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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE: June 18, 2024 at 06:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

TITLE: The neuroscience behind the sunk cost fallacy: Key brain region identified

URL: https://www.psypost.org/the-neuroscience-behind-the-sunk-cost-fallacy-key-brain-region-identified/

How do we decide when to stick to a goal or when to abandon it for a potentially better option? Recent research published in Nature Human Behaviour has shed light on this dilemma. The study reveals that a brain region known as the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) plays a pivotal role in our tendency to remain committed to our goals.

One key motivation for the study was to bridge the gap between behavioral economics, which provides numerous examples of overcommitment, and neuroscience, which can offer insights into the brain regions and processes involved. Previous research has shown that people often stick with their chosen goals due to emotional and cognitive biases, but the specific brain mechanisms driving this behavior were not well understood. The researchers hypothesized that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) might play a central role in mediating goal commitment by influencing attention and decision-making processes.

“Economists and psychologists are often interested in describing the ways that humans are ‘irrational.’ An example of this is the ‘sunk cost bias,’ which happens when people are too unwilling to give up on a goal even when it’s failing. We were interested in investigating how these tendencies relate to processes in the brain that could actually help us function in the real world,” explained study author Eleanor Holton, a PhD student at the University of Oxford.

To explore this, the researchers utilized a two-pronged approach: functional MRI (fMRI) and studies involving patients with brain lesions. They recruited 30 participants for the fMRI study and 26 patients for the lesion study.

In the fMRI study, participants engaged in a task designed to mimic real-life decision-making scenarios. They were asked to fill virtual nets with seafood, with each net representing a goal. Participants could choose from three types of seafood (crab, octopus, and fish), each associated with different quantities displayed as bars on the screen. The challenge was to decide whether to continue adding to the current net or switch to a different one, knowing that switching would mean losing all accumulated progress in the current net.

The task was conducted in multiple phases. Initially, participants were trained outside the scanner, followed by a main session inside the fMRI scanner where they performed 300 decision trials. Afterward, they completed 100 additional trials outside the scanner with an added spatial attention task. This spatial task required participants to remember the locations of the seafood items, further examining their attention allocation.

The experimental setup ensured that the values of the seafood offers varied gradually, with occasional large shifts to simulate real-world fluctuations in goal attractiveness. This setup allowed the researchers to model different decision strategies and compare participants’ behavior against an optimal decision-making model.

Analysis of the fMRI data revealed that the vmPFC played a crucial role in tracking goal progress and guiding commitment. Activity in the vmPFC was observed both during decision-making and between decisions, suggesting that it helps maintain focus on the current goal. This was further supported by the spatial attention task results, where participants showed better memory for locations associated with their current goal compared to alternative goals.

Interestingly, the study found that participants tended to overcommit to their goals. Even when an optimal model suggested switching, participants persisted more than necessary. This bias towards persistence was linked to increased goal-oriented attention, indicating that as people progress towards a goal, their focus intensifies on completing it, making them less sensitive to attractive alternatives.

To test the causality of the vmPFC’s role in goal commitment, the researchers turned to the lesion study. Patients with damage to the vmPFC showed significantly lower persistence biases compared to other patients and healthy controls. These patients were less likely to stick to a failing goal, suggesting that the vmPFC is crucial for the observed persistence bias in healthy individuals.

“We find that particular areas of the brain are necessary for people to show sunk cost biases, which is the tendency to keep persisting with a goal even when it would be better to abandon it,” Holton told PsyPost. “Patients with damage to this brain area are more flexible about switching to better goals, but were also less focussed on the goals they selected. Although patients with brain damage did better than healthy people in this particular study, in the real world, sunk cost biases are likely to be helpful in keeping us focused on the goals we set.”

Despite these valuable insights, the study had its limitations. The sample size, particularly in the lesion study, was relatively small, which might limit the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, while the tasks were designed to simulate real-life decision-making, they were still controlled laboratory tasks.

The study opens several avenues for future research. One direction could involve exploring how individual differences in vmPFC activity influence decision-making in various contexts, such as financial investments or personal relationships. Additionally, investigating how other brain regions interact with the vmPFC during goal pursuit could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the neural basis of decision-making.

“While our work gives us some good evidence of how the brain might be able to strike the balance between persisting and abandoning goals, it will be equally important to establish any clinical relevance for psychiatric conditions such as ADHD, where people are often more likely to ‘give up’ on a current goal or OCD, where patients can be over-persistent,” Holton noted.

The study, “Goal commitment is supported by vmPFC through selective attention,” was authored by Eleanor Holton, Jan Grohn, Harry Ward, Sanjay G. Manohar, Jill X. O’Reilly, and Nils Kolling.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/the-neuroscience-behind-the-sunk-cost-fallacy-key-brain-region-identified/

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE: June 17, 2024 at 08:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

TITLE: Intriguing connection found between serotonin and fertility

URL: https://www.psypost.org/intriguing-connection-found-between-serotonin-and-fertility/

What role does the neurotransmitter serotonin play in fertility? A recent study by scientists from Nagoya University in Japan has uncovered a link between serotonin neurons, glucose availability, and reproductive health. Their findings suggest that serotonin neurons in the brain play a significant role in maintaining reproductive functions by sensing glucose levels and enhancing the release of reproductive hormones. The research was published in Scientific Reports.

Depression is linked to dysfunction in central serotonergic neurons and is known to correlate with both reproductive and metabolic disorders. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, common treatments for depression, highlight the importance of serotonergic signaling in these processes.

However, the specific role of serotonergic neurons in coordinating reproduction and glucose metabolism remained unclear. The researchers aimed to uncover how serotonergic neurons in the brain might sense glucose levels and regulate reproductive functions. Understanding this connection could pave the way for new therapeutic approaches to treat reproductive disorders in patients with depression.

To investigate this, the researchers employed both female rats and goats, focusing on the dorsal raphe nucleus and the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, areas rich in serotonergic neurons and key regulators of reproductive hormones. They used a combination of genetic, pharmacological, and physiological techniques to unravel the connections between these neurons, glucose sensing, and reproductive hormone release.

In rats, the team used Kiss1-tdTomato heterozygous rats, which have a gene marker that allows for the identification of kisspeptin neurons, crucial for regulating reproduction. They conducted RNA sequencing to identify the types of serotonin receptors present in these neurons. The analysis revealed that the serotonin-2C receptor (5HT2CR), an excitatory receptor, was significantly expressed in the arcuate nucleus’ kisspeptin neurons.

One of the primary discoveries is the significant expression of the serotonin-2C receptor (5HT2CR) in kisspeptin neurons within the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Kisspeptin neurons are crucial regulators of reproduction, responsible for generating pulses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which in turn stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) necessary for reproductive processes.

The RNA sequencing and double in situ hybridization techniques used in this study confirmed that nearly half of the kisspeptin neurons expressed 5HT2CR. This finding suggests that these neurons are direct targets for serotonergic signaling, linking serotonin levels to reproductive function.

In further experiments, the researchers demonstrated that enhancing serotonergic activity in the mediobasal hypothalamus with fluoxetine, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, could counteract the suppression of LH pulses induced by a glucoprivic state (low glucose availability) in female rats.

Normally, conditions of low glucose, induced experimentally by the administration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG), suppress the release of LH, thereby inhibiting reproductive functions. However, fluoxetine administration restored LH pulse frequency, indicating that increased serotonin levels can mitigate the adverse effects of low glucose on reproductive hormone release.

The researchers also showed that direct glucose infusion into the dorsal raphe nucleus increased serotonin release in the mediobasal hypothalamus. This intervention also restored the frequency of LH pulses suppressed by 2DG-induced glucoprivation. These results suggest that serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe can sense glucose levels and adjust reproductive hormone release accordingly, highlighting the dual role of these neurons in managing both glucose metabolism and reproductive function.

To validate these findings in another mammalian model, the researchers conducted electrophysiological recordings in goats. They discovered that central administration of serotonin or a 5HT2CR agonist stimulated the activity of the GnRH pulse generator, leading to increased LH release. Conversely, when a 5HT2CR antagonist was administered, it blocked the serotonin-induced stimulation of GnRH pulses, further confirming the pivotal role of the serotonin-2C receptor in this regulatory process.

The findings underscore the importance of serotonergic signaling in the brain’s ability to integrate information about glucose availability and modulate reproductive functions. The study provides evidence that serotonergic neurons, through their ability to sense glucose and interact with kisspeptin neurons via 5HT2CR, play a crucial role in maintaining reproductive health, particularly in the face of metabolic challenges.

Animal models, such as the female rats and goats used in this study, provide valuable insights into biological processes that are often difficult to study directly in humans. Rats and goats, while different from humans, share fundamental aspects of their endocrine and nervous systems. The findings in these animals can thus provide a basis for understanding similar processes in humans.

But human physiology, behavior, and disease pathology are influenced by a myriad of genetic, environmental, and social factors that are not fully replicated in animal models. For example, while rats and goats can provide insights into basic physiological processes, they do not capture the full complexity of human reproductive and metabolic disorders, which can be affected by a wide range of factors including diet, lifestyle, and psychological stressors.

While animal models are crucial for initial discoveries, further research involving human subjects is necessary to validate and translate these findings into clinical practice.

The study, “Raphe glucose-sensing serotonergic neurons stimulate KNDy neurons to enhance LH pulses via 5HT2CR: rat and goat studies,” was authored by Sho Nakamura, Takuya Sasaki, Yoshihisa Uenoyama, Naoko Inoue, Marina Nakanishi, Koki Yamada, Ai Morishima, Reika Suzumura, Yuri Kitagawa, Yasuhiro Morita, Satoshi Ohkura, and Hiroko Tsukamura.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/intriguing-connection-found-between-serotonin-and-fertility/

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE: June 17, 2024 at 06:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

TITLE: Low-level light therapy shows promising results in traumatic brain injury treatment

URL: https://www.psypost.org/low-level-light-therapy-shows-promising-results-in-traumatic-brain-injury-treatment/

A recent study published in the journal Radiology provides new insights into the potential benefits of low-level light therapy for individuals who have suffered significant brain injuries. The research found that patients receiving low-level light therapy showed greater changes in brain connectivity during their recovery compared to those who did not receive the treatment.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major global health issue, often resulting in long-term disability or death. Traditional treatments for TBI focus on pharmacological interventions, but there is growing interest in non-drug therapies. One such promising approach is low-level light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation. This therapy involves delivering near-infrared light to the brain through the scalp or nasal passages.

Previous studies have suggested that low-level light therapy can reduce cell death, inflammation, and other harmful processes in the brain. However, most of these studies have been small and lacked robust controls. This new study aimed to explore how low-level light therapy affects brain function in the early stages of recovery from moderate TBI.

For their new study, the researchers conducted a double-blinded, sham-controlled trial, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers knew who received the actual treatment and who received a placebo. The study involved 68 patients with moderate TBI, defined by specific scores on the Glasgow Coma Scale and the presence of abnormalities on head CT scans.

These patients were recruited from Massachusetts General Hospital between November 2015 and July 2019. They were randomly assigned to either the low-level light therapy group or the sham treatment group, which received a similar procedure without the active light therapy.

Participants in the low-level light therapy group wore a helmet that emitted near-infrared light. “The skull is quite transparent to near-infrared light,” explained study co-lead author Rajiv Gupta from the Department of Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital. “Once you put the helmet on, your whole brain is bathing in this light.”

This treatment was given within 72 hours of their injury and repeated twice more over the next few days. Each session lasted about 20 minutes. The sham group underwent the same procedures, but their helmets did not emit light.

Both groups underwent a series of functional MRI (fMRI) scans to assess changes in brain connectivity. These scans were done at three time points: within the first week after injury (acute phase), 2-3 weeks later (subacute phase), and three months after the injury (late-subacute phase). A control group of 23 healthy individuals also underwent fMRI scanning, though only once, as their brain connectivity was not expected to change significantly over time.

The study found that low-level light therapy was associated with greater changes in resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) between certain pairs of brain regions compared to the sham treatment. RSFC refers to the synchronization of brain activity between different regions while a person is at rest, which can provide insights into the brain’s functional networks.

From the acute phase to the subacute phase, seven pairs of brain regions showed greater increases in connectivity in the low-level light therapy group compared to the sham group. These regions included areas involved in sensory processing, motor control, and cognitive functions. Additionally, the low-level light therapy group demonstrated increased connectivity between the left temporal pole and various regions in the opposite hemisphere, such as the temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes.

Interestingly, while the low-level light therapy group showed increased connectivity, the sham group experienced decreased connectivity between certain brain regions during the same period. However, from the subacute to late-subacute phases, both groups exhibited increases in connectivity, suggesting a natural healing process occurring in both sets of patients.

“There was increased connectivity in those receiving light treatment, primarily within the first two weeks,” said study coauthor Nathaniel Mercaldo, a statistician with Massachusetts General Hospital. “We were unable to detect differences in connectivity between the two treatment groups long term, so although the treatment appears to increase the brain connectivity initially, its long-term effects are still to be determined.”

Despite its promising findings, the study has several limitations. Firstly, it was originally designed to assess structural connectivity, with functional connectivity as a secondary outcome. This means the sample size and study design may not have been optimal for detecting all relevant differences in brain function.

Secondly, the high attrition rate — where many participants dropped out before completing all follow-up visits — could have affected the results. Reasons for dropping out included physical conditions, scheduling conflicts, and loss of interest.

Another limitation is that the study used only self-reported measures of symptoms, which may not fully capture the clinical impact of low-level light therapy. Future research should include more comprehensive clinical assessments and consider factors such as hair characteristics, age, handedness, and substance use, which could influence the effects of light therapy.

The study provides preliminary evidence that low-level light therapy can enhance brain connectivity in the early stages of recovery from moderate traumatic brain injury. The findings suggest that low-level light therapy may support the brain’s natural healing processes by promoting functional connections between key regions. However, the clinical significance of these changes remains unclear, and further research with larger samples and longer follow-up periods is needed to establish the therapeutic potential of low-level light therapy.

“There is still a lot of work to be done to understand the exact physiological mechanism behind these effects,” said study coauthor Suk-tak Chan, a biomedical engineer at Massachusetts General Hospital.

The study, “Effects of Low-Level Light Therapy on Resting-State Connectivity Following Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury: Secondary Analyses of a Double-blinded Placebo-controlled Study,” was authored by Suk-tak Chan, Nathaniel Mercaldo, Maria G. Figueiro Longo, Jonathan Welt, Arman Avesta, Jarone Lee, Michael H. Lev, Eva-Maria Ratai, Michael R. Wenke, Blair A. Parry, Lynn Drake, Richard R. Anderson, Terry Rauch, Ramon Diaz-Arrastia, Kenneth K. Kwong, Michael Hamblin, Benjamin J. Vakoc, and Rajiv Gupta.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/low-level-light-therapy-shows-promising-results-in-traumatic-brain-injury-treatment/

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE: June 17, 2024 at 04:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

TITLE: Loneliness in teens predicts future use of psychiatric medications

URL: https://www.psypost.org/psychology-loneliness-in-teens-predicts-future-use-of-psychiatric-medications/

Are lonely adolescents more prone to mental health problems in later life? In a recent study published in BJPsych Open, researchers investigated whether loneliness during adolescence can predict mental health problems in adulthood. Their findings suggest that lonely adolescents are at higher risk of developing severe mental health issues, including depression and psychosis, later in life, as indicated by their use of psychotropic medications.

Loneliness is a distressing feeling that arises from a perceived lack of social connections. Previous research has shown that loneliness is linked to various health problems, such as weakened cognitive function, impaired immune response, and increased inflammation. Additionally, loneliness has been found to elevate stress hormone levels and contribute to functional disabilities.

Importantly, loneliness is associated with a significant risk of premature death, even greater than that posed by smoking. Despite this, most studies have focused on loneliness in adults, leaving a gap in understanding how loneliness during adolescence impacts mental health in adulthood.

