The development of trace fear memories is considered a declarative task (generally referring to the act of naming something). This requires higher brain functions (e.g. attention, conscious awareness) and multiple brain regions, including the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, and amygdala. Previously, it was unclear how brain cells (termed “neurons”) involved in memory behave before learning,…
Mental disorders. It seems like everyone knows someone who suffers from one affliction or another. Some worse than others, though one can attest that dementia associated with brain aging is one of the most painful afflictions to witness. Most frequently characterized by memory loss, personality changes and impaired mental reasoning. Resulting in suffering individuals completely…
Tourette Syndrome is a disorder characterized by repeating motor movements and/or verbal tics that are not easily suppressed. It is common for people with Tourette Syndrome to have additional conditions such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and anxiety disorder. The simultaneous presence of Tourette Syndrome and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) has been of interest…
Obesity has taken over one third of the world. From diabetes, to joint problems, to some types of cancers, this debilitating condition is a major health threat to those experiencing it. Obesity, however, not only concerns the physical body. Some studies have shown that the brains of obese individuals can differ from the brains of…
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a commonly diagnosed disorder among older adults. Despite its high prevalence, treatment options are limited. Physical exercise is often prescribed as treatment as it has the potential to relieve pain. Although the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood, studies have shown that incorporating mindfulness into an exercise program may also have…
Recent research has increased our understanding of the mechanics of memory and how the brain can improve memory when needed. The focus of the research was based around sharp wave ripples (SPW-Rs). These ripples can be thought of as waves that activate pathways that store and later form memories. SPW-Rs are found in the region…
Have you ever wondered what motivates an individual to use cannabis? Is it a psychological want or physiological need? To begin, cannabis has become the most widely used illicit substance in the world. The drug is used by many, in many places; whether that be for medical or recreational purposes. The frontostriatolimbic region mainly contains…
To understand Parkinson’s Disease, it is important to understand the brain and its function related to the disease. Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive disease of the Central Nervous System, progressive meaning that symptoms, such as slowness of movement (bradykinesia), stiffness and tremors, and more will progress and worsen overtime. When dopamine producing neurons in a…
Neurodegenerative diseases are medical conditions that affect neurons, which are the building blocks of the brain and spinal cord. These diseases not only affect the health of individuals, but also their abilities to work and learn, their families, and society as a whole. Parasites are organisms that live in/on a host and that get their…
In the past, sizes of brain regions have been shown to correlate with general intelligence. For example, as IQ levels increase, so does the relative size of the cerebral cortex in human brains. This is the region located on the outermost layer of the brain consisting of gray matter, which contains the neuron cell bodies…
Eating disorders are characterized by irregular eating habits and unhealthy relationships with food. Bulimia Nervosa (BN) is a subtype of eating disorders marked by recurrent episodes of binge eating associated with inappropriate behaviours that compensate for the overeating, such as forced vomiting. Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is also a severe eating disorder, which is differentiated from…
As an athlete, I’ve never thought about how working out may affect my brain and cognitive abilities. My focus is always on the physical benefits of working out… losing weight, toning muscles, gaining strength etc. But now I am retired from varsity athletics and it’s safe to say the vigour of my workouts has declined.…
The association between drugs and behavior is a field of research that has been essential in prescription medicines. Drugs hold the ability to influence behavior in a number of different ways; therefore studies are required to investigate these influences. Iig, Enkel, Bartsch, and Bähner (2018) are four psychologists who were interested in examining the effects…
The brain is one of largest and most complex organs in the human being, and depending who you ask, is the most fascinating things we possess as humans. Along with mediating every conscious and unconscious process in our bodies, the brain also possesses an incredible ability called neuroplasticity. The research…
Have you ever done something without thinking of the consequences that come along with that action? Many individuals who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often impulsive, meaning that they do and say things without thinking. ADHD is the most common diagnosed disorder in children, affecting 3-7% worldwide. It is characterized by symptoms of…
