How noise sensitivity disrupts the mind, brain and body

Though noise sensitivity is often dismissed by doctors, it can have long-term effects on our mental and physical health.

Tap, tap, tap. Tap, tap, tap. There it was again: the incessant noise from my new upstairs neighbours, evidently still in the process of hanging up pictures or cobbling together new furniture. In my well-insulated building in central Berlin, the noise was well below decibels that would irritate anyone else. But it sent me into a rage.

A tight sensation of stress rushed through my body. Even worse was the anxiety: "When will they ever be finished?"

That's not the only noise that is bothering me. I notice the soft thudding across my ceilings as people get ready for bed. Somewhere in the building, I hear the high-pitched hum of a vacuum cleaner and the muffled thumping of a washing machine. The neighbour's dachshund yapping for a treat. And don't get me started on the leaf blowers and pressure washers outside. Noise – however slight – breaks my concentration and peace of mind. 

It is fair to say that I – along with 10% to 40% of the general population – am noise-sensitive, meaning that I feel more upset and disturbed by noise than the average person. It would be easy to dismiss noise sensitivity as a personality flaw, a symptom of generally being belligerent, whiny, and irritable. But, in recent years, scientists have learned that it has real biological roots. The brains of noise-sensitive people respond differently to sound and some may actually be born that way. What's more, it affects not only people's immediate mood but also their long-term mental and physical health. While there are few easy solutions, being aware of these effects can help noise-sensitive people take action to make their lives more tolerable.  

"It's been one of those what we might call a wastepaper basket sort of issues… that just gets pushed away by health professionals," says neuroscientist Daniel Shepherd of Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand. Only in recent years "have people actually really started to say, right, this is at an experiential level really impacting patients", he adds. "We really need to actually start getting a handle on this."

Noise sensitivity isn't a formal medical diagnosis. People can find out if they're noise sensitive by taking questionnaires like the 21-question Weinstein's noise sensitivity scale (which asks, for instance, if you're bothered by people whispering and crinkling sweet wrappers in a movie theatre, if you get mad at people making noise when you're trying to sleep or work, even if the sound of music bothers you if you're trying to concentrate.

 Noise sensitivity is different from other sound-related conditions like misophonia. This is a specific decreased tolerance to certain sounds, like chewing, throat-clearing, tapping or ticking, which trigger intense feelings of disgust or rage, explains a clinician. Noise sensitivity is also different from hyperacusis, where people feel pain or extreme discomfort because they perceive sounds more loudly than they actually are. 

Noise sensitivity, by contrast, is a general reactiveness to all sounds, regardless of how loud they're perceived or how loud they actually are. At the very least, noise-sensitive people find sound disruptive and become annoyed, angry, or even fearful or anxious. "I remember a person describing it like having a mosquito flying around you," Shepherd says. "You just can't not attend to it."

For those who are afraid of noise, the condition might make them so stressed that their bodies go into a fight-or-flight response. "Your heart rate goes up, your blood pressure goes up," says Stephen Stansfeld, a psychiatrist and professor emeritus at Queen Mary University of London.

Sleep quality can also take a hit. In one 2021 study, researchers tracked the sleeping patterns of 500 adults in China and nighttime noise levels over the course of a week. They found that, while the noise itself didn't affect people's sleep quality, noise-sensitive individuals tended to find their sleep less restorative, rating their sleep as less refreshing and saying they felt moodier and had less energy during the day. 

Studies on the brains of noise-sensitive people reveal some clues

Noise exposure has also been linked to a range of long-term health effects, including heart disease and diabetes – and noise-sensitive people may suffer the most from  mental health impacts, a Dr. says. In one 2021 study, researchers surveyed 2,398 men who were exposed to different levels of road traffic noise. Those who were noise-sensitive were more likely to have long-term anxiety and depression.

While that may be partly because anxious people are more vigilant about their surroundings and therefore more likely to notice noise, it's also possible that being noise sensitive can worsen anxiety. And, one 2023 survey of 1,244 adults living near airports in France found that people severely annoyed by aircraft noise levels – especially some noise-sensitive individuals – were more likely to rate their general health as poor.

