSH complex to normal brain development, neuronal individuality and connectivity, as well as mouse behavior. http://dlvr.it/SctHH7

An extremely detailed map of the communication links between the hippocampus -- the brain's memory control center -- and the rest of the brain has been created. And it may change how we think about human memory. http://dlvr.it/ScrqfJ

New research found that in utero exposure to certain flame retardant chemicals may be a risk factor for developing anxiety symptoms in early adolescence. http://dlvr.it/Scqb9G

The legendary scientist Francis Crick first postulated in 2005 that the brain region known as the claustrum is the seat of consciousness. Researchers now posit that Crick may have been incorrect: They developed a new theory -- built on data -- that the claustrum behaves more like a high-speed Internet router, taking in executive commands from 'boss' areas of the brain's cortex that forms complex thoughts to generate 'networks' in the cortex. http://dlvr.it/Scnk2t

A fluorescent protein makes it possible to follow disease progression in brain diseases such as Alzheimer's, strokes, and depression. That may lead to better insight into diseases and possible new treatments. http://dlvr.it/ScmVHn

Scientists have developed a novel concept of a nose-to-brain system for the clinical application of neuropeptides. They developed a derivative of glucagon-like peptide-2 and found that when administered intranasally, it is efficiently delivered through the trigeminal nerve to the site of action and exhibits antidepressant-like effects. This is the first demonstration in the world that intranasally administered neuropeptides reach the brain (hippocampus and hypothalamus) via neurons. http://dlvr.it/Scm3gm

Accurately moving to a musical beat was thought to be a skill innately unique to humans. However, new research now shows that rats also have this ability. The optimal tempo for nodding along was found to depend on the time constant in the brain (the speed at which our brains can respond to something) which is similar across all species. This means that the ability of our auditory and motor systems to interact and move to music may be more widespread among species than previously thought. This new discovery offers not only further insight into the animal mind, but also into the origins of our own music and dance. http://dlvr.it/ScdXqn

The autonomic nervous system is known as the control center for involuntary bodily processes such as the beating of our hearts and our breathing. The fact that this part of the nervous system also has the ability to spontaneously restore muscle function following a nerve injury was recently discovered. Their findings may form the basis for improving and developing interventions to treat nerve lesions. http://dlvr.it/ScdCFZ

By studying the visual system of an octopus, researchers hope to understand how its brain organization compares to that of humans and other vertebrates. Their results could provide insight into the evolution of visual systems across species. http://dlvr.it/ScXH47

Various conditions such as postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis can lead to an alteration in maternal behavior and disrupt the mother-child bonding process. A research team has conducted a study in which they were able to identify the neuronal circuits in the brain that are activated during the learning of maternal behavior. The findings can serve as a basis for developing therapeutic interventions. http://dlvr.it/ScTFZm

Motivation is affected by oxidative stress in the brain, a study shows. The findings also suggest motivation can be improved through nutritional interventions. http://dlvr.it/ScSGSz

A tween brain connection study shows that socioeconomic factors, including at-home enrichment, are associated with widespread differences in children's brain connections. http://dlvr.it/ScP4D2

Our brains 'time-stamp' the order of incoming sounds, allowing us to correctly process the words that we hear, shows a new study by a team of psychology and linguistics researchers. Its findings offer new insights into the intricacies of neurological function. http://dlvr.it/ScNB3k

A pandemic survey found that adolescents who answered more COVID-19 test questions correctly also reported lower stress, anxiety and depression as well as lower loneliness and fear of missing out, also known as FOMO. http://dlvr.it/ScGKvd

A new study links psychological trauma in childhood with an increased risk of developing some kind of mental disorder years later. http://dlvr.it/ScCPMg

It's not the individual brain regions but rather their connections that matter: neuroscientists propose a new model of how the brain works. This new view enables us to understand better why and how our brains vary between individuals. http://dlvr.it/ScBYgR

As our brains develop, cells within it 'eat' neuronal elements to clear out debris, pathogens and help improve efficiency. A recent study showed that motor learning in mice helped enhance the engulfing of synapses by Bergmann glial cells. The discovery could have possible implications for explaining why synaptic shrinkage and loss occur in depression, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease. http://dlvr.it/Sc6bfH

Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, a lab has captured functional brain activity as humans collaborated with robots on a manufacturing task. http://dlvr.it/Sc5CJ6

The urge to vomit after eating contaminated food is the body's natural defensive response to get rid of bacterial toxins. However, the process of how our brain initiates this biological reaction upon detecting the germs remains elusive. For the first time, researchers mapped out the detailed neural pathway of the defensive responses from the gut to the brain in mice. http://dlvr.it/Sc41bF

Researchers have found that COVID-19 activates the same inflammatory response in the brain as Parkinson's disease. The discovery identified a potential future risk for neurodegenerative conditions in people who've had COVID-19, but also a possible treatment. http://dlvr.it/Sc3b29