The human brain is known to contain a wide range of cell types, which have different roles and functions. The processes via which cells in the brain, particularly its outermost layer (i.e., the cerebral cortex), gradually become specialized and take on specific roles...
In psychology, the term subjective well-being (SWB) is used to describe the extent to which different people feel happy and satisfied with their lives. While some studies have found that there is a link between SWB and the diagnosis of some psychiatric disorders, such...
Past research studies have consistently found that there are disparities in the health outcomes of people from different socio-economic backgrounds. More recently, some findings hinted at the possibility that genetics also play a role in the widely documented...
The SYNGAP1 gene, which supports the production of a protein called SynGAP (Synaptic Ras GTPase-Activating Protein), is known to play a key role in supporting the development of synapses and neural circuits (i.e., connections between neurons). Mutations in this gene...
Polygenic scores (PGS) are metrics used to estimate the genetic predisposition of people to developing specific mental health conditions, personality traits or diseases. In recent years, these metrics have often been used to investigate the intricate connections...
Past psychology research suggests that there is a strong relationship between difficult experiences during childhood and the development of depressive symptoms. In fact, statistics suggest that adverse experiences during childhood can double the risk of being...
Neuroticism is a key personality trait described by well-established psychological theories, associated with a tendency towards emotional instability and negative emotions. Past studies found that this personality trait often goes hand in hand with various mental...
Chemical changes to histones, the proteins that help to pack and organize DNA inside cells, play a key role in determining what genes will be consistently activated over the course of an animal or human's life. Past studies have shed light on some chemical alterations...
Aging is known to have profound effects on the human brain, prompting changes in the composition of cells and the expression of genes, while also altering aspects of the interaction between genes and environmental factors. While past neuroscience studies have...
Synapses are junctions via which neurons communicate with each other or with other types of cells. Synapses are formed throughout the course of a person's life, yet their strength and numbers change over time, a phenomenon known as synaptic plasticity.