All articles tagged with #brain states
A Mount Sinai study using functional MRI found that people with major depressive disorder often get stuck in specific brain states and have difficulty transitioning between them, creating a self-reinforcing negative thought loop. This cognitive rigidity, described as mental entrapment, suggests depression may be a dynamic disorder driven by abnormal brain-state transitions rather than solely a chemical imbalance.
A study conducted on mice reveals that decision-making is not a singular moment but a reflection of the brain's preexisting state. Hunger and thirst indirectly modulate behavior by influencing the brain's goal-setting rather than directly motivating choice. Neuron activity patterns throughout the brain can predict a mouse's choice even before it is presented with options, indicating a constant broadcast of the brain's current goal. Randomness plays a key role in decision-making, with mice often repeating choices before abruptly switching, ensuring both hunger and thirst needs are eventually fulfilled. This research sheds light on the brain's shifting baseline state and provides insights into decision-making processes.
Researchers at ETH Zurich are using mathematical models to study how the brain predicts information and learns. They discovered signals for accuracy are found in the anterior insula and anxiety affects activity levels in this brain region. The ultimate goal is to apply these models to specific clinical problems and use them to predict individual outcomes for mental health disorders.