Key Highlights
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A new study on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) found that patients have a “low-cost pathological shortcut” in brain activity, where shifting from a daydreaming state to a more active state requires less energy than normal, and a separate “inefficient pathological transition” where moving between active states is unusually difficult. This research provides a new understanding of why OCD patients may get stuck in repetitive thoughts and behaviors, suggesting that future treatments could aim to restore the brain’s normal energy balance.
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An analysis of over 43,000 adults aged 75 and older revealed that while most people who reach 90 remain cognitively healthy, factors like psychiatric conditions and being on Medicaid are linked to lower “cognitive resilience,” while using antihypertensive medication is linked to higher resilience. This real-world data helps identify which individuals are at the greatest risk for cognitive decline, offering clear targets for early intervention and public health strategies aimed at preserving memory and thinking skills in the oldest old.
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A new study using mice found that a common drug for high blood pressure, L-NAME, can either worsen or improve the negative effects of sleep loss, depending on whether the mice were also exposed to chronic stress. This finding is important because it suggests that a person’s stress history could significantly change how widely used medications affect their brain and behavior in response to lack of sleep.
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