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(https://www.psypost.org/troubling-study-shows-politics-can-trump-truth-to-a-surprising-degree-regardless-of-education-or-analytical-ability/) Troubling study shows “politics can trump truth” to a surprising degree, regardless of education or analytical ability
Nov 14th 2024, 08:00

A recent study by Stanford researchers has uncovered that people are more likely to believe and share news that aligns with their political views, regardless of whether it’s true. This “concordance-over-truth” bias was slightly stronger among supporters of Donald Trump and persisted across various education levels and reasoning abilities. Interestingly, resistance to true but politically opposing news proved stronger than susceptibility to fake but agreeable news, suggesting that political alignment often overshadows the truth in how people process information.
The findings have been published in the (https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001650) Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.
The researchers conducted this study to understand the extent to which political biases shape public beliefs and sharing behavior, especially during critical times like presidential elections. Recognizing that informed citizens are essential for a functioning democracy, they aimed to clarify whether people prioritize political alignment over truthfulness when processing news.
For their study, the researchers recruited 2,180 participants using the online platform Lucid from January 31 to February 17, 2020, aiming for a U.S. Census-matched sample based on gender, age, race, ethnicity, income, education, and region. After excluding 371 participants who failed attention checks or used mobile devices, a final sample of 1,808 participants remained.
The sample’s average age was 48.2, with 54.3% female and 45.7% male. Racial demographics included 72% White, 12.6% Black or African American, 7% Asian, and smaller percentages of other groups, with 12.8% identifying as Hispanic. Educationally, 70.4% had no bachelor’s degree, and politically, 37.6% supported Trump, 52.3% opposed him, and 10.1% were neutral.
The participants were shown 16 different news headlines: eight focused on Trump (half positive and half negative) and eight unrelated “filler” headlines to make the exercise appear more authentic. The Trump-related headlines varied in veracity, with half being real news stories and the other half being fake stories fabricated by the researchers. For example, fake headlines included outlandish claims such as Trump attending a controversial Halloween event dressed as the Pope, designed to be immediately recognizable as untrue, as well as more plausible but still fabricated news stories.
An example of the fake news stories used in the study. The researchers included both pro-Trump and anti-Trump news items.
Participants were asked to rate the truthfulness of each headline on a scale and to indicate how likely they were to share each one with others. After this, they completed a recall task where they tried to remember as many headlines as possible. Participants also answered questions regarding their political stance on Trump, media habits, and beliefs about their political side’s objectivity.
The findings of the study showed a strong “concordance-over-truth bias,” meaning that participants were more influenced by whether the headline aligned with their political views than whether it was factually accurate. Headlines that supported participants’ political positions were rated as more likely to be true, and participants expressed a stronger intention to share these headlines.
This bias appeared consistently across participants, regardless of their level of education or analytical ability, with a slightly more pronounced effect among Trump supporters. Additionally, the study revealed that resistance to true, politically discordant news was even stronger than susceptibility to sharing politically concordant fake news. This finding underscores that while people are indeed vulnerable to believing fake news that aligns with their views, they are even more likely to dismiss true news that challenges those views.
“To a surprising degree, politics can trump truth—in the present study, with regard to a presidential incumbent during a historic election,” the researchers wrote. “… By addressing methodological concerns in prior studies, our research found the impact of headline political concordance (i.e., partisan bias) to be 1.4–2.2 times greater than that of headline truth (i.e., accuracy) on ratings of headline veracity.”
The study further highlighted predictors of this bias, with some particularly notable results. Participants who held a strong “illusion of objectivity,” or the belief that their political side was more objective and unbiased than the other side, showed the highest levels of political bias. In other words, those who saw their own political group as less biased tended to display stronger partisan bias in their judgments of news veracity and sharing intentions.
One-sided media consumption also contributed to this bias, as participants who primarily consumed media sources aligned with their political views showed stronger tendencies toward the concordance-over-truth bias. Extreme views on Trump also heightened the likelihood of participants rating politically favorable news as true, irrespective of its factual basis.
“Understanding the problem of concordance-over-truth bias—its scope, severity, causes, and consequences—is essential for deciding on practical reforms and interventions,” the researchers concluded. “Our research suggests that the problem is significant. Confirmation bias and disconfirmation bias—in combination with one-sided news exposure and the prevalence of misinformation—seem to have given rise to a ‘post-truth’ world. A key step is to teach people to critically examine not only the news but also their own minds. Otherwise, we risk Carl Sagan’s feared vision of a future where people are ‘unable to distinguish between what feels good and what’s true.'”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001650) When Politics Trumps Truth: Political Concordance Versus Veracity as a Determinant of Believing, Sharing, and Recalling the News,” was authored by Michael C. Schwalbe email the author, Katie Joseff, Samuel Woolley, and Geoffrey L. Cohen.

