Author: healthadmin
Popular weight loss and diabetes drugs such as semaglutide and Ozempic belong to a broader group known as GLP-1 drugs. A study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has identified a previously unrecognized way in which some new oral drugs in this class may affect the brain. In mice, the drug reduced hedonic eating, or eating for pleasure rather than because the body needs energy. The drug appears to do this by altering the activity of reward circuits deep in the brain. This newly mapped pathway is separate from the appetite control system previously associated with drugs such…
A recent study of 219 people experiencing psychosis and suicidal ideation found that psychological distress caused by hallucinations and delusions was strongly associated with the severity of suicidal ideation. This relationship is not determined by the mere presence of psychotic symptoms, but is driven by heightened anxiety and an overwhelming feeling of being trapped. The study was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health issues, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 (or 800-273-8255) or visit: NSPL site. Suicide rates are disproportionately high among people…
Recent research published in experimental brain research Daily lifestyle habits, such as physical activity and diet, suggest how a person’s emotional state influences their gait patterns. Scientists found that highly active people tend to maintain a stable gait rhythm no matter how happy they feel, while higher protein intake appeared to strengthen the relationship between negative mood and changes in gait rhythm. The way a person walks often reflects his or her inner emotional state. This connection is part of a theoretical framework known as somatic cognition, which suggests that the mind and body deeply influence each other. Previous research…
People high in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder traits experience confusion in how their brain balances deliberate self-control and automatic habit learning. Recent behavioral experiments have found that while lower mental inhibition typically increases the ability to unconsciously detect hidden patterns, this compensatory advantage is lost in people with high levels of ADHD-like symptoms. The study was published in the Journal of Attention Disorders. Everyday human behavior relies on a continuous negotiation between two different ways of processing information. On the other hand, goal-directed control allows individuals to intentionally adapt to new situations. This flexible way of thinking requires a great…
One of the largest studies ever on coffee and liver health has found that heavy coffee drinkers tend to have a lower risk of cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death related to liver disease. Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University research; Clinical gastroenterology and hepatologyWe also uncovered a biological pattern that may help explain why coffee intake is repeatedly associated with liver health. “Previous studies have suggested that coffee may be beneficial for the liver, but most of them have been small or just one piece of the puzzle,” said hepatologist Kim Hyun-seok, MD, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at Cedars-Sinai University…
Explore 2025 challenges and solutions in evidence-based psychiatric treatments, infrastructure gaps, and policy reforms for mental health professionals.
People with a mental eye deficiency known as aphantasia tend to have trouble recognizing faces. Recent research published in journals cortex These people provide evidence that they have specific difficulties in recognizing and remembering faces, but also in visually matching them. The findings help explain the underlying mechanism of the facial blindness that many people with aphantasia experience. Aphantasia is a psychological condition in which the ability to form visual images in the mind is absent or severely reduced. When people with typical visual imagery think of an apple, they can think of its shape and color. People with aphantasia…
A study conducted in Finland found that people with a genetic predisposition to depression tended to buy more antidepressants in the years before a relationship ended (perhaps during the most conflictual period). Interestingly, only women showed a short-term increase in antidepressant use after union *formation*. The paper was published in. marriage and family journal. Romantic relationships can be an important source of emotional security, companionship, and support. However, they can also be a major source of stress. Partners continually influence each other through their communication, emotional responses, expectations, and daily actions. When someone experiences anxiety, depression, or other psychological difficulties,…
A daily prebiotic fiber supplement may help reduce pain and improve physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), according to a new clinical trial. Participants who took the supplement also showed stronger grip strength and decreased sensitivity to pain, while dropping out far less than the group assigned to the digital physical therapy program. Researchers at the University of Nottingham led the INSPIRE clinical trial, testing inulin, a natural dietary fiber found in chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke and other vegetables. Taking inulin daily significantly reduced pain in participants with OA. Published in a magazine nutrientsthe findings show that supporting…
New research published in scientific progress This provides evidence that special brain cells called mirror neurons track the ongoing physical movement of an action, rather than just the end goal. The findings suggest that the brain uses a dynamic, shared network of neurons to understand what others are doing by matching their movements with our own internal blueprints. The premotor cortex is an area near the front of the brain that helps plan and coordinate physical movements. Within this region, specific brain cells are activated both when an animal performs an action and when it watches someone else perform the…