The researchers utilized data from the “Young in Norway” study, a longitudinal project that began in 1992. Initially, the study involved 12,655 students, aged around 15 years, from 67 junior and senior high schools across Norway. These participants were surveyed multiple times over a span of 14 years, with follow-up assessments conducted in 1994, 1999, and 2005-2006. By the final follow-up, about 2,602 participants had their data linked to the Norwegian Prescription Database, which provided comprehensive records of all prescription medications dispensed to individuals in Norway.

To measure loneliness, the researchers used a five-item scale adapted from the UCLA Loneliness Scale, which included statements such as “I feel in tune with the people around me” and “I feel lonely.” Participants rated these statements on a scale from 1 (never) to 4 (often). This scale was administered at each of the four time points to track changes in loneliness over time.

In addition to loneliness, the study collected data on several other factors that could influence mental health outcomes. These included demographic characteristics like age, gender, and parental education; behavioral factors such as conduct problems and substance use (alcohol, cigarettes, cannabis); and mental health issues, including symptoms of depression and anxiety. This comprehensive data collection allowed the researchers to control for these variables in their analyses.

The primary outcome measure was the prescription of psychotropic drugs, which are medications used to treat mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and psychosis. The researchers categorized these prescriptions into several groups: antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and other psychotropic medications. They then used statistical models to examine the relationships between loneliness at different ages, changes in loneliness over time, and the likelihood of receiving these medications in adulthood.

The study revealed significant associations between loneliness during adolescence and the likelihood of receiving prescriptions for psychotropic drugs in adulthood. Specifically, adolescents who reported higher levels of loneliness were more likely to be prescribed medications for conditions such as psychosis, mood disorders, and depression later in life.

One of the key findings was that high levels of loneliness during adolescence were associated with a higher likelihood of receiving prescriptions for antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants in adulthood. For example, adolescents with high loneliness had an increased risk of being prescribed antipsychotics and mood stabilizers, which are often used to treat severe mental health conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This association persisted even after controlling for other factors such as demographic characteristics, conduct problems, substance use, and prior mental health issues.

Additionally, the researchers found that an increase in loneliness from adolescence to adulthood was a strong predictor of future psychotropic drug prescriptions. Participants who experienced a greater rise in loneliness over time were more likely to receive prescriptions for antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants. This suggests that not only the level of loneliness during adolescence but also the trajectory of loneliness over time plays a critical role in the development of mental health issues.

Interestingly, the study did not find a significant relationship between loneliness and the prescription of benzodiazepines, which are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders. This finding suggests that loneliness may be more closely linked to conditions like depression and psychosis rather than anxiety.

But the study has some limitations. The use of prescription data as a proxy for mental health disorders may not perfectly reflect the underlying conditions. For example, some medications can be prescribed for multiple indications, making it challenging to pinpoint specific disorders. Additionally, the study’s findings are based on a Norwegian population, which may limit their generalizability to other cultural contexts.

Future research should aim to explore the causal relationships between loneliness and mental health disorders more deeply. Investigating whether loneliness directly contributes to the development of mental disorders or whether it exacerbates pre-existing conditions is crucial. Moreover, studies should examine the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing loneliness in adolescents, such as social skills training or structural changes like changing schools.

The researchers concluded that “this study extends findings from previous studies. We used one of the broadest age ranges for the measurement of loneliness and mental health outcome (23 years), including an age span from adolescence to adulthood, an objective measure of prescription of psychotropic drug medications (data from national patient registries) and indicators of a broad range of mental disorders (including psychotic and bipolar disorders).”

“Nevertheless, to better comprehend the relationship between loneliness and mental disorders, we need more research on the potential role of loneliness in the aetiology of mental disorders. The study results provide first indications that early monitoring of loneliness and interventions aimed at reducing loneliness (e.g. social skill training or structural interventions such as change of school) may benefit those at risk of developing mental disorders, particularly those who experience loneliness over an extended period of time in adolescence and early adulthood.”

The study, “Loneliness in adolescence and prescription of psychotropic drugs in adulthood: 23-year longitudinal population-based and registry study,” was authored by Rubén Rodríguez-Cano, Karianne Lotre, Tilmann von Soest, Eline Borger Rognli, and Jørgen Gustav Bramness.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/psychology-loneliness-in-teens-predicts-future-use-of-psychiatric-medications/

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE: June 17, 2024 at 02:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

TITLE: Psychotherapy frequency more crucial than session count, study suggests

URL: https://www.psypost.org/mental-health-psychotherapy-frequency-more-crucial-than-session-count-study-suggests/

A recent study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders has provided new insights into the most effective ways to deliver psychotherapy for adult depression. Researchers investigated how various indicators of the amount and frequency of psychotherapy sessions are related to treatment outcomes. The key findings suggest that while the number of sessions and total contact time with therapists do not significantly impact effectiveness, the frequency of sessions does.

Depression remains a significant public health challenge, being one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Despite the proven effectiveness of psychotherapy in treating depression, the optimal amount and frequency of therapy sessions remain unclear.

Efficiently delivering psychotherapy could potentially reduce the disease burden by maximizing the effectiveness of treatment while minimizing costs. In their new study, researchers aimed to clarify how the amount and frequency of psychotherapy sessions impact treatment effectiveness, thereby informing better clinical practices and resource allocation.

“We know that adult depression can be effectively treated by psychotherapy, but we are still not sure what the amount and frequency leading to the highest effectiveness is,” said study author Marketa Ciharova, a PhD student at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. “That is important know so that we deliver enough psychotherapy for it to be effective. However, we also need to know when additional sessions do not improve the effects, because then we can save both the client and the therapist time. The therapist can then accept more clients, which is crucial especially nowadays when waiting lists in mental health care are very long.”

The study utilized data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared individual, face-to-face psychotherapy with control conditions like care-as-usual or waitlist. Meta-regression analyses, a statistical method that examines the relationship between study characteristics and treatment effects, were employed to analyze the data.

Researchers conducted a comprehensive search of multiple bibliographic databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, to compile relevant studies. The inclusion criteria were strict: studies had to be RCTs conducted on adult participants diagnosed with depression, comparing individual psychotherapy to a control condition. Group therapies, telephone therapies, and self-help interventions were excluded to ensure homogeneity in the analysis.

Data from 176 studies involving 15,158 participants were included. Researchers extracted information on various aspects of the studies, such as the number of sessions, duration of treatment, total contact time, and number of sessions per week. They also assessed the risk of bias in the included studies using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool.

The researchers found no significant relationship between the number of psychotherapy sessions or the total contact time with the therapist and the effectiveness of the treatment. This suggests that simply increasing the number of sessions or the amount of time spent with a therapist does not necessarily lead to better outcomes.

There was a small negative association between the duration of treatment and the effect size, indicating that longer treatment duration was slightly related to lower effectiveness. Specifically, each additional week of treatment was associated with a 0.014 decrease in the effect size.

But a strong positive association was found between the number of sessions per week and treatment effectiveness. Increasing the frequency from one to two sessions per week was associated with a significant improvement in outcomes, with an effect size increase of 0.596. This suggests that delivering sessions more frequently over a shorter period is more beneficial than spreading them out over a longer time.

“It seems that the amount of psychotherapy, no matter whether measured as number of sessions, the duration of therapy in weeks, or minutes spent with the therapist, is not associated with the treatment effects,” Ciharova told PsyPost. “What seems to be important is rather the frequency of session – the more often, the better outcomes.

“However, this association was no longer significant when characteristics of studies were considered. Thus, we suggest that psychotherapy should be planned as short as possible. Only if necessary for content-related reasons, more sessions should be delivered, but as frequently, and over as short period as possible.”

“We did not expect the association between the frequency of sessions and treatment effects to become insignificant when characteristics of studies are considered,” Ciharova explained. “This did not happen in the previous meta-analysis of which the current study was an update (Cuijpers et al., 2013), and it also contradicts findings of a previous randomized controlled trial (Bruijniks et al., 2020).”

However, it is important to note that the analysis is observational and cannot establish causality. “Although the current study certainly provided indications of relationships, the results are only correlational,” Ciharova noted. “The reporting of the included studies was also not optimal, so sometimes, information needed for the analysis was missing. The methodological quality of the included studies also varied.”

Future research should focus on conducting large, high-quality trials to directly compare the effects of different frequencies and amounts of psychotherapy. “The caveats of the current study should be addressed by a large, quality randomized controlled trial,” Ciharova said. “Such trial should also assess how symptoms develop during the treatment, another aspect that we could not address in the current study. Additional investigation is needed in other formats of psychotherapy, as we only assessed individual, face-to-face psychotherapy.”

The study, “Amount and frequency of psychotherapy as predictors of treatment outcome for adult depression: A meta-regression analysis,” was authored by Marketa Ciharova, Eirini Karyotaki, Clara Miguel, Esther Walsh, Nino de Ponti, Arpana Amarnath, Wouter van Ballegooijen, Heleen Riper Bruce Arroll, and Pim Cuijpers.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/mental-health-psychotherapy-frequency-more-crucial-than-session-count-study-suggests/

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE: June 17, 2024 at 12:07PM
SOURCE: Psychiatric Times
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Actual article link at end of text block below.
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The CDC has issued a HAN Health Advisory to inform public health officials, clinicians, and patients about possible disruptions in access to prescription stimulant medications used to treat ADHD. https://t.co/vYtwih1AAS
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Articles can be found at https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/news

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE: June 17, 2024 at 12:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

TITLE: Playing musical instruments linked to improved brain connectivity in older adults

URL: https://www.psypost.org/health-playing-musical-instruments-linked-to-improved-brain-connectivity-in-older-adults/

A study of older adults has found that those who played musical instruments during their lifetime tended to have higher resting state functional connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex, temporal and frontal regions of their brains. This enhanced connectivity might contribute to better brain health and resilience as people age. The research was published in PLOS ONE.

People play musical instruments for a variety of reasons. Many experience joy and fulfillment from creating and expressing themselves through music. It can serve as a form of emotional release and stress relief, providing a therapeutic outlet for feelings and thoughts. Playing an instrument also offers cognitive benefits, such as improving memory, coordination, and problem-solving skills. It can also foster social connections through playing in a band, orchestra, or simply sharing music with friends and family. Mastering an instrument can also provide a sense of accomplishment and boost self-esteem.

Research indicates that long-term engagement in playing musical instruments may protect against cognitive decline and dementia in later life. Older adults who are musically active tend to have better cognitive functioning compared to those without musical experience. This may be due to neural plasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize and adapt its structure and function—which is promoted by musical activity and benefits motor, sensory, and cognitive networks throughout life.

Study author Maxie Liebscher and her colleagues set out to explore the relationship between musical activity at different life stages and resting state functional connectivity in the brain’s central executive, default mode, and salience networks.

Resting state functional connectivity refers to spontaneous brain activity and communication patterns between brain regions when a person is not engaged in a specific task. The central executive network is involved in high-level cognitive functions like working memory and decision-making.

The default mode network is active during rest and internally-focused tasks, such as daydreaming, self-referential thought, and recalling past experiences. The salience network of the brain detects and filters important stimuli from the environment and coordinates the brain’s response by switching between the default mode network and the central executive network.

The researchers analyzed data from the DZNE-Longitudinal Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Study, a German multicenter longitudinal study. They selected 130 participants: 65 who played musical instruments and 65 who did not. The groups were matched in terms of socioeconomic status, intelligence, physical activity, sex, age, education, and cognitive status.

Participants’ musical activities were assessed using items from the Lifetime of Experiences Questionnaire, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of their brains were analyzed to estimate local and global functional connectivity. Local functional connectivity refers to coordinated activity between nearby brain regions, while global connectivity encompasses interactions across the entire brain.

Results showed that participants who played a musical instrument tended to have greater resting state functional connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex, two clusters in the right temporal lobe of the brain and the right precentral gyrus extending into the right superior frontal gyrus region. These belonged to the default mode network.

There were no differences between the two groups that could be attributed to the salience network or the central executive network. There were also no differences in global connectivity between the two groups.

“This finding suggests that preserved or enhanced RSFC [resting-state functional connectivity] between distant brain regions associated with higher-order cognitive and motor processes could be a functional neural correlate of the benefits associated with a history of musical activity. While preserved brain function may contribute to brain reserve and resilience in older age, further research is needed to investigate whether this might help delay cognitive decline and the onset of pathological conditions, including dementia,” the study authors concluded.

The study sheds light on the specificities of neural functioning of older adults with musical experience. However, it should be noted that the number of participants used in this study was small, they were selected by researchers for inclusion in the analysis, and the design of the study does not allow any cause-and-effect conclusions to be drawn from the results. Additionally, the exact relationship between functional connectivity differences and cognitive or psychological outcomes remains unclear.

The paper, “Short communication: Lifetime musical activity and resting-state functional connectivity in cognitive networks,” was authored by Maxie Liebscher, Andrea Dell’Orco, Johanna Doll-Lee, Katharina Buerger, Peter Dechent, Michael Ewers, Klaus Fliessbach, Wenzel Glanz, Stefan Hetzer, Daniel Janowitz, Ingo Kilimann, Christoph Laske, Falk Lüsebrink, Matthias Munk, Robert Perneczky, Oliver Peters, Lukas Preis, Josef Priller, Boris Rauchmann, Ayda Rostamzadeh, Nina Roy-Kluth, Klaus Scheffler, Anja Schneider, Björn H. Schott, Annika Spottke, Eike Spruth, Stefan Teipel, Jens Wiltfang, Frank Jessen, Emrah Düzel, Michael Wagner, Sandra Röske, and Miranka Wirth.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/health-playing-musical-instruments-linked-to-improved-brain-connectivity-in-older-adults/

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE: June 17, 2024 at 10:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

TITLE: New study sheds light on death anxiety’s impact on women’s body image

URL: https://www.psypost.org/new-study-sheds-light-on-death-anxietys-impact-on-womens-body-image/

A new study published in the journal Death Studies has found that death anxiety, or the fear of one’s mortality, may significantly influence eating disorder behaviors, particularly among women with existing body image concerns or disordered eating patterns. The findings shed light on the underlying psychological mechanisms driving eating disorders and suggest new avenues for treatment.

Death anxiety is a fundamental human concern. It has been linked to various mental health issues, as individuals often develop defense mechanisms to cope with this fear. Previous research suggests that death anxiety may be a “transdiagnostic construct,” meaning it could underlie a variety of psychological disorders. The new study aimed to explore whether death anxiety plays a role in the development and severity of eating disorders, which have high mortality rates and are notoriously difficult to treat.

“Growing research has shown that death anxiety unconsciously shapes human behaviour, and underlies different mental health conditions. The desperate desire to be thin and the resulting restriction of food which characterises eating disorders could stem from these fears of death, but little research had been done on this topic,” said study author Rachel Menzies, a research fellow at The University of Sydney, director of the Menzies Anxiety Centre, and author of Mortals: How the Fear of Death Shaped Human Society.

The researchers conducted two studies to examine the impact of death anxiety on women’s body image and eating behaviors. In the first study, the researchers recruited a sample of 128 undergraduate women from the University of Sydney. In the second study, the researchers recruited a sample of 129 women who reported body image concerns or disordered eating behavior through paid social media advertisements and eating disorder support groups.

In both studies, the participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The first group was exposed to a mortality salience prime, which involved answering questions about their thoughts and feelings regarding their own death. This exercise was designed to activate death anxiety. The second group answered similarly structured questions about dental pain, serving as a neutral control condition.

Contrary to the researchers’ expectations, the mortality salience prime did not significantly impact the participants’ body dissatisfaction or eating behaviors in the first study. There was no notable difference in the dissatisfaction with their body thinness or muscularity between the death anxiety group and the control group.

However, in the second study, which included a clinically relevant sample, the researchers observed more pronounced effects of death anxiety on eating disorder behaviors. Women in the mortality salience prime group reported greater dissatisfaction with their current thinness compared to those in the control group, although their dissatisfaction with muscularity remained unaffected.

“I was slightly surprised that reminding women of death only increased their dissatisfaction with how thin they are, and not how muscular they are,” Menzies told PsyPost. “However, this makes sense given that our society emphasises thinness as a beauty standard for women, rather than muscularity (which is emphasised for men)”

Participants in the mortality salience prime group also chose smaller portions of high-fat snacks than those in the control group. This behavior aligns with disordered eating patterns, where individuals might restrict their intake of high-fat foods to maintain thinness.