(https://www.psypost.org/caffeines-impact-on-brains-mesolimbic-dopaminergic-pathway-could-reduce-alcohols-addictive-effects/) Caffeine’s impact on brain’s mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway could reduce alcohol’s addictive effects
Nov 14th 2024, 06:00

Scientists have recently discovered that caffeine may counteract some of alcohol’s effects on the brain’s reward system, particularly by blocking certain dopamine responses typically triggered by alcohol. Their new study, published in (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-024-03112-6) Translational Psychiatry, provides evidence that caffeine can prevent the production of specific brain chemicals linked to alcohol’s rewarding effects, highlighting caffeine’s potential as a preventative tool in addressing alcohol addiction.
The study’s rationale centered on exploring how caffeine might disrupt alcohol’s effects on the brain’s mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway, which is crucial for processing reward and reinforcing addictive behaviors. This pathway includes the ventral tegmental area and the nucleus accumbens, areas where dopamine release creates feelings of pleasure and reward.
When alcohol is consumed, it triggers dopamine release along this pathway, reinforcing the behavior and making it more likely to be repeated. This dopamine surge is a fundamental component in the development of alcohol dependence, as it encourages repeated use by making alcohol consumption feel rewarding.
Caffeine, on the other hand, affects the brain differently by blocking adenosine receptors, specifically A2A receptors, which play a role in moderating dopamine activity. By antagonizing A2A receptors, caffeine can potentially reduce excessive dopamine signaling in the mesolimbic pathway. Researchers were intrigued by the possibility that caffeine, through its action on these receptors, might weaken or even prevent the dopamine release normally triggered by alcohol.
“In 2020, we demonstrated that caffeine could prevent some behavioral and biochemical effects of alcohol in rodents,” explained study author (https://www.linkedin.com/in/riccardo-maccioni-6087a5153/) Riccardo Maccioni, a postdoctoral associate at the Scripps Research Institute.
“We hypothesized that this antagonism of caffeine towards alcohol’s activity might be mediated by an action on the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway, which has been strongly implicated in reward processes and in the initial phases of drug addiction. When this pathway is activated, dopamine is released into some critical brain areas and reward is perceived. Hence, in this last study, we explored if and how caffeine can effectively prevent alcohol-mediated activation of this fundamental reward pathway.”
“The first studies about the topic originated at University of Cagliari (Italy), my hometown university, under the supervision of Professor Elio Acquas. This follow up study is the result of a fruitful collaboration between the Scripps Research Institute (where I am currently employed), the University of Cagliari (where I was previously employed), the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and the University of Sassari (Italy).”
The researchers studied male rats and examined the effects of caffeine on the release of dopamine and other substances in the brain when alcohol was present. The rats were divided into groups that received different treatments: some were given alcohol alone, some received both alcohol and caffeine, and others were given selective drugs that block certain adenosine receptors to compare with caffeine’s effects. The researchers measured dopamine levels and brain chemicals, focusing on the nucleus accumbens and on dopamine neuron activity in the ventral tegmental area.
The results showed that caffeine effectively blocked dopamine surges triggered by alcohol, especially in the nucleus accumbens. Additionally, caffeine prevented the formation of a chemical called salsolinol, which is associated with alcohol’s rewarding effects, and could also interfere with the stimulation of dopamine neurons that was otherwise provoked by alcohol.
The researchers also conducted a metabolomics analysis, which looks at small molecules in the brain, to find out if caffeine affected other pathways. They discovered that caffeine prevented alcohol-induced changes in lipid signaling molecules, which are critical for brain cell function and communication. Lipid signaling alterations have been linked to the reinforcement effects of addictive substances, and caffeine’s interference with these changes points to a potential role in disrupting the reward cycle of addiction.
“In rodents never exposed to alcohol before, low doses of caffeine prevent the process of activation of the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway by alcohol through a mechanism of action that involves specific receptors and alcohol’s metabolism,” Maccioni told PsyPost. “In particular, caffeine prevents the release of dopamine in a specific brain area that mediates reward, potentially inducing a decreased perception of the pleasant effects of alcohol in the subjects pre-exposed to caffeine before alcohol. Hence, doses of caffeine comparable to those consumed by humans, could protect against some alcohol’s effects that might trigger very dangerous addictive behavioral alterations.”
Even when researchers introduced salsolinol and morphine directly to see if they could activate dopamine independently of alcohol, caffeine still managed to block their effects. This outcome suggests that caffeine’s blocking activity is broad enough to inhibit dopamine release from various triggers beyond alcohol.
“What is surprising is that, not only caffeine prevented alcohol-induced activation of this reward pathway, but it showed the same effect even when morphine was administered, pointing out an effect way broader and promising than expected,” Maccioni said.
The study highlights caffeine as a promising candidate in preventing dopamine-driven responses to alcohol. However, the study also had some limitations. It was conducted exclusively on male rats and only considered the initial stages of exposure to alcohol, rather than the longer-term stages of addiction. The researchers acknowledged the need to expand these findings.
“The study should be replicated in females to monitor sex-specific effects,” Maccioni explained. “Moreover, the subjects used in the study were never exposed to alcohol before. It’d be interesting to see the effects of caffeine on animals that are already dependent to alcohol. We’d like to address these limitations. After that, we’d be interested in verifying whether this study can provide insightful suggestions on potential therapeutic targets for alcohol use disorder.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-03112-6) Receptor and metabolic insights on the ability of caffeine to prevent alcohol-induced stimulation of mesolimbic dopamine transmission,” was authored by Valentina Bassareo, Riccardo Maccioni, Giuseppe Talani, Simone Zuffa, Yasin El Abiead, Irene Lorrai, Tomoya Kawamura, Sofia Pantis, Roberta Puliga, Romina Vargiu, Daniele Lecca, Paolo Enrico, Alessandra Peana, Laura Dazzi, Pieter C. Dorrestein, Pietro Paolo Sanna, Enrico Sanna, and Elio Acquas.

