Anna-Mari Olivier

Can scientists 'hack' memory?

Is it possible to manipulate memory formation and consolidation? And why would we want to do it? We explore these questions in this Spotlight feature.
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'Even moderate alcohol consumption increases stroke risk'

A large cohort study in a Chinese population contradicts previous findings suggesting that moderate alcohol intake can protect against stroke.
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Scientists quash claims about single 'depression genes'

After reviewing data on 620,000-plus people, scientists quash claims that a single or handful of genes can have a strong influence on risk of depression.
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How use of digital devices may influence obesity risk

People who tend to frequently switch between digital media devices appear to have a greater risk of obesity, according to the findings of a new study.
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Dementia: Amyloid PET scans can improve diagnosis and care

Using brain scans that can detect hallmarks of Alzheimer's could improve diagnosis and clinical care of people with dementia and mild cognitive impairment.
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What causes a low libido?

It is common for a person's libido to fluctuate throughout their life and according to their mood. However, a significant change in libido may be due to an underlying cause. Learn about low libido causes and how to treat them here.
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Mental health can impact memory decades later

A new longitudinal cohort study has confirmed a link between experiencing mental health problems throughout adulthood and having poorer memory in midlife.
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Can CBD help treat depression?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound that comes from the cannabis plant. It is gaining popularity as a natural treatment for many mental health conditions, including depression. Learn more about CBD for depression here.
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Scientists locate brain circuit that curbs overeating

Scientists have identified a group of memory-related neurons in the hippocampus whose activation can cause mice to reduce their food intake.
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Music may enhance the effect of pain relievers

Can music soothe pain? A new study in mice finds that listening to Mozart alongside taking standard pain medication works better than drugs alone.
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What does science say about the effects of meditation?

In this Spotlight feature, we look at the benefits of practicing meditation or mindfulness, and we weigh up some of the potential unwanted effects.
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This drug failed to treat cancer, but it could improve dementia

Scientists have found that an experimental drug that failed against cancer may treat dementia instead. However, can they test it in clinical trials?
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Letter from the Editor: Looking to the future

This month, MNT attended the Future Healthcare 2019 Conference and Exhibition. Managing Editor Honor Whiteman discusses some exciting new technologies.
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Depression: Brain stimulation may be a good alternative treatment

A new review of clinical trials delves deeper into the benefits of various forms of non-invasive brain stimulation for treating severe depression.
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Is this a better way to deliver drugs to the brain?

According to a new study in mice, shorter-wave ultrasound pulses could help scientists deliver drugs straight into the brain more safely and efficiently.
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Musical training may improve attention

New research finds that people who have had musical training are better at controlling their attention and blocking out distractions.
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Why do antidepressants fail for some?

Differences in genes and structures of nerve cell that make and use serotonin could explain why some people with major depression do not respond to SSRIs.
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Can changes in brain energy pathways cause depression?

Scientists repurposed an accessible bioinformatics tool to find DNA mutations, some of which occur at high levels in people with major depressive disorder.
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What really happens in the brain during a hallucination?

A new study reveals a surprising brain mechanism tied to the experience of drug-induced hallucinations. These findings may even have wider implications.
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The effects of going more than 24 hours without sleep

It is not clear how long a person can go without sleep, but in a famous 1964 experiment, a person managed to stay awake for 264 hours. Sleep deprivation can negatively affect energy levels, mood, and cognitive functioning. In the long term, it can increase a person's risk of several chronic conditions. Learn more here.
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