Brain Content

Charan Ranganath on the Search for Biomarkers to Detect Alzheimer's Disease Risk Early

Soterios J Johnson — June 26, 2023 - 10:49am

�°��ϲ��Ļ��Ϣ Davis psychology professor Charan Ranganath discusses how he and his colleagues are working to find biomarkers to help identify people with preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. Earlier detection — before the brain is significantly damaged — would allow for more successful interventions and better outcomes.

Richard Huskey on Brain Flow

Soterios J Johnson — February 20, 2023 - 2:15pm

�°��ϲ��Ļ��Ϣ Davis assistant professor of communication and cognitive science Richard Huskey explains the flow state, which some describe as being "in the zone." Evidence suggests flow can ward off depression, prevent burnout and make us more resilient.

The Roots of Fear: Understanding the Amygdala

Andy Fell — October 30, 2024 - 10:50am

Treating anxiety, depression and other disorders may depend on the amygdala, a part of the brain that controls strong emotional reactions, especially fear. But a deep understanding of this structure has been lacking. Now scientists at the University of California, Davis have identified new clusters of cells with differing patterns of gene expression in the amygdala of humans and non-human primates. The work could lead to more targeted treatments for disorders such as anxiety that affect tens of millions of people.

Understanding How Students Learn Through Virtual Reality

Jocelyn C Anderson — March 25, 2024 - 9:02am

How �°��ϲ��Ļ��Ϣ Davis virtual reality research is promoting STEAM learning and helping improve child education.

‘The Backdrop’ Podcast: The Nature of Memory and Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

Soterios J Johnson — June 28, 2023 - 1:07pm

Scientists at �°��ϲ��Ļ��Ϣ Davis are working to identify early indicators to identify people with pre-clinical Alzheimer’s disease. The hope is that earlier detection — before the brain is significantly damaged — would allow for more successful interventions and better outcomes.

‘The Backdrop’ Podcast Features Scientist on the ‘Flow’ State of Mind and How It Can Affect Well-Being

Soterios J Johnson — February 21, 2023 - 3:00pm

Whether it’s an athlete performing at their best or a musician taking it to another level, flow feels good and is good for our well-being. And the best part — pretty much anyone can at

Why Does Experiencing ‘Flow’ Feel So Good?

Karen Michele Nikos — January 06, 2022 - 3:49pm

Reprinted from The Conversation.

New Study Suggests Ways to Alleviate Social Withdrawal Symptoms in Mental Illnesses

Karen Michele Nikos — April 27, 2020 - 3:43pm

Even as people are now being forced to social distance to avoid contracting coronavirus — a situation considered stressful for many — some people avoid social situations even under everyday circumstances. Social avoidance is a hallmark of a variety of psychiatric illnesses, including depression and anxiety disorders as well as autism.

Music, Science Come Together for Faculty

Karen Michele Nikos — January 14, 2019 - 3:47pm

Charan Ranganath, �°��ϲ��Ļ��Ϣ Davis professor, studies memory and learning, but outside of the lab, he trades the EEG cap for an electric guitar.

Brain’s Hippocampal Volume, Social Environment Affect Adolescent Depression

Karen Michele Nikos — May 17, 2017 - 9:27am

Research on depression in adolescents in recent years has focused on how the physical brain and social experiences interact. A new University of California, Davis, study, however, shows that adolescents with large hippocampal volume were more, or less, susceptible to feelings of depression depending on how unsafe — or conversely — protected they felt in their home and community environments.