(https://www.psypost.org/vulnerable-narcissism-and-emotion-dysregulation-linked-to-binge-watching/) Vulnerable narcissism and emotion dysregulation linked to binge-watching
Nov 13th 2024, 18:00

A study of emerging adults in Italy found that both men and women who experienced emotional abuse as children, and who exhibited higher levels of vulnerable narcissism and emotion dysregulation, were more likely to engage in binge-watching. The paper was published in the (https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14100173) European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education.
Childhood emotional abuse involves non-physical behaviors by a caregiver or authority figure that harm a child’s emotional well-being and sense of self-worth. It can include constant criticism, humiliation, rejection, or exposure to overly harsh or neglectful parenting practices. Children experiencing emotional abuse often feel unloved and inadequate and may struggle to trust others or form healthy relationships. Unlike physical abuse, emotional abuse leaves no visible marks, making it more challenging to identify and address. Over time, the impact of emotional abuse can lead to lasting mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, as well as the use of maladaptive strategies for coping with stress.
One such maladaptive strategy is binge-watching, which involves consuming numerous episodes or an entire season of a television series in a single sitting. Binge-watching is increasingly recognized as a form of escapism and emotional regulation. Individuals who struggle with emotional distress may use binge-watching to disengage from real-world problems by immersing themselves in fictional worlds.
Study author Valeria Verrastro and her colleagues sought to explore the association between childhood emotional abuse, vulnerable narcissism, emotion dysregulation, and binge-watching. Vulnerable narcissism is a form of narcissism characterized by insecurity, hypersensitivity to criticism, and a deep need for validation, often masked by feelings of shame and inadequacy. Emotion dysregulation refers to difficulties in managing or responding to emotional experiences in a controlled and adaptive way, often leading to intense emotional reactions and impulsive behaviors.
The study included 1,082 young adults residing in Italy, of whom 541 were female. Participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 25 years. They completed an online survey assessing childhood emotional abuse (using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire – Short Form), vulnerable narcissism (using the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale), emotion dysregulation (using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale), and binge-watching (using the Binge-Watching Addiction Questionnaire).
Results showed moderate associations between binge-watching and the three examined psychological characteristics. Participants reporting higher levels of childhood emotional abuse tended to have higher scores in vulnerable narcissism and emotion dysregulation and also reported more frequent binge-watching.
The study authors tested a statistical model proposing that childhood emotional abuse experiences increase vulnerable narcissism, which in turn increases emotion dysregulation, ultimately leading to binge-watching tendencies. Results indicated that this pattern of relationships between these characteristics is possible. However, childhood emotional abuse could also have a direct effect on binge-watching that is not mediated by these two psychological characteristics.
“These findings highlight the importance of the early identification of CEA [childhood emotional abuse], the implementation of targeted interventions, and the provision of trauma-informed care to address the negative consequences of CEA and mitigate the development of binge-watching behaviors. Moreover, the results emphasize the need for tailored prevention and intervention programs that address vulnerable narcissism and emotion dysregulation as potential pathways to inform effective therapeutic strategies,” the study authors concluded.
The study sheds light on the possible nature of the links between childhood emotional abuse experiences and binge-watching. However, it should be noted that data about childhood emotional abuse experiences were based on participants’ memories rather than objective reports. Additionally, all the data came from self-reports, leaving room for reporting bias to affect the results.
The paper, “(https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14100173) Vulnerable Narcissism and Emotion Dysregulation as Mediators in the Link between Childhood Emotional Abuse and Binge Watching,” was authored by Valeria Verrastro, Danilo Calaresi, Fiorenza Giordano, and Valeria Saladino.

