MentalHealthDaily

Personalized TMS for Psychiatric Disorders: Targeting Functional Connectivity (FC) in the Brain (2024 Review)

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has emerged as a beacon of hope in the realm of psychiatry, offering a non-invasive alternative for treating psychiatric disorders. The variability in treatment outcomes highlights the necessity for advancements in personalized approaches. A recent paper analyzed the potential of personalized TMS protocols (customized based on individual brain connectivity) may help …

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) of Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) for Treatment-Resistant Depression (4 Case Reports)

by GLOOM

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) explores the cutting-edge intersection of technology and neuroscience, offering hope to those for whom traditional treatments have failed. By targeting specific brain areas, such as the nucleus accumbens, DBS attempts to modulate the underlying neural circuits associated with depression. A recent review analyzed case reports documenting significant …

Effects of Stress & Negative Life Events on Brain Structure Connectivity in Adolescents (2024 Study)

by GLOOM

Adolescence marks a pivotal era of transformation, where the brain undergoes significant development, shaping the trajectory of an individual’s emotional and psychological maturity. Recent studies, including one leveraging data from the IMAGEN Consortium, have evaluated how negative life events during these formative years can subtly yet significantly alter the structural connectivity of the adolescent brain. …

Effect of A Short Nap on Cognitive Function & Brain Connectivity with Sleep Deprivation (2023 Study)

by GLOOM

Sleep deprivation (SD) is a common issue in today’s fast-paced world, leading to temporary cognitive impairments that can significantly affect daily functioning. However, new research reveals that even a short nap following a period of SD can help reverse these impairments to some extent, shedding light on the brain’s remarkable ability to recover. Highlights: Cognitive …

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) Changes Brain Connectivity & Activation to Treat Binge Eating Disorder (2023 Study)

by GLOOM

Binge-eating disorder (BED), characterized by recurrent episodes of overeating without compensatory behaviors, is a significant global health concern. Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX), the only drug approved for moderate to severe BED, is showing promise not just in reducing episodes but also in altering brain function in ways previously not fully understood. Through a groundbreaking study, researchers …

Escitalopram (Lexapro) Normalizes Brain Connectivity in Major Depression (2024 Study)

by GLOOM

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) significantly alters the brain’s network connectivity, with disturbances in the default mode network (DMN), salience network (SN), and dorsal attention network (DAN). A new study reveals how escitalopram, a common antidepressant, can partially reverse these abnormalities, offering insights into the biological underpinnings of its therapeutic effects. This research deepens our understanding …

Effects of Coffee & Caffeine on Brain Connectivity in Habitual Drinkers (2023 Study)

by GLOOM

Coffee, one of the world’s most consumed beverages, is often lauded for its ability to enhance alertness and cognitive performance. Recent studies utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques like resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have begun to unravel the intricate ways in which coffee, and its key component caffeine, modulate brain activity. This exploration into the …