Minerals are critical in supporting several key functions related to mood disorders, including neuro­ transmitter synthesis, cellular metabolism, and immunocompetence. Modern-day malnutrition has been attributed to poor dietary patterns, marked by excess intake of refined sugars and the absence of nutrient-dense foods. In a population study that included 13,486 children and adolescents, excess consumption of low

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A new study suggests that almost all adults in Western countries still fall far below optimal blood levels of these important nutrients. The study, published in a recent issue of Nutrients, found that 98% of participants from the US and Germany, fell below the optimum 8.0 Omega-3 Index Level. More than half of the participants in

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Biomarkers offer the potential to supplement traditional diagnosis and classification of TBI.  In a recent study published in JAMA Neurology, a research team from the US, Egypt, and Kuwait investigated the efficacy of three plasma biomarkers to accurately distinguish acute mild and chronic TBI: hypophosphorylated tau protein (P-tau); total tau (T-tau) protein; and the ratio of P-tau to

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Even a single concussion can cause long lasting disruption to networks within the brain, new research shows. In a small study comprising 20 people with diagnosed concussion and the same number of controls a team led by Benjamin Dunckley in Toronto, Canada, measured brain function using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Because symptoms of concussion such as amnesia, disorientation and

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The first ever study on the intakes of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in pregnant women in New Zealand, has found only 30 per cent are getting the recommended daily amount. A cohort of 596 pregnant women, in their last trimester of pregnancy, volunteered to take part in the online study. Participants were required to complete a food frequency

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A team of researchers, led by Flora Hammond, MD, found that in multiple studies of patients with chronic TBI and moderate-severe aggression, taking 100 milligrams of the antiviral drug Amantadine twice daily appeared to be beneficial in decreasing aggression, from the perspective of the patients. Their findings were published in the newest issue of the Journal of

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A study reported by neuroscientists finds that a non-psychoactive compound in cannabis called cannabidiol, or CBD, appears to protect against the long-term negative psychiatric effects of THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient. To conduct their study, three groups received 3 mg/kg of either THC, CBD, or THC+CBD every day for three weeks. The other two groups received a

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Figuring out how science can help answer many of the unresolved questions about brain injuries — and how to make contact sports like football safer — remains a major problem for neuroscientists to tackle. Understanding impacts, concussions and their effects, both immediately and through the course of a person’s life, remains one of the most

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A recently published report shows that high intake of the dietary omega-6 arachidonic acid could increase your risk for colorectal adenoma. Omega-6 arachidonic acid is associated with a higher risk for colorectal cancer, whereas omega-3s protect against the disease. A total of 681 individuals aged 40-75 years old with tubular adenomas, 223 with advanced adenomas and

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