Neuronotebook is a partially peer-reviewed journal that empowers student research.

We welcome reports of original student research and also reviews of extant research in psychology, neuroscience, and related areas.

Submission related to the Humanities are reviewed and copy-edited by Dr. Glen MacPherson.

Category: Uncategorized

  • The Role of Subconscious Processes in Decision-Making: Insights from Neuroeconomics

    Kayan Munim Mbarki Knights of Knowledge International School December 2024 Abstract This paper explores the underlying influences that affect human choices, especially in economic situations. By incorporating findings from neuroeconomics, it examines how emotions, cognitive biases, and unconscious mechanisms frequently influence choices before conscious thoughts occur. Recent developments in neuroscience have shown that decision-making is…

  • The Impact of Facial Characteristics on the Face-Naming Effect Through Human and AI-Generated Faces

    Levi Cottrell, Elphinstone Secondary School, Gibsons, BC, Canada. Previous research has shown a ‘face-naming’ effect, where humans and machine learning algorithms are able to guess the name of a person given only their face and 4-5 name options at an accuracy greater than random chance. This effect was previously studied in French and Israeli contexts,…

  • The Effects of Eating Disorders on Adolescents

    Eating disorders are characterized as behavioral conditions, stemming from unhealthy eating habits that can have severe consequences for a person’s physical and emotional well-being. Some of the most common types of eating disorders include: Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge eating. Anorexia is among the deadliest mental health illnesses. People with this condition  typically have a fear…

  • The Impact of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on Depression

    Abstract  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a well-established treatment for depression. The following article reviews CBT’s effectiveness, compares it to other treatments, and explores its applications across different populations.  Introduction  Depression is a widespread mental health issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 280 million people worldwide suffer from depression. CBT, developed…

  • Neuroprotective Effects of the Mediterranean Diet on Alzheimer’s Disease

    Abstract Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a major global health concern characterized by cognitive decline and memory loss. While the exact causes of AD remain elusive, a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors are implicated. The Mediterranean diet, known for its plant-based foods, healthy fats, and moderate fish and poultry consumption, has shown potential neuroprotective…

  • The Metabolic Consequences of Intrauterine Growth Restriction

    Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is when a fetus does not reach its expected size during pregnancy and is assigned a birth weight or length below the 10th percentile for its age. IUGR can bring significant risks to neonatal health and has long-term consequences on metabolic functions. The understanding of metabolic changes due to IUGR is…

  • Simulation of Amyloid Beta Peptide Vaccine to Treat Alzheimer’s

    Abstract Alzheimer’s is a progressive disorder that causes deterioration to the brain causing the individual to suffer memory loss and loss of mental functions. The number of Americans dying from Alzheimer’s disease is rising over time, it is currently the seventh most common cause of death in the country. Almost 6 million Americans suffer from…

  • Evaluating Amyloid-Beta Aggregation Inhibitors in Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

    Abstract   Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaque accumulation, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. Current treatments offer only symptomatic relief and have largely failed to alter disease progression, emphasizing the need for novel therapeutic approaches. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a novel Aβ aggregation inhibitor…

  • Gut Microbiota’s Role in Mood Disorders: Impact on Neurotransmitter Regulation, Neuroinflammation, and the Gut-Brain Axis

    Abstract  In recent decades, there has been a growing realization of the effect of gut health and microbiota on mental health, particularly mood disorders. This paper aims to delve into the mechanisms through which gut microbiota affects mood disorders, focusing on the production and regulation of neurotransmitters. The primary objective of this paper is to…

  • The Life Altering Implications of CTE

    CTE is detrimental to the well-being of athletes. Despite this revelation, there is no known cure and a lack of development regarding the implications of this condition. Therefore, the objective of this study is to uncover how, despite the rigorous symptoms of this disease, the public lacks crucial knowledge of CTE and the necessary treatments…

  • Targeting Genetic Mutations in Melanoma: A Focus on BRAF and Other Subtypes for Future Immunological Research

    Abstract Melanoma, a particularly aggressive form of skin cancer, is known for its poor prognosis in advanced stages due to its tendency to metastasize and develop resistance to treatment. Originating from melanocytes, melanoma is driven by several genetic mutations that lead to aberrant signaling and uncontrolled cell proliferation. Mutations in certain genes can drive the…

  • Targeting EZH2 in Cancer: AI-Driven Pipeline for Drug Discovery and Optimization

    Abstract Traditional drug discovery is time-intensive and costly, often spanning over a decade and incurring billions in expenses. This study introduces a novel machine learning pipeline tailored to predict and optimize inhibitors for Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), a critical epigenetic target implicated in cancer progression. Leveraging curated datasets from repositories like the Protein…

