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The Clinical Psychologist, Rawalpindi (2025)

06/08/2025

Anemia occurs when the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen to tissues. Without sufficient oxygen, organs and muscles cannot function at their best. This shortage can result from blood loss, reduced red blood cell production, or faster-than-normal red blood cell destruction.

Common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, pale or yellowish skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, and a rapid or irregular heartbeat. These signs appear because the body’s tissues are deprived of the oxygen they need.

Anemia can stem from many causes, such as iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, chronic illnesses like kidney disease or cancer, bone marrow disorders, or inherited conditions such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. In iron deficiency anemia, for example, low dietary iron or significant blood loss reduces the iron reserves necessary for making hemoglobin. In hemolytic anemia, red blood cells are destroyed more quickly than the body can replace them.

The imbalance between red blood cell production and loss is central to anemia’s development. Regardless of the cause, the reduced oxygen supply can make even simple daily activities exhausting and may affect overall health.

If left untreated, chronic anemia can strain the heart, which must work harder to pump oxygen-rich blood.

06/08/2025

A study has revealed that eight different psychiatric disorders—including autism, ADHD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, OCD, Tourette syndrome, and anorexia—may actually be linked by the same core genetic factors. Researchers from the US dug deep into data from nearly 18,000 genetic variants and found that many of the genes tied to these disorders aren’t just unique to one condition; they overlap and seem to play roles in multiple mental health issues. This could help explain why these conditions often show up together in the same people or run in the same families.

What makes these shared genes so powerful is how they behave during brain development. Scientists discovered that many of these so-called “pleiotropic” genes stay active across several key stages as the brain grows, meaning a single gene glitch could ripple through various systems. When these genes make proteins, those proteins also connect to loads of other proteins, which could trigger widespread effects in the brain’s intricate networks. In lab tests, the team showed how these genetic variants change how genes turn on or off in early nerve cells, setting the stage for different mental health risks.

Rather than seeing this overlap as just a messy complication, researchers believe it could be a big opportunity. By targeting these common genetic pathways, future treatments might tackle several psychiatric conditions at once, instead of focusing narrowly on one diagnosis. Considering nearly 1 in 8 people worldwide live with a psychiatric disorder, this discovery could be a game-changer in how we understand and treat mental health.

Research Paper 📄
PMID: 39848247
PMCID: PMC11890967
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.12.022

06/08/2025

A new study has found that spending less time in deep sleep stages—specifically slow wave and REM sleep—could cause parts of the brain to shrink, especially in regions that are vulnerable early on in Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers followed 270 people over more than a decade, using sleep studies to track their sleep quality and advanced brain scans years later to see how their brains changed. They discovered that those who spent smaller proportions of their nights in these critical sleep stages had noticeably smaller brain volumes, particularly in the inferior parietal region, an area that often shows damage early in Alzheimer’s.

What’s worrying is that these connections held true even after accounting for things like age, smoking, alcohol use, high blood pressure, and heart disease. This means the link between poor sleep and brain shrinkage is likely quite strong on its own. Experts believe this could mean that improving sleep quality might actually help protect the brain and lower the risk of Alzheimer’s, offering a way to possibly delay or reduce the disease’s impact.

Given how common sleep problems are as we age, these findings highlight how crucial it is to prioritize good sleep—not just for feeling rested but to help keep the brain healthy. Future studies will dig deeper to figure out exactly how disrupted sleep might trigger brain changes that lead to Alzheimer’s, opening doors for new ways to protect cognitive health as we get older.

Research Paper 📄
PMID: 39868141
PMCID: PMC11761512

06/08/2025

Drinking coffee might help you live longer, but only if you skip the sugar and cream, Study shows.

Can your daily cup of coffee actually help you live longer? New research suggests it might — but there’s a catch. According to a recent study looking at data from over 46,000 adults tracked for nearly two decades, people who drank coffee had a noticeably lower risk of dying compared to non-coffee drinkers. But here’s the twist: the benefits were mostly seen in those who drank their coffee black or with just a tiny bit of sugar or fat. Once you start loading your cup with creamers and sugary syrups, the health perks seem to disappear.

The study, which pulled info from the CDC’s National Death Index, found that people who drank one cup of coffee a day had about a 16% lower risk of death, while those sipping two to three cups saw that risk drop by 17%. Drinking more than that didn’t add extra benefits — so chugging six cups won’t make you immortal. They also found that “low sugar” meant under 2.5 grams per cup, roughly half a teaspoon. Not much, but enough to avoid wrecking the good stuff coffee seems to offer.

