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<td><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:20px;font-weight:bold;">PsyPost – Psychology News</span></td>
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<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/common-air-pollutants-associated-with-structural-changes-in-the-teenage-brain/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">Common air pollutants associated with structural changes in the teenage brain</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Jan 26th 2026, 08:00</div>
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<p><p>A recent study published in <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2025.123333" target="_blank">Environmental Research</a></em> suggests that breathing polluted air may alter the physical development of the brain during adolescence. The findings indicate that exposure to fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide is associated with an accelerated thinning of the cortex, particularly in regions responsible for emotional regulation and complex thinking. This research suggests that the environment in which a young person lives plays a role in their neurological maturation.</p>
<p>Air pollution is a global health issue that affects people in both industrial and developing nations. Most of the global population breathes air that exceeds safety guidelines established by the World Health Organization. This pollution is a complex mixture of gases and particles derived from vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and wildfires.</p>
<p>“This study grew out of a broader effort to understand how common environmental exposures shape health, particularly for some of our most vulnerable populations. With increasing wildfires, industrialization, and urbanization, many children are now exposed to air pollution more frequently and for longer periods of time. We wanted to better understand how typical, everyday levels of air pollution, levels many people consider ‘normal,’ may relate to brain development during adolescence,” said study author Calvin Jara, a resident physician at Oregon Health & Science University.</p>
<p>Previous research has firmly established links between poor air quality and respiratory or cardiovascular diseases. There is also growing concern regarding the impact of these airborne contaminants on the central nervous system. Pollutants like fine particulate matter are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. From there, they can enter the bloodstream and potentially cross the protective barrier that shields the brain.</p>
<p>Once in the brain, these particles may trigger inflammation and oxidative stress. This biological damage can disrupt the function of neurons. Adolescents may be particularly susceptible to these effects. Their bodies are still growing, and they often breathe in more air relative to their body weight than adults do.</p>
<p>The teenage years are a time of profound change for the brain. The brain undergoes a process known as synaptic pruning during this period. It eliminates weak or unnecessary connections between neurons to become more efficient. This natural maturation process results in a thinning of the outer layer of the brain, known as the cortex.</p>
<p>Because the brain is remodeling itself so actively during these years, it may be more vulnerable to environmental insults. Most prior research on pollution and brain structure focused on adults or looked at children at a single point in time. The authors of the current study sought to understand how exposure to pollution relates to changes in the brain as adolescents grow over several years.</p>
<p>To investigate this, the researchers utilized data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. This is the largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the United States. The dataset is designed to reflect the diverse demographics of the U.S. population.</p>
<p>The analytic sample included 10,947 participants. These children were between the ages of 9 and 10 when the study began. The researchers tracked them for up to four years. The team used the residential addresses of the participants to estimate their exposure to specific air pollutants.</p>
<p>They focused on three common pollutants: fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3). The researchers linked geocoded home addresses to validated air monitoring data. This allowed them to calculate annual average exposure levels for each child.</p>
<p>The participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to measure the structure of their brains. These scans occurred at the beginning of the study, at a two-year follow-up, and at a four-year follow-up. The researchers specifically measured cortical thickness across sixty-eight different regions of the brain.</p>
<p>Statistical models were then used to examine the relationship between pollutant exposure and brain structure. The researchers employed linear mixed-effects models. This statistical approach allowed them to account for the fact that data was collected at multiple time points. It also handled missing data effectively.</p>
<p>The analysis included adjustments for various factors that could influence brain development. These variables included parental income, parental education levels, and the population density of the area where the child lived. Adjusting for these factors helped ensure that the results were not simply reflecting socioeconomic differences.</p>
<p>The data showed that higher exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 was associated with a faster rate of cortical thinning. This accelerated thinning was not uniform across the entire brain. The effects were most pronounced in the frontal and temporal lobes. The frontal lobe is heavily involved in executive functions. These functions include planning, attention, and impulse control. The temporal lobe plays a key role in processing emotions, language, and social cues.</p>
<p>The researchers observed these structural changes even though the participants were generally exposed to pollution levels that are considered common. This implies that routine exposure to standard levels of air pollution could have developmental consequences. The pattern of accelerated thinning suggests that pollution might alter the natural trajectory of brain maturation.</p>
<p>“We were struck by the fact that the associations appeared in brain regions involved in higher-order cognitive and emotional processing,” Jara told PsyPost. “It was also notable that these patterns emerged at pollution levels considered common or acceptable. This suggests that even relatively low-level exposures may be relevant during sensitive periods of brain development.”</p>
<p>In contrast to the findings for particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, the study found minimal associations between ozone and cortical thickness. Ozone did not appear to have the same impact on the structural development of the cortex. This finding highlights that different pollutants may have distinct biological mechanisms of action.</p>
<p>Nitrogen dioxide is often related to traffic emissions. It may be more toxic to the nervous system due to its ability to induce specific types of oxidative stress. Ozone operates differently and may not cross the blood-brain barrier as easily as other pollutants.</p>
<p>The researchers noted that these findings align with previous cross-sectional studies. Earlier work has linked early-life air pollution to thinner cortices in school-age children. The current longitudinal study extends that knowledge by showing how these patterns evolve over time during the critical adolescent window.</p>
<p>“One important takeaway is that health is shaped not only by genetics, but also by the environments in which we live,” Jara explained. “Factors like nutrition, sleep, and physical activity matter, and things like air quality also contribute to our broader health. Our findings suggest that routine exposure to common levels of air pollution is associated with differences in how the adolescent brain matures over time—exposures that many people experience daily.”</p>
<p>“At the level of an individual child, these findings do not indicate damage or a medical diagnosis. However, when modest shifts in brain development, or any type of development for that matter, occur across millions of children exposed to low levels of pollution, the implications become meaningful at the population level. This is how many environmental health effects operate, being that they may be subtle for individuals, but important for public health.”</p>
<p>But the study, like all research, includes some caveats. The exposure estimates were based solely on residential addresses. This method does not account for the air quality at schools or other locations where the adolescents spent their time. It implies that the exposure measurement might not be perfectly precise for every individual.</p>
<p>Additionally, the study is observational in nature. This means it can identify associations but cannot definitively prove that pollution caused the brain changes. It is possible that other unmeasured factors contributed to the results.</p>
