All posts tagged: linked

Early exposure to forever chemicals linked to altered brain genes and impulsive behavior in rats

Early exposure to forever chemicals linked to altered brain genes and impulsive behavior in rats

Published by José Betancourt

A study on rats found that exposure to perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) altered gene expression in the nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex regions of the brain of their offspring. In turn, this may have led to impaired cognitive performance and more impulsive decision-making. The paper was published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals widely used in industrial processes and consumer products due to their resistance to heat, water, and oil. One of these chemicals is perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, or PFOS, a legacy substance that was used for decades in products such as firefighting foams and stain-resistant coatings, as well as in certain manufacturing processes. It is often called a “forever chemical” because it breaks down extremely slowly and can remain in the environment for a very long time. Although the use of PFOS was largely discontinued in the early years of the 21st century, PFOS remains widely present in both the environment and the human body. PFOS resists metabolic breakdown, resulting in prolonged accumulation in the …

Higher intelligence in adolescence linked to lower mental illness risk in adulthood

Higher intelligence in adolescence linked to lower mental illness risk in adulthood

Published by José Betancourt

Higher cognitive abilities and greater educational achievement in adolescence strongly predict a lower risk of developing mental health conditions later in life. A nationwide study of Norwegian men demonstrated that individuals with lower test scores and less schooling experienced notably higher rates of psychological distress in adulthood. The research was published in the journal Psychological Science. Previous sociological research has established a strong connection between educational attainment and overall mental well-being. People with advanced degrees generally experience fewer mood and anxiety disorders compared to those who leave school early. At the same time, academic success is intimately tied to a person’s general cognitive abilities, which encompass skills like problem solving, numerical reasoning, and language comprehension. This overlap leaves an unresolved question regarding the root cause of these health disparities. Researchers wanted to know whether the elevated risk of mental illness associated with leaving school early is actually driven by underlying cognitive traits. To answer this, investigators needed to examine both cognitive test scores and educational attainment simultaneously in a large representative sample. Historically, most psychological …

Declining societal religious norms are linked to rising youth anxiety across 70 countries

Declining societal religious norms are linked to rising youth anxiety across 70 countries

Published by José Betancourt

A recent study published in the journal Developmental Science suggests that shifts in cultural expectations for young people may play a role in rising child and adolescent anxiety rates. Specifically, the research indicates that growing up in societies with declining religious norms tends to be associated with an increase in youth anxiety. These findings provide evidence that community wide beliefs shape youth mental health, hinting at a need to find new ways to offer young people a sense of belonging in the modern world. Over the past three decades, many societies have changed how they raise children. Cultural expectations have shifted away from community focused values, like obedience, and toward individualistic traits, like personal responsibility. Scientists wanted to understand how these shifting societal values affect the mental well-being of children and teens. “Around the globe, we see rising numbers in young people being affected by mental health struggles. To be able to stop this concerning trend, it is needed to understand why mental disorders such as anxiety disorders are rising. There has been much research …

Cannabinoid use is linked to both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects, massive review finds

Cannabinoid use is linked to both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects, massive review finds

Published by José Betancourt

A new systematic review published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity suggests that using cannabinoids does not have a single, straightforward effect on the human immune system. Instead, regular use tends to be associated with concurrent increases in both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory biological markers. These findings provide evidence that cannabis products might modulate the immune system in ways that require more nuance to fully understand. Cannabis use is rising globally, driven by shifting legal policies and a changing public perception of its safety. At the same time, medical science views cannabis through a divided lens. Certain components are being explored as treatments for pain and epilepsy, while regular use is also linked to cognitive and psychiatric risks. Preclinical studies in animals or isolated cells have often indicated that cannabinoids might reduce inflammation. In these laboratory settings, cannabinoids typically suppress immune cell activation. This early evidence led many to view cannabis as a broadly anti-inflammatory substance. However, the translation of these laboratory findings to human biology has been incredibly inconsistent. Some previous human studies reported increases in …

More time spent on social media is linked to a thinner cerebral cortex in young adolescents

More time spent on social media is linked to a thinner cerebral cortex in young adolescents

Published by José Betancourt

New research published in the journal NeuroImage suggests that spending more time on social media is associated with physical differences in the developing brains of young adolescents. Specifically, children who spent more hours on digital platforms exhibited a thinner outer layer of the brain in areas responsible for attention, memory, and emotional control. These findings provide evidence that everyday digital habits might relate to how the brain physically matures during a highly sensitive period of growth. Early adolescence is a period characterized by major physical, social, and mental changes. During this time, the brain undergoes a high degree of restructuring to prepare a child for adulthood. At the same time, children are increasingly gaining access to smartphones and creating social media accounts for the very first time. Recent statistics suggest that a majority of young adolescents between the ages of 11 and 12 use these platforms regularly. Scientists wanted to know if this widespread social media use is linked to how the brain develops. Past research has associated general screen time, like watching television or …

