Research
Welcome to the research space! The following articles are meant to help you understand the way the brain is connected with our other body systems, as well as so many aspects of life. They have been written by students, researchers, professors, and professionals around the world that want to enhance lives, one at a time.
The Effect of Mindfulness on the Brain
July 24, 2023 | Sophie Mixon Reeves | Neurology
In the last few decades, the practice of mindfulness, in which an individual consciously draws awareness to the present moment, has skyrocketed in popularity in the United States. Originally stemming from Buddhist meditation traditions, mindfulness includes actions such as body scans, yoga, and drawing attention to the breath.
Will Apple Vision Pro Take Over Our Brain?
July 17, 2023 | Raquel Paz Bergia | Biotechnology
Apple is releasing a tool that seamlessly blends digital content with your physical space. The image below, directly from Apple’s publicity campaign, shows one of the many features of the Vision Pro.
Lewy Body Dementia: The Bridge Between Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
July 10, 2023 | Raquel Paz Bergia | Neurology
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a disease associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein. These deposits are called Lewy bodies and are the clumps of abnormal protein particles that accumulate in the brain.
Is Deep Brain Stimulation a Last Resort Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease?
July 3, 2023 | Raquel Paz Bergia | Neurology
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical therapy employed to address specific aspects of Parkinson’s Disease. This highly effective treatment primarily targets the movement symptoms associated with Parkinson’s, but why is it only allowed when patients have been diagnosed with PD for over four years?
Virtual Reality: The Hidden Medical Innovation
June 26, 2023 | Raquel Paz Bergia | Neurology
This article provides insight into the historical background of virtual reality, its impact on medical history, and future growth possibilities for virtual reality as a therapy.
The Brain and Therapeutical Microgravity
June 19, 2023 | Raquel Paz Bergia | Neurology
This article provides insight into the effects of gravity on the brain, how microgravity experimentation would help advance medicine, and what possible future therapeutic techniques can be developed.
Understanding Williams Syndrome
June 12, 2023 | Divyanshi Singh | Neurology
Williams syndrome is really a fascinating behavioral syndrome. What is Williams Syndrome, exactly? To begin with, it’s a syndrome, and a syndrome is made up of various symptoms that not everyone with the illness will necessarily have.
Understanding Transient Ischemic Attack
June 5, 2023 | Raquel Paz Bergia | Neurology
Transient Ischemic Attack is an attack characterized by temporary symptoms of a stroke. TIA is known as a ministroke because 1 in 3 people who experience TIA have a stroke later in life. TIA occurs when there are temporary blood clots, similar to those that occur in strokes.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder
May 29, 2023 | Anagha Srinivasan | Psychology
Bipolar mood swings are much more extreme and continue much longer than regular mood swings. All emotions, whether positive or negative, are amplified. One may notice drastic changes in energy, activity, and sleep patterns that are out of the ordinary.
Understanding Communicating Hydrocephalus
May 22, 2023 | Raquel Paz Bergia | Neurology
Hydrocephalus is a condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricles of the brain. Communicating Hydrocephalus is when the flow of CSF is blocked once it exits the ventricle, however it is called “communicating” because there is still flow between the ventricles when they are open.
Understanding Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD)
May 15, 2023 | Divyanshi Singh | Psychology
Personality disorders are a set of mental health problems marked by out-of-step behaviors and thought patterns with cultural norms, and those who suffer from these diseases have mental and behavioral characteristics that make it difficult for them to function and integrate into society (Proulx, 2021). Schizoid personality disorder constitutes one of the personality disorders and its defining trait, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), is a persistent detachment from social interactions and limited emotional expression in social circumstances (Bennett, 2017).
Understanding Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
May 8, 2023 | Ashley Chen | Psychology
The human brain is very complex, and when horrible things happen, it tends to do anything to protect itself. Different situations can cause the brain to shield itself in different ways, and developing an alter could be one way for the brain to do so. This form of dissociative disorder was previously known as “Multiple Personality Disorder”.
