Northwestern University scientists may have figured out why pulling an all-nighter can leave us feeling loopy and downright giddy for days after. In a new study out this week, the researchers found that acute sleep deprivation in mice can trigger a rapid release of dopamine within the brain and boost its plasticity, temporarily creating hyperactive … Read more
A recent review published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry explores the calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase-2 (CaMKK2) signaling pathway as a contributor to bipolar disorder pathogenesis and key treatment target. By targeting this protein-coding enzyme, CaMKK2, which is associated with many neuronal and metabolic processes, scientists may be able to develop new treatment strategies for bipolar disorder. … Read more
The hyperactivity disorder, usually referred to as ADHD, is an independent risk factor for several common and serious mental health issues, finds research published in the open access journal BMJ Mental Health. It is associated with major depression, post traumatic stress disorder, the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, and suicide attempts, the findings show, prompting the … Read more
Male fruit flies don’t usually like each other. Socially, they reject their fellow males and zero in on the females they discern via chemical receptors – or so scientists thought. New research from Cornell University biologists suggests the fruit fly’s visual system, not just chemical receptors, are deeply involved with their social behaviors. The work … Read more
In a recent study published in the journal Biological Psychiatry, scientists review the involvement of the gut microbiome in triggering the pathogenesis of mental disorders, including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Study: Mood disorders: the gut bacteriome and beyond. Image Credit: New Africa / Shutterstock.com Introduction The discovery of the gut microbiome-brain axis has revolutionized the field … Read more