<p>“These findings should not be interpreted as evidence of direct harm or as a reason for alarm,” Jara noted. “The research also does not imply inevitability or irreversible effects. Rather, it highlights potential vulnerability during development and underscores the importance of prevention. Air pollution is one part of the equation, and there are many factors that go into one’s overall health and development.”</p>
<p>“My broader interest is in health-policy–relevant research that can inform decisions at a population level. Ultimately, the goal is to integrate scientific evidence into policies that protect vulnerable communities and promote healthier development across the lifespan. Environmental research in my opinion has the potential to not only extend life, but improve quality of life across generations.”</p>
<p>“One encouraging aspect of this work is that many environmental exposures are modifiable,” Jara added. “For example, improvements in air quality, access to green spaces, and awareness of environmental conditions can make a difference. And the broader point is that health unfolds over time and is shaped by the combined influence of many environmental exposures—air quality, water, food, psychosocial stressors, and the places we live. If we want people to live longer and healthier lives, I believe it’s important to think about how all these factors work together when thinking about health.”</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2025.123333" target="_blank">Longitudinal associations between air pollution and adolescent gray matter development: Insights from the ABCD study</a>,” was authored by Calvin A. Jara, Scott A. Jones, and Bonnie J. Nagel.</p></p>
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<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/the-tendency-to-feel-like-a-perpetual-victim-is-strongly-tied-to-vulnerable-narcissism/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">The tendency to feel like a perpetual victim is strongly tied to vulnerable narcissism</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Jan 26th 2026, 06:00</div>
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<p><p>A new study published in <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2025.113597" target="_blank">Personality and Individual Differences</a></em> has found that a persistent “victim mentality” is strongly linked to narcissistic personality traits. The findings suggest that individuals who frequently perceive themselves as victims and signal this status to others often possess high levels of vulnerable narcissism and emotional instability. This research indicates that for some people, the tendency to see oneself as a victim is less about actual trauma and more about a specific personality structure that seeks recognition and validation.</p>
<p>The researchers conducted this study to better understand the psychological underpinnings of <a href="https://www.psypost.org/researchers-identify-a-new-personality-construct-that-describes-the-tendency-to-see-oneself-as-a-victim/" target="_blank">the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood</a>. This is a personality construct defined by a consistent feeling of being victimized across different relationships and situations. It involves four key dimensions: a need for recognition of one’s suffering, a sense of moral elitism, a lack of empathy for others, and rumination on past offenses. </p>
<p>“I had some encounters with individuals that seemed to have a ‘victim mentality,’ and had the impression that they were very self-absorbed and self-centered. Then, when I came to Lakehead for my PhD I learned about the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood from the second author,” explained study author Theresia Bedard, a PhD candidate at Lakehead University.</p>
<p>“I noticed that the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood described these people who seemed to have a ‘victim mentality’ very well. Then, I had did one of my comprehensive exams on vulnerable and grandiose narcissism, which I realized that vulnerable narcissism seemed to have a lot of conceptual overlap with the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood. Since I suspected that the individuals I encountered that had a ‘victim mentality’ also demonstrated narcissistic traits, I decided to test this and collaborated with colleagues at Lakehead.”</p>
<p>While previous research had established the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood as a measurable trait, it was not fully clear how it related to different forms of narcissism. Scholars distinguish between two primary forms of narcissism: grandiose and vulnerable. Grandiose narcissism is characterized by high self-esteem, assertiveness, and a desire for power. Vulnerable narcissism involves high entitlement but is accompanied by low self-esteem, hypersensitivity to criticism, and defensive behavior. </p>
<p>The researchers aimed to determine if the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood and the act of “victim signaling”—publicly expressing one’s suffering—were more closely related to one type of narcissism than the other. They also sought to map these behaviors onto the “Big Five” personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.</p>
<p>To investigate these relationships, the research team recruited a sample of 400 adults residing in Canada. The participants were recruited through an online platform and ranged in age from 18 to 71 years. Each participant completed a series of standardized psychological assessments. Grandiose narcissism was measured using the Narcissistic Personality Inventory-13, while vulnerable narcissism was assessed using the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale.</p>
<p>The researchers measured the participants’ propensity for feeling like a victim using the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood scale. They also utilized the Victim Signaling Scale to determine how often individuals publicly discussed their hardships to gain acknowledgment or resources. To provide a broader personality context, the Big Five traits were assessed using the Big Five Inventory – Short Form. The data was then analyzed using statistical methods including correlation and path analysis to determine how these variables influenced one another.</p>
<p>The analysis revealed distinct patterns in how personality traits predict victimhood behaviors. The results indicated that the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood is strongly related to vulnerable narcissism. Both constructs share a significant connection to neuroticism, a personality trait associated with emotional instability, anxiety, and moodiness. This suggests that the “victim mindset” is largely driven by a fragility of the self and difficulty regulating negative emotions.</p>
<p>The researchers also found that victim signaling was predicted by both grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, though through different psychological pathways. For those with high vulnerable narcissism, the path to victim signaling was mediated by the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood. </p>
<p>This means their hypersensitivity and feelings of entitlement led to a pervasive sense of victimhood, which in turn prompted them to signal their suffering to others. In contrast, grandiose narcissism was directly related to victim signaling, likely driven by the desire for attention and exhibitionism rather than genuine feelings of hurt.</p>
<p>Regarding the Big Five personality traits, the researchers found that neuroticism was a consistent predictor of both the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood and victim signaling. Additionally, victim signaling was associated with higher levels of extraversion and openness, but lower levels of agreeableness. This specific profile describes an individual who is outgoing and willing to share personal information but generally antagonistic and focused on their own interests rather than the well-being of others.</p>
<p>The findings indicate “that having a ‘victim mentality,’ specifically the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood, is related to narcissistic tendencies in general, but that it is more related to vulnerable narcissism than grandiose narcissism,” Bedard told PsyPost. “This has certain implications, as vulnerable narcissism is more related to psychopathology, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation. This leads to the likelihood that individuals that are prone to this tendency have psychological problems – and that ‘victim mentality’ is not a psychologically healthy way to live in the world, and likely will lead to various problems for the person.”</p>
<p>“I also want the average person to understand that our research is not political. What I mean by this is that our research is not demonstrating that certain groups have high levels of the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood and thus are narcissistic – to use this research against others of various political affiliations is irresponsible and inaccurate. It is likely that the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood occurs among various people, and it may manifest differently depending on the way the person is.”</p>