The findings from these studies provide preliminary evidence that death anxiety can influence disordered eating behaviors, particularly among women with pre-existing body image concerns. The results suggest that death anxiety may drive women to adhere more strictly to cultural standards of thinness as a means of coping with their fear of death.

“Our behaviours are often influenced by things we aren’t consciously aware of,” Menzies said. “Underlying fears of death can shape your feelings about your appearance and weight, and the efforts you might be going to in order to improve it.”

But the study, like all research, includes some caveats. The clinically relevant sample, although high in eating disorder symptoms, was not verified through clinical diagnosis, which could affect the generalizability of the results.

“Whilst some of our sample reported seeking treatment for disordered eating and body image concerns, not all participants had,” Menzies noted. “This means that we don’t know whether the findings would be the same amongst women who were formally diagnosed with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. We also don’t know how these findings would apply to women with eating disorders which don’t center on food restriction, such as binge eating disorder.”

Future research should explore these dynamics further. Investigating whether interventions targeting death anxiety can improve eating disorder treatment outcomes would be a valuable next step.

“In the long-term, I hope to continue to explore the different behaviors and mental illnesses which are shaped by death anxiety,” Menzies said. “In particular, I plan to examine whether effectively treating death anxiety using evidence-based therapy can lead to improvement in broader mental health.”

The study, “Starving off death: Mortality salience impacts women’s body image and disordered eating,” was authored by Madeline Forrester, Louise Sharpe, and Rachel E. Menzies.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/new-study-sheds-light-on-death-anxietys-impact-on-womens-body-image/

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE: June 17, 2024 at 08:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

TITLE: Olive oil consumption may cut dementia mortality risk by nearly 30%, research shows

URL: https://www.psypost.org/olive-oil-consumption-may-cut-dementia-mortality-risk-by-nearly-30-research-shows/

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that consuming more than a teaspoon of olive oil daily could significantly reduce the risk of dying from dementia, and that replacement of margarine or mayonnaise with olive oil could also reduce this risk.

The Mediterranean diet has been celebrated for its cardiovascular benefits. Recently, researchers have turned their attention to its potential to protect cognitive health. Olive oil, a staple of the Mediterranean diet, is rich in healthy fats and antioxidants, which are thought to offer anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.

The study aimed to explore the relationship between olive oil consumption and the risk of dementia-related death. Researchers also sought to understand how olive oil intake interacts with overall diet quality and the replacement of other dietary fats with olive oil.

The investigation was a prospective cohort study, which is a study that follows a group of participants over time. The research team proposed studying a US population could offer new insights, as most research on the Mediterranean diet is conducted in Mediterranean countries.

Consequently the team, led by Anne-Julie Tessier from Harvard University, analyzed data from 93,383 US adults (60,582 women and 31,801 men) who were free from cardiovascular disease and cancer at the start of the study, for 28 years.

Participants’ olive oil intake was measured every four years through detailed food frequency questionnaires. Consumption was categorized into “never or less than once per month”, “greater than 0 to less than or equal to 4.5 grams per day”, “greater than 4.5 grams per day to less than or equal to 7 grams per day”, and “greater than 7 grams per day”.

Death from dementia was obtained from death records, and confirmed by physician review.

Following data analysis, it was discovered that individuals who consumed at least 7 grams of olive oil per day which is a little more than half a tablespoon had a 28% lower risk of dementia-related death compared to those who rarely or never consumed it. This finding was not affected by diet quality.

Tessier and colleagues proposed a potential mechanism behind this, “olive oil consumption may lower dementia mortality by improving vascular health. Several clinical trials support the effect of olive oil in reducing [cardiovascular disease] via improved function [of the membrane that lines the inside of the heart and blood vessels], [blood clotting], lipid metabolism, oxidative stress … and decreased inflammation.”

Moreover, replacing just 5 grams per day of margarine or mayonnaise with olive oil was associated with an 8% to 14% lower risk of dementia mortality, respectively.

“At the time of the study, margarine and mayonnaise contained considerable levels of hydrogenated trans-fats. The latter were strongly associated with all-cause mortality, [cardiovascular disease], type 2 diabetes, and dementia, which may explain the lower dementia-related death risk observed when replacing it with olive oil,” the authors explained.

While the study’s findings are compelling, there are some limitations. For instance, the study did not differentiate among various types of olive oil that differ in their compound content.

The study, “Consumption of Olive Oil and Diet Quality and Risk of Dementia-Related Death”, was authored by Anne-Julie Tessier, Marianna Cortese; Changzheng Yuan, Kjetil Bjornevik, Alberto Ascherio, Daniel D. Wang, Jorge E. Chavarro, Meir J. Stampfer, Frank B. Hu, Walter C. Willett and Marta Guasch-Ferré.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/olive-oil-consumption-may-cut-dementia-mortality-risk-by-nearly-30-research-shows/

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE: June 17, 2024 at 06:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

TITLE: Researchers identify brain abnormalities in treatment-resistant depression

URL: https://www.psypost.org/neuroscience-researchers-identify-brain-abnormalities-in-treatment-resistant-depression/

A recent study has unveiled new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying treatment-resistant depression. By recording stereotactic electroencephalography signals (sEEG) from patients’ brains, the team identified specific abnormalities in how depressed individual process emotional information. This study, published in Nature Mental Health, provides a promising step towards understanding and potentially treating this challenging condition.

Depression is a common but serious mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in daily activities. It affects millions of people worldwide and can significantly impair one’s ability to function at work, school, and in personal relationships.

While many individuals with depression respond well to standard treatments, such as medication and psychotherapy, a significant subset of patients do not experience sufficient relief from these approaches. This condition is known as treatment-resistant depression. It is defined as the failure to respond to at least two different antidepressant treatments administered at adequate doses and durations.

The new study conducted by the researchers at Baylor College of Medicine aimed to explore the neural basis of an emotion-processing bias observed in individuals with depression. This bias leads to a stronger response to negative information compared to positive information, which exacerbates depressive symptoms. Understanding the neural mechanisms behind this bias is crucial for developing targeted interventions that can better address the unique challenges of treatment-resistant depression.

“There has been a big question in the field about whether there was a physiological abnormality we could measure related to depression, as people had historically thought of it as a disorder of the ‘mind’ rather than one of the ‘brain’ and its cells. In this study, we were able to capture very sensitive data from awake, behaving human subjects that demonstrate a physiological basis for treatment-resistant depression,” said study authors Kelly Bijanki, an associate professor, and Xiaoxu Fan, a postdoctoral fellow.

For the study, sEEG electrodes were implanted in specific regions of the participants’ brains, particularly the amygdala and prefrontal cortex (PFC). These regions were chosen due to their known roles in emotion processing and regulation. The electrodes provided high spatial and temporal resolution recordings of brain activity, allowing the researchers to observe detailed neural responses to emotional stimuli.

The study included 12 epilepsy patients and 5 patients diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression. The epilepsy patients served as a control group since they were already undergoing stereotactic electroencephalography (sEEG) monitoring for seizure localization. The treatment-resistant depression patients had not responded to at least four different antidepressant treatments and were recruited as part of an early feasibility trial.

Participants were asked to rate the emotional intensity of human face photographs displaying various expressions, ranging from very sad to very happy. This task was designed to evoke and measure their neural responses to both positive and negative emotional stimuli. The emotional intensity ratings were recorded using a computer interface, ensuring precise synchronization with the brain activity data captured by the sEEG electrodes.

The researchers found that individuals with treatment-resistant depression exhibited a heightened and prolonged response in the amygdala when viewing sad faces compared to the control group. This increased activity began around 300 milliseconds after the sad faces were presented, indicating an overactive bottom-up processing system.

The treatment-resistant depression group also showed a reduced amygdala response to happy faces at a later stage (around 600 milliseconds). This finding suggests a diminished ability to process positive emotional stimuli, which may play a role in the persistent low mood characteristic of depression.

The researchers observed increased alpha-band power in the prefrontal cortex of the treatment-resistant depression patients during the late stage of processing happy faces. Alpha-band power is thought to reflect inhibitory processes in the brain.

Additionally, there was enhanced alpha-band synchrony between the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala, indicating stronger top-down regulation of the amygdala by the prefrontal cortex in these patients. This suggests that the prefrontal cortex may excessively inhibit the amygdala, contributing to the reduced emotional response to positive stimuli.

“sEEG can provide data with high temporal resolution and reliable anatomical precision of signal sources,” Bijanki and Fan told PsyPost. “With the help of sEEG, our results clearly revealed that different neural mechanisms are responsible for the biased negative and positive emotion processing in TRD patients.

The study also explored the effects of deep brain stimulation on neural responses in treatment-resistant depression patients. After deep brain stimulation was administered to the subcallosal cingulate and ventral capsule/ventral striatum regions, the neural responses to emotional stimuli in the patients showed significant changes.

The amygdala response to both sad and happy faces increased, and the alpha-band power in the prefrontal cortex decreased during happy-face processing. Furthermore, the alpha-band synchrony between the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala during happy-face processing was reduced, bringing the neural activity patterns closer to those observed in the control group.

“Treatment-resistant depression has a signature in the firing pattern of neurons in the brain, especially during an emotional task,” Bijanki and Fan explained. “We see the brain being perhaps overly sensitive to negative emotional information in depression patients, and we see evidence of increased top-down inhibition from a moderating brain region that may explain the abnormality. Further, we see after therapeutic brain stimulation, this pattern is normalized. We hope with further study this signal may help clarify the mechanism of depression and suggest new potential treatments.”

The small sample size limits the ability to generalize the findings. Additionally, using epilepsy patients as controls, who may have varying levels of depressive symptoms themselves, might affect the comparison. Future research should aim to include larger and more diverse samples to validate these findings.

The researchers also plan to explore how these neural markers can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of depression treatments. “We hope to use the biased emotional processing signature as a biomarker to evaluate the effects of depression treatments and as an indicator of the severity of depression symptoms in future patients,” the researchers said.

The study, “Brain mechanisms underlying the emotion processing bias in treatment-resistant depression,” was authored by Xiaoxu Fan, Madaline Mocchi, Bailey Pascuzzi, Jiayang Xiao, Brian A. Metzger, Raissa K. Mathura, Carl Hacker, Joshua A. Adkinson, Eleonora Bartoli, Salma Elhassa, Andrew J. Watrous, Yue Zhang, Anusha Allawala, Victoria Pirtle, Sanjay J. Mathew, Wayne Goodman, Nader Pouratian, and Kelly R. Bijanki.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/neuroscience-researchers-identify-brain-abnormalities-in-treatment-resistant-depression/

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 16, 2024 at 02:00PM
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TITLE:
Teens who use cannabis are 11 times more likely to develop a psychotic disorder
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/teens-who-use-cannabis-are-11-times-more-likely-to-develop-a-psychotic-disorder/
<p>A new study published in the journal <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291724000990" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Psychological Medicine</a></em> has found that teens who use cannabis are at an elevenfold higher risk of developing a psychotic disorder compared to those who do not use the drug. This finding underscores the potential mental health risks associated with cannabis use among adolescents, suggesting the association may be stronger than previously thought.</p>
<p>Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, is a plant that has been used for both medicinal and recreational purposes for thousands of years. It contains numerous chemical compounds called cannabinoids, with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) being the most well-known for its psychoactive effects.</p>
<p>THC is the substance primarily responsible for the &#8220;high&#8221; that users experience, as it interacts with the brain&#8217;s endocannabinoid system, influencing mood, perception, and various cognitive functions. Another major cannabinoid is cannabidiol (CBD), which is non-psychoactive and often touted for its potential therapeutic benefits.</p>
<p>The potency of cannabis, particularly in terms of its THC content, has significantly increased over the past few decades. In the 1980s, the average THC content in cannabis was around 1%. However, due to selective breeding and advanced cultivation techniques, modern strains can contain THC levels upwards of 20%, and some extracts can even exceed 90% THC.</p>
<p>This dramatic increase in potency has raised concerns among health professionals about the potential for more severe and widespread adverse health effects, especially among young users whose brains are still developing.</p>
<p>&#8220;My interest in this topic was initially driven by the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada, which happened largely in the absence of solid evidence on the risks of cannabis use,&#8221; said study author <a href="https://x.com/andrejmcdonald?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">André McDonald</a>, a CIHR Postdoctoral Fellow at the Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research and the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research at McMaster University.</p>
<p>&#8220;One of the big questions related to cannabis is its link with psychotic disorders, particularly during youth. Most studies on this topic have used data from the 20th century when cannabis was significantly less potent than today in terms of THC, so we were also curious whether using more recent data would show a stronger link.&#8221;</p>
<p>To conduct their study, the researchers linked population-based survey data from over 11,000 youths in Ontario, Canada, with health service use records. These records included hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and outpatient visits. The survey data came from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) cycles from 2009 to 2012, while the health service data was obtained from ICES.</p>
<p>The sample included non-institutionalized Ontario residents aged 12 to 24 years. To ensure the accuracy of their findings, the researchers excluded respondents who had used health services for psychotic disorders in the six years before their survey interview. This exclusion was intended to reduce the risk of reverse causation, where individuals might have started using cannabis to self-medicate for already existing psychotic symptoms.</p>
<p>Respondents were asked whether they had ever used cannabis and, if so, whether they had used it in the past 12 months. The primary outcome measured was the time to the first outpatient visit, emergency department visit, or hospitalization related to a psychotic disorder. The researchers also adjusted for various sociodemographic and substance use confounders to isolate the effect of cannabis use on the development of psychotic disorders.</p>
<p>Teens who reported using cannabis in the past year were found to be over eleven times more likely to be diagnosed with a psychotic disorder compared to non-users. Interestingly, this elevated risk was not observed in young adults aged 20 to 24, indicating that adolescence is a particularly vulnerable period for the mental health impacts of cannabis.</p>
<p>The data also showed that among the teens diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, the vast majority had a history of cannabis use. Specifically, about 5 in 6 teens who were hospitalized or visited an emergency department for a psychotic disorder had previously reported using cannabis. This finding supports the neurodevelopmental theory that the adolescent brain is especially susceptible to the effects of cannabis, which may disrupt normal brain development and increase the risk of severe mental health issues.</p>
<p>&#8220;People should be aware of the risks associated with using cannabis at an early age. This study estimates that teens using cannabis are at 11 times higher risk of developing a psychotic disorder compared to teens not using cannabis,&#8221; McDonald told PsyPost.</p>
<p>&#8220;It’s important to acknowledge that the vast majority of people who use cannabis will not develop a psychotic disorder, but this study suggests that most teens who develop a psychotic disorder have a history of cannabis use. This is important information to convey to teens but also parents of teens, who may not be aware that cannabis products today are different and may be more harmful than the ones that were around when they were teens. &#8221;</p>
<p>While the study provides compelling evidence of a strong link between adolescent cannabis use and psychotic disorders, it still has some limitations. The potential for reverse causation remains, as early symptoms of psychosis could lead some teens to use cannabis as a form of self-medication before seeking formal medical help. Additionally, the study could not account for genetic predispositions, family history of mental health issues, or trauma — all factors that could influence both cannabis use and the risk of psychotic disorders.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, the findings heighten concerns about early cannabis use.</p>
<p>&#8220;As commercialized cannabis products have become more widely available, and have a higher THC content, the development of prevention strategies targeting teens is more important than ever,&#8221; said senior author Susan Bondy, an affiliate scientist at ICES and associate professor at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health.</p>
<p>McDonald added: :Canadian youth are among the heaviest users of cannabis in the world. If we follow the precautionary principle, the bottom line is that more needs to be done to prevent early cannabis use.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/agedependent-association-of-cannabis-use-with-risk-of-psychotic-disorder/BDCA0F73CDD7AF150D6FDCF89D29DC7F" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Age-dependent association of cannabis use with risk of psychotic disorder</a>,&#8221; was authored by André J. McDonald, Paul Kurdyak, Jürgen Rehm, Michael Roerecke, and Susan J. Bondy.</p>

