One study suggests motor learning differences with aging in retired athletes (n=30). Glutamate was suggested as a mediator. Participants were screened with the Mini-Mental State Examination for inclusion and underwent a motor sequence learning task.
Depression increases the risk of mortality with cardiovascular disease. A new study suggests that sleep may link the two. Subjects were from the British Whitehall II study (n=5813), aged 50-74. Risk factors included less than 5 hours of sleep and disturbed sleep.
Write up of genome wide association study finding new gene associations with Schizophrenia.
Study finds inflammatory markers raised in first-episode Schizophrenia (n=96).
Interesting write-up on the meta-analysis that suggests volunteering can extend life. This is consistent with research into meaning and purpose.
Sweet taste receptors are to be found in the intestine, not just tongue. This study suggests an alteration in Diabetes Type II.
Researchers suggest Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans involved in Alzheimer’s Disease. Enzymes for receptors may be a target.
Researchers investigate Alzheimer’s Disease using EEG analysis and suggest characteristics based on their analysis.
Does tau travel between neurons?
A write-up looking at British Journal of Psychiatry study, looks at arterial spin labelling to characterise depression.
Researchers looked at people with Bipolar Disorder and found a link with personality.
PLOS One study – 95 older adults without Dementia – inflammation showed a negative correlation with Corpus Callosum integrity.
One research group looked at classifying cognitive impairment in traumatic brain injury. There is a good write-up of the 3 clusters identified from the neuropsychological testing.
In an interesting multifaceted study researchers looked at memory loss and aging. They identified a gene that was decreasingly expressed with age and found evidence that expression of the gene in the Dentate Gyrus was important for memory.
A PLOS Medicine round-up looks at incontinence in Dementia.
The results from this study suggests that Anxiety traits increase interpersonal space. Also personal space around the face averages 20-40 cm
Researchers look at clinical trials and estimate new treatments better than standard treatments over 50% of time.
Placebos differ in their effects – there is an interesting write-up here.
This study investigated the effects of dual Orexin receptor antagonists on sleep.
A new approach to drug preparation leads to medications released in the small intestine.
Neuroscience
The researchers in this study found that working memory training can lead to improved reaction times on a working memory task.
fMRI was used to self-regulate prefrontal cortex activity (DLPFC) and improve working memory in this study.
One man’s brain controls another man’s brain through a combination of Electroencephalography and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.
A map of dialects for different words in America gives insights into language.
This research suggests a benefit for Glutathione Peroxidase in yeast and fly models of Huntington’s Disease. Glutathione Peroxidase referenced is an enzyme that reduces lipid hydroperoxides and hydroperoxides to alcohol and water.
Researchers have managed to combine PET and MRI to investigate the Brain.
Inhibitory neurons may play a role in age differences in learning, stronger inhibitory signals with age.
Evidence suggests that an inhibitory neuron microcircuit may guide visual development in ocular dominance columns in this model.
Researchers find that auditory and visual stimuli influence dominance of each other (Shepard tone used).
Write up of study on synchronised heart beat and out-of-body experiences.
Open Science
The science of science communication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Interesting write-up of open access study finding up to 50% of papers are open access.
New Scientist news round-up includes virtual science library.
Science in 6 seconds, lots of times (4 min 12).
Evolutionary Psychiatry, Evolution & Culture
Information Theory application reveals size of Dolphin and Whale vocabularies, more data needed for accuracy.
Study finds that wolves howl louder when a high ranking member leaves the pack.
Parts of Octopus intelligence located throughout body.
Researchers use new technique to estimate weaning ages in ancient humans.
Another perspective on ant intelligence.
The British Geological Survey has launched a 3D database of scanned fossils.
Appendix
Index: There are indices for the TAWOP site here and here Twitter: You can follow ‘The Amazing World of Psychiatry’ Twitter by clicking on this link. Podcast: You can listen to this post on Odiogo by clicking on this link (there may be a small delay between publishing of the blog article and the availability of the podcast). It is available for a limited period. TAWOP Channel: You can follow the TAWOP Channel on YouTube by clicking on this link. Responses: If you have any comments, you can leave them below or alternatively e-mail justinmarley17@yahoo.co.uk. Disclaimer: The comments made here represent the opinions of the author and do not represent the profession or any body/organisation. The comments made here are not meant as a source of medical advice and those seeking medical advice are advised to consult with their own doctor. The author is not responsible for the contents of any external sites that are linked to in this blog.
The Amazing World of Psychiatry: A Psychiatry Blog 