Cognitive behavioral therapy can alter brain structure and boost gray matter volume, study shows Psychotherapy leads to measurable changes in brain structure. Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and the University of Münster have demonstrated this for the first time in a study in Translational Psychiatry by using cognitive behavioral therapy. Read More
Feeling good about yourself: Study explores gender differences in motivation and well-being What is it that makes us feel good about ourselves? And what motivates us to do something, regardless of whether it is important or not? Read More
Study finds afternoon classes do not help students with severe attention difficulties Several studies have shown that students who attend afternoon classes tend to perform better in school than those who attend morning classes. This is due to greater synchrony between class times and students' biological clocks. However, a study of children and adolescents revealed that this does not apply to students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or symptoms of the condition. For this group, changing school shifts does not significantly improve academic performance. Read More
New data science methods might improve understanding of personality and psychopathology Alexander Christensen's recent study probably won't rewrite 40 years of history in the field of psychology, but he hopes that his research team's quantitative approach to developing and evaluating personality structures triggers a discussion about how personality is defined and measured. Such discussion could hold broader implications for the field of personality psychology and potentially for classifications in psychopathology. Read More
As World Alzheimer’s Month approaches, supporting personhood for family members with dementia is key One of the great challenges faced by families coping with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia is learning how to communicate effectively with the person impacted by the disease while also upholding their personhood, or sense of personal value. Read More
Can you be aware of nothing? The rare sleep experience scientists are trying to understand For some people, sleep brings a peculiar kind of wakefulness. Not a dream, but a quiet awareness with no content. This lesser-known state of consciousness may hold clues to one of science's biggest mysteries: what it means to be conscious. Read More
People with schizophrenia have higher risk of COPD, study says People with schizophrenia are more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), suggesting a possible syndemic relationship between the two diseases, in addition to people not seeking appropriate medical care. A new article examining the link between COPD and schizophrenia was published in the July 2025 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation. Read More
Mouse neurons that identify friends in need and friends indeed A special set of neurons directs mice's attention to or away from their peers, depending on the situation. The Kobe University discovery has implications for finding causes for neuropsychiatric conditions such as autism spectrum disorder or schizophrenia. Read More
One in three people avoid learning about their own serious health risks, finds study A new review study by the Max Planck Institute for Human Development shows that nearly 1 in 3 people choose to avoid medical information about serious health conditions if they fear they may be affected. One of the main reasons driving this behavior is a lack of trust in the medical system. The study has been published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Read More
Viewing catastrophes as growth opportunities linked to lower depression and inflammation Catastrophes, by definition, are devastating, but they can often be catalysts for lasting, positive change—and if people can adopt that perspective, they may see some real benefits, a Stanford-led study suggests. Read More