#Neuroimaging

Emerging research questions the idea that psychopathy is driven by clear brain abnormalities. A growing body of work suggests that much of the brain-connection narrative in academia and media reflects selective reporting and sensational framing rather than robust science. For Thai courts, health services, and educators, this matters for how individuals labeled as psychopaths are understood and responded to.

Since 2000, neuroimaging tools have allowed researchers to study the brains of people diagnosed with psychopathy. Across numerous structural MRI studies, most findings show no reliable differences in brain structure between psychopaths and non-psychopaths. A comprehensive synthesis of dozens of MRI studies found that about two-thirds reported null results, and the amygdala—the most-cited region—often showed no clear differences in many cases. These patterns invite caution about attributing antisocial traits to biology alone. When significant findings appear, factors such as substance use, medications, or prior head injuries may influence results rather than the traits themselves, according to research summaries.

A wave of new research is challenging long-standing assumptions about psychopathy, revealing that persistent claims of brain abnormalities in people diagnosed as psychopaths may be rooted less in science and more in “spin” — both in academic publications and popular media. This ongoing disconnect matters not just for the integrity of psychological research but also for legal, forensic, and public perceptions, which have major implications for Thai society in how we understand and treat those labeled as psychopaths.

Listening to music does more than soothe the soul—it actively transforms the way our brain functions on the spot, according to groundbreaking new research from European neuroscientists. The study, released on June 17, 2025, and recently highlighted by Futura Sciences, unveils how musical experiences instantly rewire neural networks, opening new opportunities in education, therapy, and cognitive science across the globe—including Thailand.

Scientists from Aarhus University in Denmark and Oxford University in the UK have developed FREQ-NESS, a cutting-edge neuroimaging technology that allows researchers to track and visualize the brain’s responses to external stimuli, such as music, in unprecedented real time. Unlike traditional techniques that assign fixed brain wave patterns (like alpha or beta) to specific regions, FREQ-NESS follows how neural circuits interconnect and adapt dynamically as we listen to music. Each musical note or rhythm generates unique electrical signals in the brain, activating and synchronizing various regions moment-to-moment.

A new study from European researchers shows that listening to music can rewire the brain in real time. The findings, released on June 17, 2025, reveal that neural networks adapt instantly as music plays, opening doors for advances in education, therapy, and cognitive science—relevant to Thai audiences as well.

Researchers from Aarhus University and Oxford University developed FREQ-NESS, a pioneering neuroimaging technology. It tracks how the brain responds to music in real time, moving beyond traditional methods that assign fixed brain-wave categories to specific regions. FREQ-NESS monitors dynamic connections between neural circuits, capturing moment-to-moment changes as rhythms and melodies unfold.

An innovative study titled “Non-caloric sweetener effects on brain appetite regulation in individuals across varying body weights” has provided fresh insights into the complex interactions between non-caloric sweeteners and the brain’s regulation of appetite. Published recently in Nature Metabolism, this research addresses a key area of public health concern, focusing on how these sweeteners impact individuals differently based on their body weight.

The study presents significant findings, particularly for Thai readers, as it highlights crucial aspects of dietary choices that could affect weight management and metabolic health. Given the increasing prevalence of obesity globally, and in Thailand, the search for alternatives to sugar without adverse effects is of profound interest. This study explores the brain’s response to non-caloric sweeteners, with implications for how they may influence hunger and satiety signals across different populations.

A new study shows that non-caloric sweeteners interact with the brain’s hunger signals in complex ways. Rather than a universal effect, responses vary across individuals. The research followed people with different weights and used modern brain imaging to see how sweeteners might influence hunger and fullness. The findings matter in Thailand, where sugary drinks and sweet flavors are deeply woven into daily life.

Researchers used neuroimaging to observe the hypothalamus, the brain’s hub for appetite control. They found that neural responses to non-nutritive sweeteners such as sucralose and aspartame differ by body mass index and metabolic health. In some participants, these sweeteners heightened appetite-related activity; in others, the response was more muted. This suggests that a person’s health context shapes how sugar substitutes affect desire for food.