Psychology news

• Natural molecule could improve Parkinson's

  16-06-2016 20:16
  A natural molecule shows benefit in a preliminary clinical trial for Parkinson’s Disease, report scientists. Current treatments for Parkinson's disease are generally limited to temporarily replacing dopamine in the brain as well as some medications designed to slow the progression of the disease process.
  
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• Impaired decision-making may contribute to motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease

  16-06-2016 20:13
  People with Parkinson's disease have a form of impaired decision-making that may be a major contributor to the movement problems that characterize the disease. This finding suggests that the neurological factors underlying Parkinson's, which currently affects nearly 1 million people in the United States, may be more complex than commonly believed.
  
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• Cerebral microbleeds in MS are associated with increased risk for disability

  16-06-2016 20:13
  Leaky blood vessels in the brain called cerebral microbleeds are associated with an increased risk of physical and cognitive disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new study.
  
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• Stinky or fragrant? Predicting changing odor preferences

  16-06-2016 20:07
  Pleasant and unpleasant odors are a part of everyone's life, but how do our reactions to smells change when other odors are present? To answer this question, researchers have combined experimental and modeling approaches to reveal the process through which smell preference is computed in the brain.
  
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• Genetic mutation causes ataxia in humans, dogs

  16-06-2016 20:07
  Cerebellar ataxia is a condition of the cerebellum that causes an inability to coordinate muscle movements. A new study describes a new genetic mutation as an additional cause of ataxia in humans and mice. The mutation, in the gene CAPN1, affects the function of the enzyme calpain-1 and causes abnormal brain development. The same genetic mutation is also associated with ataxia in Parson Russell terrier dogs.
  
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• A single species of gut bacteria can reverse autism-related social behavior in mice

  16-06-2016 20:07
  The absence of a one specific species of gut bacteria causes social deficits in mice, researchers report. By adding this bacteria species back to the guts of affected mice, the researchers were able to reverse some of their behavioral deficits, which are reminiscent of symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in humans. The investigators are now looking to explore the effects of probiotics on neurodevelopmental disorders in future work.
  
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• How older people learn

  16-06-2016 16:59
  As a person ages, perception declines, accompanied by augmented brain activity. Learning and training may ameliorate age-related degradation of perception, but age-related brain changes cannot be undone. Rather, brain activity is enhanced even further, but for other reasons and with different outcomes.
  
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• 'Map' of teenage brain provides strong evidence of link between serious antisocial behaviour and brain development

  16-06-2016 13:00
  
  The brains of teenagers with serious antisocial behaviour problems differ significantly in structure to those of their peers, providing the clearest evidence to date that their behaviour stems from...
  
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• Research reveals pain and pleasure of sad music

  16-06-2016 09:00
  
  Researchers at Durham University, UK and the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, said their findings could have implications for how music therapy and rehabilitation could help people's moods.
  
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• ‘Map’ of teenage brain provides strong evidence of link between serious antisocial behavior and brain development

  16-06-2016 02:31
  The brains of teenagers with serious antisocial behavior problems differ significantly in structure to those of their peers, providing the clearest evidence to date that their behavior stems from changes in brain development in early life, according to new research.
  
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