(https://www.psypost.org/study-finds-tetris-based-therapy-can-ease-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-symptoms/) Study finds Tetris-based therapy can ease post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms
Nov 13th 2024, 16:00

In a new study, researchers found that a single guided treatment session involving the video game Tetris could reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in healthcare workers who faced trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic. This brief, guided session led to lasting positive effects, reducing the frequency of distressing intrusive memories for up to six months. The findings suggest that an accessible, game-based approach could offer support for people affected by trauma.
The study, conducted by researchers at Uppsala University and published in (https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-024-03569-8) BMC Medicine, emerged from the heightened need for mental health support among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontline healthcare providers often witness severe injuries, illness, and death, which can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition marked by persistent and unwanted memories of traumatic events.
Traditional treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder involve multiple therapy sessions with a mental health professional, which can be challenging to access. Additionally, many healthcare professionals avoid seeking treatment due to stigma, time constraints, and the need for quick, practical interventions. The researchers sought to explore whether a shorter, more widely available approach could offer relief, especially in the challenging context of a global pandemic.
“Many people all over the world will experience a traumatic event in their lifetime. I’m interested in developing a relatively simple treatment that can help more people globally,” said study author (https://emilyholmes.net/) Emily A. Holmes, a professor at Uppsala University and head of the (https://www.uu.se/en/department/womens-and-childrens-health/research/digital-health-and-mental-health-unit/percept---mental-imagery-and-mental-health) PERCEPT – Mental Imagery and Mental Health lab.
“To do this we use mental health science. In this research, I am interested in exploring the concept of trauma memory – understanding its importance and why people often process experiences through mental images instead of words. I’m particularly fascinated by how we can reduce the number of times people repeatedly re-experience traumatic events in vivid images after trauma. These intrusive memories are sometimes called flashbacks.”
To investigate this possibility, the research team recruited 164 healthcare workers from Sweden who were actively working during the pandemic. Participants reported experiencing trauma related to their work and suffered from at least two intrusive memories of traumatic events per week. The study used a randomized controlled trial design, with participants divided into two groups. One group received the “imagery-competing task intervention” involving the video game Tetris, while the other group was given a placebo-like task that consisted of listening to a podcast on philosophy, intended to control for attention and device use.
The Tetris-based intervention used a specific sequence: participants were first briefly reminded of a distressing memory, taught to use mental rotation, and then engaged in a 20-minute Tetris session using mental rotation on their smartphones. The researchers theorized that the visual and spatial elements of Tetris might disrupt the formation of unwanted traumatic memories. By occupying the brain’s imagery-processing capacities, Tetris could effectively compete with the mental replay of traumatic images, making the memories less vivid or frequent.
“The study was conducted entirely remotely,” Holmes explained. “The participants completed the tasks on a smartphone or computer, and a facilitator was present by phone or video call during the one guided treatment session. The treatment took approximately 35 minutes to complete. During that time, participants were informed about what intrusive memories are. They had to describe their memories in just a few words, but not describe their trauma in detail.”
“After that, they were briefly informed about what the concept of mental rotation means and entails and played Tetris for 20 minutes using mental rotation. The control group listened to a radio program for 20 minutes. It was a blinded study, which means that participants did not know whether they were in the treatment group or the control group.”
“The intervention is not just playing Tetris!” Holmes noted. “It’s a 30-minute process that is comprised of three components.”
After the initial guided session, participants monitored their intrusive memories over the next five weeks, and the researchers continued tracking symptoms up to six months post-intervention.
The results showed a clear difference between the two groups. Healthcare workers who played Tetris experienced a significant decrease in the number of intrusive memories, both in the short term and at the six-month follow-up. They also reported less severe symptoms of post-traumatic stress overall, including reduced distress and better emotional functioning. In contrast, the group that listened to the podcast showed less reduction in symptoms and a more gradual improvement over time.
“It was surprising to me and the team that the treatment method was so effective and that the improvement in symptoms lasted for six months,” Holmes told PsyPost. “I realize that it may seem unlikely that such a short intervention, which includes video games but doesn’t include an in-depth discussion of trauma with a therapist, could help. But the study provides scientifically controlled evidence that a single guided digital treatment session can reduce the number of intrusive memories, and that it can be used safely by participants.”
However, the study does have some limitations. First, participants were aware that they were part of an experimental treatment, which may have influenced their expectations and self-reported outcomes. Also, the study did not use clinical diagnostic tools to identify cases of post-traumatic stress disorder, so the findings apply to intrusive memories rather than the disorder as a whole. Additionally, because all participants were healthcare workers, it remains unclear whether this intervention would be as effective for individuals in other high-stress occupations or trauma-exposed populations, such as military personnel or emergency responders.
Future research could expand this approach to diverse groups and evaluate the long-term effectiveness of Tetris and similar visuospatial tasks for managing intrusive memories. Researchers also hope to explore different formats, potentially creating a streamlined digital platform that houses the intervention and tracks symptoms to enhance user experience and scalability.
“My vision is that one day we will be able to provide a tool for people such as healthcare professionals after traumatic events to help prevent and treat early PTSD symptoms, that is a ‘cognitive vaccine,’ in a similar way that we currently vaccinate against some infectious physical diseases,” Holmes explained.
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03569-8) A guided single session intervention to reduce intrusive memories of work-related trauma: a randomised controlled trial with healthcare workers in the COVID-19 pandemic,” was authored by Marie Kanstrup, Laura Singh, Elisabeth Johanna Leehr, Katarina E. Göransson, Sara Ahmed Pihlgren, Lalitha Iyadurai, Oili Dahl, Ann-Charlotte Falk, Veronica Lindström, Nermin Hadziosmanovic, Katja Gabrysch, Michelle L. Moulds, and Emily A. Holmes.

