Jason Herr Psy.D.

Future Thinking Training Reduces Impulsivity

A new study shows that episodic future thinking—the practice of vividly imagining specific future events—can reduce impulsivity and improve decision-making.

Researchers used fMRI scans to analyze brain connectivity in participants trained to think about future events before making choices between immediate and delayed rewards.

They found that this training increased functional connectivity in the brain’s salience network, which correlated with better decision-making and reduced impulsivity.

Participants who engaged in future thinking completed difficult decision-making tasks more efficiently, suggesting improved cognitive control.

The findings indicate that this technique may be a promising behavioral intervention for alcohol use disorder and other impulse-control issues.

Further research will explore the long-term effects of future thinking training and its potential role in addiction treatment.

https://neurosciencenews.com/future-thinking-impulsivity-28458/

Cerebellar Serotonin Acts as a Brake to Reduce Anxiety

Scientists have discovered that serotonin in the cerebellum plays a crucial role in anxiety regulation.

Contrary to previous beliefs, mice with lower serotonin levels in the cerebellum exhibited more anxiety-like behaviors, while those with higher levels were less anxious.

By artificially stimulating serotonin-releasing neurons in the cerebellum, researchers were able to reduce anxiety, whereas inhibiting them increased anxious behaviors.