<p>“I also want to make it abundantly clear that to use our research against individuals that have experienced marginalization or victimization is irresponsible and wrong,” Bedard continued. “Our research is not indicating that people who have victimization histories are narcissistic. The Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood is a mindset that people have regardless of what their background may be, and this mindset is what is related to narcissistic tendencies.”</p>
<p>“To weaponize our research against individuals that have been victimized or experience oppression is inaccurate to what our research indicates – that the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood is a mindset anyone can have, and those with a victim mentality have narcissistic tendencies. If someone is weaponizing our research against a certain group, please be mindful that they are misrepresenting what our study really indicates.”</p>
<p>These findings build upon and clarify a growing body of literature regarding the “dark” aspects of personality and social signaling. Previous work by researchers such as Rahav Gabay established the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood <a href="https://www.psypost.org/researchers-identify-a-new-personality-construct-that-describes-the-tendency-to-see-oneself-as-a-victim/" target="_blank">as a stable trait</a> that affects how individuals interpret social interactions. Gabay’s work showed that people with high the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood often desire revenge and feel entitled to behave immorally.</p>
<p>The results also align with research by Ekin Ok and colleagues, who identified <a href="https://www.psypost.org/new-study-suggests-people-with-dark-personalities-weaponize-victimhood-to-gain-advantage-over-others/" target="_blank">a strategy known as “virtuous victim signaling.”</a> Their work demonstrated that individuals with dark personality traits—specifically Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy—often combine signals of victimhood with signals of moral virtue to deceptively extract resources from others. The current study adds nuance to this by suggesting that vulnerable narcissism is a primary driver for the internal feeling of victimhood, while the external act of signaling can serve the attention-seeking needs of grandiose narcissism.</p>
<p>Recent research by Timothy Bates and his team also explored these dynamics, finding that dark traits like Machiavellianism <a href="https://www.psypost.org/dark-personality-traits-linked-to-virtuous-victim-signaling-and-exploitation-of-accusations/" target="_blank">predict the strategic use of victimhood</a>. Bates also found that sadism was linked to exploiting accusations against others rather than signaling victimhood oneself. The current study by Bedard and colleagues compliments this by focusing specifically on the internal experience of the “victim” and identifying emotional dysregulation as a key component that was perhaps less emphasized in studies focused solely on resource extraction.</p>
<p>Furthermore, work by Karl Aquino has highlighted <a href="https://www.psypost.org/people-who-signal-victimhood-are-seen-as-having-more-manipulative-traits-according-to-new-psychology-research/" target="_blank">the potential social costs</a> of these behaviors. His research showed that observers often form negative impressions of those who signal victimhood, viewing them as less competent and more likely to possess dark personality traits. </p>
<p>The findings from Bedard’s team provide a psychological explanation for why these intuitions exist. If victim signaling is indeed frequently correlated with antagonism and narcissism, the skepticism observed in Aquino’s studies may be a rational social heuristic.</p>
<p>There are some limitations to this study that should be noted. The research utilized a cross-sectional design, which prevents definitive conclusions about causality. It is not possible to state with certainty that narcissism causes the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood, only that they are strongly correlated. Additionally, the sample was limited to Canadian residents, meaning the results may not generalize to cultures with different social norms regarding the expression of suffering.</p>
<p>The authors explicitly caution against misinterpreting their work. The concept of the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood refers to a pervasive mindset and personality style, not the objective reality of one’s experiences. The researchers warn that using these findings to dismiss the claims of genuine victims would be irresponsible and inaccurate.</p>
<p>“Like I have said, I want to be very clear that this research should not be weaponized against individuals with victimization or marginalization experiences, and doing so would be inaccurate to what our research study suggests,” Bedard said. “My research endeavors focus on victim/survivor protection efforts, and one of the motivations I had for this study (and many others I have been involved with) is to provide evidence-based information to people about potentially harmful behaviors. This study is one of these endeavors, as I want people to know that if you notice behaviors of TIV in someone, that it is also likely they have narcissistic tendencies, and to be aware that this person might be toxic to be around.”</p>
<p>Future research could focus on developing interventions for individuals with high levels of the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood. Since the study links this mindset to vulnerable narcissism and neuroticism, therapeutic approaches that address emotional regulation and self-esteem might be effective. Helping individuals recognize and adjust these cognitive biases could reduce the reliance on a victim identity and improve their interpersonal relationships.</p>
<p>“My hope is that this study is informative for others to better understand some manifestations of toxic or unhealthy personality types, and that knowledge of how toxic personalities may manifest can allow you to be more aware of someone that may be dangerous or unhealthy to be around,” Bedard explained. “I would also say that if some people notice these traits within themselves, that reaching out to mental health services is an appropriate step. Since the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood and vulnerable narcissism are highly related, it is likely those with a ‘victim mentality’ experience mental health problems such as depression or anxiety. Please know there are mental health professionals that can help you navigate these symptoms.”</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2025.113597" target="_blank">Linking the Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood, victim signaling, and narcissism: The need to be seen as a victim</a>,” was authored by Theresia Bedard, Angela MacIsaac, Beth Visser, and Aislin R. Mushquash.</p></p>
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<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/high-body-mass-index-identified-as-a-direct-cause-of-vascular-dementia/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">High body mass index identified as a direct cause of vascular dementia</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Jan 25th 2026, 18:00</div>
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<p><p>Excess body weight appears to be a direct cause of vascular dementia, with the damage largely driven by high blood pressure. A new genetic analysis indicates that maintaining a healthy weight and managing hypertension could prevent a substantial number of dementia cases. These findings were detailed in a study published recently in <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgaf662" target="_blank">The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism</a></em>.</p>
<p>The relationship between obesity and cognitive decline has challenged researchers for decades. Previous observational studies frequently produced contradictory results regarding how body weight influences brain health. Some research indicated that obesity in midlife increased dementia risk. Other studies suggested that high body weight in late life might actually protect against the disease. This paradox often stems from the limitations of traditional observational research. </p>
<p>In the early stages of dementia, patients frequently lose weight due to a loss of appetite or metabolic changes. This weight loss can make it appear as though being thin carries a higher risk, when in reality the disease caused the weight loss.</p>
<p>To resolve these conflicting signals, a research team led by Liv Tybjærg Nordestgaard and senior author Ruth Frikke-Schmidt sought to determine if high body mass index (BMI) causes vascular dementia. Frikke-Schmidt is a professor and chief physician at Copenhagen University Hospital and the University of Copenhagen. The team aimed to move beyond simple associations to establish a cause-and-effect relationship. They also sought to identify the biological mechanisms that connect excess weight to brain damage.</p>
