Latest news with #NeuroscienceNews
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Your sister's postpartum mental health could affect yours—here's what new research reveals
When I had my second baby, I invited my sister, who at the time was living nearby—to attend the birth. My first labor and delivery had been such a shock, that I felt it was important to share the birth experience with her, so she'd be less in the dark if she one day had kids. She remains grateful for that precious experience we shared. Turns out, sisters share a lot. If you're pregnant or thinking about having a baby, you've probably heard of postpartum depression (PPD). But there's another, rarer postpartum mental health condition that deserves more attention: postpartum psychosis. And according to a new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, your sibling's experience with it could be more relevant to your own mental health than you might expect. Researchers at Mount Sinai examined over 1.6 million women using Swedish national health records and uncovered a startling statistic: If your sister had postpartum psychosis, your own risk increases tenfold. That number rises to 14 times higher if she also has a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. You can read the study here: American Journal of Psychiatry and coverage from Neuroscience News. Let's pause here. That relative risk sounds terrifying—but what does it really mean? While a tenfold increase sounds massive, it's important to understand that the absolute risk of postpartum psychosis remains low: about 1.6%. That nuance matters. This is not about panic. it's about being prepared. 'Every woman of childbearing age and their physicians need to know about the existence of, severity, symptoms, and familial risk for postpartum psychosis so it can be promptly diagnosed and, hopefully, prevented,' said Dr. Veerle Bergink, Director of the Women's Mental Health Center at Mount Sinai and co-senior author of the study. Here's why this research matters for moms—and for sisters. Related: I recovered from postpartum psychosis: Here are 5 things I learned This isn't the baby blues, and it's not the same as PPD. Postpartum psychosis is a severe psychiatric emergency. It often appears within days to weeks after childbirth and can include: Hallucinations Delusions Paranoia Insomnia Rapid mood swings Disorganized thinking Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming the baby These symptoms can be terrifying—and potentially life-threatening—if left untreated. If your sister experienced postpartum psychosis, talk to your provider as early as possible in your pregnancy, or even before you conceive. You might benefit from closer monitoring, earlier mental health screenings, and a tailored postpartum support plan. Preventive steps could include: Building a mental health care team before delivery Arranging postpartum support (think night doulas, therapist check-ins, or medication plans if appropriate) Involving partners, family, or close friends in awareness of early symptoms Avoiding sleep deprivation, a common trigger, through shared caregiving Knowledge is power—but only if we act on it. Too often, maternal mental health risks fly under the radar, especially rare ones like postpartum psychosis. And when risks aren't well known, moms suffer in silence. This study offers an opportunity to change that by building systems of support and awareness before a crisis hits. As Dr. Bergink put it: 'Too many women at higher risk don't know it—and are left on their own with a new baby and no support.' And that's a systemic failure—not a personal one. It's the result of a healthcare culture that still doesn't treat maternal mental health as central to maternal health. We deserve better. So if you're pregnant or postpartum, or supporting someone who is, and you know there's a family history, bring it up. Advocate for a plan. Make space for mental health in your birth and parenting journey. Because when moms are supported, everyone wins. Related: 75% of women go untreated for postpartum mental health conditions If you or someone you love is experiencing distress during or after pregnancy, you are not alone. Maternal mental health challenges are real, but treatable—and compassionate help is available. Postpartum Support International (PSI) provides free, confidential support. Call or text the HelpLine at 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD). You can also text in English (send 'HELP' to 800-944-4773) or Spanish (send 'AYUDA' to 971-203-7773). Find local providers, peer support groups, and more at National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services) is available 24/7. Call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746) to speak with counselors trained in maternal mental health. This service is free, confidential, and available in English and Spanish. Learn more at Moms Mental Health Initiative, a mom-founded nonprofit, offers peer-driven support, resource navigation, and advocacy for those struggling with perinatal mental health conditions. Visit to find tools, stories, and support tailored for mothers. In an emergency or immediate crisis—such as suicidal thoughts or feeling unsafe—call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or visit You'll be connected with trained counselors who are there to listen and help you stay safe. Let's keep breaking the silence around maternal mental health—because when we speak up, we help others find their way to healing too.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
You Can Boost Your Brain Health With This Small Amount of Exercise
