Why do some people recover from trauma, while others spiral into anxiety or depression?

In Episode 26 of Neuroscience Beyond, we explore the psychological mechanics behind trauma and healing. Join us for an intriguing conversation with Prof. Marcella Woud, Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology at the University of Göttingen (@uniGoettingen). We discussed the fascinating link between how we interpret the world and how mental health conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression take shape.

In this episode, you’ll discover topics such as:
- How trauma and negative thinking loops lead to PTSD
- Why traumatic memories feel so vivid and intrusive
- Why some people develop PTSD after trauma, and others don’t
- What information processing biases are, and how they relate to anxiety and depression
- Effective PTSD therapies such as exposure-based treatment and EMDR
👉 Plus, many more insights on memory fragmentation, cognitive models, mental health awareness, and how external factors shape cognition.

Timestamps
00:00:00 In This Episode
00:00:25 Introduction
00:01:45 Prof. Woud’s Research Focus, Background Information
00:03:35 What Are Information Processing Biases?
00:05:35 Can Brain Imaging/Activity Explain Long-Term Trauma?
00:07:05 Bridging Cognition and Biology
00:09:23 Defining Mental Health
00:13:15 Why Do Some People Develop PTSD While Others Don’t?
00:15:15 Overthinking and PTSD relationship
00:17:35 What Is PTSD?
00:20:40 Are There Severity Levels in PTSD?
00:23:15 Brain Imaging in PTSD Diagnosis
00:24:15 Traumatic Memories vs Normal Memories
00:28:15 How is PTSD Studied Scientifically?
00:31:15 Why Does Public Speaking Cause Anxiety?
00:35:45 What Triggers PTS?
00:37:05 PTSD, Sleep Problems, Stress and Childhood Trauma
00:39:15 What Are the Treatments for PTSD?
00:42:55 Challenges in Studying Mental Health in the Lab
00:45:00 Do Cultural Differences Affect Mental Health Research?
00:47:05 Why Are Depression Rates Increasing?
00:49:15 Clinical Psychology
00:52:05 Understanding Mental Health
00:54:25 Early Prevention and Access Matter In Mental Health
00:56:15 What Is Consciousness?
01:00:05 Interpretation Biases in Alcohol Use
01:05:29 Psychodelics In Research and Clinical Use
01:08:22 Final Thoughts & Closing

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🔗 Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond

#MentalHealthAwareness #PTSD #Trauma #Psychology #CognitiveScience #Stress #InformationProcessing
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286

Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Mels Akhmetali

In our latest episode on the challenges in academia, we welcome Prof. Kwok as she dissects some of the most critical issues facing researchers today, including:

• Academic pressure and the instability of research careers.
• The “publish or perish” model and profit-driven journals.
• The oversupply of PhDs versus the limited academic positions.
• The reproducibility crisis in scientific research.
• Why leaving academia can be a valid—and valuable—career path.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content and in-depth discussions on cutting-edge science.

Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286

#academic #challenges #academia #science #ResearchFunding #AcademicCareers

Neuroscience and Beyond team:

Svilen Georgiev

Kristina Jevdokimenko

Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı

Beatriz Apgaua

Mels Akhmetali

In our 25th episode, we're highlighting a fascinating and often overlooked area of neuroscience: the extracellular matrix of the brain. We are delighted to host Dr. Jessica Kwok, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Leeds, whose research is reshaping our understanding of memory, brain plasticity, and post-injury recovery. In this episode, you will learn:

-What perineuronal nets (PNNs) are and their influence on brain function.

-The surprising role of the ECM in spinal cord injury recovery.

-How the ECM shapes brain development and aging.

-The reasons why some neurons possess PNNs while others do not.

-The therapeutic potential of targeting PNNs, and many more interesting topics!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content.🎙️Link to our social media accounts:

https:/linktr.eeneurosciencebeyond

#Neuroscience #ExtracellularMatrix #SpinalCordInjury #ECM #PNN

This podcast is supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, the Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging" in Göttingen, as well as, SFB1286.

Neuroscience and Beyond team:

Svilen Georgiev

Kristina Jevdokimenko

Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı

Beatriz Apgaua

Mels Akhmetali

Professor Mani shares her perspective, acknowledging both the privileges of scientific research and the real challenges we face. We discuss the slow peer-review process, the high cost of open access, and the systemic resistance to change.

While specific challenges vary across research fields, we can collectively improve the system through awareness and sustained action. What's your biggest challenge? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content and in-depth discussions on cutting-edge science.

https://www.youtube.com/@neurosciencebeyond

Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, SFB1286, as well as MBExC.