  • The Role of Epigenetics in Cancer Development and Treatment

    Abstract Epigenetics refers to heritable modifications in gene expression or cellular phenotype that occur without changes to the underlying DNA sequence. Unlike irreversible genetic abnormalities, epigenetic modifications are dynamic and reversible, making them promising therapeutic targets. These changes, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA interactions, regulate key cellular functions such as differentiation, proliferation,…

  • Fear of a Warming Horizon: Exploring the Impact of Climate Change on Youth Anxiety

    Climate Change According to NASA, the climate of the world is the long-term weather patterns that envelop local regions, from the smallest towns to the entire planet we inhabit. Climate change is the term used to describe these patterns changing, and often these variations can be detrimental in times of environmental stress.  Environmental to Human…

  • Industrial Workers & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

    Introduction to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal Tunnel Syndrome(CTS), also known as the most common entrapment neuropathy in human life, exists when the median nerve is compressed through the wrist (Sevy et al., 2023). The compression in the median nerve gives sensation in our hands of tingling, weakness, pain, and numbness (Sheikh & WebMD Editorial Contributors,…

  • Neuroplasticity: Mechanisms, Implications, and Applications

    Abstract Neuroplasticity, defined as the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life, is fundamental to development, learning, memory, and recovery from brain injuries. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity, including synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and the role of glial cells in modulating neuronal circuits. The authors…

  • Neurodegenerative Diseases: How the Nervous System Can Grow to Damage Itself

    Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are conditions commonly characterized by significant physiological degeneration present in the brain and nervous systems. Despite persistent efforts from scientists and physicians for decades around the world, a definite solution for these disorders has yet to be discovered. Over 600 neurodegenerative diseases have been recorded, of those the most common conditions include…

  • The Effects of Common Illicit Drugs on Dopamine Production

    Abstract The complications of illicit drugs on the brain are eclectic and complex. This article delves specifically into the effects incurred on dopamine pathways and production by illegal drugs and how those effects present themselves in the brain. All illicit drugs pose the risk of developing an addiction, a highly prevalent topic discussed in this…

  • Diabetes and its Role as a Major Contributing Factor to Peripheral Neuropathy

    Abstract Individuals with unmanaged diabetes have a much higher risk of developing peripheral neuropathy. With cases of diabetes continuing to spike around the world, more people are living with nerve damage that may progressively get worse. One of the strongest possibilities as to how diabetes may lead to peripheral neuropathy is related to any damage…

  • The Detrimental Effects of Substance Use Disorders on the Adolescent Prefrontal Cortex and Basal Ganglia

    The teenage years in an individual’s life are tumultuous, both physiologically and emotionally. Societal and academic expectations skyrocket, combined with bodily and cognitive developments outside of their scope of comprehension These pressures may lead to the development of a Substance Use Disorder (SUD). An SUD can be categorized as a coping mechanism for the teenage…

  • Immunological and Neurological Basis of Fever

    Abstract  One of the many symptoms that the majority of mammalian diseases have in common is the higher-than-normal body temperature of the patient, a condition commonly known as fever. When it comes to infectious factors, fever is a characteristic response of the host to many bacterial pathogens, and depending on a plethora of variables, it…

  • Cholinergic Hypothesis of Alzheimer’s Disease

    Abstract  Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a form of dementia and a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of cognitive function and memory, affecting about 50 million patients worldwide. AD is categorized into early-onset and late-onset. Ongoing research is being conducted on the suspected pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. In 1976, Peter Davies and A. J. F.…

  • THE IMPLICATIONS OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS IN MAXIMIZING DRUG BENEFITS: THE FIELD OF CHRONOTHERAPEUTICS

    Abstract This paper explores the applications of chronotherapy in aligning medical treatments with the body’s circadian rhythms, which are regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the brain. The primary aim is to illustrate how circadian rhythms influence physiological processes and the potential for enhanced drug efficacy when treatments are timed accordingly. Key case studies…

  • The Role of Chromosomal Aberration in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL)

    Abstract Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a health condition that threatens the well-being of women. It is a condition where a woman experiences two or more consecutive pregnancy losses, often attributed to chromosomal aberrations. This study focused on assessing the chromosomal abnormalities using a retrospective cohort approach. The sample size was 500, consisting of 300 couples…

  • A Critical Evaluation of the Transactional Sleep-Wake Model: How Parent-Child Characteristics Contribute to Sleep Disturbances

    Abstract During sleep, there is high neurological and physiological activity that is important for the developing brain, necessitating normative sleep development in infants and young children between the ages of 0 and 4. Thus, non-normative sleep disturbance in young children has significant impact on the development of attention span, emotion control, impulse control,cognition, language and learning capabilities (Fallone,…

  • Correlation Between Anxiety Disorder and Physiological Activity and Health

    Exercise and Mental Illness Exercise is an essential part of one’s daily life, whether it consists of lifting weights, running, playing a sport, or simply walking. Most individuals incorporate exercise in their schedules without even realizing it, while others make it their entire persona. In fact, in modern times, people have made themselves known on…