(https://www.psypost.org/new-research-challenges-the-link-between-repetitive-head-injuries-and-chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy/) New research challenges the link between repetitive head injuries and chronic traumatic encephalopathy
Nov 13th 2024, 14:00

Concerns about the long-term impacts of concussion and head injury have become prominent in recent years, particularly among (https://theconversation.com/a-mild-concussion-from-amateur-sports-might-not-cause-cognitive-decline-but-repeated-injuries-can-238473) participants and stakeholders of contact and collision sports.
Many people have been left wondering about the risk of head injury in sport and whether it is safe to continue to play.
People are especially worried about what is commonly known as CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy).
A (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2022.938163/full) 2022 publication claimed repetitive head impacts in contact and collision sports were the cause of CTE.
This article has been influential, with other researchers citing the work and several people using it as evidence in an (https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=91312c72-d04d-41d3-87d9-af4a1e11cb54&subId=732705) Australian Senate inquiry into concussions and repeated head trauma in contact sports.
The headlines from that article – stating a definitive cause had been established – prompted us to take a deep dive into the work.
The result of our investigation has recently been published in the journal (https://rdcu.be/dT1ku) Sports Medicine.
The grey area of chronic traumatic encephalopathy
CTE refers to a pathology where microscopic changes in tissue can be seen by neuropathologists when looking at slides from autopsied brains.
While attempts have been made to further define CTE, there remains debate about what the different observed changes in the brain mean.
The challenge of agreement on CTE was highlighted in a (https://academic-oup-com.ezproxy.ecu.edu.au/jnen/article/80/3/210/6145887?login=false) 2021 publication when the United States’ national institutes of neurological disorders and stroke, and biomedical imaging and bioengineering, brought experts together to establish agreement on how to assign cases to one of four proposed “CTE stages”.
Among eight neuropathologists looking at the same tissue slides, three different stages of CTE were reported for 11 of the 17 cases, and all four stages were reported against one case.
This means among experts, the definition of CTE is not agreed on, and there is not yet an accurate way to measure it.
Signs and symptoms in people later identified as having CTE have been described as similar to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Clarity on causes of these other diseases is also largely unknown despite years of investigation by researchers and clinicians.
A (http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01296-0/abstract) Lancet standing commission recently presented an update on dementia prevention intervention and care. In it they describe 14 potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia, including traumatic brain injury but also education, smoking, obesity, alcohol and physical inactivity.
It is important that research into CTE also considers a range of potential contributory factors, such as those above (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-17/dementia-risk-depression-alzheimers-lancet-14-ways-to-cut-risk/104350330) for dementia, and not just focus on one factor (such as repetitive head impacts in contact sports).
What are repetitive head impacts?
The authors of the 2022 review that we investigated defined repetitive head impacts as “the cumulative exposure to recurrent concussive and subconcussive events.”
It is not clear what was meant by a repetitive head impact or subconcussive event, and measuring them accurately is also difficult.
As an example, researchers might ask injured athletes or their relatives about their history of sport and any head injuries they sustained, as well as how long they played and the level they played at.
These questions are often asked many years after participation, and therefore rely on memories of past events that can be hard to recall.
While these methods can help understand a little about athletes’ experiences, the accuracy of details is questionable, which is why they are unsuitable measures for causal claims.
We are learning more about athletes’ exposure to head injury by collecting data at the time of injury (such as (https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/teething-issue-smart-mouthguards-the-new-weapon-in-concussion-battle-but-there-s-a-catch-20240215-p5f59n.html) “smart” mouthguards), in the lead up to a potential injury (such as (https://passport.world.rugby/player-welfare-medical/concussion-management-for-match-day-medical-staff-using-the-hia-protocol/match-day-doctor/video-review) through video analysis) or shortly after an event (such as reporting to a (https://www.concussioninsport.gov.au/medical_practitioners) medical doctor for review).
Studies making use of findings from these types of investigations will be helpful to better understand long-term health outcomes in relation to concussion or repetitive head impacts.
What our research found, and next steps
In our review, we conclude it is incorrect to say repetitive head impacts are the cause of CTE on the basis of the evidence presented in the 2022 article and what we know about this issue to date.
There is not yet widespread agreement among scientists or clinicians on the definitions of repetitive head impacts or CTE, and neither can be accurately or consistently measured.
Our findings do not mean repetitive head impacts are not a potential contributory factor to any long-term changes. Rather, the current evidence isn’t suitable to be making any conclusions.
More rigorous studies, with agreed definitions and measurements, are needed to explore a wide range of risk and protective factors.
It is important the research community is cautious about how they communicate findings.
The public should recognise the science is far from being well established.
The public should also recognise that for the everyday athlete, the risks of concussion are not the same as those of a (https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/12/810.abstract) professional athlete.
Sports that have risks of head injury continue to make changes to protect athletes from harm through new measures for prevention, better identification of concussion and better management when they do occur.
The vast majority of people involved in contact sports live happy, fulfilling lives without neurological issues.
(https://www.who.int/health-topics/physical-activity#tab=tab_1) Keeping physically active through sport remains an important part of a healthy lifestyle and is protective against many long-term, chronic diseases.
 