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE: June 16, 2024 at 12:02PM
SOURCE: Psychiatric Times
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Actual article link at end of text block below.
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Insights on Major Depressive Disorder. Dr. Roger McIntyre provides a comprehensive analysis in a recent Partner Perspectives article sponsored by Takeda Pharmaceuticals &amp; Lundbeck. Read more: https://t.co/XRFYWB394f https://t.co/lwrJAfEFsl
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Articles can be found at https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/news

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 16, 2024 at 12:00PM
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TITLE:
How self-perception of gender traits is related to sexual partner numbers
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/how-self-perception-of-gender-traits-is-related-to-sexual-partner-numbers/
<p>Among heterosexual women, self-rated masculinity is linked to a higher number of reported sexual partners, while self-rated femininity correlates with fewer partners, according to recent research published in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-023-02756-7"><em>Archives of Sexual Behavior</em></a>. Interestingly, this pattern did not hold for heterosexual men or individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or pansexual.</p>
<p>The motivation behind the study stemmed from a longstanding puzzle in sexual behavior research: why do heterosexual men in Western societies consistently report having more lifetime sexual partners than heterosexual women, despite the mathematical expectation that the averages should be similar? This discrepancy has been attributed to several factors, including the sexual double standard that views men with many partners more favorably than women, social desirability bias where men might overreport and women underreport their number of partners, and differences in reporting techniques between genders.</p>
<p>However, previous research primarily focused on the overall gender differences in reported sexual partners rather than exploring variations within each gender group. The new study aimed to fill that gap by examining how self-rated masculinity and femininity influence the number of sexual partners reported by individuals within the same gender but across different sexual identities.</p>
<p>Another motivation for the study was to address the limited research on how masculinity and femininity relate to reported numbers of same-sex partners within LGBTQ communities. Previous studies have explored sexual behaviors and attitudes within these communities, but few have specifically examined how self-perceptions of masculinity and femininity influence the reporting of sexual partners.</p>
<p>&#8220;I am interested in how masculinity and femininity are associated with different types of beliefs and behaviors, including sexual behaviors. How people understand their masculinity and femininity can affect their attitudes and behaviors. Similarly, attitudes and behaviors can affect how people perceive their masculinity and femininity,&#8221; explained study author <a href="https://sociology.ubc.ca/profile/tony-silva/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tony Silva</a>, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of British Columbia.</p>
<p>Silva conducted a web-based survey using a large sample of 2,117 Canadians. This sample included four distinct groups: heterosexual men, heterosexual women, gay and bisexual/pansexual men, and lesbian and bisexual/pansexual women. Participants were recruited through the online panel of Leger, a Canadian research company, which ensured a diverse and stratified sample based on region, gender, age, and recent survey participation.</p>
<p>Self-rated masculinity and femininity were measured using a scale where participants rated themselves from &#8220;not at all&#8221; to &#8220;very&#8221; masculine or feminine. This method was chosen to allow individuals to self-assess rather than being judged by a set of predefined characteristics or behaviors. They were also asked to report the number of sexual partners they had since age 18, considering all types of sexual activity involving genital contact.</p>
<p>The study&#8217;s findings revealed significant associations between self-rated masculinity and femininity and the number of reported sexual partners among heterosexual women. Women who rated themselves as more masculine reported having more sexual partners, while those who rated themselves as more feminine reported fewer. These associations remained significant even after adjusting for various demographic factors.</p>
<p>Among heterosexual men, however, no significant associations were found between self-rated masculinity or femininity and the number of reported sexual partners. This suggests that heterosexual men’s self-perceptions of masculinity or femininity do not influence their reported number of sexual partners.</p>
<p>&#8220;I was surprised that there was no association between self-rated masculinity and reported numbers of lifetime sexual partners for heterosexual men. There may not be a relationship because most men rated themselves as highly masculine regardless of how many sexual partners they had,&#8221; Silva told PsyPost.</p>
<p>Similarly, no significant associations were found among gay and bisexual/pansexual men or lesbian and bisexual/pansexual women. This indicates that other factors may play a more substantial role in shaping sexual behaviors and reporting practices within these communities.</p>
<p>&#8220;The lack of any significant associations among LGBQ women and men may be because other factors more strongly shape reported numbers of lifetime sexual partners in these communities, such as subcultural norms,&#8221; Silva said.</p>
<p>While the study provides valuable insights, it has some limitations to consider. For instance, the study relied on self-rated measures of masculinity and femininity, which, though beneficial for capturing individual perceptions, may not encompass the full range of behaviors and attitudes associated with these traits. Future research could combine self-rated measures with behavioral and attitudinal assessments to provide a more comprehensive understanding.</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-023-02756-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Self-Rated Masculinity and Femininity and Reported Number of Lifetime Sexual Partners Among Cisgender Heterosexual and LGBQ Men and Women</a>,&#8221; was published December 14, 2023.</p>

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 16, 2024 at 10:00AM
.
TITLE:
Older adults who have used psychedelics tend to have better executive functioning
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/older-adults-who-have-used-psychedelics-tend-to-have-better-executive-functioning/
<p>Older individuals who have used psychedelics tend to exhibit better cognitive functioning and fewer depressive symptoms compared to those who have not, according to new research published in <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23337214241250108"><em>Gerontology &amp; Geriatric Medicine</em></a>. However, psychedelic usage was not linked to improvements in episodic memory.</p>
<p>Psychedelics are substances that profoundly alter perception, mood, and cognitive processes, often inducing hallucinogenic, euphoric, or introspective experiences. Popular psychedelics include LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), psilocybin (found in certain mushrooms), and ecstasy (MDMA or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). Historically, some psychedelics have been used in cultural and religious rituals to induce spiritual experiences and enhance self-awareness.</p>
<p>In modern times, psychedelics are considered illicit substances in most jurisdictions. However, studies in recent decades indicated that they can also have beneficial therapeutic effects on various mental disorders. This led to their partial decriminalization in many countries and the development of psychedelic therapy.</p>
<p>Psychedelic therapy involves the supervised use of these substances in a controlled setting to promote emotional and psychological healing. During these sessions, a therapist guides the individual through their experience, helping them to explore and integrate their thoughts and feelings. Research into the effectiveness of psychedelic therapy has shown promise in treating depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety, especially when traditional treatments have failed.</p>
<p>The study, conducted by Kaeleigh Fearn and Kallol Kumar Bhattacharyya, addresses cognitive decline, a significant health concern in older adults. The researchers hypothesized that psychedelic use could improve cognitive functions and reduce depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults. To test this hypothesis, they analyzed data from the Midlife in the United States study.</p>
<p>The Midlife in the United States study is a national longitudinal research project that examines the physical, mental, and social health of Americans as they age. The data analyzed in this study included 2,503 English-speaking participants from 48 U.S. states, with an average age of 64 years; 55% of the participants were women.</p>
<p>Participants completed phone surveys and mailed self-administered questionnaires. They reported their use of marijuana, LSD, or other hallucinogens (such as PCP, peyote, ecstasy (MDMA), mescaline, and Prozac) in the past 12 months. They also completed assessments of executive functioning, episodic memory (using the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone), and depressive symptoms lasting two or more weeks in the past year (using the 7-item DEPCON scale).</p>
<p>The results showed higher rates of psychedelic use among younger participants, women, individuals who were separated, divorced, or never married, the unemployed, tobacco and alcohol users, and those with more chronic conditions.</p>
<p>Despite these demographic differences, psychedelic users generally had better cognitive functioning and fewer depressive symptoms, even after accounting for various factors. However, psychedelic use was not associated with episodic memory improvements.</p>
<p>“The current findings revealed that psychedelic use was associated with improved cognitive function, assessed by executive function, partially supporting our hypothesis; however, the same association was not evident with episodic memory. Further, psychedelic use was associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms. Although our participants were limited, the results corroborated earlier findings in a lesser-explored area of research,&#8221; the study authors concluded.</p>
<p>The study sheds light on the links between psychedelic use, cognitive functioning and mental health in middle-aged and older adults. However, it also has limitations that need to be taken into account. Notably, the study design does not allow any cause-and-effect inferences to be drawn from the data. Additionally, data about psychedelic use came exclusively from self-reports leaving room for reporting bias to affect the results.</p>
<p>The paper, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/23337214241250108">Is Use of Psychedelic Drugs a Risk or Protective Factor for Late-Life Cognitive Decline?</a>”, was authored by Kaeleigh Fearn and Kallol Kumar Bhattacharyya.</p>

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 16, 2024 at 06:00AM
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TITLE:
New research highlights the alarming impact of sleep deprivation on cognitive function
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/new-research-highlights-the-alarming-impact-of-sleep-deprivation-on-cognitive-function/
<p>A recent study published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-024-06826-7"><em>Experimental Brain Research</em></a> has shed new light on how total sleep deprivation impacts the brain&#8217;s ability to process and integrate multiple stimuli presented in quick succession. The researchers found that a complete day without sleep significantly impairs both attentional and temporal integration mechanisms. In other words, going without sleep for a whole day seriously hinders our ability to pay attention and process information quickly, which is crucial for reacting correctly to fast changes around us.</p>
<p>Humans have a limited ability to process several events when they occur simultaneously or in quick succession. This limitation is evident in a phenomenon known as the attentional blink. The attentional blink is the difficulty people have in identifying the second of two stimuli presented closely together in time. The study aimed to explore how total sleep deprivation affects this phenomenon, given the known effects of sleep loss on various aspects of attention and perception.</p>
<p>&#8220;Initially, as a student, I was interested in studying the brain. After joining the <a href="https://cronobiologia-monterrey.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Laboratory of Psychophysiology</a>, I had the opportunity to delve into other topics that were very interesting to me, such as biological rhythms and sleep, or the limits in human neuropsychological capacities like attention and memory,&#8221; said study author <a href="https://scholar.google.com.mx/citations?user=bF1xaVEAAAAJ&amp;hl=es" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carlos Gallegos</a> of the Autonomous University of Nuevo León.</p>
<p>To understand how total sleep deprivation affects attention, the researchers designed an experiment involving 22 undergraduate students. These students, aged around 17 years, had no health or sleep disorders. The study ensured they followed a regular sleep schedule before participating. They stayed at a laboratory for six consecutive days, undergoing different conditions to test their attention under various levels of sleep.</p>
<p>The experiment was divided into three main phases: For two nights, participants slept at least 8 hours to establish their normal level of attention. On the fourth day, participants stayed awake for 24 hours straight. Participants were allowed to sleep freely for two nights to see if their attention levels returned to normal.</p>
<p>The researchers used a task called the Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) to measure attention. In this task, participants had to identify two target numbers mixed among a series of distractor letters shown rapidly on a computer screen. The accuracy of identifying these numbers at different time intervals helped measure the attentional blink.</p>
<p>After 24 hours without sleep, participants&#8217; ability to accurately identify the target numbers dropped significantly. This decline in performance was restored after the participants had two nights of unrestricted sleep, indicating that sleep is crucial for maintaining attention.</p>
<p>Sleep deprivation extended the time during which participants struggled to identify the second target number. Normally, the attentional blink occurs at intervals of 200-500 milliseconds, but sleep-deprived participants had difficulty even at 600 milliseconds. This extension suggests a significant impairment in the brain&#8217;s ability to process successive stimuli quickly.</p>
<p>&#8220;The main takeaway is that skipping a night of sleep can increase the risk of making errors,&#8221; Gallegos told PsyPost. &#8220;While some errors are harmless (such as misreading a word while studying), others can be fatal (like pressing the accelerator instead of the brake while driving). It&#8217;s important to emphasize that when we push capacities like attention and memory to their limits (as it occurs in the Attentional Blink), there&#8217;s always a chance of error, even during the day or without sleep deprivation.&#8221;</p>
<p>The magnitude of the attentional blink, which measures how much the accuracy of identifying the second target drops during the attentional blink interval, was reduced during sleep deprivation. This reduction was primarily due to an overall drop in accuracy for both targets, particularly the second one. The attentional blink magnitude returned to normal levels after the recovery sleep, highlighting the temporary but severe impact of sleep deprivation.</p>
<p>Under normal conditions, if the second target appears very shortly (within 100 milliseconds) after the first, both are usually identified correctly — a phenomenon known as lag-1 sparing. However, this effect disappeared during sleep deprivation, indicating impaired temporal integration mechanisms. This means the brain&#8217;s ability to process and integrate information presented in quick succession was compromised.</p>
<p>Participants also made more errors by identifying the target numbers in the wrong order during sleep deprivation, especially within the intervals up to 400 milliseconds. This increase in order reversals suggests that sleep deprivation extends the period during which the brain integrates multiple stimuli, leading to confusion.</p>
<p>&#8220;In our task to measure the Attentional Blink, stimuli were presented rapidly, individually, and successively, and participants had to identify two numbers (targets) among letters (distractors),&#8221; Gallegos explained. &#8220;When stimuli appear in direct succession (without distractors in between), people often identify the first stimulus as the second and vice versa. This inversion in reporting the order of stimuli is even greater with sleep deprivation. This result suggests that there are some perceptual alterations that could lead to errors in selecting (attending) the correct stimulus.&#8221;</p>
<p>These findings have significant implications for individuals who frequently experience sleep deprivation, such as medical professionals, pilots, and others in high-stakes jobs. The study suggests that even after 24 hours of wakefulness, people&#8217;s ability to process rapid changes in their environment is severely compromised. This impairment increases the risk of errors in tasks that require quick responses.</p>
<p>&#8220;Pushing functions like attention and memory to their limits can be dangerous during the day, even with adequate sleep,&#8221; Gallegos noted. &#8220;The risk increases during the night and with sleep deprivation. Nowadays, it&#8217;s very common, especially with the use of technology, for people to multitask. This is a very common way of pushing our processes to the limit.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;During the research on the limits of attention, we have learned that there are limits in other fundamental processes that operate simultaneously, such as perception and memory. I would like to further study the limits in these capacities and gain a better understanding of how these functions relate to each other.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Hopefully in the future, society will place more value on these two topics that are quite common,&#8221; Gallegos added. &#8220;On one hand, sleep, which is a necessity that we often neglect to meet the demands of daily life. On the other hand, the limit of cognitive capacities, which we also frequently push when engaging in various activities simultaneously.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00221-024-06826-7">Total sleep deprivation effects on the attentional blink</a>,&#8221; was authored by Carlos Gallegos, Candelaria Ramírez, Aída García, Jorge Borrani, and Pablo Valdez.</p>

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 14, 2024 at 02:19PM
.
TITLE:
New metric for blood circulation in brain to better understand dementia
.
URL:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240614141923.htm

Researchers have developed a new metric from measured blood circulation in our brain. This metric has implications for brain conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 14, 2024 at 02:19PM
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TITLE:
New metric for blood circulation in brain to better understand dementia
.
URL:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240614141923.htm

