Medical Bulletin 5/January/2024

Here are the top medical news of the day:

Combine mindfulness with exercise for mental health boost in 2024 – Study

A study, published in the academic journal Mental Health and Physical Activity, suggests that life changes which combine both physical activity and mindfulness are most effective at lifting mood and improving health and wellbeing.

Both physical activity and mindfulness practice have well established psychological benefits. However, by reviewing existing research studies, this is one of the first to show how the positive effects can be increased when the two are combined.

Its findings suggest that mindfulness can help to unlock exercise by helping to motivate people to start in the first place, whilst overcoming minor pain, discomfort or feelings of failure when exercising gets hard.

Reference: Combine mindfulness with exercise for mental health boost in 2024 – Study; Mental Health and Physical Activity, DOI: 10.1016/j.mhpa.2023.100575

Newly discovered genetic mutation protects against Parkinson’s disease and offers hope for new therapies

A previously unidentified genetic mutation in a small protein provides significant protection against Parkinson’s disease and offers a new direction for exploring potential treatments, according to a new USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology study.

The variant, located in a mitochondrial microprotein dubbed SHLP2, was found to be highly protective against Parkinson’s disease; individuals with this mutation are half as likely to develop the disease as those who do not carry it. The variant form of the protein is relatively rare and is found primarily in people of European descent.

The findings appear on January 3, 2024, in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.

Reference: Newly discovered genetic mutation protects against Parkinson’s disease and offers hope for new therapies; Molecular Psychiatry, DOI:10.1038/s41380-023-02344-0

Memory, brain function, and behavior: exploring the intricate connection through fear memories

In a world grappling with the complexities of mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD, new research from Boston University neuroscientist Dr. Steve Ramirez and collaborators offers a unique perspective. The study, recently published in the Journal of Neuroscience, delves into the intricate relationship between fear memories, brain function, and behavioral responses. Dr. Ramirez, shedding light on the physical manifestation of memory in the brain.

Beyond its implications for neuroscience, their research marks significant strides in understanding memory formation and holds promise for advancing our comprehension of various behavioral responses in different situations, with potential applications in the realm of mental health. In this Q&A, Dr. Ramirez discusses the motivations, challenges, and key findings of the study.

Reference: Memory, brain function, and behavior: exploring the intricate connection through fear memories; Journal of Neuroscience, DOI:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0340-23.2023