Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects 2% to 10% of trauma survivors, manifesting as intense anxiety from emotional disbalance. Researchers employed brain scans on 104 trauma survivors to determine which ones were more susceptible to PTSD.

Psychological loss, be it from job loss or the death of a loved one, affects well-being immensely, yet its molecular mechanism in the brain remains enigmatic. Researchers utilized the method of enrichment removal (ER) to discern these elusive processes. The study spotlighted a specific brain area central to psychological loss and unveiled potential molecular targets to mitigate its adverse effects.

Researchers have unveiled the brain's chemical mechanism behind our attention span. Historically, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine was considered the sole regulator of attention.

Researchers discovered that neural activity in the left ventral temporoparietal junction (vTPJ) and the lateral anterior temporal lobe (lATL) during sentence processing is tied to social-semantic working memory. Previously, these regions were attributed to general language processing. Using fMRI experiments, the study demonstrated that these regions respond to sentences with social meaning and maintain activity even after the linguistic stimulus is gone. This insight reshapes our understanding of the brain's cortical language network.

Researchers have discovered how mice's brains are wired to instinctively prepare for sleep by nesting, highlighting a survival feature likely shared among mammals. When mice were deprived of sleep, a robust urge to nest emerged, which is controlled by dedicated brain cells in the prefrontal cortex.

A new study reveals that fathers engaging in interactive activities with their children, such as reading and playing, significantly improve their kids' primary school performance. Analysis of the Millennium Cohort Study showed children of involved dads performed better by ages five and seven.

Researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking discovery in the field of pain management: an alternative pathway in the brain that provides relief similar to opioids but without the addiction risks. This mechanism leverages the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) region of the brain.

A new study challenges the traditional belief surrounding the suppression of negative thoughts and mental well-being. Researchers trained participants to suppress fears and worries, observing that these thoughts became less vivid and participants' mental health improved.

A collaborative research effort delved deeper into the environmental factors impacting autism spectrum disorder (ASD) onset. Utilizing a mouse model treated with valproate, researchers observed an increase in the expression of the Rnf146 gene, a known ASD influencer, in the mouse's prefrontal lobe.

A new study linked higher prenatal exposure to certain phthalates with reduced gray matter in children's brains by age 10. This exposure was also correlated with decreased IQ levels in the offspring at age 14.

Researchers discovered that theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TBS) can potentially reduce cigarette cravings. The study revealed that individuals with nicotine dependence often have brain differences that might compromise their inhibitory control (IC).

Joint attention, where a person's attention is drawn to an object someone else is looking at, is fundamental to typical language acquisition. However, a comprehensive meta-analysis of 71 studies suggests that individuals with autism might learn language differently.