A Growing Mother's Brain

Hi Everyone!

A recent article by Nathan Collins in Scientific American Mind entitled "A New Mom's Changing Brain" states Mothers brains grow particularly the Hypothalamus, Amygdala, Sustania Nigra, and Pre-Frontal Cortex areas which have been found to be involved in necessary emotions in bonding with newborns. Future studies may look into whether this may be true of fathers, adoptive parents and others who bond closely with newborns.

Insane or Guilty But Mentally Ill?

Hi Everyone! With each high profile shooting, from the school shootings to recently Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords being shot, the argument of whether the assailant is Insane or Guilty but certainly Mentally Ill comes up.

A recent article in Scientific American Mind called "The Insanity Verdict On Trial" by Scott O. Lilienfeld and Hal Arkowitz discusses the difference between the two, how widely they are misunderstood & how rarely a defense of Insanity is used and successfully won in the courts.