<p>The researchers utilized a sophisticated analytical method known as Mendelian randomization. This technique acts as a natural simulation of a randomized controlled trial. It relies on the random assortment of genetic variants that occurs during conception. Humans inherit genetic markers that predispose them to a slightly higher or lower BMI. These markers are fixed at birth and are generally unaffected by lifestyle choices, socioeconomic status, or environmental factors. Because these genetic variants are randomly assigned, they separate the biological effects of body mass from confounding variables like diet or exercise.</p>
<p>The study drew upon an immense pool of health and genetic data. The investigators analyzed records from the Copenhagen General Population Study and the Copenhagen City Heart Study. These datasets included more than 120,000 individuals from the Danish population. To validate their findings, the team also examined data from the UK Biobank. This resource provided genetic and health information for nearly 380,000 additional participants.</p>
<p>The observational analysis of the Danish cohorts initially reflected the confusing patterns seen in earlier research. When looking strictly at measured weight and health outcomes, the data showed a U-shaped relationship. Both underweight individuals and obese individuals appeared to have a higher risk of vascular dementia compared to those of normal weight. This finding likely reflects the issue of reverse causation, where underlying illness causes weight loss.</p>
<p>However, the genetic analysis told a different and much clearer story. When the researchers looked at individuals with genetic variants that predispose them to higher BMI, the relationship became linear. As genetically predicted BMI increased, the risk of vascular-related dementia rose steadily. There was no evidence of a protective effect from higher weight in the genetic data.</p>
<p>The magnitude of the risk was considerable. In the meta-analysis combining the Copenhagen and UK cohorts, the researchers calculated the odds ratios. For every one standard deviation increase in genetically predicted BMI, the odds of developing vascular-related dementia increased by approximately 63 percent. Further analysis using summary-level data from large international consortia supported this trend. These additional tests showed the risk increasing by anywhere from 54 percent to nearly double, depending on the specific statistical method applied.</p>
<p>Once the causal link was established, the team investigated the biological pathways involved. They examined whether the effect of BMI on dementia was mediated by other metabolic risk factors. The researchers looked at hypertension, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and inflammation. These conditions are common consequences of obesity and are plausible culprits for damaging blood vessels in the brain.</p>
<p>The analysis identified high blood pressure as the primary mediator. The study estimated that systolic blood pressure accounted for approximately 18 percent of the genetic effect of BMI on vascular dementia. Diastolic blood pressure accounted for an even larger portion, mediating about 25 percent of the risk. This suggests that excess weight drives up blood pressure, which in turn damages the brain’s vascular system.</p>
<p>Vascular dementia is characterized by reduced blood flow to the brain. This restriction deprives brain cells of oxygen and nutrients. The damage often occurs through a series of small strokes or microinfarcts. Over time, these events lead to the death of brain tissue and cognitive decline. High blood pressure is a well-established risk factor for stroke. The current study connects these dots, showing that BMI-induced hypertension is a key mechanism leading to this form of dementia.</p>
<p>The researchers also tested other potential mediators but found weaker evidence. While high BMI was genetically linked to higher cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar, these factors did not appear to be the main drivers of vascular dementia risk in this specific analysis. Inflammation, measured by C-reactive protein levels, also did not show a clear causal role in mediating the risk. The spotlight remained firmly on blood pressure.</p>
<p>This study included positive controls to ensure the validity of the genetic methods. The researchers checked the link between genetically predicted BMI and ischemic heart disease. The analysis confirmed a strong causal link, which aligns with established medical knowledge. This successful validation adds confidence to the novel findings regarding dementia.</p>
<p>“In this study, we found high body mass index (BMI) and high blood pressure are direct causes of dementia,” said Frikke-Schmidt. “The treatment and prevention of elevated BMI and high blood pressure represent an unexploited opportunity for dementia prevention.”</p>
<p>The implications for public health are substantial. Dementia currently affects 50 million people worldwide. That number is expected to rise as the global population ages. Currently, there are few effective treatments for established dementia. This reality makes prevention strategies essential.</p>
<p>“This study shows that high body weight and high blood pressure are not just warning signs, but direct causes of dementia,” Frikke-Schmidt noted. “That makes them highly actionable targets for prevention.”</p>
<p>The findings suggest that interventions targeting obesity could have a neuroprotective effect. Medications or lifestyle changes that lower body weight might reduce the risk of cognitive decline. “Weight-loss medication has recently been tested for halting cognitive decline in early phases of Alzheimer’s disease, but with no beneficial effect,” Frikke-Schmidt said. She added that an open question remains regarding timing. “An open question that remains to be tested is if weight-loss medication initiated before the appearance of cognitive symptoms may be protective against dementia. Our present data would suggest that early weight-loss interventions would prevent dementia, and especially vascular-related dementia.”</p>
<p>There are limitations to the study that warrant consideration. The research focused primarily on individuals of European descent. This demographic focus means the results may not fully apply to populations with different genetic backgrounds. Future research will need to verify these associations in more diverse groups.</p>
<p>Another limitation lies in the measurement of body mass index itself. BMI is a general calculation based on height and weight. It does not distinguish between fat mass and lean muscle mass. However, the researchers noted that increased fat mass is typically responsible for raising blood pressure. Consequently, it is likely that excess body fat is the specific culprit increasing dementia risk.</p>
<p>The study also faced the challenge of defining dementia subtypes. Diagnoses can vary between clinics and countries. Vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease often coexist, creating mixed pathologies that are hard to separate. Despite this complexity, the genetic signals for vascular-related dementia were distinct from those for Alzheimer’s disease in this analysis.</p>
<p>The researchers used blood pressure data that had been adjusted for BMI in some of the consortia datasets. This technical detail meant they could not use all available data for the mediation analysis. However, the team performed multiple sensitivity analyses to test the robustness of their conclusions. These additional tests produced consistent results, strengthening the argument for a causal relationship.</p>
<p>This research underscores the importance of cardiovascular health for brain function. The connection between the heart and the head appears to be mechanical and direct. Reducing the physical stress on blood vessels by managing weight and blood pressure could preserve cognitive function into old age.</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgaf662" target="_blank">High Body Mass Index as a Causal Risk Factor for Vascular-Related Dementia: A Mendelian Randomization Study</a>,” was authored by Liv Tybjærg Nordestgaard, Jiao Luo, Frida Emanuelsson, Genevieve Leyden, Eleanor Sanderson, George Davey Smith, Mette Christoffersen, Shoaib Afzal, Marianne Benn, Børge G Nordestgaard, Anne Tybjærg-Hansen, and Ruth Frikke-Schmidt.</p></p>
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<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/new-research-reveals-the-policy-recall-gap-that-gave-donald-trump-a-hidden-edge/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">New research reveals the policy recall gap that gave Donald Trump a hidden edge</a>
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<p><p>Recent research into the 2016 United States presidential election offers insights into how effective the two major campaigns were at informing voters. The study, published in <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1532673X241295688" target="_blank" rel="noopener">American Politics Research</a></em>, suggests that Donald Trump’s campaign was more successful than Hillary Clinton’s campaign at communicating memorable policy proposals that voters believed would personally benefit them. These findings indicate that the ability of a campaign to implant specific policy ideas in the minds of the electorate may be a significant factor in election outcomes.</p>
