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COVID lockdowns caused many families to eat more meals at home, and it may have had an unexpected benefit. Research published in the journal Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice found that families who ate together more often during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced in increase in quality family time during dinners. [More]

A new study published in Cell looked at how stress disrupts engram ensembles in lateral amygdala to generalize threat memory in mice. “We examined how acute stress impacted fearful memories,” study author Sheena Josselyn, Senior Scientist at Hospital for Sick Children told us. “We found that acute stress before a fearful event generalized the memory of this fearful event. That is, the subjects reacted fearfully both to the cues that predicted the fearful event and also safe cues.” [More]

A new study published in the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma looked at the effectiveness of residential and intensive outpatient programs for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in active military. “The care and services provided for the treatment of active military personnel and veterans suffering from PTSD encompass a variety of formats, including both residential and outpatient treatment programs,” study author Walter S. Marcantoni told us. “The structural differences between these program types present challenges in making direct comparisons.” [More]

A new study published in the Journal of Nature looked at structural and functional mechanisms of learning and memory. “NMDA receptors are essential for the fundamental processes,” study author Hiro Furukawa told us. “Recent clinical studies have revealed that in autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies targeting NMDA receptors disrupt normal neuronal function, resulting in psychotic symptoms.” [More]

A new study published in Journal of Addiction looked at whether certain medications can help with substance-related outcomes in patients with opioid and alcohol use disorders. “Our study examines the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists (RAs), like Ozempic, to reduce severe outcomes, specifically overdose and intoxication, in individuals with opioid and alcohol use disorders,” study author Fares Qeadan told us. “We aimed to see if these medications could provide an adjunctive therapy to help reduce the significant health risks associated with substance use.” [More]

If you want to cheer up a friend or loved one, consider giving them a small gift. Research suggests that gift giving may lift their mood faster and more effectively than a conversation. [More]

Online grief support groups can both help and harm participants. More than 50% of people in the US will grieve a loved one who died by suicide, and almost three quarters of them will look to internet support groups for help.But are online support groups beneficial or detrimental? Researchers at the New university of Colorado Boulder suggest it’s a bit of both. [More]

A new study published in the Journal of Nature looked at how dopamine dynamics are dispensable for movement but promote reward responses. “We tested whether rapid dopamine dynamics are necessary for the behavioral functions of dopamine,” study author Pascal S. Kaeser told us. “There is conflicting literature on each dopamine function as to whether it is mediated by fast and precise signalling or by slower, tonic signaling.” [More]

A new study published in Environmental Health Perspectives looked at the combined exposure to folate and lead during pregnancy and autistic-like behaviors among Canadian children from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Pregnancy and Birth Cohort. “Our study assessed whether the relationship between blood-lead concentrations during pregnancy and childhood autistic behaviours could be mitigated by folate concentrations or folic acid supplementation,” study author Joshua D. Alampi told us. “We hypothesized that the relationship between lead and autistic behaviours would be stronger among study participants with low folic acid supplementation and lower plasma-folate concentrations.” [More]

A new study by the American Heart Association analyzed initial excess supply and longitudinal trends in benzodiazepine use in Ischemic stroke survivors. “Our research at the Center for Value-Based Healthcare and Sciences at Massachusetts General Brigham focuses on ensuring people living with dementia and stroke receive high quality care,” study author Julianne D. Brooks told us. “We have an amazing team of clinicians, statisticians, and scientists dedicated to improving healthcare quality. Our study investigates the use of benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, and others) after stroke in the population over 65. We are hoping to understand trends in the use of these medications.” [More]