Psychology & Neuroscience

Tailored interventions are required if adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are to meet their full potential. Research by Professor Steven Evans at Ohio University illuminates the effectiveness of these interventions and offers valuable insights for families, educators, and clinicians. From the significant impact of compliance with interventions to the diverse response patterns among adolescents, Professor Evans’s research underscores the importance of personalised approaches in fostering success. By understanding the nuances of ADHD management and investing in evidence-based strategies, clinicians and educators can better support the well-being and future prospects of adolescents navigating this complex neurodevelopmental condition.

Cancer research is an ever-evolving field of science fuelled by the pressure of the ongoing need to find new approaches to tackle this killer. Dr Zhi-yong Huang is based at the Tongji Medical College at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China. He works tirelessly to develop novel treatments for diseases of the liver and biliary system, with a particular focus on liver cancer surgery. He has pioneered methods to optimise the treatment of this type of cancer.

Our brains have an incredible ability to organise information into meaningful categories, allowing us to make sense of the world around us. However, this categorisation process can also bias how we perceive and remember this world. Dr Dagmar Zeithamova and her team at the University of Oregon are uncovering how our brains form category-biased representations, even when we’re focused on learning about individual examples. Their work sheds new light on the neural mechanisms underlying concept formation and how categories shape our perceptions.

The digital revolution has changed our world – ‘VUCA’ – the conditions which now shape the lives of many people worldwide. VUCA stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. In order to competently master challenges related to work structures and health, the increase in mental illnesses, the shortage of skilled workers or taking responsibility for one’s health, healthy leadership is considered a key factor.

For decades, scientists have explored how the brain processes information, stores memories, and generates thoughts. Traditional theories focus on the electrical and chemical signals exchanged between neurons. However, a new and innovative approach is emerging, suggesting that the brain may function similarly to a hologram. This concept, known as the ‘holographic brain hypothesis’, is proposed by researchers led by Professor Marco Cavaglià and Professor Jack Tuszynski, who hypothesise that the lipid membranes of neurons play a crucial role in brain function, much like the surface of a holographic plate in optics.

For many military veterans, transitioning back to civilian life can be a challenging and often isolating experience. The stark differences between military and civilian communication styles can lead to misunderstandings, frustration, and even relationship breakdowns. Dr William Howe at Texas Tech University is dedicated to understanding and addressing these challenges to help veterans successfully reintegrate into society, work, and personal relationships. His research could revolutionise how we support veterans transitioning back to civilian life.

Consciousness has long been one of the most elusive subjects in science and philosophy. Although it is a fundamental aspect of human experience, it remains one of the most challenging to understand and define. Central to this model is the concept of intentionality, which is traditionally viewed as the foundation of consciousness because it encapsulates the other essential characteristics. However, the Neurologist Dr David Rail and the mathematician and modeller Mr Andrew Selby have proposed a radical new hypothesis that challenges existing theories on the origins of consciousness.

David Feinstein, PhD, and Donna Eden are well-known and highly respected authors and practitioners in the field of energy healing. Their latest book, Tapping: Self-Healing with the Transformative Power of Energy Psychology, provides a comprehensive but accessible account of how we can all benefit from acupuncture tapping in our lives, from dealing more effectively with everyday worries to overcoming the challenges of deep-rooted trauma.

Depression is a debilitating mental health condition affecting millions worldwide. While antidepressant medications are widely prescribed, they often come with significant side effects and limited efficacy. Tessa Watford, a researcher in the field of neuroscience, has conducted a systematic review exploring the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound, for the treatment of depression. Her work sheds light on a promising alternative approach that could revolutionise the way we treat this prevalent mental health disorder.

Understanding how neurons come together and form circuits in the brain is crucial to understanding how the brain works. Dr Kara Pratt and her team at the University of Wyoming are uncovering the mysteries behind the formation of neural circuitry and the ability of neurons to self-organise into highly refined networks. An incredibly elegant series of experiments using the larva stage of frogs has progressed insight into this fundamental phenomenon of neuroscience, specifically in the visual system.

Mirror neurons are specialised brain cells that underpin our capacity to learn and understand a myriad of behaviours. Dr Michael Hoffmann, from the University of Central Florida and the Roskamp Institute in Florida, has unravelled the profound implications of these brain cells. Beyond their role in cognition, mirror neurons could play a major role in patient rehabilitation, particularly in the context of stroke recovery.

Incarceration presents a unique set of challenges for the health of individuals, particularly when it comes to neurological conditions. In a comprehensive review, Dr Audrey Nath and Samuel Han have delved into the often-overlooked realm of neurological health. From learning disabilities to epilepsy, sleep disorders, infectious diseases, nutritional deficiencies, toxicology-related issues, and traumatic brain injuries, their review sheds important light on the complex landscape of neurological health within the prison system.

Youth mental health in the USA is in crisis, having steadily worsened over the past ten years. To tackle this crisis, we have to understand it. Evidence-based assessment is key to this understanding. Professor Andres De Los Reyes at the University of Maryland and Professor Elizabeth Talbott at William and Mary lead the study of mental health assessment designed to advance outcomes for all children and youth.

Grieving and mourning are natural and deeply personal responses to losing someone we care about. It is an experience that is known to most people and evokes a wide range of emotions ranging from sadness to anger. Often, grief is related to death, which may bring some closure. However, in some cases, people lose loved ones in ambiguous situations that do not allow for such closure. Dr Alexander Manevich at the Kinneret Academic College and the University of Haifa in Israel investigates this process in caregivers and family members of people living with cognitive decline and dementia.

Reading has become increasingly complex over the past few decades, largely due to the rapid pace of technological advancement and the increasing availability of massive amounts of information, some of which may blur the lines between fact and fiction. Identifying better practices to teach young people to read and accurately assess their reading abilities is now of pressing importance. Dr. Diana Arya, an Associate Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has been exploring sociocultural and historical considerations related to how children read and understand different types of content in the digital era.

Social and moral values can inspire change and positive action, yet they can also prompt divisions in society, conflicts and violence. Dr Jean Decety, a Professor at the University of Chicago, recently started investigating the mental and neural mechanisms associated with strong moral convictions and the support for violent acts. His work examines the dark side of morality, pinpointing the brain processes underlying moralisation and its adverse consequences.

Children who have been exposed to alcohol while still in the womb often show impairment in executive function – the cognitive domain underpinning diverse skills including attention, memory, learning and self-control. Psychologist Dr David Sperbeck, PhD, has investigated whether a commonly used neuropsychological assessment – the Halstead Category Test – can effectively measure cognitive impairment in this vulnerable group of children. His findings confirm the utility of the measure and also offer important hope for children affected by alcohol prenatally.