<p>Political scientists often debate the extent to which political campaigns actually influence voters. A common perspective in the field is that campaigns have minimal effects on voter attitudes or their ultimate choice at the ballot box. However, the 2016 election presented a unique set of circumstances that warranted a closer examination of this conventional wisdom.</p>
<p>The distinct styles of the two candidates provided a natural experiment in communication strategies. Hillary Clinton ran a more traditional campaign that often focused on the character and fitness of her opponent. Donald Trump utilized a strategy characterized by simple, repetitive slogans and unconventional policy promises.</p>
<p>“Following the surprising outcome of the 2016 US presidential election, many reporters engaged in valuable fieldwork, interviewing Trump voters. While these interviews and focus groups offered rich insights, they often involved relatively small sample sizes, and we recognized an opportunity to complement this work by using our comprehensive survey, which was in the field throughout the 2016 general election campaign,” explained study author <a href="https://www.janzilinsky.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jan Zilinsky</a>, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Munich School of Politics and Public Policy.</p>
<p>“A key aspect of our approach was including open-ended questions for our respondents, letting people tell us what they thought in their own words. Specifically, we asked individuals how they anticipated their lives would improve if either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump were elected. We also asked whether they could name a specific issue championed by either candidate that they believed would make their own lives better.”</p>
<p>“We approached this study with a genuine sense of curiosity to understand the motivations behind voter choices. We were agnostic and genuinely weren’t sure what whether, for example, typical supporters of Donald Trump primarily voted against Hillary Clinton, or if they were driven by specific Trump policies (promises) when casting their ballots.”</p>
<p>The researchers aimed to measure whether voters could spontaneously articulate a specific reason why a candidate’s victory would improve their own lives. This approach tests whether campaign information actually penetrated the electorate’s consciousness. It serves as a measure of how well a candidate connected their platform to the personal well-being of the voter.</p>
<p>To investigate this, the researchers utilized a survey fielded by YouGov between October 25 and November 7, 2016. The sample included 2,354 respondents and was weighted to be representative of the national voting-age population. The core of the study revolved around two open-ended questions. Respondents were asked to name a policy Donald Trump supported that would make their life better if enacted. They were then asked to do the same for Hillary Clinton.</p>
<p>The researchers recorded these open-ended responses verbatim. They then coded the answers into specific policy categories to analyze the substance of what voters remembered. This methodology allowed the team to distinguish between voters who genuinely knew a policy and those who might simply guess on a multiple-choice question. It provided a rigorous test of the effectiveness of campaign messaging in the final days of the election cycle.</p>
<p>The analysis produced evidence of a substantial gap in policy recall between the two candidates. The data showed that 44 percent of all respondents could name a specific Trump policy they believed would benefit them. In contrast, only 34 percent of respondents could name a beneficial policy proposed by Hillary Clinton. This suggests that Trump’s messaging strategy was more effective at reaching the general public with concrete promises.</p>
<p>“We found that a significant percentage of voters were indeed able to articulate policy reasons for supporting their chosen candidate,” Zilinsky told PsyPost. “This pattern was observed among supporters of both Trump and Clinton, though it was more pronounced in the case of Trump supporters.”</p>
<p>This disparity became even more pronounced when the researchers broke the data down by partisanship. Political parties generally rely on their own base to know and support their platform. The study found that 79 percent of Republicans were able to articulate a policy-related reason to support Trump. On the Democratic side, only 62 percent of respondents could name a policy-related reason to support Clinton. A significant portion of the Democratic base—nearly four out of ten—could not identify a single policy from their nominee that they felt would improve their lives.</p>
<p>The researchers also examined the relationship between education levels and policy recall. Typically, political science research finds that higher levels of education correlate with higher levels of political knowledge. The results regarding Hillary Clinton followed this expected pattern. Respondents with higher educational attainment were more likely to name a beneficial Clinton policy than those with less education.</p>
<p>The results regarding Donald Trump did not follow this traditional pattern. The data showed no significant relationship between a respondent’s level of education and their ability to name a Trump policy. Voters with lower levels of formal education were just as likely to recall a Trump promise as those with college degrees. This suggests that Trump’s communication style may have successfully bypassed the cognitive barriers that often make political platforms difficult for some voters to absorb.</p>
<p>Media consumption habits played a measurable role in these outcomes. The researchers analyzed how different news sources correlated with the ability to name policies. Watching conservative cable news outlets was strongly associated with a higher probability of naming a Trump policy. Watching liberal cable news outlets was associated with a higher probability of naming a Clinton policy.</p>
<p>Exposure to mainstream news sources appeared to have an asymmetrical effect. Respondents who consumed mainstream media were more likely to name a Clinton policy than those who did not. However, mainstream media consumption showed no positive association with the ability to name a Trump policy. This implies that voters relied on different information ecosystems to learn about the two candidates.</p>
<p>The substance of the recalled policies also differed significantly between the candidates. Among respondents who named a Trump policy, immigration was the most frequently cited issue. This aligns with the heavy emphasis the Trump campaign placed on border security and the construction of a wall. Economic issues, such as taxes and jobs, were also frequently mentioned by those who could recall a Trump policy.</p>
<p>For Hillary Clinton, the most commonly recalled policy area was health care. This suggests that her defense of the Affordable Care Act registered with a segment of the electorate. However, very few respondents mentioned her economic policies. Despite having a detailed policy platform, her specific economic proposals did not appear to resonate or stick in the minds of voters to the same degree as Trump’s.</p>
<p>“Many who voted for Trump certainly voiced traditional Republican priorities, such as border security and national security,” Zilinsky noted. “However, we also found that some of Trump’s more unconventional policies, including his protectionist leanings on economic issues, resonated quite strongly with many voters.”</p>
<p>“Parts of the Trump platform involved being ‘left-wing’ or ‘progressive’ on economics; many voters noticed this and some approved of it. The campaign’s pervasive nature meant that individuals were broadly exposed to information about the candidates. Our research indicated that many participants recalled specific electoral promises, and for some voters, these policy commitments proved appealing.”</p>
<p>The researchers also investigated the link between policy recall and voting behavior. While the study cannot prove that knowing a policy caused a person to vote a certain way, the correlation was strong. Democrats who were unable to name a beneficial Clinton policy were 17 percentage points less likely to vote for her than Democrats who could name one. This indicates that the failure to communicate a memorable policy vision may have cost Clinton support among voters who were otherwise predisposed to support her.</p>
<p>These findings challenge the narrative that the 2016 election was decided solely by identity politics or vague populist appeals. The data suggests that a significant number of voters, including those with lower levels of education, were engaging with the policy content of the campaign. They were processing specific promises and evaluating how those promises would affect their personal economic and social standing. Trump’s advantage lay in his ability to make those promises memorable and seemingly relevant to a wider array of voters.</p>
