Neuroscience · Behavioral Neuroscience
A study of male active-duty service members found that higher levels of natural antibodies targeting a brain receptor were associated with fewer depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms after traumatic brain injury. The antibodies were not associated with lower anxiety symptoms, and the findings do not show that they prevent psychiatric symptoms.
Giving mice a more stimulating environment during adolescence prevented behavioral and cognitive problems caused by early-life stress. The researchers linked the effect to restored CREB-BDNF-TrkB signaling and found reduced TrkB levels in neuron-derived exosomes from people with schizophrenia.
This systematic review examined whether saliva samples could be used to monitor antiviral drug levels during prophylaxis or treatment in immunosuppressed people. The review included nine primary studies that reported antiviral concentrations in both saliva and plasma, but findings were limited and inconsistent. It concludes that feasibility is currently inconclusive, though preliminary evidence looks promising for some antivirals.