As a busy mom juggling kids, work, and household responsibilities, I've always found it hard to squeeze in lengthy workouts. Honestly, what parent has time in their day to stop, drop and focus on themselves? That's why this groundbreaking research feels like a gift to parents everywhere: just five minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily can significantly improve your brain health. A new study from the University of South Australia, conducted with the US-based AdventHealth Research Institute, reveals that activities that increase your heart rate - whether it's a brisk walk, water aerobics, or a quick jog around the block - are associated with better processing speed, working memory, and executive function in older adults. The most remarkable finding? The biggest cognitive gains appeared in people who went from doing no moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at all to incorporating just five minutes into their day. Related: This Is How Much You Should Walk Every Day to Offset the Harmful Effects of Sitting According to Neuroscience News, "When I first read this research, I immediately thought of my parents and in-laws," I told my husband. "We're always worrying about their cognitive health as they age, but this seems so doable even for them." According to Dr. Maddison Mellow, lead researcher at UniSA, there are three exclusive lifestyle behaviors in our 24-hour day: sleep, sedentary behavior, and physical activity. How these interact directly influences our health outcomes, including brain function. The study specifically points to "activity performed at higher intensities that increases your heart rate and breathing" as being related to better cognitive performance, improving how fast your brain thinks, how well you plan and focus, and your ability to store information for short periods. What struck me as a mother was how accessible this approach is. We don't need expensive equipment or hour-long sessions at the gym. A dance party with your kids before dinner or a quick power walk during lunch could deliver meaningful benefits. Related: Jump Rope Songs, Rhymes, and Chants The research assessed data from 585 older adults aged 65-80 years, examining the relationships between time spent sleeping, being sedentary, engaging in light physical activity, and participating in more vigorous "huff-and-puff" activities. This study reinforces similar findings from the University of South Australia showing that benefits from exercise can come quickly - with clear gains appearing within just 1-3 months of starting regular activity. For families concerned about loved ones' cognitive health, this research offers hope and a practical approach. Even adding small bursts of heart-pumping activity throughout the day could make a meaningful difference for brain health as we age. So the next time you're tempted to dismiss a five-minute window as not worth exercising in, remember: even these brief moments of movement could be building a healthier brain for your future. Up Next: Related: This Exercise Beats the Gym for Stress Relief—And It's Not What You Think
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This Common Habit May Accelerate Cognitive Decline After Just Three Days
Oh, good: Yet another common habit, especially among Americans, can accelerate cognitive decline—and this time, it may take as little as three days to show the negative brain health impacts. According to a new study from Ohio State University, this specific habit—which is convenient and, honestly, usually really enjoyable—may quickly increase brain inflammation in older patients, plus metabolic and gut health impacts down the road. What is it, and should you actually be worried? Well, it's (sort of) complicated. We'll break it all down for you. 🩺 SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week 💊 In a study conducted on groups of rats (one older and one younger), researchers fed rats a high-fat diet for three days, while another group (again, divided into young and old rats) ate a high-fat diet for three months. Older rats showed signs of brain inflammation after just three days of eating a high-fat diet, though younger rats' brain health appeared unaffected. All groups of rats who ate high-fat diets for three months showed negative changes in gut bacteria, gut health and metabolic health, including dysregulated blood sugar and insulin levels. Older rats showed more brain inflammation after three months as well. Diets in the study had 60% of calories coming from fat, which Neuroscience News reports is equivalent to the amount in a Burger King Double Whopper with cheese or a McDonald's Double Smoky BLT Quarter Pounder with cheese. Related: Researchers conducted tests on two separate parts of the brain and types of memory: The hippocampus (the main memory center of the brain) and the amygdala, which is where the "cued fear memory" is centered (and can trigger fear, anxiety, fight-or-flight response and threat detection). "These diets lead to obesity-related changes in both young and old animals, yet young animals appear more resilient to the high-fat diet's effects on memory. We think it is likely due to their ability to activate compensatory anti-inflammatory responses, which the aged animals lack," , study lead author, investigator at Ohio State University's Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research and associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral health and neuroscience at Ohio State University College of Medicine, said. "Also, with glucose, insulin and adipose inflammation all increased in both young and old animals, there's no way to distinguish what is causing memory impairment in only old animals if you look only at what's happening in the body. It's what is happening in the brain that's important for the memory response." Related: Maybe nothing! (Hopefully, anyway!) However, researchers note that the study's purpose was to show that high-fat diets may impact health, including brain health, outside of obesity—and that research must be done to see the impacts of our diet and nutrition on our brains and the rest of our bodies, regardless of how much we weigh. "Unhealthy diets and obesity are linked, but they are not inseparable," Dr. Barrientos said. "We're really looking for the effects of the diet directly on the brain. We showed that within three days, long before obesity sets in, tremendous neuroinflammatory shifts are occurring." "Changes in the body in all animals are happening more slowly and aren't actually necessary to cause the memory impairments and changes in the brain," Dr. Barrientos added. "We never would have known that brain inflammation is the primary cause of high-fat diet-induced memory impairments without comparing the two timelines." Up Next:Dr. Ruth Barrientos, Ph.D. "Obesity-associated memory impairment and neuroinflammation precede widespread peripheral perturbations in aged rats." Immunity & Aging.