As a dancer I have been interested in not only the athleticism it takes to execute given choreography but also the demands it places on the attention and memory to learn and remember such choreography. Dance, is a unique activity that requires a dancer to learn, remember, and execute a series of complex sequences. As…
In the Western world, taking a daily vitamin is common, accessible, and socially accepted as being part of a ‘healthy’ regimen. Many individuals don’t think twice about taking a vitamin to supplement the nutrients they might not be getting enough of from their food. However, many of those individuals who take vitamin supplements don’t really…
Many musicians will use music to disclose internal aspects of their lives to others. Music can function as a type of socialization as we relate to certain songs but also struggle to understand others, much like our social relationships. In other words, music can be seen as a socializing activity because it may train the…
When most people hear the word “Botox”, the first thing that comes to mind are images of Hollywood stars getting facial injections for tight, youthful skin. However, Botox (the commercial name for Botulinum toxin A or BTX-A) also has a reputation as a clinical treatment for chronic pain. This powerful neurotoxin is produced by the…
Many people consider music to be a mood elevating past-time. It lifts our spirits, brightens our day, and puts smiles on our faces; but could music also be a way to improve cognitive functioning for individuals who suffered mild traumatic brain injuries? Research now shows that there is a strong relationship between musical training and…
Have you ever listened to a piece of music and felt your chest tighten, your emotions swell and “chills” rush over you in response to what you were hearing? According to research that feeling is not just one of joy and a simple appreciation for the music, but a neurological response mediated by the connections…
It’s no secret anymore that obesity is a world-wide epidemic. It’s not something that’s easy to hide or overlook: obesity is everywhere, especially in the Western and developed worlds. Something else that is becoming glaringly obvious is that the Western diet is not something to be proud of. With deep fryers and excessive portions dominating…
Researchers in France (Roux-Sibilon, Kalénine, Pichat & Peyrin, 2018) did an experiment which tested Paired Object Affordance with specific brain regions. In psychology, ‘affordance’ is basically a word for how one can recognize and interact with objects in your environment. For example, trees can be used for animals to climb to safety; twigs can be used to pick…
Emotional regulation in children is a previously untouched topic, but recently is being looked at with the concept of cognitive reappraisal. To put it bluntly, cognitive reappraisal is the shift in perception you may have towards a situation. For example; you may be shown an image of a really mean looking dog. Initially, you may…
It is a common assumption to believe that marijuana is a relatively safe recreational drug. With its many benefits for people with several disorders and its impressively low lethal dose, it has become a popular drug of choice for teenagers and young adults. Marijuana, however, does not affect young brains in the same way it…
Depression affects many adolescence and young adults and is the main reason of disability worldwide. There have been many drugs created to help combat one’s depression, yet they all come with negative side effects (Chen et al., 2017). Current research is showing that running can be its own kind of therapeutic treatment for depression. Research…
Did you know that exercising while pregnant can be beneficial for the health of you and your baby? Exercising while pregnant has been linked to less pain and swelling, heightened immune system, better sleep, and easier, faster labor and birth. The female body is amazing and goes through many physical and chemical changes to grow…
The primary psychoactive (having effect on mental processes) ingredient of cannabis is THC, which is what produces the feeling of being “stoned”, as well as having the ability to impair memory and exhibit psychotic-like symptoms. There is an additional ingredient that some forms of cannabis contain called cannabidiol which has been found to cancel out…
Insomnia, or the inability to fall asleep at night, is one of the most common forms of sleep disturbance around the world, affecting up to 5 % of the adult population. Insomnia is associated with difficulty falling asleep, remaining asleep, as well as waking up in the morning. Due to the lack of sleep, insomnia…
Walking can be a good way to reduce the stress we feel in our consistent, crazy and hectic lives that we live; not only can it be a good escape from reality but it might even help us live longer and healthier. Walking, running, and other types physical exercises have been shown to improve our…
Why is exercise such an important part of our lives? Does it really have more than the physical benefits? The answer, of course, is yes! Physical exercise is not only good for our bodies, but it also helps to improve our mental health. It is widely known that regular exercise helps control stress-related disorders…
Have you ever wondered why it is that some people are better at mathematics and reading than others? Maybe you’ve wondered if there was a way to improve your skills in these areas. Peters and colleagues conducted a study last year that may provide some insight into this area. They examined whether current reading and…