More to Alzheimer’s Than Genetics
Razi Berry The color of our eyes or the straightness of our hair is linked to our DNA, but the development of Alzheimer’s disease isn’t exclusively linked to genetics, suggest recently published findings from Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care. First study published about Alzheimer’s disease among identical triplets In the first study published about Alzheimer’s […]
Regulation of Body Temp. May Also Help Regulate More Rapid Weight Loss
Razi Berry The brain mechanism that enables us to maintain a constant body temperature may also be the key to rapid weight loss, a new study finds. In experiments involving mice that were given a calorie-restricted diet, scientists at Scripps Research discovered that blocking a brain receptor that normally regulates body heat resulted in significant […]
Alcohol Drinking Patterns Affect Circadian Metabolism
Razi Berry Drinking alcohol is a widespread habit in modern society and can have serious metabolic consequences. Recent studies have uncovered the interplay between nutrition, metabolism and circadian rhythms. But, until now, little has been done to understand the effects of alcohol consumption on circadian metabolism. Interplay uncovered between nutrition, metabolism and circadian rhythms University […]
Fitter Body, Fitter Brain
Razi Berry In a large study, German scientists have shown that physical fitness is associated with better brain structure and brain functioning in young adults. This opens the possibility that increasing fitness levels may lead to improved cognitive ability, such as memory and problem solving, as well as improved structural changes in the brain. This […]
Eating to Ease Anxiety
Nicola Dehlinger, ND As the days start to shorten and an autumn chill comes back into the evening air, many people start to experience an uptick in feelings of anxiousness. Anticipating dark cold days, returning to school, and letting go of the “freedom” of summer can cause us to worry more, and feel less at […]
Resveratrol for Stress and Anxiety?
Razi Berry Like to unwind with a glass of red wine after a stressful day? Don’t give alcohol all the credit. New research has revealed that the plant compound resveratrol, which is found in red wine, displays anti-stress effects by blocking the expression of an enzyme related to the control of stress in the brain, […]
Can a little bit of exercise make you smarter?
Razi Berry Most people know that regular exercise is good for your health. New research shows it may make you smarter, too. Exercise is cheap and ubiquitous with smart results Neuroscientists at OHSU in Portland, Oregon, working with mice, have discovered that a short burst of exercise directly boosts the function of a gene that […]
Grit: Perseverance Through Hardships
Razi Berry It was my fifth miscarriage in a period of four years. I had experienced this pain before, the bleeding. But something hurt deeper than the physical pain as I was rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night for a D&C, where they would remove the remains of the baby that […]
Sleep Helps the Brain’s Ability to Learn
Razi Berry Synapses in the hippocampus are larger and stronger after sleep deprivation, according to new research in mice published in JNeurosci. Overall, this study supports the idea that sleep may universally weaken synapses that are strengthened from learning, allowing for new learning to occur after waking. Sleep may universally weaken synapses strengthened from learning, […]
Gene Associated with Elevated Risk of Cannabis Abuse
Razi Berry New research from the Danish psychiatric project, iPSYCH, shows that a specific gene is associated with an increased risk of cannabis abuse. The gene is the source of a so-called nicotine receptor in the brain, and people with low amounts of this receptor have an increased risk of cannabis abuse. iPSYCH shows that […]