Physiological Psychology Course Blog

Link to Article: http://neurosciencenews.com/blood-type-cognitive-decline-2087/ Summary: In the article “Your Blood Type May Help You From Cognitive Decline” posted by Neuroscience News explains how different blood types are associated with how much gray matter is in the brain. A study conducted at the University of Sheffield has found different blood types correlate with how much grey matter in the brain some will have. The more grey matter a person has in their brain the more resistant they will be to diseases such as Alzheimer’s. The study examined the MRI scans of 189 healthy volunteers. The researchers found that people with type O blood have more grey matter on the back side of the cerebellum. Blood types A, B and AB had smaller portions of grey matter in their temporal and limbic regions. Which these regions are the earliest parts of the brain to be damaged by Alzheimer’s. Reflection: We are currently learning in class about the brain and how ...

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180301094822.htm Summary: Pain researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder and University of Haifa did a studying showing just how far-reaching the simple act of touch can be. They have been studying a phenomenon known as “interpersonal synchronization”, which is the idea that people physiologically sync with those they are with. Pavel Goldstein is the first to look at brain wave synchronization and its relation to pain. He was compelled to do so after the birth of his daughter because it was through that experience he realized holding his wife’s hand helped to eased her pain. He decided to take this idea to the lab in hopes to unveil the science behind a healing touch. They found through their study that “…pain totally interrupts this interpersonal synchronization between couples and touch brings it back.” Touch is powerful and it may even activate pain-killing reward mechanisms in the brain. So if ever you find yourself i...