This article is republished from (https://theconversation.com) The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the (https://theconversation.com/do-repetitive-head-injuries-really-cause-the-degenerative-brain-disease-cte-new-research-questions-the-link-239089) original article.

(https://www.psypost.org/brain-networks-for-sustained-attention-in-teens-predict-substance-use-in-young-adulthood/) Brain networks for sustained attention in teens predict substance use in young adulthood
Nov 13th 2024, 12:00

A recent study published in the journal (https://elifesciences.org/articles/97150) eLife has found that teenagers with lower sustained attention ability may be at higher risk of cigarette and cannabis use in early adulthood. Researchers observed that adolescents with reduced capacity to maintain focus on tasks had an increased likelihood of smoking and using cannabis by their early 20s. This insight marks the first evidence that poor sustained attention can predict future substance use.
Previous studies had shown an association between smoking or cannabis use and lower sustained attention, a mental skill that allows people to focus over extended periods. However, these studies only confirmed that a correlational association existed, rather than establish if poor attention led to substance use or resulted from it. Understanding whether a lack of attention might be a precursor to drug use could be vital for developing early preventive interventions.
“This research was conducted to investigate whether lower sustained attention preceded, or followed, substance use. Previous studies were often cross-sectional, with relatively few participants, leaving the relationship between sustained attention and substance use unclear,” explained study author Robert Whelan, a professor of psychology at the Global Brain Health Institute and School of Psychology at Trinity College Dublin and author of (https://amzn.to/3AzqwvB) Methods for Analyzing Large Neuroimaging Datasets.
To explore this question, the research team analyzed data from the IMAGEN project, a large-scale study that follows over 1,000 individuals across Europe as they grow from adolescence into adulthood. The IMAGEN project gathers behavioral and neuroimaging data, including brain scans that measure brain activity related to sustained attention.
The team examined the participants’ sustained attention at ages 14, 19, and 23, along with self-reported data on their cigarette and cannabis use at these ages. By tracking sustained attention and substance use over several years, the researchers could assess if lower attention ability at age 14 predicted increased substance use in young adulthood.
The study used specific techniques to measure and predict participants’ attention. At each age, participants completed a “stop signal task,” a well-known assessment used to evaluate sustained attention. Participants were shown arrows on a screen and had to press a button in the direction of the arrow but stop their response if the arrow changed suddenly. The researchers measured participants’ reaction times and accuracy during these tasks to determine each participant’s level of sustained attention.
For the brain activity portion of the study, researchers used MRI technology to measure brain connectivity, focusing on areas known to be involved in sustained attention. These included regions of the prefrontal and parietal cortex, which play key roles in focus, impulse control, and processing information over time. Researchers used this brain imaging data to create predictive models, looking for patterns in brain activity that could indicate sustained attention levels.
When the team analyzed the data, they found that adolescents with lower sustained attention were indeed more likely to show an increase in cigarette and cannabis use as they reached young adulthood. For example, they observed that lower attention at age 14 was linked to higher cannabis and cigarette use by age 23.
Interestingly, this trend was consistent regardless of the participants’ initial levels of drug use. Moreover, brain connectivity patterns associated with low sustained attention also pointed to higher future substance use. Brain networks related to attention appeared to play a consistent role over time, suggesting that these networks might be reliable indicators of who is at higher risk of substance use.
The researchers proposed that these findings could have practical implications. By identifying teenagers with lower sustained attention skills, schools and communities could implement targeted programs to help them strengthen their focus. Programs designed to boost attention, such as cognitive training exercises, might help reduce the risk of future substance use. This early intervention strategy could provide a new approach to substance use prevention by helping teens develop better attention skills during a critical developmental period.
But as with all research, there are some caveats. Although the study provides significant insight into the link between attention and substance use, the study’s results are based on correlations, meaning they cannot fully prove a cause-and-effect relationship. Additionally, while the IMAGEN project includes a large sample size, the participants are all based in Europe, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to populations outside of this region.
“Future research could investigate the roles of specific neurotransmitters in the relationship between substance use and sustained attention,” Whelan said. “Furthermore, given that it is practical to improve sustained attention through cognitive training (e.g., tonic and phasic alertness/attention training, (Fortenbaugh et al., 2017)), future studies should explore whether enhancing sustained attention via cognitive training could reduce substance use. This approach would be significant in providing guidance for the prevention and treatment of adolescent substance use, thereby improving individual lives, and lessening societal burdens related to addiction.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.97150.3) A robust brain network for sustained attention from adolescence to adulthood that predicts later substance use,” was authored by Yihe Weng, Johann Kruschwitz, Laura M. Rueda-Delgado, Kathy L. Ruddy, Rory Boyle, Luisa Franzen, Emin Serin, Tochukwu Nweze, Jamie Hanson, Alannah Smyth, Tom Farnan, Tobias Banaschewski, Arun L.W. Bokde, Sylvane Desrivières, Herta Flor, Antoine Grigis, Hugh Garavan, Penny A. Gowland, Andreas Heinz, Rüdiger Brühl, Jean-Luc Martinot, Marie-Laure Paillère Martinot, Eric Artiges, Jane McGrath, Frauke Nees, Dimitri Papadopoulos Orfanos, Tomas Paus, Luise Poustka, Nathalie Holz, Juliane Fröhner, Michael N. Smolka, Nilakshi Vaidya, Gunter Schumann, Henrik Walter, and Robert Whelan.

