Evidence is accumulating that breathing in very small particles (Fine particulate matter PM2.5) over a long time is associated with an increased risk of dementia. The association suggests that the particles may actually be a cause of dementia, perhaps especially if the particles are coated with neurotoxic chemicals. These particles come from traffic (diesel more than petrol-powered vehicles), coal-fired power plants, agricultural emissions, and bush fires (US ‘wildfires’). It’s thought that the particles can enter the brain via the olfactory…..

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A recent study* published in the ‘Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease’ found that a simple observer rating of ‘How much difficulty did the respondent have remembering things that you asked him/her about?’ was a strong predictor of dementia over a 15 year follow-up period. This study questioned 12,749 people (!) over age 50 and 944 of these developed dementia while being followed up. The observers made the rating after spending 1 to 3 hours interviewing the person face-to-face or by phone,…..

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The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has, from July 1 2023 approved prescription of psilocybin for treatment resistant depression and MDMA for post-traumatic stress disorder. There are limited conditions under which these drugs can be used. Dr Steve Kisely (1) and others have raised many questions about this decision. They include: accessibility, cost (15 to 35 thousand dollars), strength of evidence for and against, and “dangers of psychological harm if these agents are given to unsuitable patients, or by psychiatrists…..

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 Is this a record of the dying experience? In the 30 seconds to two minutes after supported breathing ceased, two out of four comatose patients who had EEGs recorded after their respirators were turned off showed a surge in gamma waves, particularly at the temporo-parietal junction in their brains. What does this ‘mean’ or does it mean anything? Were these people ‘conscious’ for that brief time? There is no way of knowing, but some have suggested that these EEG recordings…..

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There are now four drug treatments, all monoclonal antibodies, which have been shown to reduce amyloid in the brain. Amyloid build-up in the brain is associated with the cognitive changes of Alzheimer’s Disease, although there are questions about the exact nature of this relationship between amyloid and cognitive deterioration. One of these drugs (lecanemab) has now been shown to halt or slow clinical deterioration in cognitive functions as well as reducing amyloid in the brain. There are however, a number…..

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Like Google and Siri, scientists are listening to animals and using Artificial Intelligence, not to sell them stuff, but to understand how they communicate with each other. Communication between animals and humans (e.g., dogs, dolphins, Koko the gorilla) has fascinated humankind for a long time. But this approach often puts humans in the centre of the picture. It is anthropocentric and usually lacks an appreciation of how an animal experiences the world – their ‘umwelt’ (the ‘world around’ – lived…..

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AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALITIS, only fully understood in the two thousands*, can cause psychosis, rapid deterioration in memory, and altered behaviour. As a result, people with this disorder can present to psychiatric/mental health services and professionals, sometimes after being declared ‘psychiatric’ by medical services or professionals. The 2012 book and 2016 film ‘Brain on Fire. My month of madness’ recorded Susannah Calahan’s experience of delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, but with ultimately successful treatment for autoimmune encephalitis (AE). AE occurs when antibodies are…..

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Many people with autism, especially some with High Functioning Autism HFA/Aspergers have expressed concerns about therapy for children which prioritizes changing the child’s behaviour to mimic or fit ‘neurotypical norms’ – that is, the norms that apply to usual, non-autistic people. Which is not to argue against early detection and intervention directed towards improving language, adaptive behaviour, daily living skills, functional communication skills. Geraldine Dawson, writing in JAMA Pediatrics*, quotes studies which showed “good” outcomes for individual people whether the…..

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