THEPSYCHOLOGYTURKEY

Crossword puzzles are widely used but have not been studied systematically in mild cognitive impairment, which is associated with high risk for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.The new study has documented short- and longer-term benefits for web-crossword puzzle training compared to another intervention. http://dlvr.it/Sc0jML

Researchers have confirmed a pathway in the brain that governs how animals, including humans, respond to stress. The findings could yield better understanding of the physical- and mental-health impacts of chronic stress in humans. http://dlvr.it/Sbv6cF

Oppressive, frightening, nerve-wracking: nightmares are particularly disturbing dreams. They are considered pathological when they occur frequently (>1 episode per week) and cause daytime fatigue, mood alteration and anxiety. Although Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) has shown some effectiveness, some patients do not respond to this treatment. A team has now developed a promising new technique combining this classic therapy with the Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR) method. Thanks to this new therapy, the patients'nightmares decreased significantly and their positive dreams increased. http://dlvr.it/SbrGfD

Alzheimer's disease is associated with a reduction of insulin receptors in brain microvessels, which may contribute to brain insulin resistance and the formation of amyloid plaques, one of the disease's hallmarks. The findings could affect the search for new Alzheimer's drugs. http://dlvr.it/Sbn8nh

Just like the famous lyrics suggest, if you put on a happy face you will feel a little brighter, according to a new study. http://dlvr.it/SblymL

How do people decide whether to intervene and help others in danger? Researchers now show that the same system in the brain that enables us to avoid danger is also activated during selfless, helping behavior. http://dlvr.it/Sbk5J6

Whether it's a car door not properly closed, a shanked kick in football, or a misplaced note in music, our ears tell us when something doesn't sound right. A team of neuroscientists has recently uncovered how the brain works to make distinctions between 'right' and 'wrong' sounds -- research that provides a deeper understanding of how we learn complex audio-motor tasks like speaking or playing music. http://dlvr.it/Sbg0yl

Medical researchers have identified a new type of microglia associated with stroke in the ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injured brain. http://dlvr.it/SbdqCp

Scientists have successfully placed a bioinspired steerable catheter into the brain of an animal. http://dlvr.it/SbWNf6

Researchers discovered unexpected mechanisms by which animals make and destroy serotonin, a chemical central to depression and eating disorders. The findings could ultimately lead to more effective treatments for a wide range of mental health disorders. http://dlvr.it/SbSNCq

Researchers have mapped in detail how the immune system acts against pathogens invading the brain. The results show that the first line of defense is formed by brain-resident macrophages. These macrophages then recruit a large number of blood-derived macrophages that help to control the disease. These 'recruited macrophages' disappear again just as quickly once the infection is resolved. http://dlvr.it/SbSMyw

A team measured how levels of various proteins in brain cells change in response to brain activity. http://dlvr.it/SbP8Bn

In a series of experiments using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure brain activity across networks in the brain, researchers looked at how stress might increase appetite in obese and lean adults. http://dlvr.it/SbNDWQ

A team of scientists believe our brains could use quantum computation, after adapting an idea developed to prove the existence of quantum gravity to explore the human brain and its workings. The brain functions measured were also correlated to short-term memory performance and conscious awareness, suggesting quantum processes are also part of cognitive and conscious brain functions. Quantum brain processes could explain why we can still outperform supercomputers when it comes to unforeseen circumstances, decision making, or learning something new, while the discovery may also shed light on consciousness, the workings of which remain scientifically difficult to understand and explain. http://dlvr.it/SbMqzw

A team led by researchers has developed a powerful computational tool for understanding brain health and disease, providing an enhanced way of characterizing the activity of the brain during sleep. http://dlvr.it/SbJwPw

Researchers have discovered a molecule in the brain responsible for orchestrating the immune system's responses to Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis (MS), potentially allowing doctors to supercharge the body's ability to fight those and other devastating neurological diseases. http://dlvr.it/SbFfFr

Study shows that not only are loud vehicles flying overhead a cause of noise pollution-related stress, the effect of that stress remains on the body even after noise levels have decreased. http://dlvr.it/SbDG75

A new study that links the location of brain injury to levels of depression in patients following the injury has identified two distinct brain networks; one associated with increased depression symptoms and one associated with decreased depression symptoms. The large-scale study expands on previous findings and suggests that these brain networks might be potential targets for neuromodulation therapies to treat depression. http://dlvr.it/Sb3Xd8

High rates of depression and anxiety reported by adolescent athletes whose sports were cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic improved significantly a year later when they were able to resume playing sports, according to new research. http://dlvr.it/Sb2wCN

Researchers demonstrate the relationship between the rate of cognitive fatigue in MS and microstructural brain changes. The findings promise to advance development of clinical interventions for disabling fatigue. http://dlvr.it/SZzdf3