Researchers have developed a new metric from measured blood circulation in our brain. This metric has implications for brain conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 15, 2024 at 02:00PM
.
TITLE:
Taoist meditation alters resting brain activity, study finds
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/taoist-meditation-alters-resting-brain-activity-study-finds/
<p>Recent findings published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-60932-8"><em>Scientific Reports</em></a> highlight how an eight-week Taoist meditation course can alter brain function and autonomic nervous system activity. The study revealed that this specific type of meditation training altered brain activity and sympathetic responses during rest but did not produce the same effects during the meditation itself.</p>
<p>The primary motivation behind this study stemmed from the widely acknowledged benefits of meditation, such as enhanced attention, improved emotional stability, and positive effects on physical health. Previous research has shown that experienced meditators exhibit unique patterns of brain activity, indicating reduced activity in regions associated with discursive thoughts and increased activity in areas linked to response inhibition and attention. Additionally, meditation has been shown to improve cardiovascular function and modulate gene expression related to inflammation and aging.</p>
<p>However, despite these benefits, there are challenges in defining clear success criteria for meditation training and understanding the trajectory of changes in brain and autonomic nervous system activity during meditation. Most studies focus on average measures of brain and autonomic nervous system activity, leaving a gap in knowledge regarding the specific changes that occur during meditation and how these changes might differ among individuals, especially novices. This study aimed to address these gaps by examining the effects of Taoist meditation training on both brain activity and autonomic responses in beginners.</p>
<p>&#8220;My interest in meditation research stems from personal experiences with meditation and observations of friends and acquaintances. Within my social circle, I&#8217;ve encountered a lot of individuals engaged in various mental practices,&#8221; said study author Maria Volodina of HSE University.</p>
<p>&#8220;Traditional meditation teachings often incorporate mental imagery, such as envisioning glowing balls in the joints or imagining suspension by a silver thread from the crown of the head, to facilitate entry into a desired meditative state. It stands to reason that if these mental images aid different individuals in achieving a specific state, then evoking corresponding images in one&#8217;s mind and body should result in measurable physiological changes, such as alterations in brain activity, heart rate, and breathing.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;If this holds true, the use of biofeedback devices tracking these changes could expedite the process of achieving the desired meditative state, either in conjunction with or instead of mental imagery. This concept underpins the widespread use of biofeedback devices in meditation today,&#8221; Volodina explained.</p>
<p>The study involved 25 participants who were divided into two groups: a meditation group and a control group. The meditation group underwent a 16-session Taoist meditation training over eight weeks, while the control group attended sessions where they listened to audiobooks. None of the participants had prior experience with meditation, ensuring that any observed effects could be attributed to the training itself.</p>
<p>During the training, the meditation group practiced an audio-guided Taoist meditation, which includes stages of relaxation, body scan, stopping internal dialogue, visualization, and instructed breathing. The sessions were designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to meditation, under the guidance of an experienced instructor to ensure proper technique and reduce the risk of adverse effects.</p>
<p>To assess the effects of the training, the researchers measured various physiological and brain activity indicators before and after the intervention. These included electroencephalography (EEG) to monitor brain activity, as well as photoplethysmography (PPG), galvanic skin response (GSR), and respirometry to evaluate autonomic nervous system activity. During these testing sessions, the researchers recorded data during a resting state (both eyes-open and eyes-closed) and during a meditation practice guided by the audio instruction.</p>
<p>Interestingly, the researchers did not find significant changes in brain activity or autonomic responses during the actual meditation sessions. Although there were observable profiles of EEG power changes during meditation, these did not differ significantly between the pre- and post-intervention measurements.</p>
<p>&#8220;In this study, a group of participants undergoing meditation training were instructed by the same instructor. We aimed to observe how the dynamics of their physiological indicators would change as they immersed themselves in meditation after completing the course,&#8221; Volodina told PsyPost.</p>
<p>&#8220;If the hypothesis regarding the existence of an innate tendency towards a specific strategy were confirmed, we would have expected to see a division among the participants in the experimental group, similar to what we observed in a previous study among experienced meditators. Unfortunately, the duration of the experiment proved insufficient to notice statistically significant changes during the meditation immersion process.&#8221;</p>
<p>However, the researchers found significant changes in brain activity during the resting state in the meditation group. Specifically, there was an increase in theta and alpha power in various brain regions. Theta power increased in the occipito-parietal area during the eyes-open condition and in the frontal, right parietal, and occipital areas during the eyes-closed condition. Alpha power also increased in the frontal and fronto-central areas during both eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions.</p>
<p>These increases in theta and alpha power are associated with states of relaxed alertness and internal attention, suggesting that the meditation training helped participants achieve a calmer, more focused state during rest.</p>
<p>In terms of autonomic nervous system activity, the meditation group showed significant changes in the autonomic balance index, stress index, and vegetative rhythm indicator during the eyes-open resting state. These changes indicate increased sympathetic activity, which is associated with heightened alertness and stress response.</p>
<p>&#8220;We did not anticipate that just 16 hours of classes spread over 8 weeks (we specifically asked participants not to practice at home) could alter the baseline levels of physiological indicators,&#8221; Volodina said. &#8220;Additionally, somewhat unexpectedly, we noted an increase in sympathetic activity at rest among the participants. Sympathetic nervous system activity is typically considered a marker of stress.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;In reality, it does not always represent &#8216;bad stress&#8217;; rather, it reflects the level of arousal. Therefore, such changes may indicate that learning meditation in the early stages could be quite stressful, similar to learning any other new skill, or that participants become more &#8216;alive&#8217; and alert.&#8221;</p>
<p>While the study provides valuable insights into the effects of Taoist meditation training, there are several limitations to consider. Firstly, the sample size was relatively small, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results and explore the potential variability in responses among different individuals.</p>
<p>Additionally, the study only investigated the effects of one type of meditation. Future research should examine whether similar changes occur with other meditation practices and how different types of meditation might influence brain and autonomic nervous system activity.</p>
<p>&#8220;Our data does not conclusively indicate whether using devices for meditation based on biofeedback can be beneficial in the early stages of meditation and whether the state people enter using such devices corresponds to traditional meditation,&#8221; Volodina said. &#8220;At present, we have decided to approach the same question from a slightly different angle and are studying the effects of body awareness training using biofeedback systems.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;During this training, participants are asked to focus on sensations in their hands and their own pulse. We are examining how such interoceptive training affects the participants&#8217; psycho-emotional state, as well as their level of empathy and response to emotionally charged stimuli.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-60932-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Short-term meditation training alters brain activity and sympathetic responses at rest, but not during meditation</a>,&#8221; was authored by Anna Rusinova, Maria Volodina, and Alexei Ossadtchi.</p>

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 15, 2024 at 02:42AM
.
TITLE:
New Type of Psychotherapy Helps Treat Chronic Pain
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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=180571&url=https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2024/06/14/psychotherapy-chronic-pain/8011718373763/
<div><p>Source: <a href="http://www.upi.com/Health_News/" rel="tag" target="_blank">United Press International - Health News</a></p>A new form of psychotherapy works even better at treating chronic pain than gold-standard cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a new study finds. U.S. veterans who received emotional awareness and expression therapy (EAET) experienced a longer and more significant reduction in chronic pain than those who underwent CBT, researchers reported Thursday in the journal JAMA Network Open. Over 60% of veterans who underwent EAET reported a sizable...</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 15, 2024 at 02:41AM
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TITLE:
Colorado Was Built on $1.7 Trillion of Land Taken From Tribal Nations
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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=180567&url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/colorado/articles/2024-06-14/report-finds-colorado-was-built-on-1-7-trillion-of-land-expropriated-from-tribal-nations
<div><p>Source: <a href="http://www.usnews.com/" rel="tag" target="_blank">U.S. News and World Report</a></p>A report published this week by a Native American-led nonprofit estimates that Colorado was built on $1.7 trillion worth of Indigenous homelands, and that the state has reaped more than $546 million in mineral extraction from the these lands. The report also identifies 10 tribal nations that have &quot;aboriginal title, congressional title, and treaty title to lands within Colorado&quot; and documents how the land was taken, often in direct violation of...</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 15, 2024 at 02:41AM
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TITLE:
APA Praises Supreme Court Decision to Maintain Access to Abortion Drug
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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=180557&url=http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2024/06/supreme-court-abortion-drug
<div><p>Source: <a href="http://www.apa.org/" rel="tag" target="_blank">APA Press Releases</a></p>The American Psychological Association praised the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling allowing a drug used for abortions to remain on the market. &quot;Policies based on the concept that abortion is harmful to women's mental health are not supported by scientific evidence. Research has consistently shown that having an abortion is not linked to mental health problems, but people who are denied abortions have worse physical and mental health,&quot; said APA CEO...</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 15, 2024 at 02:40AM
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TITLE:
Ukrainian Children Taken by Russia Left with Trauma, Say Campaigners
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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=180598&url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2024-06-15/ukrainian-children-abducted-by-russia-left-with-psychological-scars-campaigners-say
<div><p>Source: <a href="http://www.usnews.com/" rel="tag" target="_blank">U.S. News and World Report</a></p>Russia's abduction of Ukrainian children is an attempt to steal the country's future and has left the youngsters with psychological scars, Ukrainian campaigners said Saturday as they called for international efforts to bring them home. Kyiv says about 20,000 children have been taken to Russia or Russian-occupied territory without the consent of family since the war began, calling the abductions a war crime that meets the U.N. treaty definition...</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 15, 2024 at 02:40AM
.
TITLE:
Red Fever Traces Indigenous Impact of on Western Culture and Democracy
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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=180593&url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/red-fever-documentary-1.7232961?cmp=rss
<div><p>Source: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/" rel="tag" target="_blank">Canadian Broadcasting Company - Top Stories News</a></p>A new documentary, Red Fever, probes the Western world's fascination with stereotypical imagery of Indigenous people, as it travels through North America and Europe, from the Arctic to the Deep South, exploring Indigenous histories and their lasting impact on today's culture. It also tells the little-known story of how the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, often described as the world's oldest participatory democracy, served as a model for the U.S....</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 15, 2024 at 12:00PM
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TITLE:
Smaller hippocampal regions linked to better PTSD recovery
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/smaller-hippocampal-regions-linked-to-better-ptsd-recovery/
<p>A recent study published in <em><a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2024-77895-002?doi=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Behavioral Neuroscience</a></em> offers new insights into the relationship between brain structure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study found that smaller volumes in specific regions of the hippocampus, a brain structure involved in memory and learning, are associated with reduced PTSD symptom severity over time. This counterintuitive finding suggests a complex relationship between hippocampal structure and PTSD symptoms, particularly in how these brain regions may influence symptom improvement.</p>
<p>PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a highly distressing or traumatic event. It is characterized by symptoms such as reexperiencing the trauma through flashbacks or nightmares, avoiding reminders of the event, emotional numbness, and heightened arousal or anxiety. PTSD can significantly impact a person&#8217;s daily life, affecting their ability to function normally in social, occupational, and other important areas.</p>
<p>Previous research has suggested that the hippocampus might be linked to PTSD. However, the relationship between hippocampal structure and long-term changes in PTSD symptoms has been less clear. The new study aimed to explore whether specific subfields of the hippocampus could predict changes in PTSD symptoms over a prolonged period, providing deeper insights into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the disorder.</p>
<p>&#8220;We were interested in this topic because, in our veterans with PTSD, we wanted to predict who was more likely to reduce PTSD symptoms over time and who was more likely to have chronic or worsening symptoms,&#8221; explained study author <a href="https://www.bu.edu/ballab/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joseph DeGutis</a>, a health scientist at the VA Boston Healthcare System and associate professor at Harvard Medical School.</p>
<p>&#8220;Previous studies have consistently implicated the hippocampus, a brain structure critical to learning and memory, as having an important role in the development and maintenance of PTSD. Advances in structural MRI data analysis have also allowed automated segmentation of hippocampal subregions (subfields) that have different roles in learning and memory (e.g., fear learning vs. pattern completion).&#8221;</p>
<p>For their study, the researchers recruited 252 post-9/11 veterans, including 159 with PTSD and 93 without. Participants underwent two assessments approximately two years apart. During these assessments, PTSD symptoms were measured using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), a widely used diagnostic tool. Additionally, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were conducted to measure the volumes of different hippocampal subfields, specifically the cornu ammonis (CA) regions CA1 and CA3, and the dentate gyrus.</p>
<p>To ensure the accuracy of their findings, the researchers used an advanced imaging analysis tool called FreeSurfer, which provides detailed volumetric measurements of hippocampal subfields. They also accounted for potential confounding factors such as age, sex, head size, and scanner type.</p>
<p>Contrary to the initial hypothesis, the researchers found that smaller volumes in the CA1-body and CA2/3-body regions of the hippocampus were associated with greater reductions in PTSD symptom severity over time. These associations were specific to changes in avoidance and numbing symptoms, rather than reexperiencing or hyperarousal symptoms. This suggests that smaller volumes in these hippocampal subfields might somehow facilitate the improvement of certain PTSD symptoms.</p>
<p>&#8220;Several previous MRI studies have found that a larger overall hippocampus (brain structure critical to learning and memory) protects the individual from developing PTSD after exposure to a traumatic event,&#8221; DeGutis told PsyPost. &#8220;However, our results show that, if you go on to develop PTSD, smaller volumes of subregions of the hippocampus (CA1, CA3) are predictive of PTSD symptoms <em>improving</em> over time.</p>
<p>&#8220;In other words, a larger hippocampus and its subregions may be beneficial to keep you from developing PTSD but if you do go on to develop PTSD, larger hippocampal subregions can be related to having more chronic/worsening symptoms.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;We were surprised that smaller hippocampal subfields predicted better PTSD outcomes!&#8221; DeGutis said. &#8220;It suggests that the risk factors for developing PTSD are different from the factors that predict whether you recover from PTSD once you have it. Our results provide a more complex and nuanced understanding of the role of the hippocampus in PTSD. &#8221;</p>
<p>Interestingly, the study did not find significant associations between hippocampal volume and other factors such as combat exposure, treatment history, or time since deployment, indicating that the observed relationships were robust and not influenced by these variables.</p>
<p>The study challenges the traditional view that larger hippocampal volumes are always better in the context of PTSD. But, as with any study, there are some limitations to consider. The sample consisted predominantly of male veterans, which raises questions about the generalizability of the findings to other populations, such as females or civilians.</p>
<p>Another limitation is the timing of the assessments. The first assessment took place an average of three years after the participants&#8217; return from deployment, which means the study did not capture changes in hippocampal volume immediately following trauma. This makes it difficult to determine whether the smaller hippocampal volumes were a pre-existing condition or a consequence of prolonged PTSD.</p>
<p>The long-term aim of the research is &#8220;to try and figure out, in those with a PTSD diagnosis, who improves over time and who doesn&#8217;t,&#8221; DeGutis explained. &#8220;This has important mechanistic implications for models of PTSD but also tells us who to target with focused treatments. It is expensive for everyone to get an MRI scan of their brain and we are currently testing whether these brain differences observed can be seen on memory tasks that can be made widely available.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/bne0000578" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Less Is More: Smaller Hippocampal Subfield Volumes Predict Greater Improvements in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Over 2 Years</a>,&#8221; was authored by Joseph DeGutis, Danielle R. Sullivan, Sam Agnoli, Anna Stumps, Mark Logue, Emma Brown, Mieke Verfaellie, William Milberg, Regina McGlinchey, and Michael Esterman.</p>

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 15, 2024 at 10:00AM
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TITLE:
Facial emotion recognition: How social anxiety impacts autistic and learning-disabled children
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/facial-emotion-recognition-how-social-anxiety-impacts-autistic-and-learning-disabled-children/
<p>A study of schoolchildren in Italy found that children with autism and specific learning disorders have more trouble recognizing facial emotions compared to non-diagnosed children. In autistic children, higher social anxiety is associated with better emotion recognition, while in those with learning disorders, higher anxiety is associated with more difficulty recognizing emotions. The research was published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579424000038"><em>Development and Psychopathology</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<p>Being able to recognize the emotional state of another person by looking at his/her face is a crucial ability for social functioning. Many individuals can derive a wealth of information about internal psychological states or characteristics of another person just from nonverbal cues. This ability to recognize emotions of another person by looking at his/her facial expression is called facial emotion recognition.</p>
<p>Autism spectrum disorder, commonly referred to as autism, is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors or restricted interests. The severity of these symptoms can vary greatly. Those with milder forms of autism can live independently, complete their education, maintain employment, and have fulfilling social relationships. However, individuals with more severe forms might require continuous support throughout their lives.</p>
<p>One of the prominent characteristics of autism are difficulties in social interactions. Studies suggest that at least a part of these difficulties might be because of the reduced ability of autistic individuals to recognize emotional and mental expressions using nonverbal cues.</p>
<p>Study author Rachele Lievore and her colleagues sought to explore the ability to recognize facial emotions, social anxiety levels, and cognitive factors in schoolchildren with and without autism and specific learning disabilities. Children with specific learning disabilities experience significant challenges in reading, writing, and/or mathematics. While distinct from autism, previous studies have shown these children often have lower levels of various cognitive abilities, prompting the researchers to investigate their emotion recognition capabilities.</p>
<p>The study involved 263 children and adolescents aged 8 to 16. Among them, 60 had autism, 63 had specific learning disabilities, and 140 had neither diagnosis. All participants were native Italian speakers.</p>
<p>Participants completed a facial emotion recognition task, where they were shown pairs of images of actors expressing specific emotions. Their task was to determine whether the actors expressed the same or different emotions in each pair of images. There were 144 pairs in total, with half showing the same emotion and the other half showing different emotions.</p>
<p>Parents of the participants completed an assessment of their children&#8217;s social anxiety using the parent-report form of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children. The children also completed three tests of executive functions, which assessed inhibitory control, updating, and set-shifting.</p>
<p>Inhibitory control is the ability to suppress impulsive responses and resist distractions to maintain goal-directed behavior. Updating refers to the capacity to monitor and revise working memory with new, relevant information. Set-shifting is the ability to switch attention and adapt to changing tasks, rules, or perspectives flexibly.</p>
<p>The results showed that participants with autism and specific learning disabilities were less capable of recognizing facial emotions compared to children without these diagnoses. Those with autism also had poorer executive functioning than the other two groups. Children and adolescents with autism and specific learning disabilities exhibited higher levels of social anxiety.</p>
<p>In children suffering from autism, those with high social anxiety tended to be better at recognizing emotions on faces. In their peers with specific learning disabilities, lower social anxiety was associated with better facial emotion recognition abilities.</p>
<p>“Overall, despite similar weaknesses in FER [facial emotion recognition] in ASD [autism spectrum disorder] and SLD [specific learning disabilities], different underlying mechanisms may lie behind such performances in these two different neurodevelopmental conditions. Understanding these differences can guide practitioners in designing individualized interventions, tailored to the specific challenges of the examined clinical profile,&#8221; the study authors concluded.</p>
<p>The study makes a valuable contribution to the scientific understanding of the links between autism, specific learning disabilities, social anxiety, and facial emotion recognition abilities. However, it is important to note that the facial emotion recognition abilities were measured using static images of actors who were simulating emotional expressions, rather than experiencing them. This, along with the static nature of the images, differs from how emotions are recognized in real-world situations.</p>
<p>The paper, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579424000038">Let’s face it! The role of social anxiety and executive functions in recognizing others’ emotions from faces: Evidence from autism and specific learning disorders,</a>” was authored by Rachele Lievore, Ramona Cardillo and Irene C. Mammarella.</p>

