Science News

Students Explore the Wonders of the Brain

Press Release • March 11, 2013

As part of the National Museum of Health and Medicine museum’s 14th annual Brain Awareness Week celebration, several hundred curious students from the Washington, D.C., area will have a chance to learn about what goes on inside the human brain, through a series of interactive exhibits led by scientists from eight institutes of the National Institutes of Health.

NIMH’s Dr. Aleksandra Vicentic: Sleep Brain Wave Key to Conquering Fear Memories

Science Update • March 08, 2013

An NIMH-funded research study in rats identifies a specific group of cells in the brainstem whose activation during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep helped in eradicating unwanted memories, paving the way for future therapeutics for these disorders.

NIH-funded Study Finds Community-based Efforts Increase HIV Testing, Prompt Behavior Change

Press Release • March 07, 2013

An international study supported by NIMH reported today that community efforts, in comparison to standard clinical testing and counseling, yielded greater testing and lower HIV incidence in high-risk individuals.

Five Major Mental Disorders Share Genetic Roots

Science Update • March 01, 2013

Five major mental disorders share some of the same genetic risk factors, the largest genome-wide study of its kind has found.

Five Major Mental Disorders Share the Same Genes

Science Update • February 28, 2013

Largest study yet into genetics and mental health reveal that the five most common disorders—autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disease, schizophrenia, and major depression—all share similar genetic components.

Mapping Brain Circuits Provides Clues to Schizophrenia, Earlier Detection of Psychosis

Science Update • February 26, 2013

A newly identified brain circuit could lead to earlier detection of psychosis in patients with schizophrenia.

Differences in On/Off Switches Help Explain How the Human Brain Evolved

Science Update • February 19, 2013

A recent NIMH-funded study identified small regions of the genome that are uniquely regulated in human neurons, but not in primate neurons. The findings provide insight into human intellectual function and risk for human diseases, including autism and Alzheimer’s disease.

Science/AAAS Webinar on Translational Neuroscience Research Featuring NIMH’s Carlos A. Zarate, M.D.

Science Update • February 14, 2013

Want to know how the latest findings in neuroscience research go from bench to bedside? NIMH and Science/AAAS partnered to produce an informative webinar on translating neurobiological research into treatments.

NIMH Director Thomas R. Insel Received AMA’s Top Government Service Award

Science Update • February 13, 2013

The American Medical Association feted Thomas Insel M.D., director of the National Institute of Mental Health, with its top government service award.

Threat Bias Interacts with Combat, Gene to Boost PTSD Risk

Press Release • February 13, 2013

Excess attention to avoidance of threat – depending on the situation – can increase risk for PTSD, suggests a new study.