Adolescence is a time period where the majority of mental health problems emerge. Understanding what factors may help prevent such problems in adolescence is therefore incredibly important. The family environment in childhood is an important predictor of adolescent mental health, where negative family experiences, such as emotional abuse and neglect are strong predictors of mental […]
Archives for May 2017
Exploring the effects of intranasal oxytocin in women
Oxytocin is a peptide hormone found in the brain, which is known to play a role in sexual reproduction, childbirth and reciprocal social bonding. Over the past decade, there has been a rise in the number of research publications exploring the possible pro-social effects of administering synthetic oxytocin. In particular, much of this research has […]
The heart of emotion – how brain areas govern both emotional responses and heart patterns
A team of researchers at the University of Cambridge has identified how two key area of the brain govern both our emotions and our heart activity, helping explain why people with depression or anxiety have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Changes in heart rate and blood pressure such as the ‘fight or flight’ response […]
New evidence of disrupted safety signalling in obsessive compulsive disorder
Accurate evaluation of threats in our environment enables us to choose and perform adaptive behaviours. However, responding flexibly to threatening stimuli can be challenging for those with mental illness. The combination of rigid threat estimation characterises most major anxiety disorders, and these symptoms are also observed amongst individuals suffering with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) alongside rigid behavioural […]