‘Feel good’ endorphins may be activated differently in the brains of social drinkers as compared to problem drinkers, according to recent neuroscience research. These insights may lead one day to finding more effective drugs to treat problem drinking.

Alzheimer’s disease is estimated to affect 35 million people world-wide and the financial and emotional costs are enormous. Interesting new research in the fields of genetics and neuroscience brings some hope that treatments may be found for cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory-related dysfunction.

I started writing a few months ago about our five senses, and I’m ending with the sense of sight; it may be last but it’s very far from least. In fact, the sense of sight is so powerful and all-encompassing that it can actually detract from the subtle messages of our other senses. It permeates our language and has a particular hold on our imagination.

Most senior moments are no cause for concern. But with the continuum of cognitive impairment ranging from normal age-related cognitive decline to Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to a variety of more severe dementias, including Alzheimer’s, how is one to know?

Ludwig Guttman is one of the unsung heroes of our times, the man who transformed the life chances and expectations of millions of spinally-injured people throughout the world, and who — incidentally — was the founding father of the international Paralympic movement.

Pain is pain, regardless of the type or source. Even on a neurological level, emotional heartache can be every bit as painful as touching a hot stove.

The ‘cuddly hormone’, oxytocin, seems to have a dark side, according to research suggesting that it only works on those who are within our own group. But does this say anything about our real lives?