All articles tagged with #psychiatric conditions
Researchers have identified a mechanism in the prefrontal cortex involving corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurons that modulate empathetic responses based on past emotional experiences. This discovery, highlighting how animals respond to others' emotions when they mirror their own past experiences, offers insights into empathy's evolutionary conservation and potential therapeutic targets for conditions like PTSD, autism, and schizophrenia.
Scientists have identified over 4,000 gene variants that are linked to brain structure, shedding light on how our genetic makeup influences brain development. The findings have the potential to improve treatments for neurological and psychiatric conditions. The study revealed that different sets of genes contribute to the folding and size of the cortex, the outer layer of the brain associated with higher-level functions and various disorders. The research also found that genes linked to brain size in the general population overlapped with those connected to cephalic conditions. However, there is still much to learn about how these genes lead to changes in brain size.
New research suggests that some psychiatric conditions may be caused or worsened by underlying autoimmune diseases. Treating the underlying autoimmune condition could lead to better treatment outcomes for patients with conditions like schizophrenia and depression. The SNF Center for Precision Psychiatry and Mental Health at Columbia is working on autoimmunity screenings for patients in long-term facilities in New York to help improve their quality of life.