In a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, Penn psychologist Joseph Kable—Jean-Marie Kneeley President’s Distinguished Professor of Psychology—explores how different regions of the brain help us decide whether to stick with something or walk away. By examining patients with specific prefrontal cortex lesions, Kable and his collaborators uncovered how the brain weighs uncertainty and reward in real time. The findings have implications for decision-making, mental health, and our understanding of persistence—not as simple grit, but as a dynamic, context-driven process.…Read More
Mental Health, Brain Function, and Resilience
Topics include: brain capital, depression, sleep, alcohol impact, trauma and stress, brain activity mapping, and well-being in performance and entrepreneurship.
What Impact Will the Fertility Rate Decline Have on the Labor Force?
The article discusses the impact of declining fertility rates on the workforce, featuring insights from Wharton professor Michael Platt. It highlights concerns about how demographic changes can affect labor markets and economic structures.…Read More
Sleep Deprivation Sometimes Relieves Depression. A New Study May Show Why
In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Penn clinical psychologist Philip Gehrman and colleagues investigated why a sleepless night can sometimes lift symptoms of depression. Brain imaging revealed that increased activity in the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex—two regions tied to mood and emotion—was linked to improved mood in participants, regardless of depression status. The findings shed light on the brain mechanisms behind this effect and suggest new, noninvasive paths for rapid treatment that could mimic the benefits of sleep deprivation without losing sleep.…Read More
Brain Ponderings Podcast – Pondering Decision Making with Michael Platt
The article explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the field of sports by providing in-depth performance analytics and optimizing team strategies. It highlights the use of AI in enhancing player training through smart data and real-time feedback.…Read More
A Natural Disaster Made Monkeys Age Faster
The article discusses how the biological impact of Hurricane Maria on rhesus monkeys in Cayo Santiago may mirror the effects of traumatic stress on humans, suggesting that climate change-related disasters could accelerate aging and affect health in survivors. The research involved analyzing pre- and post-disaster blood samples from the monkeys, revealing changes in immune function and gene expression linked to aging, with implications for understanding the health consequences of natural disasters on human populations.…Read More
Just One Drink a Day Can Shrink Your Brain
A recent study published in Nature suggests that consuming one pint of beer or a glass of wine daily can shrink the overall brain volume, with increased shrinkage associated with higher alcohol consumption. The study analyzed data from over 36,000 individuals and found that moderate drinking could age the brain and that cumulative alcohol intake over one’s lifetime might impact brain health more significantly than recent consumption levels.…Read More