The Volunteers Delivering Life-Saving Mental Health Support

2024-12-20 - 2024-12

In response to the escalating need for mental health support, particularly worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, various grassroots initiatives have emerged. An example is in Texas, where Pastor Veron Blue assists individuals experiencing mental health crises through task-sharing models. Such approaches, also seen globally in programs like Sangath in India and The Friendship Bench in Zimbabwe, empower non-specialists to offer psychological support, making mental health aid more accessible. Task-sharing, backed by studies and real-world successes, demonstrates cost-effectiveness and high recovery rates. Despite concerns about sufficient treatment and scalable expansion hurdles, these community-driven interventions are lauded for their profound local impacts, addressing both mental health needs and associated stigmas, thus saving lives and enhancing community well-being.

Controversial Study Challenges Established Understanding of Neuron Structure

2024-12-22 - 2024-12

A recent study from Johns Hopkins University, led by Jacqueline Griswold and published in Nature Neuroscience, suggests that axons—the nerve fibers responsible for transmitting electrical impulses between neurons—may not be cylindrical as traditionally believed. Instead, they could resemble a "string of pearls," with varying diameters along their length. This structural variation might influence the speed and accuracy of neural signal transmission. The findings have sparked debate, with some scientists questioning the sample preparation methods used, while the research team defends their techniques and plans further studies on human brain tissue to validate their results.

Thumbay group to set up first private psychiatric and rehabilitation hospital in Sharjah

2024-12-27 - 2024-12

Sharjah UAE, Dec 27: The Thumbay psychiatric and rehabilitation hospital will be located in Sharjah healthcare city. It will focus on innovation and patient-centered care and the hospital is equipped to meet the highest clinical standards, offering advanced therapeutic modalities, comprehensive rehabilitation programmes, integrated tele-health solutions and precision medicine among others.

The hospital’s multidisciplinary model includes psychiatrists, psychologists, addiction counselors, family therapists, physical therapists, and occupational specialists, ensuring a holistic and individualized approach to patient care.

DNA Nanotechnology Market is expected to Observe Considerable Growth Opportunities to 2031

2024-12-26 - 2024-12

InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd. announces the release of a market assessment report on the "DNA Nanotechnology Market - (By Type (Structural DNA Nanotechnology (Extended Lattices, Discrete Structures, Template Assembly), Dynamic DNA Nanotechnology (Nanomechanical Devices, Strand Displacement Cascades)), By Application (Targeted Drug Delivery, Smart Pills, Nanolithography, Others), By End User (Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Companies, Academic & Research Institutions, Others)), Trends, Industry Competition Analysis, Revenue and Forecast To 2031."

According to the latest research by InsightAce Analytic, the Global DNA Nanotechnology Market is valued at US$ 4.34 Bn in 2023, and it is expected to reach US$ 24.29 Bn by 2031, with a CAGR of 24.6% during the forecast period of 2024-2031.
DNA nanotechnology focuses on developing structures, devices, and systems at the nanoscale by harnessing the special characteristics of DNA molecules. Scientists can create highly precise and targeted nanostructures using DNA nanotechnology because DNA is a programmable building material. The potential of DNA nanotechnology in areas such as medical diagnostics, targeted medication administration, and the creation of high-tech materials with unique characteristics is fueling the industry's rapid expansion. Because of its adaptability and accuracy, DNA nanotechnology shows great promise as a medium for fabricating tailored molecular frameworks and systems likely to drive the DNA nanotechnology market forward.

Brain-computer interface developed in China decodes thought real-time

2025-01-05 - 2025-01

euroXess, a Chinese startup, has made two major breakthroughs in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, coming to the aid of a brain-damaged patient. The first was its ability to decode thoughts to speech in real time, and the other was remotely controlling a robot arm using thoughts alone.

Testing of the startup’s new BCI also enabled the user to talk to an artificial intelligence (AI) model and operate a digital avatar. These tests are result of an experiment undertaken in August 2024 at Huashan Hospital, where neurosurgeons implanted a 256-channel, high-throughput flexible BCI device into the patient’s brain.

The patient was a 21-year-old female with epilepsy who had a space-occupying lesion in the motor area of her brain. Using this interface, NeuroXess could record and analyze electrocorticogram (ECoG) features from the high-gamma band of the patient’s brain signals.

Could We Ever Retrieve Memories from a Dead Person's Brain? Neuroscientists Weigh In

2025-01-01 - 2025-01

The possibility of retrieving memories from a deceased person's brain is being explored by neuroscientists, though the process is considered highly complex and technically challenging. Efforts to understand memory storage in the brain have made significant progress, with scientists identifying engrams — physical traces of memories formed by groups of neurons. These discoveries have sparked curiosity about whether memories could be extracted post-mortem, but such advancements remain theoretical.