#academic #challenges #academia #science #ResearchFunding #AcademicCareers

Neuroscience and Beyond team:

Svilen Georgiev

Kristina Jevdokimenko

Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı

Beatriz Apgaua

Mels Akhmetali

How Do We Learn Language?

Ever wonder how babies learn language? We've got answers! Join us for a fascinating chat with Prof. Nivedita Mani from Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, as we uncover the secrets of infant language acquisition.

In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, you'll learn:

- How babies learn language: From attention and motivation to the impact of their egocentric world.

- The crucial role of the environment: Why "language is a social beast" and how media can surprisingly help!

- Different speech styles: Infant-, child-, and adult-directed speech explained.

- Multilingual upbringing: Practical tips.

- Why adults struggle with accents: The science behind learning languages later in life.

- Gender differences in early language development.

And much more!

Professor Mani shares invaluable insights and practical advice for parents and anyone fascinated by the science of language. Don't miss this interesting and exciting conversation!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel Neuroscience and Beyond for in-depth scientific discussions!

This podcast is supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, MBExC, the European Neuroscience Institute, as well as, SFB1286.

In our latest episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Ali from Georg-August-Universität Göttingen about the challenges academics face!

Ali highlights the complexities of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, their unintended consequences, and the need for structural reforms—particularly in education—to foster genuine equality. While well-intentioned, DEI policies can be manipulated for political agendas, potentially harming the very minorities they aim to support.

Our discussion also touches on broader challenges in the scientific community, including funding, equality, tenure tracks, and academic bureaucratic hurdles. We highlight the urgent need for sustainable funding for scientific research.
A must-listen for anyone interested in policy, inclusion, and the future of scientific research!

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content and in-depth discussions on cutting-edge science!
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, SFB1286 as well as MBExC.

Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Beatriz Apgaua
Mels Akhmetali

In this episode, we hosted Dr. Ali Shaib, Group Leader at the Institute of Neurophysiology, University Medical Center Göttingen. We explored One-step Nanoscale Expansion (ONE) microscopy – revolutionary imaging technology transforming structural biology and diagnostics.

Dr. Shaib shared how ONE microscopy enables the visualization of proteins at an unprecedented scale, and why neuronal receptors are such fascinating targets for structural studies. We also discussed how this technology has a potential role in Parkinson’s diagnostics.

Beyond science, we touched on work-life balance in research, the impact of preprint servers like BioRxiv, the role of social media in science communication, the Imaging for All initiative and the upcoming Göttingen Expansion Forum 2025.

Don't miss our latest episode and subscribe to our YouTube channel for in-depth discussions on cutting-edge science!

Timestamps

00:00:00 Introduction

00:03:10 Ali’s background

00:07:20 One-step Nanometer Expansion Microscopy

00:14:09 Imaging GABA receptors with ONE microscopy vs other techniques

00:16:12 Democratizing Microscopy

00:21:55 Parkinson’s diagnostics with ONE microscopy

00:32:20 Initial stages of ONE

00:35:38 Work-life balance and mental health

00:39:17 Peptide labeling

00:43:40 3D Structures from 2D planes

00:46:38 ONE and quantum computing - experimental approach

00:50:54 ONE microscopy in cells and tissues

00:53:06 BioRxiv impact on publications

00:55:32 Social media & science communication

00:58:12 Imaging for All

01:01:23 Göttingen Expansion Forum 2025 (GEF25)

Neuroscience and Beyond team:

Svilen Georgiev

Kristina Jevdokimenko

Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı

Beatriz Apgaua

Mels Akhmetali

Steffen Pöschel (intro music)

Klaas Kock (intro music)

#Microscopy #ONEmicroscopy #SuperResolution #Research #Health #Science #Innovation

Prof. Holtmaat points out that the current academic publishing system creates a cycle where funding, research, and publications are tightly linked, making it difficult to break free from its constraints.

Initiatives like bioRxiv are promising steps toward more open science and advocate for reducing the overemphasis on journal impact factors. However, the change requires coordinated efforts from universities, funding agencies, and the academic community.

Ultimately, he emphasizes the importance of balancing cooperation and competition while maintaining scientific integrity and creativity.

Follow us for exclusive content and in-depth discussions on cutting-edge science!

YouTube https://youtu.be/Q0pMk_t6HyA

Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, SFB1286, as well as MBExC.

#AcademicLife #OpenScience #AcademicPublishing #Science #Collaboration