Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports 
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This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.Purposeful Engagement, Healthy Aging, and the Brain
AbstractPurpose of ReviewResearch on psychological well-being in later life has identified strengths and vulnerabilities that occur with aging. We review the conceptual and philosophical foundations of a eudaimonic model of well-being and its empirical translation into six key dimensions of positive functioning. We also consider its implications for health, broadly defined.Recent FindingsNumerous findings from national longitudinal samples of US adults are described. They show declining scores on purpose in life and personal growth with aging, but also underscore the notable variability among older persons in these pattern...
Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - October 21, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research
The Neural Mechanisms of Meditative Practices: Novel Approaches for Healthy Aging
AbstractObjectivesMeditation has been shown to have physical, cognitive, and psychological health benefits that can be used to promote healthy aging. However, the common and specific mechanisms of response remain elusive due to the diverse nature of mind –body practices.MethodsIn this review, we aim to compare the neural circuits implicated in focused-attention meditative practices that focus on present-moment awareness to those involved in active-type meditative practices (e.g., yoga) that combine movement, including chanting, with breath practices and meditation.Recent FindingsRecent meta-analyses and individual studie...
Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - October 17, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research
Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Investigate Complex Genetic Psychiatric Disorders
AbstractPurpose of ReviewInduced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be generated from human patient tissue samples, differentiated into any somatic cell type, and studied under controlled culture conditions. We review how iPSCs are used to investigate genetic factors and biological mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders, and considerations for synthesizing data across studies.Recent FindingsResults from patient specific-iPSC studies often reveal cellular phenotypes consistent with postmortem and brain imaging studies. Unpredicted findings illustrate the power of iPSCs as a discovery tool, but may also be attributable ...
Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - October 13, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research
Physical Exercise for Treatment of Mood Disorders: A Critical Review
AbstractPurpose of the reviewThe purpose of this review is to critically assess the evidence for exercise as an adjunct intervention for major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, chronic conditions characterized by frequent comorbid conditions as well as interepisodic symptoms with poor quality of life and impaired functioning. Individuals with these mood disorders are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death in part because of increased rates of obesity, inactivity, and diabetes mellitus compared to the general population. Exercise may not only mitigate the increased risk of cardiovascular diseas...
Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - October 13, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research
Mindfulness Training for Emotional and Cognitive Health in Late Life
This article reviews recent clinical trials of MBIs in older adults.Recent FindingsThere is growing support for MBIs as a means to address mild to moderate clinical concerns, including depression, anxiety, sleep, and subjective memory or other cognitive complains but little evidence that MBIs improve functioning in already healthy individuals.SummaryMBIs may be effective for older adults with mild to moderate emotional and cognitive dysfunction. Future longitudinal work is needed to test if MBIs are an effective means of prevention of emotional or cognitive decline. (Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports)
Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - October 13, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research
Cognitive Remediation and Bias Modification Strategies in Mood and Anxiety Disorders
AbstractPurpose of ReviewCognitive impairments and biases, which are prevalent in patients with mood and anxiety disorders, can affect quality of life and functioning. Traditional treatments are only insufficiently addressing these impairments and biases. We review the cognitive impairments and biases present in these disorders as well as treatments targeting these domains.Recent FindingsInterventions aimed at improving cognitive impairments and biases may help improve cognitive deficits and overall functioning in patients with mood and anxiety disorders. Direct comparisons of treatments for cognitive impairments or biases...
Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - October 5, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research
Psychosis in Alzheimer ’s Disease: a Review of Recent Research Findings
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review paper is to examine the latest research findings in psychosis in Alzheimer ’s disease (AD) and to reconcile conflicting perspectives regarding whether psychotic symptoms should be considered individually (as delusions/hallucinations) or as a whole.Recent FindingsAD patients with psychosis demonstrate accelerated onset of cognitive decline prior to the onset of psychosis and are at increased risk of conversion to AD, emphasizing the importance of early detection. Data from neurobiological studies, including imaging and neuropathological studies, suggest there may be meri...
Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - October 5, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research
Magnetic Seizure Therapy: an Evolution of Convulsive Therapy
This article reviews the current literature for clinical studies on MST. While initial results are promising, future work is needed to compare MST efficacy with other antidepressant treatments. (Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports)
Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - October 5, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research
Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity, and Risk for Dementia: Recent Insights into Brain Insulin Resistance and Hypometabolism
AbstractPurpose of ReviewType 2 diabetes (T2D) increases risk for the two most common forms of age-related dementia, Alzheimer ’s disease (AD), and vascular dementia. This review summarizes key links between T2D and dementia risk and discusses new findings that enhance the understanding of how T2D contributes risk for neurocognitive decline.Recent FindingsIt is thought that T2D-related insulin resistance may accelerate the accumulation of β-amyloid in the brain. Interestingly, recent studies do not show increased β-amyloid brain pathology in people with T2D. Emerging evidence suggests that brain insulin resistance may ...
Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - September 27, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research
Age-Related Changes in Decision Making
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn light of global population trends, the decision-making capacity of older adults is a pressing societal concern. This review focuses on age differences in four key dimensions: valuation, risk taking, temporal discounting, and decision strategies.Recent FindingsAging is associated with structural, functional, and neurochemical changes in neural networks implicated in decision making. However, these changes do not lead to universal deficits. Older adults are not always risk-averse, and their ability to postpone gratification tends to exceed that of younger adults. Age-related changes in motivation ...
Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - September 23, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research
Epigenetic Research in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: the “Tissue Issue”
AbstractPurpose of ReviewEvidence has linked neuropsychiatric disorders with epigenetic marks as either a biomarker of disease, biomarker of exposure, or mechanism of disease processes. Neuropsychiatric epidemiologic studies using either target brain tissue or surrogate blood tissue each have methodological challenges and distinct advantages.Recent findingsBrain tissue studies are challenged by small sample sizes of cases and controls, incomplete phenotyping, post-mortem timing, and cellular heterogeneity, but the use of a primary disease relevant tissue is critical. Blood-based studies have access to much larger sample si...
Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - August 1, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research
A Developmental Perspective on Disgust: Implications for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
This article summarizes the literature on the emotion of disgust in children with emphasis on illuminating reactions to proposed disgust elicitors and the emergence of contamination concerns.
Recent Findings
Children’s understanding of disgust may represent the origins of individual differences in disgust proneness, a personality trait that is both genetic and a product of social learning. Early research employing multiple levels of analysis suggests that disgust proneness may confer risk for the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OC...
Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - July 15, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research
Developmental Neuroimaging in Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Abstract
Purpose of review
This review examines emerging neuroimaging research in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and explores the possibility that developmentally sensitive mechanisms may underlie OCD across the lifespan.
Recent findings
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies of pediatric OCD reveal abnormal structural connectivity within fronto-striato-thalamic circuity (FSTC). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies further support atypical FSTC...
Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - July 12, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research
The Genetics of Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome: a Common Aetiological Basis with Comorbid Disorders?
Abstract
Purpose of Review
Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (TS) is a childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by multiple motor and vocal tics, commonly associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Here, we summarize and discuss evidence pointing to a shared genetic basis among TS, OCD, ADHD and ASD.
Recent Findings
TS has a complex genetic aetiology, with many genes interacting...
Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - July 4, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research
Neural Foundations of Mood-Induced Impulsivity and Impulsive Aggression in Schizophrenia
Abstract
Impulsivity is elevated in schizophrenia and is a risk factor for aggression in the disorder, but it is a multidimensional construct. Recently, the impulsivity subconstruct of urgency, which refers to rash action in the face of strong mood states, has been shown to be highly correlated with aggression in schizophrenia, especially impulsive aggression. This review discusses recent neuroimaging findings regarding urgency and its relation to impulsive aggression in schizophrenia. In addition, potential relationships between urgency and emotional regulation are discussed, along with potential treatme...
Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - July 3, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research