Deep Brain Stimulation and Its Effects on Schizophrenia
May 1, 2023 | Ashley Chen | Psychology
Why does schizophrenia happen? Scientists haven’t found a single cause for schizophrenia. Like many other neurological disorders, it can be caused by many things. Genetics happen to play a role in the likelihood. So, back to the beginning, what’s this technology to bypass schizophrenia? Deep brain stimulation. Now that’s probably something you’ve never heard before. Deep brain stimulation is a surgical operation where electrodes are implanted into certain areas of the brain to generate normal brain activities or functions.
Understanding Angelman Syndrome
April 24, 2023 | Raquel Paz Bergia | Neurology
Angelman Syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes developmental disabilities and nerve-related symptoms. AS is a rare disease that has no cure, however, it can be treated. Angelman Syndrome begins to show symptoms between the ages of 6 and 12 months and tends to increase around the ages of 2 and 3 years.
Understanding Intermittent Explosive Disorder
April 17, 2023 | Divyanshi Singh | Psychology
Intermittent Explosive Disorder and its manifestations have been referred to as ‘Rage Attacks’, ‘Episodic Dyscontrol’, and ‘Explosive Personality’. Intermittent Explosive Disorder is generally a long-term condition, with symptoms lasting for years.
Understanding Tourette Syndrome
April 10, 2023 | Divyanshi Singh | Neurology
Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder named after Georges Gilles de la Tourette, a French neurologist who described nine patients with childhood-onset tics, some accompanied by uncontrollable noises and expressions. Tourette syndrome (TS) is a hereditary neurological condition characterized by childhood-onset tics and concomitant behavioral issues.
Understanding Arachnoiditis
April 3, 2023 | Raquel Paz Bergia | Neurology
This article provides insight into the etiology (causes), the physiological effects, the neuropathology, and the management of Arachnoiditis. Arachnoiditis is a progressive neuroinflammatory disease.
Understanding Bell’s Palsy
March 27, 2023 | Raquel Paz Bergia | Neurology
This article provides insight into the etiology (causes), the physiological effects, the neuropathology, and the management of Bell’s Palsy. Bell’s Palsy is an unexplained episode of paralysis in one half of the face.
Perspectives on Postpartum Psychosis
March 20, 2023 | Anagha Srinivasan | Psychology
Postpartum psychosis (PP) is a rare disorder that is characterized by sleep disturbances (mostly insomnia), changes in mood, anxiety, sadness, chattiness, euphoria, obsessive contemplation and confusion, delusions, hallucinations, along with disorganized behavior, which manifests in 2/1000 mothers within the first 2-4 weeks after delivery (Sit, et. al., 2006).
Investigating and Impacting the Brain through BCI Technology
March 13, 2023 | Raquel Paz Bergia | Biotechnology
BCI technology has been around for the last 50 years and a lot of gradual improvement has been made over time. The field of neurology has shifted from a simple machine that would detect brain activity, similar to an electroencephalogram, to making brain-computer communication a reality.
Understanding Depression
March 6, 2023 | Anagha Srinivasan | Psychology
Depression might be just a term to some, however, it’s a reality for others. Therefore, in anticipation of the distinction between experiencing ordinary human emotions and having a clinically diagnosed disorder becoming too blurry, comprehending the rudimentary concepts of depression becomes essential.
The Electroencephalogram and Its Marvels
February 27, 2023 | Raquel Paz Bergia | Biotechnology
This article will provide insight into the history of the EEG, its key features of an EEG, and the impact it has had as a medical innovation.
The Science Behind Electrodermal Activity
February 20, 2023 | Raquel Paz Bergia | Biotechnology
This article provides insight into the use of Electrodermal Activity, its functions, and its applicabilities.
Understanding Parkinson’s Disease
February 13, 2023 | Raquel Paz Bergia | Neurology
This article provides insights into the etiology (cause), neuropathology (the broad study of the branches of specializations of the nervous system and its tissues), and management of Parkinson’s disease
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
February 6, 2023 | Raquel Paz Bergia | Neurology
This article provides insights into the etiology (cause), neuropathology (the broad study of the branches of specializations of the nervous system and its tissues), and management of Alzheimer’s disease.