Sensory neurons outside the brain drive autistic social behaviors Sensory neurons outside the brain drive autistic social behaviors A new study from Penn Medicine lends further evidence that the social behaviors tied to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) emerge from abnormal function of sensory neurons outside the brain.
The overlooked effects of fireworks The overlooked effects of fireworks For veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder, fireworks and loud pyrotechnics can add stress and trigger physical reactions, as they mimic the stimuli of combat.
Coping with COVID stress: From pandemic brain fog to resilience Coping with COVID stress: From pandemic brain fog to resilience While feelings of anxiety and concern are normal during a crisis, stress can impact people in a variety of ways. Practicing mindfulness and increasing resilience can combat the physical manifestations of anxiety.
Counselors find new ways to treat patients under quarantine Counselors find new ways to treat patients under quarantine Like many areas of medicine, COVID-19 has uprooted the routine of mental health treatment. Telehealth is filling in the gaps—and may be a preview of what standard care looks like in the future.
Why do people react differently when confronting the same threat? Why do people react differently when confronting the same threat? In the face of the coronavirus, some people collected household goods. Others ignored the warnings altogether. Two Penn researchers explain why both responses are normal and how to find a middle ground if you disagree with those around you.
Drug found to trigger the ‘energy balance’ system for appetite suppression Drug found to trigger the ‘energy balance’ system for appetite suppression Penn researchers show how the FDA-approved drug liraglutide interacts with a distinct set of neurons in the brain’s “energy balance” system to suppress appetite.