(https://www.psypost.org/cbd-shows-promise-in-managing-fever-and-inflammation/) CBD shows promise in managing fever and inflammation
Nov 13th 2024, 10:00

A recent study published in (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111178) Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry suggests that cannabidiol (commonly known as CBD) may have a significant effect in reducing fever. The researchers found that CBD effectively lowered fever in mice by altering certain biological pathways related to the body’s stress and inflammation response. This discovery adds new insight into CBD’s possible health benefits, specifically for conditions involving inflammation and fever.
CBD, a non-psychoactive component derived from cannabis plants, has been increasingly used to address various health issues. While previous research has shown that CBD can help with anxiety, depression, and pain, the researchers aimed to understand whether it could also lower fevers and reduce inflammation. Fevers, particularly those caused by chronic inflammatory diseases, can be challenging to treat with standard fever medications, which often have side effects. The team hypothesized that CBD could help by influencing the body’s inflammatory pathways, providing a natural alternative for fever management.
“My interest in this topic stems from the compelling interplay between systemic inflammation and thermoregulation, particularly in the context of fever as a hallmark of systemic infection. Fever, while protective in moderation, can lead to severe complications when excessive,” said study author (https://ppgfisiologia.fmrp.usp.br/en/luiz-guilherme-branco/) Luiz Guilherme S. Branco, a full professor at the School of Dentistry of Ribeirao Preto at the University of São Paulo.
“Cannabidiol (CBD), with its broad anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, presents an exciting therapeutic potential that is not yet fully understood in the context of fever. By focusing on CBD’s role in modulating inflammatory mediators like cytokines and prostaglandin E2, this research offers the opportunity to deepen our understanding of its mechanisms and explore safer alternatives to traditional antipyretics. This aligns with my broader interests in physiological regulation and therapeutic innovation.”
“The study of CBD in regulating inflammation and fever extends beyond the realm of physiology, touching upon psychological well-being,” Branco continued. “Chronic inflammation is increasingly recognized as a contributor to mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression. By understanding how CBD modulates systemic inflammatory responses and their associated physiological stressors, researchers open new avenues for exploring the mind-body connection and potential therapeutic approaches for both physical and psychological health.”
The research team used male mice aged 12 to 14 weeks, all housed in consistent conditions. Before testing, they administered a fever-inducing substance known as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which triggers an inflammatory response. This step allowed the researchers to replicate the conditions of a fever associated with infection or inflammation. To measure the impact of CBD on this response, some mice were given a CBD injection while others received a saline solution. The researchers recorded the mice’s body temperature every five minutes for over five hours, carefully noting any differences between the CBD-treated and untreated groups.
Along with monitoring temperature, the researchers collected blood samples and tissue samples from the spleen and a specific brain region linked to body temperature regulation, called the anteroventral preoptic area. This sampling allowed them to measure various chemicals in the blood and tissue that contribute to fever and inflammation, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and prostaglandin E2. The anti-inflammatory marker interleukin-10 was also measured to gauge any shift toward reduced inflammation.
The researchers found that CBD reduced fever in those exposed to the fever-inducing LPS. Mice treated with CBD showed lower levels of several key inflammatory markers that contribute to fever. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and prostaglandin E2 were notably lower in CBD-treated mice than in the untreated group. Additionally, CBD raised the levels of interleukin-10, which helps the body fight inflammation, suggesting that CBD has a balancing effect on the immune system’s response to fever.
“One surprising aspect of our findings was the comprehensive way in which CBD modulates the inflammatory response,” Branco told PsyPost. “Not only did CBD reduce the fever caused by LPS-induced inflammation, but it also had a broader anti-inflammatory effect by decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels while increasing levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Our research suggests that CBD, a compound derived from cannabis, may help reduce fever caused by inflammation without the psychoactive effects typically associated with cannabis use.”
