An estrogenic drug that influences neurotransmitter and neuronal systems in the brain is showing promise as an effective therapy for women who suffer from schizophrenia.

A study has found that Raloxifene – a synthetic estrogen currently used to treat osteoporosis – has beneficial effects on postmenopausal women with schizophrenia, with a test group experiencing a more rapid recovery from psychotic and other symptoms compared to control groups.

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Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are developmental disorders usually diagnosed in childhood. Children with ASDs have impairments in social interactions and communication, and a tendency towards repetitive behaviors. A hallmark of autism is a difficulty in understanding and reciprocating the emotion of others. Although behavioral therapies can improve some symptoms of autism, there is currently no effective treatment for these problems. [continue reading…]

How you see isn’t just about how good your eyes are – it’s also about your mindset, according to a study published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. For example, in one experiment, if someone was told that exercise would improve their vision, they saw better after doing an athletic activity – jumping jacks – than an unathletic activity with the same effect on heart rate – skipping. [continue reading…]