Of course, scientists caution that this is just one piece of the puzzle. The study didn’t account for all the other healthy habits coffee lovers might have, like eating better or exercising more. So while your morning brew might give you a little edge, it’s not a magic potion. Still, it’s pretty good news for anyone who loves starting their day with a warm mug of plain old coffee.

RESEARCH PAPER 📄
PMID: 40368300

06/08/2025

🧠✨ Mild Brain Stimulation Boosts Math Skills in Struggling Students

What if a gentle zap to the brain could help you solve math problems better?

In a fascinating new study, researchers used a technique called transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) on university students as they tackled math tasks. This non-invasive method involves placing an electrode cap on the scalp and delivering weak, random electrical signals to specific brain regions — particularly those involved in problem-solving and memory.

The results? Students with weaker brain connectivity between these regions improved their math performance by up to 29%. Some even outperformed peers who initially had stronger brain wiring. The electrical stimulation appears to make neurons more responsive and helps balance the brain chemicals that regulate activity.

However, students who already had strong neural connections didn’t see much change — suggesting tRNS may be especially helpful for those who struggle with learning math.

⚠️ Important caveat: This isn't a DIY fix. Experts caution against trying this at home. Ethical concerns also loom large — like whether only wealthier students could access such tools in the future.

Fortunately, there are plenty of science-backed, non-electrical ways to improve math skills:
🔹 Practicing regularly
🔹 Breaking problems into smaller steps
🔹 Using visuals and apps
🔹 Strengthening number sense
🔹 Embracing a growth mindset

This research shines a light on how neuroscience could someday support personalized learning — but also raises big questions about access and fairness.

Source:
Roi Cohen Kadosh, The Conversation.
"Could electric brain stimulation lead to better maths skills?" (July 2025)

06/08/2025

🧠📱 Is Too Much Screen Time Reshaping Toddler Brains?

New brain scans reveal something startling:

📉 More screen time = Less white matter growth — the part of the brain responsible for language, literacy, and cognitive development.

👶 Toddlers need real-life human interaction to build the brain connections essential for talking, reading, and understanding the world.

🗣️ Face-to-face talk and play are what wires the brain—not passive watching or tapping.

According to experts:

✔️ Children under 18 months: No screen time (except video chats)
✔️ Ages 2–5: No more than 1 hour/day, with adult interaction
✔️ What matters most: Quality content + active parental involvement

💬 Instead of screens, try:
• Reading bedtime stories
• Singing songs together
• Pretend play and outdoor fun

✨ Every word you say, every story you share—it all helps grow your child’s brain.

Let’s raise minds, not just thumbs. 🙌

05/08/2025

🚨 RUSSIA STARTS FREE CANCER VACCINE TRIALS! 💉🧬

A personalized mRNA cancer vaccine—designed using AI and genetic sequencing—is entering human trials in Russia 🇷🇺.

Developed by the same team behind Sputnik V, this vaccine targets melanoma tumors by training the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells directly.

🧠 Each dose is custom-made based on a patient’s unique tumor DNA.

💰 Estimated cost: ~$2,800 — but Russia is offering it free of charge to citizens.
📅 First treatments expected by September–October 2025.

This could be a game-changer in oncology—shifting the fight from general treatments to fully personalized cancer therapy. 🙌

05/08/2025

A study has upended decades of neuroscience, revealing that your brain doesn’t follow a single set of rules when learning—it actually multitasks in ways we never imagined. Researchers studying mice discovered that different parts of a single neuron can learn using completely different methods at the same time. This means your brain is far more flexible and sophisticated than the classic “neurons that fire together, wire together” theory suggested.

For years, scientists thought learning happened through a process called synaptic plasticity, where connections between neurons (called synapses) get stronger or weaker depending on activity—basically, if two neurons frequently activated together, their connection would strengthen. But by using glowing biosensors to track real-time brain activity while mice learned a simple lever task, researchers found that only some synapses followed this rule. Others changed strength independently, not based on the neuron’s overall activity.

This multitasking lets your brain fine-tune how it handles different streams of information all at once, helping form more accurate memories and skills. It could also explain why things go wrong in mental health conditions like depression, where these balancing acts break down, leading to weaker connections that dull pleasure. Beyond health, this insight might guide the next generation of AI, which currently uses learning rules much simpler than our own brains.

Research Paper 📄
PMCID: PMC4743082
PMID: 24379319

05/08/2025

Scientists beam light through a human head for the first time, hinting at future portable brain imaging beyond MRI.