This Mediterranean‑style diet is linked to a slower loss of brain volume as we age

This Mediterranean‑style diet is linked to a slower loss of brain volume as we age

Published by José Betancourt

The Mediterranean diet – rich in olive oil, fish, vegetables and legumes – has long been linked to better heart health. Growing evidence suggests it may also help support brain health as we age, with a brain-focused variation of the diet drawing increasing scientific attention. It is called the Mind diet. The name stands for Mediterranean-Dash Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay – though what matters more than the acronym is what it actually involves: plenty of green vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, berries, poultry and fish, with olive oil as the main cooking fat, and limited amounts of red meat, butter, cheese, fried food and sweets. It combines the most brain-friendly elements of two well-studied eating patterns: the traditional Mediterranean diet and the Dash diet, which was originally developed to lower blood pressure. A recent analysis from the long-running Framingham heart study examined the diets of adults aged 60 and over and assessed how these dietary patterns were associated with brain scan data collected later in the study. Those who followed the Mind diet most closely …

Advanced meditation techniques linked to younger brain age during sleep

Advanced meditation techniques linked to younger brain age during sleep

Published by José Betancourt

People who regularly engage in advanced meditation techniques may possess brains that appear biologically younger than their actual chronological age. By measuring electrical activity in the brain during sleep, researchers found that long-term meditators exhibited brain activity patterns typical of people nearly six years younger. These measurements were published recently in Mindfulness. As human beings age, their sleep changes in predictable ways. Older adults typically experience shorter, more fragmented rest alongside a reduction in deep sleep stages. At the level of brain electrical activity, aging is associated with fewer slow brain waves and a reduction in sleep spindles, which are short bursts of high-frequency brain activity that help consolidate memories. Scientists can use these natural age-related changes to calculate a biological brain age. They compare an individual’s sleep brain waves against established age norms. When a person’s biological brain age is higher than the number of years they have been alive, they are at a higher risk for cognitive decline, dementia, and mortality. Lower estimates are associated with better general health. Previous studies using magnetic …

Even mild opioid use disorder is linked to a significantly higher risk of suicide

Even mild opioid use disorder is linked to a significantly higher risk of suicide

Published by José Betancourt

An analysis of National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data showed that individuals with opioid use disorder have 1.88 to 4.17 times greater odds of having suicidal thoughts compared to individuals without the disorder. Their odds of making a suicide plan were 3.35 to 6.7 times higher, while their odds of attempting suicide were 2.8 to nearly 10 times higher. The paper was published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the free and confidential Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or chat live at 988lifeline.org. Opioids are a class of drugs that act on specific receptors in the brain and body to reduce pain and produce feelings of euphoria. They include natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic substances such as morphine, heroin, and fentanyl. Opioids are commonly prescribed for pain management but carry a high risk of dependence and misuse. If this risk materializes, opioid users may develop opioid use disorder. Opioid use disorder …

High PFAS exposure in pregnancy linked to childhood asthma

High PFAS exposure in pregnancy linked to childhood asthma

Published by skeptic

A large Swedish study has identified a notable association between PFAS exposure during pregnancy and a higher risk of childhood asthma, adding weight to growing concerns about the long-term health effects of these persistent chemicals. Lund University researchers analysed data from more than 11,000 children born in Blekinge, Sweden, between 2006 and 2013, focusing on a population affected by one of Europe’s most significant drinking water contamination events. The findings suggest that while low to moderate exposure showed no clear impact, very high levels of PFAS exposure may substantially increase asthma risk in children. Annelise Blomberg, a researcher in occupational and environmental medicine at Lund University, explained: “We saw a clear link between very high PFAS exposure and a higher incidence of asthma. “The risk of developing asthma was around 40% higher among children of mothers with very high PFAS exposure.” The dangers of PFAS PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals widely used in industrial processes and consumer products. They are found in everything from non-stick cookware and food packaging to firefighting …

Narcissistic traits are linked to a brain area governing emotional control

Narcissistic traits are linked to a brain area governing emotional control

Published by José Betancourt

A recent study reveals that the physical structure of a specific brain region acts as a bridge between narcissistic personality traits and the habit of hiding one’s emotions. By looking at brain scans of healthy adults, researchers found that the volume and surface folding of the anterior insula correspond to both narcissistic tendencies and emotional suppression. The research was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. Narcissism is often thought of as a single personality flaw, but psychologists divide it into two main dimensions. Grandiose narcissism is characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. Vulnerable narcissism is marked by fragile self-esteem, hypersensitivity to criticism, and social withdrawal. Both types share an underlying core of self-focus and difficulties with interpersonal relationships. A common thread linking both grandiose and vulnerable traits is a struggle with emotion regulation. Emotion regulation refers to the mental strategies people use to manage how they feel and how they express those feelings to people around them. One strategy is cognitive …