Use of steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs for pain relief could raise the chances of developing chronic pain, new research from McGill University and colleagues in Italy suggests. The findings bring questions for conventional practices used to treat pain, of which chronic low back pain is the most commonly reported chronic pain condition. For many decades…
The striatum, a region of the forebrain, was on average 10% larger in psychopathic individuals compared to a control group of individuals that had low or no psychopathic traits, in a new study1. Previous studies have pointed to an overly active striatum in psychopaths but have not conclusively determined the impact of its size on…
Acute stress is associated with increased myelination of axons in areas of the brain associated with memory and emotions, recent research shows. The study1, from scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, and UC San Francisco (UCSF), represents a potential explanation for why some people are quick to recover from, and others vulnerable to traumatic…
A previously unknown function of astrocytes brings a new approach for neuroscience researchers that could ultimately lead to treatments for disorders like epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, and traumatic brain injury, scientists report. Astrocytes are glial cells in the brain that communicate with neuronal synapses, cleaning up glutamate and potassium from the extracellular space after neuron activity. The…
Epilepsy seizures increase insulation of nerve fibers involved in seizing, leading the brain to have seizures more efficiently, a new study1 from the Stanford University School of Medicine has found. I was surprised by what we saw. Initially, I thought that because this is a disease process, we would see deficient myelination somehow. What we’re…
Blind people have a better ability to remember speech compared to sighted people, but visual ability makes no difference in how well a person remembers sound effects, according to a new study1 by Johns Hopkins University and the University of California, Irvine. It’s interesting that people who are blind only showed an advantage with verbal…
Ending a relationship with someone you love is a complicated process. But often what’s more difficult to navigate is breaking up a friendship. After all, humans are hardwired for empathy and friendship. When you consider the amount of history both of you share, you might feel tempted to keep on in a toxic relationship. That…
A poorly understood area of the brain called the claustrum could play an important role in how we experience pain, a new review paper shows. Researchers looked at studies of patients having lesions in the claustrum – such cases are rare, and feature cognitive impairments and seizures. A lack of clinical focus on the claustrum…
When many people imagine success, they think of those who have a lot of money, power, and fame. Although a person can have all of these things and still be unsuccessful, a person who is not wealthy, powerful, or famous can still be considered successful. For example, a person may have a successful business and…