<p>There are some limitations to this study that should be noted. The research relies on observational data collected at a single point in time. It is possible that voters decided to support a candidate for other reasons and then learned a policy to justify that choice. The direction of causality cannot be fully established with this type of data.</p>
<p>Another potential issue involves the motivation of the respondents. It is possible that some voters were aware of a Clinton policy but refused to mention it due to a strong dislike for the candidate. The open-ended format requires a level of cooperation from the respondent that might be influenced by their emotional state regarding the election. Additionally, the study focuses on the 2016 election, which was highly unusual in many respects.</p>
<p>Future research is needed to determine if these patterns hold in other election cycles with different candidates. It would be useful to apply this open-ended questioning method to state and local elections to see if the “recall gap” persists. Further investigation into how specific media narratives shape memory over the course of a long campaign would also provide greater context. Understanding how voters process and retain policy information remains a vital area of inquiry for understanding democratic outcomes.</p>
<p>“I think to some extent both in political science and also in broader discussions of public opinion there is sometimes a lot of heated debate as to whether voters are ‘ideological,’ i.e. do people actually vote on the basis of issues or some completely different considerations,” Zilinsky said. “But I think our results suggest there could be a middle ground where most voters may not be strongly ideological, but there could be one or two policy issues which people pay attention to. And in that sense, campaigns could matter, and the ability to receive a lot of free media can be very helpful to political candidates.”</p>
<p>“I am still very interested in designing approaches to encourage potential voters to truthfully state their political preferences and I have been thinking a lot about whether people will be discussing their own politics with chatbots.”</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1532673X241295688" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Trump Advantage in Policy Recall Among Voters</a>,” was authored by Jan Zilinsky, Joshua A. Tucker, and Jonathan Nagler.</p></p>
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<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/borderline-personality-traits-are-associated-with-reduced-coordination-during-a-finger-tapping-task/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">Borderline personality traits are associated with reduced coordination during a finger-tapping task</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Jan 25th 2026, 14:00</div>
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<p><p>An experimental study conducted in Italy found that individuals with pronounced borderline personality traits tended to show greater asynchrony with a virtual partner in a finger-tapping task. They also perceived lower synchrony and reported more negative affect during the interaction. In other words, they both coordinated less effectively with a virtual partner and experienced the interaction as less coordinated. The paper was published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/per0000684"><em>Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment</em></a>.</p>
<p>Borderline personality traits are a pattern of emotional, interpersonal, and behavioral characteristics associated with borderline personality disorder but present to varying degrees in the general population. These traits include intense emotional reactivity, rapid mood shifts, and difficulty regulating negative emotions.</p>
<p>Individuals high in borderline personality traits tend to form unstable and intense interpersonal relationships in which they frequently shift between perceiving the other person as entirely positive and perfect or entirely negative and worthless. Fear of abandonment and heightened sensitivity to rejection are common features of these individuals.</p>
<p>Identity disturbance, such as an unstable or unclear sense of self, is frequently reported. They may act impulsively in areas such as spending or substance use and may show a heightened proneness to risky behavior. Many individuals with borderline personality traits experience chronic feelings of emptiness or inner instability.</p>
<p>Study author Camilla Gregorini and her colleagues note that individuals with high borderline personality traits might show difficulties in social cognitive processes that require them to align and coordinate their actions with other people and to functionally modulate their emotions. When humans do something together, they coordinate their movements, behaviors, and even physiological processes. This is called interpersonal synchronization, and it is one of the key mechanisms underlying the human ability to cooperate.</p>
<p>These authors conducted an experiment in which they used a finger-tapping task to explore whether high borderline personality traits might affect a person’s ability to synchronize with a partner. Coordinating with others requires a person to be able to flexibly plan and monitor one’s own and others’ actions and create a good balance between oneself and the partner. Study authors hypothesized that the emotional dysregulation and interpersonal instability of individuals with high borderline traits would produce difficulties in anticipating the actions of the partner and adapting to the partner’s actions, regardless of when and how the partner adapted.</p>
<p>Study participants were 206 individuals recruited from the general population in Italy. Of these participants, 130 were women. Their average age was 24 years.</p>
<p>Participants completed an assessment of borderline personality traits (the Personality Assessment Inventory – Borderline Scale). They also completed an experiment in which they interacted with a virtual partner with several levels of adaptivity in a finger-tapping task. The task required participants to tap the space bar on a keyboard so that they synchronized with tones played by the virtual partner.</p>
<p>Depending on the setting, the virtual partner adapted the timing of its tones to reduce the asynchrony produced by the participant’s taps. In that way, the virtual partner modulated the synchrony between itself and the participant. There were 5 levels of virtual partner adaptivity, ranging from non-adaptive to overly adaptive.</p>
<p>After the end of each condition, participants evaluated their perception of synchrony (“How much did you feel in sync with the virtual partner?”). They also evaluated their affect using the International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form. Additionally, study authors derived an objective measure of asynchrony between participants and their virtual partners as the time mismatch between each tap and each tone. Participants were not informed that their virtual partner had different adaptivity settings.</p>
<p>Results showed that individuals with more pronounced borderline personality traits tended to show greater asynchrony with the virtual partner. They also perceived lower synchrony and reported more negative affect. In other words, these individuals both coordinated less effectively with their virtual partner and experienced the interaction as less coordinated.</p>
<p>“Our results reveal that the interpersonal disturbances and emotional dysregulation related to individuals with high BPD [borderline personality disorder] traits might interfere with the social cognitive processes implicated in coordination processes. Consequently, such impairments might lead to higher asynchrony and a negative experience of synchrony,” study authors concluded.</p>
<p>The study contributes to the scientific understanding of social interactions of individuals with pronounced borderline personality traits. However, it should be noted that the study utilized an interaction with a virtual partner, not a real person. Findings about interactions with real people might differ. Additionally, study participants were recruited from a nonclinical population; therefore, it is likely that, on average, their borderline personality trait levels were low.</p>
<p>The paper “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/per0000684">Stable Asynchrony? Association Between Borderline Personality Traits and Interpersonal Asynchrony</a>” was authored by Camilla Gregorini, Pietro De Carli, Laura Parolin, Marco Petilli, Ivana Konvalinka, and Emanuele Preti.</p></p>
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<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/your-brain-being-in-sync-with-others-may-protect-against-trauma-new-neuroscience-research-suggests/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">Your brain being “in sync” with others may protect against trauma, new neuroscience research suggests</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Jan 25th 2026, 12:00</div>
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<p><p>The ability to synchronize brain activity with others may serve as a protective shield against the psychological fallout of trauma, according to new research. Individuals whose brains naturally aligned with a conversation partner’s brain showed fewer mental health symptoms following exposure to a terrorist attack, even when their exposure to danger was high. These findings were published in the journal <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03770-0" target="_blank">Translational Psychiatry</a></em>.</p>
