Brenda Patoine
Brenda Patoine is a freelance science writer who has been covering neuroscience for more than 20 years. She has written for the Dana Foundation since 1989 and is a regular contributor to the foundation’s publications and website. She writes both for professional audiences and the general public about advances in brain research, neurology, and the science of spirituality.
Social Media & Teens: No Simple Answers
Scientists are just beginning to investigate how social media and other digital media may physically impact the developing brain
NIH ‘Sound Health’ Grants Raise the Volume on Music, Singing Research
We sense that music changes our moods and thinking, but how and why? US national health institutes are sponsoring a wave of studies to investigate.
Redefining Death
Partial Revival of Pig Brains Raises Ethical and Existential QuestionsCan brain cells be revived after death? Conventional wisdom says cells die quickly when deprived of oxygen, but researchers recently sparked cellular activity in brains of pigs killed hours earlier, raising new questions about our definitions of death.
Alcohol and the Brain
Is Moderate Drinking Really Good for Your Brain?A recent study throws water on the popular idea that a few drinks a week can’t hurt and might help your brain.
Oxytocin: the Molecule of Love, Trust, Morality, and Sociality?
Neuroscientists express cautious enthusiasm about oxytocin’s potential applications, but also warn of misperceptions brought on by oversimplified reporting.
The Resilient Brain
Psychological Resilience is an Active, Distinct Neurobiological ProcessWhat makes one person more resilient to stress than another? Might differences in brain structure or function explain it?
The Mindful Brain
Clinical Applications and Mechanistic Clues of Mindfulness Meditation ProgressMindfulness-based meditation is now firmly established as a valid stress-reduction tool
Desperately Seeking Sensation
Fear, Reward, and the Human Need for NoveltyWhy are some people drawn to intense, even fear-inducing thrills while others shun the mere thought?
Mental Well-Being of Family Caregivers
Science Probes How Positive and Negative Aspects of Caregiving Affect HealthCaregiving and stress often go hand in hand. We review current research and offer tips for avoiding the problems caused by chronic stress.
New Report Finds Current Strategies Insufficient for Preventing the Most Preventable Cause of Mental Illness
Childhood maltreatment is the No. 1 preventable cause of mental illness yet science still has no clear answers for how to best prevent the spiral of neglect and abuse that threatens millions of infants and children