Benefits of medical marijuana for treatment of epilepsy examined Although cannabis had been used for many centuries for treatment of seizure disorders, medical use became prohibited in the 20th century. However, with the loosening of laws regarding medical marijuana, research and clinical use of marijuana-derived substances are increasing. This has prompted the publishing of an…
Range of challenging meditation experiences Though it has gained popularity in the West as medically and psychologically beneficial, meditation can produce a much wider variety of outcomes, not all of them calm and relaxing, according to a new study that analyzes meditation-related challenges. Range of challenging meditation experiences Source: Science Daily Mind & Brain
Oxytocin administered to the nose increases emotion perception in autism Intranasal oxytocin can influence how individuals with autism perceive emotion in others, a recent study has demonstrated. This is an important first step for a potential pharmacological treatment of autism. Oxytocin administered to the nose increases emotion perception in autism Source: Science Daily Mind &…
Mind-controlled device helps stroke patients retrain brains to move paralyzed hands Stroke patients who learned to use their minds to open and close a plastic brace fitted over their paralyzed hands gained some ability to control their own hands when they were not wearing the brace, according to a new study. The participants, all of…
Century-old drug as potential new approach to autism In a small, randomized Phase I/II clinical trial (SAT1), researchers say a 100-year-old drug called suramin, originally developed to treat African sleeping sickness, was safely administered to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who subsequently displayed measurable, but transient, improvement in core symptoms of autism. Century-old drug…
A flip switch for binge-eating? Researchers have identified a subgroup of neurons in the mouse brain that, upon activation, immediately prompt binge-like eating. A flip switch for binge-eating? Source: Science Daily Mind & Brain
Cellular stress in the brain may contribute to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease Research shows that cellular stress in the brain may contribute to development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Cellular stress in the brain may contribute to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease Source: Science Daily Mind & Brain
Losing sleep over climate change A new study of US data suggests a sleep-deprived planet by century’s end. Researchers show that unusually warm nights can harm human sleep and that the poor and elderly are most affected. Rising temperatures will make sleep loss more severe. Losing sleep over climate change Source: Science Daily Mind &…
Cannabidiol reduces seizures in children with severe epilepsy Children with Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy, had fewer seizures after taking a daily oral solution of the cannabis compound called cannabidiol, which does not have the psychoactive properties of marijuana, results from a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial reveal. Cannabidiol reduces seizures in children with severe…
Too much stress for the mother affects the baby through amniotic fluid If the mother is stressed over a longer period of time during pregnancy, the concentration of stress hormones in amniotic fluid rises, as proven by an interdisciplinary team of researchers. Short-term stress situations, however, do not seem to have an unfavorable effect on…