<p>Traumatic events often leave deep psychological scars. Exposure to life-threatening situations frequently results in conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Mental health professionals have observed that reactions to such events vary significantly from person to person. While some individuals develop chronic debilitating symptoms, others recover relatively quickly.</p>
<p>Social support is known to buffer against these negative effects. Having a strong network of friends and family can mitigate the impact of stress. The specific neural mechanisms that facilitate this protection remain partially understood. The authors of the current study sought to investigate “interbrain synchrony” as a potential factor. This concept refers to the timing of brain activity between two interacting people.</p>
<p>Interbrain synchrony is thought to be a biological marker of social connection. It reflects how well two people are attending to one another and predicting each other’s responses. Previous research suggests that this synchronization helps facilitate emotional regulation. The researchers hypothesized that people who have a natural tendency to synchronize with others might possess a higher capacity for social adaptation. This capacity could, in theory, make them more resilient when facing severe adversity.</p>
<p>“Most previous studies have focused either on individual biological factors or on social factors separately. Our motivation was to bridge this gap by examining a biological marker of social interaction, interbrain synchrony, that captures how two people align at the neural level,” said study author Oded Mayo of the University of Haifa.</p>
<p>“This is, to our knowledge, one of the first studies to show that such a biological–social marker can predict adaptation in times of stress. In the long term, this opens the possibility of developing interventions, such as neurofeedback, aimed at enhancing synchrony and potentially strengthening resilience.”</p>
<p>To test their hypothesis, the research team utilized a unique opportunity to examine pre-existing neural data. The study involved 98 adults who had participated in a laboratory experiment roughly one and a half years prior to the conflict in Israel. During that initial session, participants were paired with a stranger they had never met. They were asked to engage in a free conversation for five minutes.</p>
<p>While the participants spoke, the researchers recorded their brain activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). This technology uses a specialized cap fitted with light sensors. It measures changes in blood oxygen levels in the brain. These changes serve as an indicator of neural activity in real time. The team specifically looked for interbrain synchrony. This phenomenon occurs when the neural patterns of two interacting people rise and fall in time with one another.</p>
<p>Following the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the researchers contacted these same individuals. The participants completed a series of online questionnaires. These surveys assessed their level of exposure to the attacks. Questions covered experiences such as hiding in shelters, witnessing harm to property, or fearing for their lives.</p>
<p>The participants also completed standard psychological assessments. These included the PTSD Checklist to measure symptoms of post-traumatic stress. They also filled out the Beck Depression Inventory and the Brief Symptom Inventory. These tools allowed the researchers to gauge the severity of depression and general psychiatric distress.</p>
<p>The researchers found that participants who reported higher levels of exposure to the attacks generally reported more severe mental health symptoms. This aligns with standard psychological understanding of trauma. As the intensity of the threat increased, so did the reported levels of anxiety and depression.</p>
<p>The data showed that interbrain synchrony played a moderating role. For participants who had displayed high levels of neural synchronization during their earlier conversation with a stranger, the link between trauma exposure and mental health symptoms was weaker. High exposure did not lead to severe symptoms as consistently for these individuals as it did for those with low synchrony.</p>
<p>This protective effect was specific to certain brain regions. The researchers observed the strongest moderation effect in the left premotor cortex. This area of the brain is involved in planning movements. It is also part of a network that activates both when we perform an action and when we watch someone else perform it.</p>
<p>Neuroscientists often refer to this as the observation-execution system. It is believed to play a role in empathy and understanding the intentions of others. The findings imply that the ability to naturally align with another person’s neural rhythms reflects a form of social resilience. This capacity appears to function independently of how close a person feels to their social circle.</p>
<p>“One surprising finding was that the most prominent effects emerged in the premotor cortex,” Mayo told PsyPost. “This region is part of the neural system involved in emotional empathy. It suggests that ‘feeling with’ others, sharing emotional states and embodied experiences, may contribute to a sense of shared fate and togetherness, which can be protective under stress. Notably, empathy has long been considered a protective factor against PTSD, and our findings offer a possible neural mechanism for this link.”</p>
<p>The researchers also measured “perceived interpersonal closeness” using a separate scale. They found that while feeling close to others was beneficial, it was a separate factor from brain synchrony. The neural alignment provided a unique contribution to resilience that could not be explained by self-reported social support alone. This suggests that the biological capacity to connect may be just as important as the subjective feeling of having friends.</p>
<p>“Our findings suggest that being ‘in sync’ with others during social interactions may help buffer the psychological impact of traumatic experiences,” Mayo explained. “This highlights the importance of meaningful, attuned social connections, not just support in general, but the quality of interaction. In simple terms, how deeply we connect with others may shape how we cope with adversity.”</p>
<p>As with all research, there are some limitations. The sample size was relatively small and consisted mostly of young adults. The participants were also from a specific cultural context during a unique national crisis. These factors may limit how well the findings apply to other populations or types of trauma.</p>
<p>The study design was correlational. While the brain scans occurred before the trauma, the researchers cannot definitively prove that synchrony caused the resilience. Other unmeasured factors, such as personality traits or prior history of trauma, could have influenced the results. </p>
<p>The researchers suggest that future studies should examine these dynamics over longer periods. They also recommend investigating whether interventions could enhance this synchrony. Techniques such as biofeedback might theoretically help individuals improve their ability to align with others. If this is possible, it could offer a new avenue for preventing PTSD and other trauma-related disorders.</p>
<p>“Our long-term goal is to examine whether these findings can be translated into interventions, such as neurofeedback, that enhance people’s ability to synchronize with others, and in doing so, potentially strengthen psychological resilience,” Mayo said.</p>
<p>“More broadly, this work reflects a growing shift toward understanding mental health as something that emerges not only within individuals, but between people. Studying these interpersonal dynamics may open new avenues for prevention and intervention.”</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03770-0" target="_blank">Interbrain synchrony and its potential role in modulating the impact of traumatic events</a>,” was authored by Oded Mayo, Yael Molcho-Fisher, Yarden Avnor, and Simone Shamay-Tsoory.</p></p>
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<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/machine-learning-identifies-brain-patterns-that-predict-antidepressant-success/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">Machine learning identifies brain patterns that predict antidepressant success</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Jan 25th 2026, 10:00</div>
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<p><p>Researchers have developed a machine learning model capable of predicting whether a patient with depression will respond to standard antidepressant medication. By analyzing electrical activity in the brain, the system forecasts treatment success with high accuracy before the patient takes a single pill. These findings suggest that specific patterns of brain connectivity and oscillation could serve as reliable biological markers for personalized mental health care. The study was published in the <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.120424" target="_blank">Journal of Affective Disorders</a></em>.</p>
