The human brain physically embodies rhythmic sound in a remarkable symphony that has the power to heal.
Category: neuroscience
Hair Holds Hidden Clues to Children’s Mental Health Crisis
A strand of hair might seem like an unlikely window into a child’s psychological wellbeing, but new research from the University of Waterloo suggests that measuring stress hormones in hair samples could help identify which children with chronic illnesses are most at risk for developing serious mental health problems.
The four-year study of 244 Canadian children reveals a concerning pattern: more than two-thirds of kids living with chronic physical conditions showed persistently elevated levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, measured through their hair. These children also displayed more symptoms of depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems compared to peers whose stress levels naturally declined over time.
Scientists shoot lasers into brain cells to uncover how illusions work
Supported by the Allen Institute’s OpenScope program, the findings could help us better understand neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and reshape our understanding of vision
Visualizing Transporter Structure Creates Platform for Antidepressant Drug Design
Researchers at Oregon Health and Sciences University’s Vollum Institute have revealed the molecular structure of the serotonin transporter (SERT), providing new insight into the mechanism of antidepressant action of two widely prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) commonly used to treat depression. In their Nature paper, authors Jonathan Coleman, Evan Green, and Eric Gouaux describe their use of X-ray crystallography to capture images of human SERT structures. They collected data at the Beamline 5.0.2 in the Berkeley Center for Structural Biology and used the Phenix software suite to build models and refine the structures. The resulting structures show antidepressants citalopram and paroxetine lock SERT in an outward-open conformation, directly blocking serotonin binding.
New Ultrasound Helmet Reaches Deep Inside The Brain Without Surgery
Deep-brain structures like the basal ganglia or the thalamus wield major influence on our behavior. If something goes awry, dysregulation in the deep brain may trigger neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease or depression.
Despite the clear importance of these structures, our knowledge about them remains limited by their location, making them difficult to study and treat.
In a new study, researchers unveil a device that might offer an alternative to invasive procedures. Featuring a novel ultrasound helmet, it not only modulates deep-brain circuits without surgery, but reportedly can do so with unrivaled precision.