We are biased towards perceiving anything challenging to be less appealing, suggests a new study from University College London. The amount of effort needed to do something influences what we think we see, the study found. Imagine you are in an orchard, trying to decide which of the many apples to pick. On what do…
Category: Psychology
Weak Central Coherence Causes Shared Attention Deficit In Autism
A relationship between two features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that were previously thought to be unrelated is detailed in new research by The University of Queensland. The findings, from a study led by UQ School of Psychology researcher Dr Daniel Skorich, may provide a better understanding of the social functioning difficulties of people with…
High Dose B Vitamins Reduce Symptoms Of Schizophrenia
Adding treatment with high-dose b-vitamins, including B6, B8 and B12, can significantly reduce symptoms of schizophrenia compared to standard treatments alone, a a systematic review and meta-analysis has found. Schizophrenia affects around 1% of the population and is among the most disabling and costly long term conditions worldwide. Current treatment is based around the administration…
How The Brain Chemistry Of Chronic Stress Drives Pathological Anxiety
The way in which two important molecules in the brain interact to trigger intense anxiety is detailed in a new animal model study from researchers at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI). The researchers looked at the endogenous cannabinoid (endocannabinoid or eCB) system, which include natural lipid signaling molecules that bind to cannabinoid receptors in the…
Naptime Helps Preschoolers Learn Words Better
Naps have a key role in helping babies remember what they learn. Now, a new study has found naptime could have a similar effect on language learning in preschoolers. Researchers studied verb learning in three year-olds and found that those who napped after learning new verbs had a better understanding of the words when tested…
Discover Your Creativity Energy – 4 Creative Techniques
There are times when we all want to be more creative. We wish that there were something we could do to express ourselves and create something beautiful at the same time. If you’re looking for ways to discover your creative side and release the artist within, here are a few simple activities that you can…
Physical Activity Reduces Risk of Depression in Children
It has been previously shown that physically active adults and young people have a lower risk of developing depression. Now a new study shows that children also receive that beneficial effect from being active. Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and NTNU Social Research examined just under 800 children when they…
SCN2A Gene Opposing Defects Lead Either To Epilepsy In Infancy Or Autism
Different genetic defects in a single neuronal protein can lead either to infantile epilepsy or to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), according to a new study by UC San Francisco researchers. The result depends on whether the respective mutations boost the protein’s function or sabotage it. Understanding how these genetic defects lead to more general changes…
Postpartum Depression's Neurobiology Is Distinct From Other Mood Disorders
Postpartum depression (PPD) looks much like other forms of depression on the surface. New mothers suffering from it often withdraw from family and friends, lose their appetites, and of course, feel sad and irritable much of the time. But it turns out that many people and clinicians have underestimated the uniqueness of emotional and mood…