Memory Storage in the Brain
According to research published in Nature, engrams have been identified in the hippocampus, a region critical for memory formation. The process involves groups of neurons connected through synapses, with each engram storing fragments of a memory. Over time, these memories are consolidated and distributed across various brain regions. Don Arnold, a neuroscientist at the University of Southern California, noted that while engrams represent memory storage, they are not the memory itself, complicating potential retrieval.

Challenges in Retrieval
As per insights shared with Live Science, Charan Ranganath, director of the Memory and Plasticity Program at the University of California, Davis, explained that human memory is reconstructive. Unlike a static file, memory involves recalling fragments and filling gaps with interpretation. This dynamic nature adds to the challenge of recreating past events accurately. Memories tied to emotions or sensory details may be stored in different brain areas, further complicating the process.

Child mental health crisis: Better resilience is the solution, say experts

2025-01-07 - 2025-01

Jane Graham has been a school nurse for nearly 20 years – and during this time the nature of her work has completely changed. "When I started, the majority of the support we provided was for physical health, like asthma, allergic reactions and injuries," she says. "Now it's mental health."

She has seen a surge in schoolchildren struggling. "It really impacts pupils at secondary school, but some are as young as seven," she explains.

"We're seeing children with depression, anxiety and stress – and that's leading to panic attacks, self-harm and eating disorders. They're not making it to school or are so anxious they cannot attend classes."

GPs, youth workers and social workers I have spoken to shared similar stories, with many pointing out that mental health cases in the young are rising in ever greater numbers.

One in five children and young people between the ages of eight and 25 in England are now thought to have a mental health disorder, according to official figures. Unsurprisingly, the NHS is struggling to keep up.

In 2024 Dame Rachel de Souza, the children's commissioner for England, described the situation as "shocking" and said the system was in "crisis".

What's less clear is why this is happening now.

Does Your Sleeping Position Really Say Anything About Your Mental Health?

2025-01-08 - 2025-01

So, are you a flamingo or a mountain climber? Err...let's back up.
If you’ve ever tossed and turned after a stressful day, you probably know that your emotions can affect your sleep. But what about how you sleep? Lately, FYPs have been swarmed by TikToks alleging that your sleeping position (that’s where the flamingo of it all comes in) might reflect the state of your nervous system or underlying mental health. TikTok pundits can easily convince you that your sleeping position is a crystal ball into your mental health, capable of diagnosing a variety of disorders or conditions. But, is it really that simple? Perhaps unsurprisingly, not really.
“There are some specific effects of mental health issues on sleep,” says Jennifer Martin, PhD, clinical psychologist, professor-in-residence at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, and board of director member for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. “In fact, if you look at diagnostic criteria for mental health problems, poor sleep is almost always on the list. So, when our mood is not in our normal range, we tend to have accompanying issues with sleep. Most commonly, sleep is worse.”

When we’re stressed and finally hit the sack, our bodies might still thrum with cortisol—the hormone responsible for our fight-or-flight response, explains Shelby Harris, PsyD, clinical psychologist, Director of Sleep Health at Sleepopolis, and author of “The Women’s Guide to Overcoming Insomnia.”

Navy conducts workshop on mental health as part of resilience programme

2025-01-09 - 2025-01

The Indian Navy conducted a workshop on 'Self-Transformation and Inner-Awakening' as part of its 60-day resilience program, according to an official press release from the Ministry of Defence.

As per the release, the workshop on mental health was held on January 7 at Dr DS Kothari Auditorium, situated in DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi and was led by spiritual teacher BK Shivani.

The workshop was organised to uplift the mental and emotional resilience of Naval personnel. Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, Chief of Materiel was the Chief Guest of the workshop, as per the release.

The workshop commenced with a welcome address followed by a two-hour session by BK Shivani. The workshop aimed to address the increasing need for mental health awareness and practical tools to foster emotional balance, particularly among Naval Personnel serving in high-pressure roles.

How the Brain Uses Place Cells to Anchor Episodic Memories

2025-01-15 - 2025-01

Researchers have developed a model explaining how place cells in the hippocampus anchor both spatial and episodic memories. Grid cells in the entorhinal cortex interact with hippocampal cells to create a scaffold, linking memories to specific neural patterns.

This model mirrors biological memory systems, addressing phenomena like gradual memory degradation and the memorization technique of memory palaces. Unlike older models, it avoids a “memory cliff,” where adding new memories erases old ones, and instead allows for sequential and flexible recall. It bridges decades of research on hippocampal circuits, offering insights into how spatial and episodic memories coexist.

Key Facts:

Memory Mechanism: Place and grid cells form a scaffold linking spatial and episodic memories.
Memory Accuracy: The model explains gradual memory decay and sequential recall, avoiding “memory cliffs.”
Memory Palaces: It mirrors how associating memories with spatial environments strengthens recall.

International Webinar on Neuroscience and Psychiatry

Organizing Committee Members

Kalliopi Megari

Sam Vaknin

Latest News