Tag: neurobiology
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Multi-System Biomarkers for Suicide Risk in MDD: Erythroid, Inflammation, and Metabolism
Introduction: The Need for Multi-System Biomarkers in MDD Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) remains a leading cause of disability worldwide, with suicide risk representing a critical and urgent challenge for clinicians. Traditional risk assessment often relies on clinical history and self-reported symptoms, which can miss biologically meaningful signals. Emerging research points to a multi-system model of…
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First Brain Cell Atlas: Clues to Neurodevelopmental and Psychiatric Disorders
What is a Brain Cell Atlas? The Brain Cell Atlas is a comprehensive roadmap of the brain’s cellular landscape. By cataloging the diverse types of brain cells, their gene activity, and how they interact across different regions and developmental stages, scientists gain a detailed view of how the brain is built and functions. Recent draft…
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Ancient Lead Exposure Shaped the Evolution of the Human Brain and Language
Ancient Lead Exposure: A Hidden Thread in Human Evolution New findings published in Science Advances reveal that our ancestors faced intermittent lead exposure for nearly two million years, long before industrial activity. The study stitches together fossil geochemistry, brain organoid experiments, and evolutionary genetics to propose that the toxic metal may have subtly steered the…
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Cryo-ET Unveils Kiss-Shrink-Run: A Hybrid Model of Neurotransmitter Release
Cracking the Code of Neurotransmission The brain’s ability to transmit signals rapidly hinges on the precise choreography of synaptic vesicle exocytosis. For decades, scientists debated whether vesicles simply “kiss” the presynaptic membrane and retreat (kiss-and-run) or fully collapse to release their neurotransmitters. A groundbreaking study from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC),…
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Kiss-Shrink-Run: A Hybrid Mechanism Unveiled for Neuronal Release
Cracking the Code of Neurotransmission The brain’s ability to communicate with astonishing speed hinges on how synaptic vesicles release their chemical messages. For decades, scientists debated whether vesicles briefly touched the presynaptic membrane in a “kiss-and-run” fashion or fully merged in an irreversible “full collapse.” A groundbreaking study from the University of Science and Technology…
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Improving brain resilience: Rab proteins and future treatments
Understanding the cellular logistics behind memory formation Memory formation is more than a simple spark of thought. It involves synaptic potentiation, where active connections between neurons strengthen through intricate structural changes. These changes require a precise, logistical operation inside the neuron to deliver the right materials to remodel synapses. Recent research shines a light on…
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MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy: Insights from the October 2025 Psychedelics Review on PTSD and Emerging Conditions
Overview: A Historic View of MDMA in Psychotherapy The October 2025 issue of Psychedelics offers a comprehensive review of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, tracing its journey from early chemical synthesis in 1912 to its current status as a promising tool in modern psychiatry. Led by Dr. Kenji Hashimoto and a multidisciplinary team, the analysis emphasizes how MDMA…
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MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy: Insights from the October 2025 Psychedelics Review on PTSD and Emerging Psychiatric Conditions
Overview: A Milestone Review of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy The October 2025 issue of Psychedelics presents a comprehensive review of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, tracing its journey from early synthesis to its current role in modern psychiatric research. Led by Dr. Kenji Hashimoto and a multidisciplinary team, the article synthesizes decades of data to illuminate how MDMA may augment…