… interesting discussion on the various claims of oxytocin research-land, by Simon Oxenham over at the New Scientist.
Acetaminophen and empathy…
… discussion at Neurocritic; long story short – not as hazardous as some suggestions make out.
Scandalous publication behavior…
… in relation to the recent takedown of some seriously flawed randomized controlled trial (RCT) research on citalopram (an SSRI anti-depressant). Nice overview, with appropriate tangents, available from 1 Boring Old Man, discussing the original article, related methodological concerns from many decades ago, some practical ramifications, and subsequent elaborations. Interesting (and at times horrendous) stuff!
Myths and religion…
… over at Neuroskeptic; more specifically, the problem with neuromyths, and the neural correlates of religious revelation. Also, an interesting deconstruction of recent claims regarding body temperature and depression.
PLoS Neuro updates…
… on the <a href="http://blogs.plos project management plan.org/neuro/2016/04/19/sugar-the-addictive-enemy-hiding-in-plain-sight/”>addictive power of sugar, from the PLoS Neuro Community, and a methodological critique of mindfulness-based approaches to back pain, from Mind the Brain.
More updates from Neuroskeptic…
… including a reflection on the new and widely discussed Huth et al. Nature paper on the brain’s supposed semantic atlas, as well as more from Eklund and co. on the methodological limitations of fMRI, this time harking back to a relatively unknown 2008 publication.
Introduction to the practical application of neuroethics research…
… in relation to brain scans used in death penalty cases in the USA. Surprisingly evenhanded, for a mainstream media take on neuro; more like this necessary!
Neurocritic updates…
… a brief post on biased sampling when assessing brain damage in NFL players, and an interesting piece on “aphantasia”, i.e. the inability to generate mental visual images.