Researchers from Imperial College London are spearheading the advancement and experimentation of a novel approach to stimulate the brain. This innovative technique offers a potential alternative for addressing brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and the resultant memory impairment. Termed ‘temporal interference’ (TI), this non-invasive method functions by transmitting electrical fields to the brain using electrodes positioned on the patient’s scalp and head. The preliminary results, which were released on October 19 in the journal Nature Neuroscience, indicate that when TI stimulation is administered to healthy adults while they engage in a memory-related task, it has a positive impact on enhancing their…
Author: Stuti Kumar
Stuti Kumar
A mental health practitioner in-the-making and a writer by passion, Stuti Kumar has a lot of thoughts about a lot of different things, from the law to psychology — and is knowledgable about just as many inconsequential factoids — which she hopes to give a home to through her writing.
The Supreme Court has provided a series of instructions to both the Union and State Governments, emphasizing the need for the complete eradication of the deplorable practice of manual scavenging through rigorous enforcement of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. The Court mandated the total elimination of manual sewer cleaning and the assurance that no person is required to enter sewers manually for any reason. SC’s Judgment In the case of Dr. Balram Singh v. Union of India and others, a panel consisting of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Aravind Kumar issued these directives,…
According to an official notification released on Monday, the Manipur government has decided to extend the suspension of mobile data internet services until October 21. The state government has stated that the extension of the restriction is meant “to thwart the activities and designs of anti-national and anti-social elements…” The government has announced its intention to initiate legal proceedings against anyone discovered sharing images and videos depicting acts of violence, to maintain peace amongst the people. Unrest Continues in Manipur The ongoing turmoil in Manipur has now extended into its sixth month, with Churachandpur, the focal point of the ethnic…
The sustainability of water resources plays a pivotal role in environmental and social safeguards and acts as a driving force for governance. It is crucial to make sure that water is accessible to all. As outlined by the United Nations as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 stands as a fundamental approach to empower individuals with disabilities by advocating for inclusive access to water and sanitation services for all. The government of India has invited the public and various stakeholders to provide input and recommendations regarding guidelines for ensuring accessible and inclusive piped…
The Supreme Court has emphasised that, according to the 2023 Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, it is the State’s duty to ensure the provision of ‘support persons’ for child victims of sexual offences. The Court asserted that making the appointment of support persons optional is not permissible. The Court further clarified that the decision regarding the necessity of support persons should not be left to the discretion of the child victims’ parents. The bench, consisting of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Aravind Kumar remarked: “This Court is of the opinion that the need for a support person…
Exposure to light could have a significant impact on mental well-being, as per a recent study in Nature Mental Health. Specifically, engaging in late-night phone scrolling or watching television could potentially have detrimental effects on one’s mental health. Moreover, heightened exposure to nighttime light may elevate the likelihood of various mental health conditions, spanning from anxiety to bipolar disorder. On the flip side, substantial exposure to daytime light may offer potential mental health benefits. There is mounting evidence suggesting that maintaining healthy circadian rhythms is crucial for mental well-being, as disturbances in sleep patterns have been linked to a range…
Although discussions about mental health have become more prevalent in mainstream conversations, the urban-rural disparity still hinders progress in this area. Countless individuals globally grapple with prevalent mental health issues such as depression and thoughts of self-harm. Surprisingly, even within the most advanced nations, these conditions can remain unaddressed and occasionally unidentified. Struggles with Unaddressed Mental Health Issues in Rural India The treatment gap in India is notably wide, especially in rural regions where there may be just one doctor for every 30,000 residents. As per Section 18 of the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017, each citizen is entitled to…
In the past few years, there has been a significant resurgence of interest in psychedelic substances and their potential advantages in addressing psychiatric disorders. This renewed interest is especially promising in the context of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), where treatment options for patients remain constrained. Researchers at the Brain Institute, led by Anne Buot, Luc Mallet (AP-HP), and their team, are accumulating compelling evidence that may set the stage for extensive clinical trials. Their latest study, published in Scientific Reports, demonstrates the substantial potential of LSD and psilocybin to offer enduring relief from the symptoms experienced by OCD patients. What is…
Lillian Weng, head of safety systems employed at the artificial intelligence company OpenAI, stirred controversy recently when she shared her experience of having a deeply emotional and personal discussion with her company’s widely recognized chatbot, ChatGPT. Weng’s post on X, formerly known as Twitter, led to a significant influx of critical comments, with some accusing her of trivializing mental health issues. Greg Brockman, the president and co-founder of OpenAI, seemed to endorse the sentiment when he shared Weng’s statement on X and appended, “ChatGPT voice mode is a qualitative new experience.” Just had a quite emotional, personal conversation w/ ChatGPT…
A study conducted at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, examining the frequency of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and its connection to the likelihood of accidents among older adult drivers revealed that older adults diagnosed with ADHD face a substantially higher risk of being involved in crashes compared to those without ADHD. What Does Research Say? ADHD is a persistent neurodevelopmental condition characterized by inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. While often associated with childhood, ADHD can endure into adulthood and impact the daily functioning of older individuals. In the United States, ADHD is reported to have a prevalence of 9 percent…