It’s one of the guarantees of life: stress. At its core, it’s a perception of a physical or psychological threat and is designed to help us survive. But the triggers are varied and as such, there is no single way to deal with the impending sensation of harm.
For years, researchers have studied the stress spectrum and identified numerous behavioural changes. Most are relatively simple to understand such as heightened awareness, risk avoidance, and the fight or flight response. Continue reading
Author: Julie
Canadian Researchers Reveal The Mental Trap of PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a scourge for anyone who suffers from it. The symptoms are heartbreaking – nightmares, flashbacks, poor sleep quality, irritability, and a lack of concentration. Some will feel disconnected from reality as they perceive being trapped in a mental cage from which they cannot break free. Continue reading
Researchers Are Learning How The Brain Tells Us To Stop Moving
In the playground, a popular game for kids of all ages is “Freeze.” The concept is rather simple. A leader tells the participants they are free to move around until everyone is told to freeze in place. Those who don’t suddenly stop are notified they are out and the game continues. It’s a great way to learn how to deal with environmental stimuli and also how to better control locomotor abilities. But most of all, it’s a great deal of fun. Continue reading
Quebec Researchers Are Learning How To Rebuild The Nervous System
Imagine repairing injured spinal cords or brains. Many may relegate this idea to the realms of science fiction yet researchers around the world continue to strive for this goal. They have developed and tested ways to rebuild the damage nervous system and bring back proper function. Some have even shown success in the lab. Continue reading
University of Ottawa Researchers Have Found A New “Fate” For Aging Stem Cells
Death is a normal part of the life cycle for cells. They form, grow, perform their expected duties and then, after a while, face a predictable fate. When the time comes, the cell undergoes a programmed process, known as apoptosis http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26873/ to break down many of the internal components and pave the way for the final end. Continue reading
McGill Researchers May Have Discovered the Neurological Basis For An Eye-Catching Mystery
People usually find it easier to see things when they are big and bright, but there are occasionally exceptions. One example concerns moving objects: when they are small, we can identify their direction of motion easily. But this becomes much more difficult for larger objects. This phenomenon is known as spatial suppression http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v424/n6946/full/nature01800.html. Continue reading
Brain cells that aid appetite control identified
Discovery opens door to development of new drugs to control weight gain and obesity
It’s rare for scientists to get what they describe as “clean” results without spending a lot of time repeating the same experiment over and over again. But when researchers saw the mice they were working with doubling their weight within a month or two, they knew they were on to something. Continue reading
Chemical in marijuana shows promise in treating schizophrenia
According to new research at Western University, marijuana is the ultimate contradiction; at least when it comes to schizophrenia.
This first-of-its-kind study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, demonstrates that a chemical found in marijuana called cannabidiol, or CBD, affects the brain in a way that makes it an ideal treatment option for schizophrenia. This research comes just months after the same lab found that adolescent exposure to THC, the other major compound found in marijuana, may lead to the onset of schizophrenia in adulthood. Continue reading
A Novel Treatment May Help Reduce the Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Of all the neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) stands as the most common worldwide. While the onset is complex in nature, a hallmark sign of illness is the accumulation of a particular peptide in the brain, known as amyloid beta (Aβ) (http://www.jci.org/articles/view/25100). When present, the molecule can aggregate to form plaques and also interact with cells in the brain leading to altered signalling and function. Continue reading
Mechanism that reduces effect of cocaine on brain discovered
Finding offers hope for development of a new approach to prevent drug use relapses
A type of brain cell known as microglia plays a key role in reducing the effects of cocaine in the brain, according to a major study by a team from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC). Continue reading