A 2026 double-blind randomized controlled trial by Kappes et al. in Psychopharmacology found something the smart-drug users likely wouldn’t have predicted: a single 30 mg dose of methylphenidate reduced dishonest misreporting on a die-rolling task from ~22% of trials in the placebo arm to ~6% (in the methylphenidate arm).1 Atomoxetine, a noradrenergic comparator, had no …
Deep brain stimulation works for Parkinson’s, but it requires implanted electrodes. A 2026 randomized crossover trial by Stalter and colleagues tested whether transcranial temporal interference stimulation — a non-invasive technique designed to reach deep targets without exciting overlying cortex — can move the needle on motor symptoms when aimed at the putamen.1 Research Highlights Transcranial …
Most antidepressant pharmacovigilance data come from high-income countries, leaving prescribing patterns and adverse-effect profiles in low- and middle-income countries underdocumented. A 2026 cross-sectional study by Riaz and colleagues describes antidepressant use in Pakistan, with patient-reported adverse effects mapped against prescription patterns.1 Research Highlights Antidepressant use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has grown substantially but …
Parkinson’s disease has a years-to-decades prodromal stage where motor symptoms haven’t yet emerged but pathology is accumulating. A 2026 review by Schaeffer et al. synthesizes the case for (and limits of) intervening during this window — with implications for high-risk individuals weighing whether to enter preventive trials.1 Research Highlights Prodromal Parkinson’s disease is the period …
Until recently, Alzheimer’s pathology could only be confirmed in living patients via PET imaging or lumbar puncture. Plasma p-tau217 changed that calculus — but how to interpret a positive result depends substantially on APOE genotype.1 Research Highlights Plasma p-tau217 is a blood biomarker that rises years before Alzheimer’s symptoms. The 2024 Alzheimer’s Association revised criteria …
Sensation seeking has long been linked to risky behaviors in teens, but its role in eating-disorder psychopathology has been mixed. A 2026 study by Bogner and colleagues clarifies the picture in 400 German adolescents: sensation seeking matters for disordered eating, but the effects are moderated by weight status and emotional symptoms.1 Research Highlights Sensation seeking …
Betrayal does not just make people less trusting. It can also change what they pay attention to afterward. After a negative social surprise, people may start scanning more closely for signs of threat, which can make distrust easier to confirm and harder to undo. Research Highlights Selective observation: Son and Yoo 2026 modeled social inference …