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 15, 2024 at 08:00AM
.
TITLE:
Researchers shed light on the real-world benefits of Pokémon GO for children and teens
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/researchers-shed-light-on-the-real-world-benefits-of-pokemon-go-for-children-and-teens/
<p>A recent study published in the <em><a href="https://www.jmir.org/2023/1/e49019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Journal of Medical Internet Research</a></em> examined the effects of Pokémon GO on physical activity and psychosocial well-being among children and adolescents. The study found that playing Pokémon GO generally increases physical activity levels in young people, but its impact on psychosocial well-being is more complex, showing both positive and negative outcomes.</p>
<p>Pokémon GO is an augmented reality mobile game that has captivated millions of users worldwide since its release. The game blends the virtual world with the real one by using the player’s smartphone GPS and camera. Players navigate real-world locations to catch virtual creatures called Pokémon, complete tasks, and compete in battles. The game’s unique integration of physical movement and digital gameplay encourages users to explore their surroundings, walk to different locations, and interact with other players.</p>
<p>Given the growing concerns about sedentary lifestyles and screen time among young people, the researchers saw an opportunity to investigate whether Pokémon GO could serve as an effective intervention to address these issues.</p>
<p>Previous research had primarily focused on the effects of Pokémon GO on adult populations, showing modest increases in physical activity and potential social benefits. However, there was a significant gap in understanding how the game impacts children and adolescents, who are at a critical stage of developing lifelong health behaviors.</p>
<p>The researchers conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines and registered the review in PROSPERO. They searched four electronic databases—PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus—for studies on Pokémon GO that involved children and adolescents. They included experimental studies, observational studies, and qualitative studies published in English. The review focused on studies that measured physical activity (e.g., daily steps, exercise duration) and psychosocial well-being (e.g., self-esteem, social support).</p>
<p>The researchers screened 731 articles, ultimately including 10 studies that met their criteria. These studies varied in design, including qualitative interviews, cross-sectional studies, prospective cohort studies, and pre-post interventions. The sample sizes ranged from 13 to 944 participants, with ages from 5 to 18 years. The studies were conducted in various countries, including the United States, Spain, Taiwan, Peru, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Sweden.</p>
<p>Six of the ten studies included in the review reported on physical activity measures. These studies consistently found that playing Pokémon GO was associated with increased levels of physical activity. Various measures of physical activity were used, including daily steps, exercise duration, and physical fitness levels. For instance, one study showed that installing the Pokémon GO app led to significant increases in daily walking and running distances.</p>
<p>Another study found that both current players and those who had previously played Pokémon GO had higher levels of physical activity compared to non-players. The duration of increased physical activity varied, with some studies reporting sustained increases for up to several months after starting to play the game. Overall, the review suggests that Pokémon GO can effectively promote more active lifestyles among young people, encouraging them to move more and engage in outdoor activities.</p>
<p>The findings on psychosocial well-being were more varied. Four of the ten studies examined this aspect, focusing on emotional intelligence, sociability, and general well-being. Two studies found that playing Pokémon GO was positively associated with higher sociability scores, indicating improved social skills and increased social interactions. This aligns with the game&#8217;s design, which encourages players to collaborate, compete, and interact with others.</p>
<p>However, the review also highlighted potential risks associated with excessive gameplay. Two studies noted a positive association between motivation for playing Pokémon GO and internet gaming disorder, suggesting that some players might develop addictive behaviors. Similarly, another study reported a link between high levels of Pokémon GO use and video game addiction.</p>
<p>These findings underscore the dual nature of Pokémon GO&#8217;s impact on young players. On the one hand, the game appears to be a valuable tool for increasing physical activity, which is important for the physical and mental development of children and adolescents. On the other hand, the potential risks of excessive gameplay and addiction highlight the need for balanced and monitored use.</p>
<p>Encouraging moderate and mindful gameplay, along with parental supervision and guidance, could help maximize the benefits of Pokémon GO for promoting physical activity and improving social skills in young people.</p>
<p>The researchers noted that further research is needed to understand how physical activity and psychosocial well-being interact and influence each other. They also suggested that future studies should use standardized measurement tools to ensure consistent and comprehensive evaluations of physical activity and psychosocial well-being.</p>
<p>The researchers emphasized the need for more robust and longitudinal studies to explore the long-term effects of Pokémon GO on physical and mental health. They also called for studies that investigate the underlying mechanisms that contribute to both positive and negative outcomes associated with playing the game. Understanding these mechanisms could help develop more effective and engaging interventions to promote health and well-being in children and adolescents.</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://www.jmir.org/2023/1/e49019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Influence of Pokémon GO on Physical Activity and Psychosocial Well-Being in Children and Adolescents: Systematic Review</a>,&#8221; was authored by Haiyan Liang, Xi Wang, and Ruopeng An.</p>

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 15, 2024 at 06:00AM
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TITLE:
Psilocybin enhances exploratory behavior without impairing learning
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/psilocybin-enhances-exploratory-behavior-without-impairing-learning/
<p>A recent study published in <em><a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(24)01259-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">iScience</a></em> suggests that psilocybin does not impair learning and may enhance exploratory behavior. The study marks the first investigation into how psilocybin influences reinforcement learning, a type of learning based on rewards and cues. The results showed that psilocybin maintained learning capabilities similar to a placebo, with higher doses leading to improved learning rates in specific conditions.</p>
<p>Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain &#8220;magic&#8221; mushrooms, has a long history of use in various cultures for spiritual and ritual purposes. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which affects the brain by interacting with serotonin receptors. This interaction leads to altered states of consciousness, changes in perception, mood, and cognition. Recently, psilocybin has garnered significant attention in the medical and scientific communities for its potential therapeutic benefits, particularly in treating psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.</p>
<p>&#8220;Psilocybin has shown promise in treating mental health conditions like depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and substance use disorder among others,&#8221; said study author <a href="https://x.com/afcnova" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Andrea F. Casanova</a>, a psychiatry resident at the University of Zurich. &#8220;Since treatment involves some form of learning (be it conscious or subconscious), understanding how this aspect is affected by psilocybin helps to optimize and put therapeutic approaches into perspective. As a medical doctor in Switzerland, where such therapy is legal in some cases, I was interested to see how psilocybin affected the cognitive capacities required for therapy.&#8221;</p>
<p>The researchers were particularly interested in how psilocybin affects learning when emotional cues are involved. Emotional cues, such as faces displaying different expressions, play a significant role in how we process and retain information. The study aimed to determine whether psilocybin enhances or impairs learning when these cues are presented consciously or subconsciously.</p>
<p>The study included 30 healthy, right-handed white volunteers with an average age of 29 years. Participants were screened to exclude anyone with a personal or family history of major psychiatric disorders, significant medical conditions, or current use of psychotropic medications.</p>
<p>Participants were randomly assigned to receive either psilocybin or a placebo (mannitol) in two sessions spaced two weeks apart. The dosages of psilocybin were adjusted based on body weight: 10 mg for those under 50 kg, 15 mg for those between 50 and 80 kg, and 20 mg for those over 80 kg. The study utilized a double-blind method, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers knew who received psilocybin or placebo in each session, thus minimizing bias.</p>
<p>The core of the study was the EmotLearn task, a probabilistic learning task designed to investigate how emotional cues influence learning. Participants were tasked with maximizing virtual monetary rewards by selecting between two symbols, with one symbol consistently yielding higher rewards than the other. Emotional cues in the form of neutral or fearful faces were presented before the symbols, either consciously (visible for 47 milliseconds) or subconsciously (visible for 33 milliseconds). Each participant completed four tasks with 60 trials each, leading to a comprehensive dataset of 7200 trials for analysis.</p>
<p>Overall, the researchers found that psilocybin did not impair learning compared to placebo; both groups demonstrated similar learning curves, starting from chance level accuracy (around 50%) and improving as they progressed through the trials. This indicates that psilocybin preserves the ability to learn from rewards, a crucial cognitive function.</p>
<p>Interestingly, the study revealed that psilocybin induced higher exploratory behavior. Participants on psilocybin showed greater variability in their choices, suggesting an increased willingness to explore different options rather than sticking rigidly to a learned strategy. This was particularly evident from the borderline significant higher variance in responses under psilocybin compared to placebo.</p>
<p>The impact of emotional cues on learning varied depending on the type of cue and whether it was presented consciously or subconsciously. Subconscious cues significantly disrupted learning under psilocybin compared to placebo.</p>
<p>Participants performed worse when neutral faces were presented subconsciously under psilocybin, indicating that the drug might interfere with the processing of subtle, less noticeable emotional cues. On the other hand, conscious neutral cues led to better learning outcomes with psilocybin, highlighting a nuanced effect where the mode of presentation plays a critical role.</p>
<p>Dosage effects were also notable. The 20 mg dose of psilocybin significantly improved learning rates compared to placebo, suggesting a dose-dependent enhancement in cognitive flexibility and learning efficiency. However, the 15 mg dose resulted in poorer performance compared to placebo, indicating that the effects of psilocybin are not straightforward and may vary with dosage.</p>
<p>Moreover, participants who received psilocybin first in the crossover design performed worse overall compared to those who received placebo first. This suggests that initial exposure to psilocybin might introduce a level of cognitive or emotional disruption that affects subsequent task performance.</p>
<p>Reaction times were generally slower under psilocybin, indicating that the drug may cause a general slowing of cognitive processing. However, within the psilocybin groups, those on the highest dose (20 mg) exhibited faster reaction times compared to the mid-dose group (15 mg), further underscoring the complex relationship between dosage and cognitive effects.</p>
<p>&#8220;We thought that psilocybin would fare equally or worse than the placebo in a learning task, but we were surprised to see that the higher dosage (20 mg) led to better performance compared to the placebo group and to faster reaction times compared to the lower dosage,&#8221; Casanova told PsyPost.</p>
<p>Finally, despite subjective reports of impaired vigilance and cognition under psilocybin, objective performance measures did not reflect a significant decline. This discrepancy highlights the need to consider both subjective experiences and objective data when evaluating the cognitive effects of psychedelics.</p>
<p>&#8220;Not only does psilocybin temporarily and safely broaden the window of emotional perception, offering a novel perspective and potentially disrupting maladaptive thought patterns, but we also showed that it successfully preserved the capacity for strategy finding and decision-making compared to a placebo in a learning task, especially with a higher dosage,&#8221; Casanova explained. &#8220;In other words, learning is not impeded when in an altered state of awareness induced by psilocybin, as applied in sessions of psychedelics-assisted psychotherapy.&#8221;</p>
<p>But as with all research, there are some limitations to consider. First, the sample size was relatively small, consisting of only 30 participants. Future research with larger groups could provide more robust data. Second, the study focused on short-term effects of psilocybin, typically observed a few hours after administration. Long-term studies are needed to understand the lasting impact of psilocybin on learning and cognition.</p>
<p>&#8220;Since psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy can be more delicate than regular psychotherapy, it is instrumental to carefully screen and instruct suitable patients for a session,&#8221; Casanova noted. &#8220;Moreover, this therapy is illegal in many parts of the world, requiring adherence to legal regulations and guidelines.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;For those interested, another paper emerged from the same study, where we measured brain responses to perturbations under psilocybin. The paper is called &#8216;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.106589" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TMS-EEG and resting-state EEG applied to altered states of consciousness: oscillations, complexity, and phenomenology</a>,'&#8221; he added.</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.110034" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The influence of psilocybin on subconscious and conscious emotional learning</a>,&#8221; was authored by Andrea F. Casanova, Andres Ort, John W. Smallridge, Katrin H. Preller, Erich Seifritz, and Franz X. Vollenweider.</p>

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 14, 2024 at 02:19PM
.
TITLE:
Vitamin B6: New compound delays degradation
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URL:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240614141910.htm