The researchers noted that CBD’s effect on fever could be linked to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, a system that regulates stress and immune response. CBD seemed to influence this system, leading to lower levels of corticosterone, a hormone released in response to stress and inflammation. Lower corticosterone levels were observed in the CBD-treated mice compared to those that did not receive CBD, indicating that CBD may help regulate the body’s stress response, further contributing to its fever-reducing effects.
“Another intriguing observation was that CBD had no impact on body temperature in euthermic (normal) conditions, indicating it specifically targets inflammatory states,” Branco said. “This level of specificity adds to its therapeutic appeal and was an unexpected highlight of our research.”
“CBD’s ability to regulate inflammation and fever underscores its potential as a safer alternative to traditional fever-reducing medications, which can have undesirable side effects or may not be suitable for all individuals.”
The researchers also found that CBD influenced a neural pathway called the inflammatory reflex. This reflex helps control inflammation through the nervous system, and it appeared that CBD had a role in activating this reflex. Specifically, CBD lowered inflammatory responses in the spleen, showing that it has an impact not only on the central brain region responsible for fever but also on other parts of the immune system.
“Medical research spans a wide spectrum, from basic research—focused on understanding fundamental scientific principles in preclinical settings—to clinical research, which evaluates treatments in people to improve health outcomes,” Branco explained. “Our findings are rooted in basic research, specifically on how CBD interacts with the body’s systems, such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the inflammatory reflex, to modulate immune responses.”
“This foundational work paves the way for future clinical research to explore CBD’s role in treating fever and inflammatory diseases. By elucidating the mechanisms through which CBD reduces fever and inflammation, our research highlights its potential to become a valuable tool for managing these conditions. This could lead to the development of new therapies that are both safer and more tailored to individual needs.”
While the study provides promising results, it has certain limitations.
“It is important to recognize the distinctions between basic research and clinical trials; therefore, conclusions must be drawn with caution,” Branco noted. “Our study was conducted on animal models, specifically mice, using a controlled model of LPS-induced inflammation. While these models provide valuable insights, the findings may not fully translate to humans due to physiological and metabolic differences.”
“We identified key pathways through which CBD reduces inflammation and fever—such as modulation of cytokines, the HPA axis, and the inflammatory reflex—but these pathways are complex and involve interactions with many other biological processes. Further research is needed to fully elucidate these mechanisms.”
“Despite the promising results, CBD use in humans must account for regulatory, safety, and dosing concerns,” Branco said. “Potential long-term side effects, interactions with other medications, or variations in individual responses to CBD were not addressed in this study. Ultimately, the therapeutic potential of CBD for treating fever or systemic inflammation must be validated in well-designed clinical trials to assess efficacy, safety, and dosing in human populations.”
Branco’s long-term goals for CBD research include uncovering the molecular mechanisms by which CBD reduces inflammation and fever, especially its effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, cytokine networks, and prostaglandin E2 synthesis. He aims to expand this research to chronic inflammation models and different populations, including varying sexes and ages, to ensure comprehensive applicability. Future steps involve bridging preclinical and clinical studies with human trials to validate CBD’s safety and effectiveness, developing new CBD-based therapies, and exploring CBD’s potential in treating various fever-related conditions.
“These goals will indeed be very long-term, reflecting the complexity and scope of the work required to fully understand and apply CBD as a therapeutic agent,” Branco explained. “By pursuing these goals, we aim to establish a comprehensive framework for understanding and leveraging CBD’s therapeutic potential, ultimately improving patient care and expanding the scope of safer alternatives in medicine and dentistry.”
The study, “(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S027858462400246X) Cannabidiol exerts antipyretic effects by downmodulating inflammatory mediators in LPS-induced fever,” was authored by Emilly S.S. Andres, Patrícia Passaglia, Wanderson S. Santosa, Isis P. Trajano, Renato Nery Soriano, Lucas Miranda Marques, Glauce C. Nascimento, Elaine Del-Bela, and Luiz G.S. Branco.

Forwarded by:
Michael Reeder LCPC
Baltimore, MD

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