<p>Major depressive disorder is a debilitating condition that affects mood, cognitive function, and physical health. It imposes a heavy burden on daily life and the economy. The standard medical approach involves prescribing antidepressants known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs. These drugs aim to increase the levels of serotonin available to nerve cells. This chemical messenger helps regulate mood and neuroplasticity.</p>
<p>Medical professionals face a difficult challenge when prescribing these drugs. SSRIs provide relief for only about half of the patients who take them. Doctors currently lack a reliable method to determine which patients will benefit. They rely on a strategy of trial and error. A patient is prescribed a medication and must wait four to six weeks to see if symptoms improve. If the drug fails, the process begins again with a new prescription. This delay extends the patient’s suffering and increases the risk of side effects.</p>
<p>Gang Li and Boyi Huang, researchers from Zhejiang Normal University, led a team to address this inefficiency. They sought to identify objective biological indicators that could predict drug efficacy. Their goal was to move away from empirical adjustments toward a more precise, neurobiologically informed approach. The researchers focused on Electroencephalography, or EEG, as their primary tool. EEG involves placing sensors on the scalp to record the brain’s electrical activity. It is non-invasive and captures the rapid, millisecond-by-millisecond changes in neural firing.</p>
<p>The researchers recruited 27 patients diagnosed with depression for the initial phase of the study. They recorded resting-state EEG data from each participant before any treatment began. The patients then underwent a two-week course of SSRI therapy. The researchers used the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale to measure the severity of symptoms. They assessed the patients again after the two-week treatment period. Based on the reduction in their symptom scores, the patients were divided into two groups. Those whose scores dropped by at least 50 percent were classified as responders. Those with less improvement were classified as non-responders.</p>
<p>The team employed artificial intelligence to analyze the complex data gathered from the EEG recordings. They did not rely on a single measurement. Instead, they extracted three distinct types of features from the brain wave signals. This multidimensional approach allowed them to view brain activity from different perspectives.</p>
<p>The first feature examined was relative power. This measures the distribution of energy across different frequency bands of brain waves. It helps identify which rhythms are dominant in the brain’s electrical landscape. The second feature was fuzzy entropy. This concept quantifies the complexity or irregularity of the brain signals. It provides insight into the dynamic nature of neural activity. The third feature was the phase lag index. This metric assesses how well different regions of the brain communicate with one another. It filters out noise to reveal genuine functional connections between distinct neural networks.</p>
<p>The researchers fed these features into a machine learning framework. They used a technique called Support Vector Machine to classify the patients. To optimize the model, they incorporated a process known as recursive feature elimination. This algorithm works by iteratively removing the least useful data points. It keeps only the features that contribute most to accurate predictions. This step was vital for reducing noise and identifying the most relevant biological signals.</p>
<p>The study also investigated the optimal duration of EEG recording needed for accurate analysis. The researchers tested time windows ranging from 4 to 14 seconds. They found that a 12-second segment of brain wave data provided the best balance of information. This duration allowed the model to capture stable patterns of brain activity without being overwhelmed by excessive data.</p>
<p>The machine learning model achieved a classification accuracy of 96.83 percent on the initial group of 27 patients. This high rate of success indicates that the selected EEG features contained distinct patterns that separated responders from non-responders. The model proved capable of identifying the subtle neurophysiological differences that dictate drug response.</p>
<p>To verify that the computer program had not simply memorized the initial data, the researchers conducted a validation test. They recruited an independent group of five additional patients with depression. They applied the same EEG recording and treatment protocols. The pre-trained model analyzed their brain waves to predict their treatment outcomes. The system predicted the efficacy of the medication with 100 percent accuracy for four of the patients and 97.67 percent for the fifth. This successful validation suggests the model has strong generalizability.</p>
<p>The analysis revealed specific biological differences between the two groups. The most predictive feature was activity in the Beta2 frequency band. This is a fast-paced brain rhythm associated with alertness and cognitive processing. The researchers found that patients who responded well to SSRIs had higher Beta2 activity before treatment began. This specific rhythm appears to be a key indicator of a brain’s readiness to respond to serotonin-targeting drugs.</p>
<p>The study also highlighted the importance of brain connectivity. The analysis showed that responders had more robust functional connections between different brain areas. This was particularly evident in “long-range” connections that span across the brain. Roughly 81 percent of the distinguishing connectivity features involved these distant interactions.</p>
<p>The frontal cortex played a prominent role in these networks. This region of the brain is essential for emotional regulation and higher-order thinking. The findings showed that responders exhibited stronger engagement of frontal networks compared to non-responders. This suggests that a brain with better integration between the frontal cortex and other regions is more likely to benefit from SSRI treatment.</p>
<p>The researchers observed that non-responders tended to have higher connectivity in the slower Theta frequency band. In contrast, responders showed enhanced connectivity in higher frequency bands, including Alpha and Beta rhythms. This shift toward higher-frequency communication may reflect a more active or adaptive neural state.</p>
<p>These discoveries offer a potential explanation for why some patients fail to improve on standard medication. Their brains may lack the specific baseline activity and network integrity required for the drug to work. The Beta2 rhythm and long-range connectivity patterns act as signatures of this underlying physiological state.</p>
<p>There are limitations to this research that must be considered. The primary constraint is the small sample size. The study relied on a total of 32 patients. While the results are statistically robust within this group, larger studies are necessary. Researchers need to test the model on hundreds or thousands of patients to ensure it works for the general population.</p>
<p>The study population was drawn from a single hospital. This lacks geographic and demographic diversity. Future research should include participants from multiple centers and diverse backgrounds. This would help confirm that the findings are universal and not specific to one group of people.</p>
<p>The model currently focuses on SSRIs. It is not yet clear if these biomarkers can predict responses to other types of antidepressants. Future investigations could explore whether similar EEG features apply to different classes of medication. This would expand the clinical utility of the tool.</p>
<p>The machine learning approach used here is complex. Translating it into a user-friendly clinical tool will require further development. Doctors need a system that is easy to interpret and integrate into their daily workflow. The researchers aim to refine the algorithm and validate it in broader clinical trials.</p>
<p>Despite these caveats, the study represents a step forward in precision psychiatry. It demonstrates that objective, physiological data can guide mental health treatment. Moving away from trial and error could save patients months of ineffective treatment. It could also reduce the emotional and financial costs associated with untreated depression.</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.120424" target="_blank">Neurophysiological mechanisms and predictive modeling of SSRI treatment response in depression disorder based on multidimensional EEG features</a>,” was authored by Gang Li, Boyi Huang, Yuling Wang, Bin Zhou, Fo Hu, and Linbing Wang.</p></p>
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<p><strong>Forwarded by:<br />
Michael Reeder LCPC<br />
Baltimore, MD</strong></p>
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