A low vitamin B6 level has negative effects on brain performance. A research team has now found a way to delay the degradation of the vitamin.
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 14, 2024 at 06:00PM
.
TITLE:
Combining Alzheimer’s drugs extends patients’ lives, study finds
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/combining-alzheimers-drugs-extends-patients-lives-study-finds/
<p>New research provides evidence that using two common Alzheimer&#8217;s disease medications together can significantly increase patients&#8217; chances of surviving beyond five years from diagnosis. The study, published in Communications Medicine, suggests that this combined treatment could extend the lives of approximately 303,000 people with Alzheimer&#8217;s disease in the United States.</p>
<p>Alzheimer&#8217;s disease is the most common form of dementia, characterized by progressive memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. It affects over 50 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of death. Alzheimer&#8217;s disease primarily impacts older adults, with the risk increasing significantly after age 65. The disease progresses through various stages, starting with mild memory problems and advancing to severe cognitive impairment, loss of ability to perform daily activities, and ultimately, death. </p>
<p>Despite extensive research, the exact causes of Alzheimer&#8217;s are not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Key pathological features include the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which disrupt neuronal communication and lead to cell death. Current treatments for Alzheimer&#8217;s disease are limited. Most available medications focus on alleviating symptoms rather than stopping or reversing disease progression. </p>
<p>Given the rising prevalence of Alzheimer&#8217;s disease and the limited effectiveness of current treatments, there is a pressing need for new therapeutic strategies that can enhance patient outcomes and survival. The new study was conducted to explore whether combining two existing drugs, Donepezil and Memantine, could offer a more effective treatment approach. </p>
<p>Previous research had suggested that these drugs might have complementary mechanisms of action, potentially providing greater benefits when used together. Donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor, helps increase levels of acetylcholine in the brain, which can enhance communication between nerve cells and improve cognitive function. Memantine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, helps regulate the activity of glutamate, a neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory. </p>
<p>For their study, the researchers used data from the Oracle Electronic Health Records Real-World Data, a comprehensive medical database encompassing over 100 million patients from more than 110 health systems in the United States. The study focused on a cohort of 12,744 Alzheimer&#8217;s patients diagnosed in 2016, ensuring a five-year follow-up period.</p>
<p>The sample included patients diagnosed with Alzheimer&#8217;s disease who were treated with either Donepezil, Memantine, a combination of both, or no drug treatment at all. Patients who switched treatments during the study period were excluded to ensure consistency in treatment analysis. The researchers used advanced statistical methods, including doubly robust estimators and nonparametric bootstrapping, to account for potential biases and accurately estimate the effects of the treatments on five-year survival rates.</p>
<p>The study found that the combined use of Donepezil and Memantine significantly increased the probability of surviving five years after an Alzheimer&#8217;s diagnosis compared to no treatment or single-drug treatments. Specifically, the combined treatment group had a five-year survival probability of 83%, while the no-treatment group had a survival probability of 78%. Patients treated with Donepezil alone had a 76.5% probability, and those treated with Memantine alone had a 78.1% probability.</p>
<p>The study calculated mortality rates per 1,000 patient-years for each treatment group. The combined treatment group had the lowest mortality rate at 41.47 deaths per 1,000 patient-years, while the no-treatment, Memantine, and Donepezil groups had rates 36%, 32%, and 42% higher, respectively.</p>
<p>&#8220;The research underscores the importance of the combined treatment, suggesting it can extend patients&#8217; lives and reduce medical costs,&#8221; said lead author Ehsan Yaghmaei, a professor in the mathematics department at Chapman University. &#8220;This comprehensive causal inference study, using a large, high-quality medical database, provides strong evidence for adopting the combined treatment approach to improve patient outcomes and health care efficiency.&#8221;</p>
<p>While the findings are promising, the study has some limitations to consider. One significant limitation is the reliance on electronic health records, which may lack detailed information on lifestyle factors, genetic predispositions, and environmental exposures that could influence treatment outcomes. Additionally, the study did not account for Alzheimer&#8217;s disease severity, which could affect survival rates.</p>
<p>The study also excluded a significant portion of the original sample (24.3%) who switched treatments during the study period. Future research should explore the effects of treatment changes over time and include more detailed patient information to better understand the factors influencing treatment efficacy.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, the study highlights the potential benefits of combining Donepezil and Memantine for treating Alzheimer&#8217;s disease. Given the projected increase in Alzheimer&#8217;s cases, with estimates suggesting that 14 million people in the United States will have the disease by 2060, the combined treatment could significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.</p>
<p>Future research should address the study&#8217;s limitations and further investigate the mechanisms behind the observed benefits of the combined treatment. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to even more effective treatment strategies and provide insights into other potential combination therapies for Alzheimer&#8217;s disease.</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43856-024-00527-6" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Combined use of Donepezil and Memantine increases the probability of five-year survival of Alzheimer’s disease patients</a>,&#8221; was authored by Ehsan Yaghmaei, Hongxia Lu, Louis Ehwerhemuepha, Jianwei Zheng, Sidy Danioko, Ahmad Rezaie, Seyed Ahmad Sajjadi, and Cyril Rakovski.</p>

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 12, 2024 at 07:28PM
.
TITLE:
Brain regions that bias the brain's response to pleasure in bipolar disorder identified
.
URL:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240612192847.htm

Momentary shifts in mood, even those lasting just a matter of seconds, profoundly alter the brain's response to pleasurable experiences in people with bipolar disorder, finds a new study.
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 12, 2024 at 07:28PM
.
TITLE:
Brain regions that bias the brain's response to pleasure in bipolar disorder identified
.
URL:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240612192847.htm
Momentary shifts in mood, even those lasting just a matter of seconds, profoundly alter the brain's response to pleasurable experiences in people with bipolar disorder, finds a new study.
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 12, 2024 at 07:28PM
.
TITLE:
Brain regions that bias the brain's response to pleasure in bipolar disorder identified
.
URL:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240612192847.htm

Momentary shifts in mood, even those lasting just a matter of seconds, profoundly alter the brain's response to pleasurable experiences in people with bipolar disorder, finds a new study.
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 14, 2024 at 04:00PM
.
TITLE:
Teenage perceptions of household chaos predict mental health challenges in early adulthood
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/teenage-perceptions-of-household-chaos-predict-mental-health-challenges-in-early-adulthood/
<p>A recent study published in<em> <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/09567976241242105" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Psychological Science</a> </em>has found that teenagers who perceive their homes as chaotic are more likely to experience mental health issues in adulthood. The research highlights that adolescents who view their households as unstructured, disorganized, or hectic report more mental health and behavioral problems in early adulthood.</p>
<p>Researchers aimed to explore the long-term impact of perceived household chaos on mental health. Previous studies have shown that chaotic home environments can negatively affect children’s social, emotional, and educational development. However, it was unclear whether these effects extend into adulthood. Given that siblings can experience the same household differently, this study sought to understand how individual perceptions of chaos influence mental health outcomes later in life.</p>
<p>The study used data from the Twins Early Development Study, which involves twins born between 1994 and 1996 in England and Wales. Researchers focused on twins to control for genetic and environmental factors shared within families. They analyzed responses from twins at ages 9, 12, 14, and 16 about their perceptions of household chaos, as well as parent reports of household chaos at ages 9, 12, and 14. The twins’ developmental outcomes were then assessed at age 23.</p>
<p>The sample included 4,732 same-sex twin pairs, as opposite-sex twins were excluded to avoid confounding results due to gender differences. Measures of household chaos included a six-item scale assessing the level of routine, noise, and general environmental confusion. At age 23, the twins reported on various outcomes, including educational attainment, employment status, income, substance use, mental health, and more.</p>
<p>The study found that adolescents who perceived their homes as more chaotic at age 16 had worse mental health outcomes at age 23. These outcomes included higher levels of depression, anxiety, and antisocial behavior, as well as lower levels of self-control. Importantly, these associations remained significant even after accounting for family socioeconomic status and parent-reported household chaos.</p>
<p>The researchers found that siblings could have markedly different perceptions of their home environment. One sibling might see the household as much noisier and more hectic than the other.</p>
<p>&#8220;You’d think the siblings grew up in different families,&#8221; said study author Sophie von Stumm, a psychology professor at the University of York. &#8220;That’s how subjective their perceptions are.&#8221;</p>
<p>The twin-difference design, which controls for shared family factors, revealed that the subjective experience of household chaos independently predicted adult mental health outcomes. Specifically, those who reported higher levels of household chaos showed more significant mental health issues, suggesting a robust link between perceived chaos and later mental health.</p>
<p>The study also explored the impact of household chaos at different ages. While significant associations were found at ages 9, 12, and 14, the effects were strongest at age 16. This suggests that perceptions of household chaos during late adolescence are particularly influential on mental health in early adulthood.</p>
<p>&#8220;Siblings who perceived the household as more chaotic than their brothers or sisters reported poorer mental health outcomes in young adulthood,&#8221; von Stumm said. &#8220;This association was evident from adolescence onwards, confirming theories that the onset of mental health issues likely is during teenage years.&#8221;</p>
<p>Despite its strengths, the study has some limitations. The reliance on self-reported data for both household chaos and adult outcomes may introduce bias. Additionally, while the twin-difference design controls for shared family factors, it cannot account for all unmeasured confounding variables. For example, underlying mental health issues could influence perceptions of household chaos.</p>
<p>Future research could explore whether interventions aimed at altering children’s perceptions of household chaos can improve long-term mental health outcomes. It would also be beneficial to examine the specific aspects of chaos, such as noise or lack of routine, that are most detrimental to mental health.</p>
<p>Von Stumm intends to investigate the specific age and underlying reasons for the differences in siblings&#8217; perceptions of household chaos.</p>
<p>&#8220;It is possible that children who experience more adverse events in early life than their siblings, like suffering an injury or being excluded from school, develop a heightened sensitivity to household chaos that then has long-term effects on their mental health,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Because many common adverse early-life events, such as parental conflict or separation, affect all children of a family, we don’t know yet if there are specific ones that can cause poor long-term mental health.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/09567976241242105" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adolescents’ Perceptions of Household Chaos Predict Their Adult Mental Health: A Twin-Difference Longitudinal Cohort Study</a>,&#8221; was published May 8, 2024.</p>

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 14, 2024 at 02:00PM
.
TITLE:
Exposure to smartphone light suppresses melatonin levels at night
.
URL:
https://www.psypost.org/exposure-to-smartphone-light-suppresses-melatonin-levels-at-night/
<p>A recent study published in the journal <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcae173" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brain Communications</a></em> found that reading on a smartphone without a blue-light filter significantly reduced melatonin levels, especially in adults, compared to reading with a blue-light filter or from a printed book. However, while adolescents were able to recover their melatonin levels before bedtime, adults continued to experience reduced melatonin levels. This suggests that avoiding smartphone use in the last hour before bedtime is advisable to prevent sleep disturbances.</p>
<p>With the increasing use of smartphones and other devices emitting artificial short-wavelength light, there are growing concerns about their effects on sleep. These devices often disrupt the body&#8217;s natural melatonin production. The new study was designed to explore whether blue-light filters could mitigate these effects and to compare the responses of adolescents and adults to evening light exposure.</p>
<p>Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Its production is influenced by light exposure: levels rise in the evening as it gets dark, promoting sleepiness, and fall in the morning with exposure to light, helping to wake the body. Melatonin is crucial for synchronizing the body&#8217;s internal clock with the natural day-night cycle, ensuring restful and consistent sleep.</p>
<p>&#8220;Using our smartphones and other light-emitting screen-based devices during the late evening hours is becoming more and more common, not only in adolescents but also in adults,&#8221; said study author Christopher Höhn of the <a href="https://www.sleepscience.at/?page_id=4587&amp;lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Laboratory of Sleep, Cognition and Consciousness</a> at the University of Salzburg.</p>
<p>However, little has been known yet regarding developmental differences in light sensitivity and regarding the required recovery time to restore melatonin levels after short-wavelength light exposure. Furthermore, the usefulness of blue-light filtering software is also not entirely clear yet. For me, these were important things to consider and clarify as they affect most people’s everyday life.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study involved 68 male participants, split into two age groups: 33 adolescents (14-17 years old) and 35 young adults (18-25 years old). The participants were monitored over a period of 14 days. Each participant spent three nights in a sleep laboratory under different reading conditions: reading on a smartphone without a blue-light filter, with a blue-light filter, and from a printed book.</p>
<p>Polysomnography, a comprehensive sleep recording method, was used to monitor the participants&#8217; sleep. Additionally, melatonin levels were measured using saliva samples collected at multiple points throughout the evening and before bedtime. The participants also rated their subjective sleepiness using a standardized scale. The researchers ensured that the participants maintained regular sleep schedules and avoided confounding factors such as medication, smoking, and irregular sleep patterns.</p>
<p>The researchers found that reading on a smartphone without a blue-light filter significantly suppressed melatonin levels in both adolescents and young adults. However, adolescents showed a faster recovery in melatonin levels before bedtime, whereas adults still exhibited significantly reduced melatonin levels at bedtime. This melatonin suppression effect was less pronounced when participants used a blue-light filter or read from a printed book.</p>
<p>&#8220;We did not expect that adolescents would recover more quickly from the light-induced melatonin suppression since it has been argued before that younger individuals are more sensitive to short-wavelength light,&#8221; Höhn told PsyPost. &#8220;Most likely, the higher secretion rates of melatonin in the adolescent sample can explain their quicker recovery and, therefore, our results do not necessarily contradict the assumption of higher light-sensitivity in general.&#8221;</p>
<p>Despite the reduced melatonin levels, subjective sleepiness ratings did not significantly differ between the different reading conditions. Both age groups reported increased sleepiness over the course of the evening, regardless of the light exposure. However, adolescents felt sleepier than adults at bedtime.</p>
<p>Regarding sleep architecture, or the structure of different sleep stages, the study found no significant effects from the different reading conditions on overall sleep quality. However, adults showed a slight reduction in deep sleep (N3 sleep) during the first part of the night after reading on a smartphone without a blue-light filter. This effect was not observed in adolescents.</p>
<p>&#8220;I think that the main message is that using your smartphone or being exposed to bright short-wavelength light in general should be avoided as much as possible in the last hour before bedtime,&#8221; Höhn explained. &#8220;We did not observe strong effects on sleep, but it has to be kept in mind that we ended our light exposure roughly 50 minutes before bedtime and still observed some effects on the subsequent sleep episode.</p>
<p>&#8220;Thus, one should not treat the lack of severe sleep-disrupting effects in our study as evidence for &#8216;no harm of evening short-wavelength light&#8217; as we do not know how much more severe the effects would have been, if the participants used their smartphone until a few minutes before bedtime.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study, like all research, has some caveats. Firstly, it only included male participants to avoid potential sex differences in sleep and light sensitivity. This selective sample limits the generalizability of the findings to the broader population.</p>
<p>Secondly, the controlled reading conditions in the study may not fully reflect real-life smartphone use, which often involves more engaging and potentially stimulating activities. Lastly, the study&#8217;s design included a 50-minute break between the end of the reading session and bedtime, which is longer than the typical break before sleep in real-life scenarios.</p>
<p>&#8220;I would like to stress that our smartphone exposure only comprised reading stories and that it engaging in different activities (e.g., social media or gaming) on the device might elicit stronger effects that add on the alerting light effects,&#8221; Höhn added.</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://academic.oup.com/braincomms/article/6/3/fcae173/7675955" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Effects of evening smartphone use on sleep and declarative memory consolidation in male adolescents and young adults</a>,&#8221; was authored by Christopher Höhn, Michael A Hahn, Georg Gruber, Belinda Pletzer, Christian Cajochen, and Kerstin Hoedlmoser.</p>

