Mental Health

Brain Cells 'Geotag' Memories To Cache What Happened — And Where

6:13am December 02, 2013

by Jon Hamilton

Scientists have identified special cells in the brain's hippocampus that mimic a trick of some digital cameras. These cells automatically 'tag' the memory of each event in our lives with information about where that event took place — the better to recall, perhaps, where we left our lost keys.

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In Pregnancy, What's Worse? Cigarettes Or The Nicotine Patch?

1:41pm November 26, 2013

by Jon Hamilton

Everybody knows that you're not supposed to smoke while you're pregnant because it's bad for the baby. But nicotine patches often used to help women quit may pose a risk, too, researchers say. Other forms of nicotine replacement may do less harm.

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Ronald Heifetz draws on his training as a psychiatrist to coach aspiring leaders at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Lessons In Leadership: It's Not About You. (It's About Them)

7:15pm November 11, 2013

by Shankar Vedantam

It takes more than a decisive vision to solve intractable world problems, says Harvard leadership expert Ronald Heifetz. Instead, he advises his students — including budding heads-of-state — to think less like surgeons and more like psychiatrists.

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Girls are particularly vulnerable to brain changes caused by stress or trauma, researchers say.

Childhood Maltreatment Can Leave Scars In The Brain

12:21pm November 05, 2013

by Jon Hamilton

Brain scans may help people who were ill treated as children realize that they process fear differently than others. They may have a harder time realizing what's truly a threat and what's not. Researchers say that can lead to increased risk of anxiety and depression.

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Eeek, Snake! Your Brain Has A Special Corner Just For Them

5:17pm October 30, 2013

by Jon Hamilton

Humans and other primates have really good vision. One scientist thinks that ability evolved in part to help monkeys and humans quickly recognize venomous snakes. When monkeys see photos of snakes, neurons in a specific part of the brain light up. The neurons respond to photos of the reptiles more than to monkey faces.

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Women's moods can change based on the phases of their menstrual cycle. But does that mean they have a psychiatric disorder?

Should Severe Premenstrual Symptoms Be A Mental Disorder?

3:37pm October 22, 2013

by Amy Standen

Earlier this year premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD, became a recognized mental disorder. But not everyone is convinced that's a good idea. Some researchers worry that medicalizing this unrelenting form of PMS could be used against women, even though only a small percentage of women meet the criteria.

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After Shooting Tragedies, States React With Legislation

6:10am September 20, 2013

by Ted Robbins

Mass shootings provoke sorrow and outrage, but what actually changes? Not much in Congress regarding gun safety laws, but it's been a busy year for firearm and mental health legislation in states.

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For Native Americans, Mental Health Budget Cuts Hit Hard

9:49am September 12, 2013

by Laurel G. Morales

Suicide rates among Native Americans are already four times the national average. And with recent cuts in federal funding for mental health services across the country, suicide prevention programs may lose ground in the communities that need them most.

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Strenuous mental exercise like reading difficult books, solving tricky math problems — or, maybe, playing the right video game — can help keep a healthy brain sharp, research suggests.

Multitasking After 60: Video Game Boosts Focus, Mental Agility

5:22pm September 10, 2013

by Jon Hamilton

The aging brain may be more flexible than we thought, a study of older adults now suggests. After playing a racing car video game an hour a day, thrice weekly for a month, adults age 60 and over were better at multitasking than untrained 20-year-olds.

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Of Neurons And Memories: Inside The 'Secret World Of Sleep'

2:13pm August 15, 2013

Think of everything your brain processes in a single day: your breakfast, a stain on a book cover, a meeting at work. If you remembered all those things, your brain would reach capacity. Author and neuroscientist Penelope Lewis says sleep helps sort through the memories that are worth keeping.

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