In an incredible first, researchers have managed to shine light all the way through a human head, hinting at a future where we could peek deep into the brain using small, portable devices instead of giant MRI machines. This pioneering work, led by scientists at the University of Glasgow, builds on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a technology that’s already popular for being low-cost and compact. Until now, though, fNIRS could only see a few centimeters into the brain, leaving the deeper regions out of reach.

To pull off this new feat, the researchers amped up the power of the near-infrared laser (while still keeping it safe) and used a more sensitive photon collection system. Even so, only a tiny number of photons made it from one side of the head to the other, and the success came in just one out of eight people tested — a fair-skinned, bald man. The scan also took about 30 minutes, so it’s far from ready for everyday clinical use. But proving it could work at all is a huge milestone.

Computer models matched surprisingly well with how the light traveled through the head, showing that photons tended to follow certain paths, like those with more cerebrospinal fluid, rather than scattering randomly. This could help future scans be better targeted. Someday, these advances might let us detect strokes, tumors, or brain injuries using affordable, portable devices instead of costly MRI machines. While practical full-head scans are still a long way off, this breakthrough pushes us closer to a world where detailed brain imaging is accessible to many more people.

RESEARCH PAPER 📄
PMID: 40438285
PMCID: PMC12117216

05/08/2025

Researchers have discovered that a common protein inside our cells could be a powerful anti-aging tool, acting like a microscopic glue that fixes broken DNA and helps protect the brain from diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and motor neuron disease. This protein, called disulphide isomerase (PDI), is usually busy organizing other proteins in the jelly-like part of cells. But scientists at Macquarie University found that PDI can also sneak into the nucleus—where our DNA is stored—and mend tiny breaks in the genetic code. Since our DNA gets thousands of hits daily from things like UV light or pollution, and these repair systems weaken with age, this discovery could be a big deal for keeping the brain healthy longer.

What makes this so important is that neurons, the main cells in our brains, don’t divide or replace themselves like skin or blood cells. So when DNA damage builds up, it sticks around, eventually killing these critical cells and leading to memory loss or movement problems. In their study, scientists removed PDI from damaged cells and found they couldn’t fix their DNA. But adding PDI back restored their repair ability. They even boosted PDI in zebrafish, which helped protect them from the usual DNA wear and tear of aging.

The team now hopes to explore gene therapies, including mRNA approaches, to harness PDI’s power for preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Interestingly, PDI is a double-edged sword: it also helps shield cancer cells from chemotherapy. So learning how to direct it properly could open doors to fighting both brain aging and cancer.

Research Paper 📄
PMID: 40371563
DOI: 10.1111/acel.70079

03/08/2025

In recent years, the conversation around psychedelic medicine has shifted from hushed discussions to headline news. Studies have found psychedelics effective for a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse, and even physical conditions such as chronic pain. Momentum is building towards a possible psychedelic drug approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the next few years. Yet many studies involve only a small number of participants, often in tightly controlled settings that may not reflect the general population. With promising but limited results, researchers question whether these treatments are truly ready.

study reference in first comment

03/08/2025

Japanese Scientists Achieve Promising Alzheimer's Reversal in Mouse Study
Researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology have made a significant advance in Alzheimer's research, successfully restoring normal cognitive function in laboratory mice affected by the disease.
The breakthrough centers on a specially designed synthetic peptide that researchers administered through nasal drops. This engineered protein fragment targets and repairs damaged synapses — the critical communication pathways between brain cells that become compromised in Alzheimer's disease.
The underlying problem in Alzheimer's involves toxic tau protein accumulations that disrupt normal brain function. These protein clusters interfere with dynamin, an essential enzyme that facilitates cellular communication throughout the brain. The research team's innovative peptide works by preventing tau proteins from disrupting dynamin's normal operation.
When administered during early disease stages, the treatment proved remarkably effective. Treated mice regained their ability to form memories and demonstrated learning capabilities equivalent to healthy control animals, suggesting complete restoration of cognitive function.
While these results offer considerable promise, the researchers emphasize that successful animal studies don't guarantee human efficacy. Extensive clinical trials spanning multiple years will be necessary before any potential human treatment emerges.
The research team remains cautiously optimistic about future applications. With governments like Japan prioritizing Alzheimer's research due to its widespread impact on families worldwide, there's growing support for developing effective interventions. As researchers note, while current treatments may arrive too late for today's affected patients, successful development of this approach could provide protection for future generations.
Reference: PMID: 3871885

The Clinical Psychologist

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