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 14, 2024 at 12:50PM
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TITLE:
What ‘Inside Out 2’ Teaches Us About Anxiety
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URL:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/14/well/mind/inside-out-2-anxiety.html
A new emotion has taken over Riley’s teenage mind. And she has lessons for us all.
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE: June 14, 2024 at 12:02PM
SOURCE: Psychiatric Times
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Actual article link at end of text block below.
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Physician-assisted suicide is now legal in 11 jurisdictions in the US. To this, several clinicians say: “We must care for the dying, not make them dead.” Learn more in our June cover story. https://t.co/tA3ewiiyzG https://t.co/ntwXzLUx2B
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 14, 2024 at 12:00PM
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TITLE:
New research uncovers the unexpected benefits of positive secrets
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/new-research-uncovers-the-unexpected-benefits-of-positive-secrets/
<p>Secrecy has often been associated with negative consequences. However, a recent study published in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000352"><em>Journal of Personality and Social Psychology</em></a> offers a surprising twist, revealing that positive secrets can actually increase feelings of energy.</p>
<p>Positive secrecy is the intention to keep positive information from others. Classic theories have suggested that any form of secrecy depletes cognitive resources due to the continuous effort to hide information. However, newer perspectives suggest that the effects of secrecy may instead be about how individuals reflect on the hidden information rather than the act of concealment itself.</p>
<p>Michael L. Slepian and colleagues conducted five experiments, recruiting 1800 participants between 18 to 78 years across the U.S via online crowdsourcing platforms.</p>
<p>Study 1 involved 200 participants who were presented with a list of 38 common categories of good news (e.g., receiving a promotion, winning an award) and asked to indicate which pieces of good news they currently held as secrets and which were non-secrets. They were then randomly assigned to reflect on either their secret or non-secret good news. Measures included feelings of energy using the six-item subjective vitality scale (e.g., “feeling awake and alert,” rated from 1 = not at all to 7 = very), positive affect using two items from the PANAS-X joy scale (i.e., “How good does it make you feel?” and “How happy does it make you?” rated from 1 = not at all to 7 = very), and intent to share the good news with others (“I intend to tell people/someone about this,” rated from 1 = not at all to 7 = very much).</p>
<p>Participants who reflected on secret good news reported significantly higher feelings of energy compared to those who reflected on non-secret good news. This effect was independent of positive affect and intent to share, suggesting that keeping good news secret itself contributes to increased energy levels. Intent to share also had an independent positive effect on energy.</p>
<p>Study 2 included 600 participants in committed relationships. Participants selected a piece of good news that could plausibly happen to them and would make them happy but was not yet known by their partner. They were then randomly assigned to one of three conditions: intrinsic motivation (choosing to keep the secret), extrinsic motivation (unable to share due to external constraints), or a baseline condition (no reason specified). Feelings of energy were measured using an expanded energy scale (10 items, e.g., tired, depleted, energized, alive, rated from 1 = not at all to 7 = very much).</p>
<p>Participants who kept their good news secret for intrinsic reasons (i.e., personal choice) reported higher feelings of energy compared to those who kept it secret for extrinsic reasons (i.e., external constraints) or no specified reason. The intrinsic motivation condition reported feeling more energized than both the extrinsic motivation and baseline conditions, supporting the hypothesis that intrinsic motivation enhances the energizing effect of positive secrets.</p>
<p>Study 3 included 700 participants to compare positive secrets to negative secrets and secrets of unspecified valence. Participants were randomly assigned to recall a positive, negative, or unspecified secret. They reported their intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation for keeping the secret using a binary measure (intrinsic = 1, extrinsic = 0) and rated their positive affect with the PANAS-X joy scale (i.e., happy, joyful, delighted, cheerful, rated from 1 = not at all to 5 = extremely).</p>
<p>Positive secrets were found to be more intrinsically motivated than negative secrets or secrets of unspecified valence. Participants who recalled positive secrets reported higher levels of intrinsic motivation (78%) compared to those with unspecified secrets (55%) and negative secrets (61%). Additionally, positive secrets were associated with higher positive affect and greater feelings of energy, suggesting that intrinsic motivation plays an important role in the energizing effects of positive secrets.</p>
<p>Study 4 involving 500 participants focused on comparing positive secrets to secrets of unspecified valence. Participants recalled either a positive secret or a secret of unspecified valence and reported their intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation, feelings of energy, and positive affect. The measures included the same intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation binary measure, the 10-item energy scale used in Study 2, and the PANAS-X joy scale.</p>
<p>Positive secrets were more intrinsically motivated (69%) than secrets of unspecified valence (52%). Participants who recalled positive secrets reported higher energy compared to those with unspecified secrets. The intrinsic motivation behind positive secrets mediated the energizing effect, independent of positive affect. This suggests that the motivational quality of positive secrets contributes to their energizing effects.</p>
<p>The final study included 800 participants recruited from Prolific. Participants were randomly assigned to recall positive or unspecified valence information relevant to an upcoming conversation with their partner, either as a secret or non-secret. Measures included intrinsic and extrinsic motivation scales, feelings of energy, and intentions to share the information.</p>
<p>Positive secrets were found to be more intrinsically motivated and more energizing than unspecified valence secrets and non-secrets. The intention to share the information did not significantly influence feelings of energy, highlighting that the energizing effects of positive secrets are primarily driven by intrinsic motivation. This study confirmed that self-alignment and intrinsic motivation are key mechanisms behind the increased feelings of energy associated with positive secrets.</p>
<p>Overall, this research suggests that positive secrets can be a significant source of energy and vitality, challenging the traditional view that all secrecy is inherently burdensome.</p>
<p>One limitation is the reliance on self-reported measures of energy and motivation, which can be subject to bias.</p>
<p>The research, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000352">The bright side of secrecy: The energizing effect of positive secrets</a>”, was authored by Michael L. Slepian, Katharine H. Greenaway, Nicholas P. Camp, and Adam D. Galinsky.</p>

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 14, 2024 at 10:00AM
.
TITLE:
New study suggests increased PTSD risk in individuals with autism spectrum disorder
.
URL:
https://www.psypost.org/new-study-suggests-increased-ptsd-risk-in-individuals-with-autism-spectrum-disorder/
<p>Researchers from The Australian National University and the University of Queensland have found evidence that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more prone to developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study, published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(24)00969-6"><em>iScience</em></a>, indicates that even mild stress can trigger traumatic memories in those with autism, exacerbating core traits such as repetitive behavior. The research, conducted on mice, identified specific brain mechanisms underlying this heightened stress sensitivity.</p>
<p>Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by difficulties in social interactions, repetitive behaviors, and sensitivity to sensory inputs. Despite these well-documented traits, the impact of stress and trauma on individuals with autism has been relatively overlooked.</p>
<p>Previous studies have suggested that people with autism might be more susceptible to PTSD, given their altered fear conditioning and memory processing. However, the exact mechanisms remained unclear. The researchers aimed to bridge this gap, seeking to understand how stress affects those with autism at a cellular level and to provide insights that could inform better therapeutic approaches.</p>
<p>The research involved several mouse models of autism, including those genetically modified to mimic core symptoms of the disorder. The mice were housed in controlled environments with standard food and water access. The study used both male and female mice to ensure comprehensive results.</p>
<p>The experimental procedure included fear conditioning and acute stress exposure. Initially, mice were placed in a chamber to become familiar with it. Then, they underwent a restraint stress protocol, either before or after the fear conditioning session, which involved mild electric shocks paired with auditory tones. The researchers observed the mice&#8217;s behavior during and after these sessions to assess their memory and stress responses.</p>
<p>To understand the brain mechanisms, the team conducted electrophysiological recordings and used optogenetic manipulation, a technique that involves controlling specific neurons with light. They focused on the prefrontal cortex, a brain region involved in memory and executive functions, and its interaction with other brain areas like the hippocampus and amygdala.</p>
<p>The study found that even a single mild stress event could trigger PTSD-like symptoms in mice with autism, unlike control mice which required more significant stress exposure. Mice with autism showed a specific alteration in brain circuits, particularly in the prefrontal cortex. This region exhibited hyperactivity in response to stress, leading to abnormal fear memories.</p>
<p>The researchers observed that this hypersensitivity to stress resulted in maladaptive memory formation. Control mice developed a balanced memory of the traumatic event, showing fear in the appropriate context. In contrast, mice with autism displayed excessive fear responses to irrelevant stimuli and reduced fear in the actual traumatic context, mirroring PTSD symptoms in humans.</p>
<p>The study identified that this heightened sensitivity to stress in autistic mice was due to specific alterations in brain circuits, particularly in the prefrontal cortex. This brain region, crucial for executive functions and memory processing, showed hyperactivity in response to stress, leading to abnormal fear memory formation.</p>
<p>&#8220;While heightened sensitivity to stress and trauma has been a rising concern in ASD, the consequences have been largely overlooked until now,&#8221; explained senior author Nathalie Dehorter. &#8220;We were able to show the specific brain circuit alteration that&#8217;s underlying the hypersensitivity to stress in ASD. We know what&#8217;s happening at the cellular and at the structural level in the prefrontal cortex.&#8221;</p>
<p>Moreover, the study found that PTSD-like memory exacerbated core autistic traits in the mice. Social behaviors and repetitive movements worsened following the formation of traumatic memories.</p>
<p>Interestingly, these effects could be mitigated through a therapeutic approach called recontextualization, where the traumatic memory was reassociated with the original environment, reducing its maladaptive impact.</p>
<p>&#8220;Understanding this hypersensitivity is crucial to treating those traumatic memories with the right behavioural therapy,&#8221; said lead author Shaam Al Abed. &#8220;By recontextualizing the traumatic memory, we can hopefully alleviate the worsening of those core traits.&#8221;</p>
<p>While the study offers significant insights, it also has limitations. The research was conducted on mice, and while these models are useful, they cannot capture the full complexity of human PTSD and autism. Human PTSD involves a range of symptoms, including anxiety and emotional numbing, which were not addressed in this study.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, the findings highlight the need for better awareness and diagnostic tools for PTSD in individuals with autism. Early detection and tailored interventions could prevent the worsening of autistic traits and improve the quality of life for those affected. The study calls for more research into the overlap between PTSD and autism, focusing on identifying vulnerable populations and developing effective therapeutic strategies.</p>
<p>&#8220;Timely detection appears to be essential, especially if PTSD can worsen the core ASD traits,&#8221; Dehorter said. &#8220;We need more research into the overlap between these two conditions.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(24)00969-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Parvalbumin interneuron activity in autism underlies susceptibility to PTSD-like memory formation</a>,&#8221; was authored by Alice Shaam Al Abed, Tiarne Vickie Allen, Noorya Yasmin Ahmed, Aline Marighetto, Aline Desmedt, and Nathalie Dehorter.</p>

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE: June 14, 2024 at 10:00AM
SOURCE: Psychiatric Times
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Actual article link at end of text block below.
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In a recent survey, 70% of students said they have struggled with mental health since starting college. https://t.co/NZQCuneef0
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Articles can be found at https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/news

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 13, 2024 at 10:19PM
.
TITLE:
New insights into the brain regions involved in paranoia
.
URL:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613221918.htm

The capacity to adjust beliefs about one's actions and their consequences in a constantly changing environment is a defining characteristic of advanced cognition. Disruptions to this ability, however, can negatively affect cognition and behavior, leading to such states of mind as paranoia, or the belief that others intend to harm us. In a new study, scientists uncover how one specific region of the brain might causally provoke these feelings of paranoia. Their novel approach -- which involved aligning data collected from monkeys with human data -- also offers a new cross-species framework through which scientists might better understand human cognition through the study of other species.
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 13, 2024 at 04:11PM
.
TITLE:
The yuck factor counteracts sustainable laundry habits
.
URL:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613161133.htm

Most people today would lean towards environmentally friendly life choices, but not at the expense of being clean. When it comes to our washing habits, the fear of being perceived as dirty often wins out over the desire to act in an environmentally friendly way. And the more inclined we are to feel disgusted, the more we wash our clothes. This is shown by a unique study that examines the driving forces behind our laundering behaviours and provides new tools for how people's environmental impact can be reduced.
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 13, 2024 at 10:19PM
.
TITLE:
New insights into the brain regions involved in paranoia
.
URL:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613221918.htm

The capacity to adjust beliefs about one's actions and their consequences in a constantly changing environment is a defining characteristic of advanced cognition. Disruptions to this ability, however, can negatively affect cognition and behavior, leading to such states of mind as paranoia, or the belief that others intend to harm us. In a new study, scientists uncover how one specific region of the brain might causally provoke these feelings of paranoia. Their novel approach -- which involved aligning data collected from monkeys with human data -- also offers a new cross-species framework through which scientists might better understand human cognition through the study of other species.
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 14, 2024 at 08:00AM
.
TITLE:
The impact of art therapy: Emotional shifts seen in masks made by veterans with PTSD
.
URL:
https://www.psypost.org/the-impact-of-art-therapy-emotional-shifts-seen-in-masks-made-by-veterans-with-ptsd/
<p>A recent study published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-57128-5"><em>Scientific Reports</em></a> reveals that art therapy, specifically mask-making, may reflect significant emotional changes in military personnel suffering from post-traumatic stress symptoms.</p>
<p>Art has long been recognized as a powerful form of non-verbal communication, capable of expressing complex emotions and experiences which may be challenging to articulate through language.</p>
<p>Post-traumatic stress symptoms, including irritability and aggressive behavior, affect a significant number of military service members. While medications such as antidepressants are commonly used to treat post-traumatic stress symptoms, complete remission is unlikely. Hence, finding effective interventions to address the emotional aftermath of traumatic experiences is crucial.</p>
<p>Researchers embarked on this study to explore whether the emotional states of military personnel with post-traumatic stress symptoms could be discerned through their art, specifically masks made during an art therapy program.</p>
<p>The team, led by V. Estrada Gonzalez from the University of Pennsylvania, hypothesized that the masks would show a transition from negative to positive emotional expressions as therapy progressed.</p>
<p>The methodology involved five service members undergoing an 8-session art therapy protocol, where they were instructed to alter masks using art materials at the beginning and end of the therapy sessions.</p>
<p>The 10 masks that were created were presented to 203 independent English-speaking individuals, who viewed digital images of the masks.</p>
<p>These viewers were unaware of the treatment details and the masks’ creation stage, and they were instructed to assess the emotions expressed through the art along 11 dimensions: angry, calm, compassionate, challenged, edified, enraptured, enlightened, interested, inspired, pleasure and upset.</p>
<p>Following data analysis, it was made clear that the masks created in earlier therapy sessions were associated with more negative emotions, such as feeling angry, challenged and upset.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the masks created later in therapy conveyed more positive emotions including increased feelings of calmness and pleasure. The authors suggest this reflects an emotional transition experienced by the participants.</p>
<p>Gonzalez and team concluded, “Our findings support the usefulness of art therapy within the array of treatment options for post-traumatic stress symptoms. As one of relatively few non-verbal approaches available, art therapy holds particular significance for patients who struggle with verbal expression of their trauma. By highlighting positive outcomes, our study advocates for a broader, more versatile therapeutic approach that accommodates the needs of patients who may find treatments based on verbal communication challenging.”</p>
<p>However, the findings are limited by the small sample of artwork. Furthermore, the progress of patients receiving therapy was not reported, and therefore clinical improvement cannot be correlated directly with art therapy.</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-57128-5">Art therapy masks reflect emotional changes in military personnel with PTSS</a>”, was authored by V. Estrada Gonzalez, V. Meletaki, M. Walker, J. Payano Sosa, A. Stamper, R. Srikanchana, J. L. King, K. Scott, E. R. Cardillo, C. Sours Rhodes, A. P. Christensen, K. M. Darda, C. I. Workman, and A. Chatterjee.</p>

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE: June 14, 2024 at 06:30AM
SOURCE: Psychiatric Times
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Actual article link at end of text block below.
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Articles can be found at https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/news

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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 13, 2024 at 12:49PM
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TITLE:
After Apologizing, Pope Francis Uses Homophobic Slur for Second Time
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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=180497&url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-homophobic-slur-gay-men-2nd-time-in-weeks-italian-news-agency/
<div><p>Source: <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/world/" rel="tag" target="_blank">CBS News - World News</a></p>Just weeks after apologizing for using a homophobic slur, Pope Francis used the same word again during a closed-door meeting Tuesday, according to Italian news agency ANSA. The agency, citing unnamed sources at the meeting, says that the pope used the offensive term during a discussion with nearly 200 Roman priests at Rome's Salesian Pontifical University. Francis, 87, had used the same derogatory language for gay men during a meeting with...</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 13, 2024 at 12:23PM
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TITLE:
U.S. Judge Strikes Down Florida Ban on Gender-Affirming Healthcare
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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=180475&url=https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiX2h0dHBzOi8vYXBuZXdzLmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlL3RyYW5zZ2VuZGVyLXJpZ2h0cy1jaGlsZHJlbi1mbG9yaWRhLTU5MmIyNGIyOGUzNjVkZWQzMzZjYTg0MWYyYWM5MGFj0gEA?oc=5
<div><p>Source: <a href="http://news.google.com/?ned=us&topic=m" rel="tag" target="_blank">Google News - Health</a></p>A federal judge on Tuesday struck down a 2023 Florida law that blocked gender-affirming care for transgender minors and severely restricted such treatment for adults, calling the statute unconstitutional. Senior Judge Robert Hinkle said the state went too far when it barred transgender minors from treatments with their parents' permission, saying transgender people are constitutionally entitled to receiving the treatment they need.</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 13, 2024 at 12:11PM
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TITLE:
Elon Musk Sued Over Alleged Sexual Harassment at SpaceX

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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=180526&url=https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiaGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZWRhaWx5YmVhc3QuY29tL2Vsb24tbXVzay1zdWVkLWluLW5ldy1sYXdzdWl0LWFsbGVnaW5nLXJhbXBhbnQtc2V4dWFsLWhhcmFzc21lbnQtYXQtc3BhY2V40gEA?oc=5
<div><p>Source: <a href="http://news.google.com/?ned=us&topic=m" rel="tag" target="_blank">Google News - Health</a></p>Details of Elon Musk's alleged conduct are laid bare in a new lawsuit filed by eight former employees of SpaceX, who claim the &quot;Animal House&quot; environment fostered by the eccentric CEO and his executive team created a toxic work environment. The allegations include near-constant sexual comments and actions from Musk himself&mdash;both publicly and privately&mdash;which were repeated and mimicked by other employees at the company.</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 1 month ago to psychology

DATE:
June 13, 2024 at 02:08PM
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TITLE:
Neural balance in the brain is associated with brain maturity and better cognitive ability
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URL:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613140849.htm

The E/I ratio of children decreases with healthy development. Children with a lower E/I ratio were observed to have better performance than their peers in cognitive tests such as memory and intelligence, according to researchers.
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