The default mode network (DMN) is a set of interconnected brain regions known to be most active when humans are awake but not engaged in physical activities, such as relaxing, resting or daydreaming. This brain network has been found to support a variety of mental...
Humans and certain animals appear to have an innate capacity to learn relationships between different objects or events in the world. This ability, known as "relational learning," is widely regarded as critical for cognition and intelligence, as learned relationships...
Past psychology research suggests that some people are more prone than others to take risks in uncertain situations, such as investing money in risky business ventures, consuming addictive substances or leaving a secure job without any sure alternative prospects. Over...
The brain of humans and other animals is known to contribute to the protection of the body from infections. Past studies have unveiled the existence of the so-called conditioned immune response (CIR), which is a form of Pavlovian conditioning that entails the...
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder associated with persistent, intrusive thoughts (i.e., obsessions), accompanied by repetitive behaviors (i.e., compulsions) aimed at reducing the anxiety arising from obsessions. Past studies have showed...
Lewy body diseases (LBDs) are a class of debilitating neurodegenerative disorders linked to the abnormal aggregation of the protein α-synuclein in nerve cells. When misfolded, this protein can produce clumps known as Lewy bodies, which can adversely impact the...
Anxiety disorders, characterized by an excessive apprehension about real or perceived threats and dysfunctional behaviors aimed at avoiding these threats, are among the most common mental health conditions. Estimates suggest that around 4% of the world's population,...
To survive in complex and unpredictable environments, humans and other animals need to learn to predict the consequences of their actions, so that they can reduce risks and maximize their gains. In humans, this risk evaluation process is known to be highly...
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating mental health condition characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest in everyday activities, appetite changes, sleep disturbances and, in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts. Millions of individuals worldwide...
Past research suggests that meditation and exposure to art or nature can positively impact people's well-being and brain health, in some cases even reducing stress and supporting the processing of emotions. Yet most past studies focused on each of these experiences...