But why do some people react more negatively to noise than others? Studies on the brains of noise-sensitive people reveal some clues. When Shepherd and his colleagues hooked people up to devices that measured the electrical activity in their brains, those without noise sensitivity only showed heightened activity when the researchers played them threatening sounds. But in noise-sensitive people, "their brains tend to go up the gears irrespective of the sound, whether it's a threatening sound or a non-threatening sound", an expert recalls. 

  

Neuroscientists have independently found evidence that this has to do with how the brain filters out information about unimportant sounds. Scientists team found evidence that in noise-sensitive people, a specific clump of cells within the medial geniculate nucleus – a relay station for sound information entering the brain – are less efficient at this filtering task compared to the brains of those without the condition. 

Where most people can "filter this information out and get on with life, those who have noise sensitivity don't do it as easily", he says. This kind of filtering also seems to be important during sleep. While most people show patterns of electrical activity called spindles as they fall asleep, which are thought to be important in getting used to surrounding noise, people with noise-sensitivity have less of them – helping explain why they stay so reactive to sounds that normal people aren't bothered by.  

How brains end up this way, though, is a mystery. One Finnish study on twins suggests that noise sensitivity is often heritable, so some people might be predisposed to have it from birth. But it's also possible that people living in noisy environments develop sensitivity over time, Brattico says.

Even quiet noises might be annoying to a noise-sensitive person – Elvira Brattico

"People with anxiety, schizophrenia and autism are especially likely to develop noise sensitivity. While some people can get it after suffering traumatic brain injuries, for most it's usually something that persists over a lifetime, neuroscientist says. "It is very difficult, as compared to someone who's not noise-sensitive, to actually habituate to sound and actually desensitise to it." 

The ideal solution, of course, would be to tackle the sources of noise themselves. Urban planners could build quiet inner courtyards for residential buildings, use rubberised asphalt ingredients that reduce traffic noise, or erect sound-diffracting walls around highways and noisy areas like highways. Some cities in Belgium and France have already begun implementing such measures, as well as reducing vehicle speed limits, encouraging bike infrastructure and creating quiet zones in parks and along rivers. While noise is a real cause of health problems, "it's also one which is potentially avoidable", Stansfeld says. 

But progress is slow, leaving many noise-sensitive people to fend for themselves – for instance by avoiding noisy areas, soundproofing their living spaces or turning to earplugs, earmuffs or noise-cancelling headphones. But these methods often just dampen sounds rather than removing them altogether. "Even quiet noises might be annoying to a noise-sensitive person," Brattico says. 

 

Sometimes, treating underlying conditions like anxiety with medications may help, Stansfeld says. Cognitive behavioural therapy, a kind of talking therapy that centres on managing one's psychological reactions and behaviours, can make sense in settings where people are afraid of noise. "I treated somebody myself with cognitive behaviour therapy, and I think it could be quite helpful," Stansfeld says.

Meanwhile, Brattico believes that music therapy with qualified practitioners could also be useful, which involves selecting soothing, soft music that calms people and builds positive associations with sound. For those wanting to try self-soothing, Brattico recommends music with few, soft instruments like piano or harp, such as Renaissance or Baroque chamber music. When even music is annoying, art therapy might help – "something that's relaxing and allows expressions and regulation of emotions", Brattico says.  

As for myself, it was earplugs, jazz-playing noise-cancelling headphones and a towel wrapped around my head, that eventually helped somewhat. Until the world around me becomes quieter, I can at least try to find some peace in my own mind.  

 

 

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Scientists found a way to restore brain cells

Imagine being able to fix a genetic glitch in the brain. That's exactly what scientists have done with a new drug for Timothy syndrome, a rare disorder that affects brain development. According to a study in Nature, a drug called antisense oligonucleotide enables human neurons to develop correctly even when they have the mutation associated with the disorder. 

Timothy syndrome stems from a single gene mutation in a person's DNA. The new drug works by using an antisense nucleotide, a small synthetic piece of genetic material that changes the proteins produced by cells. Specifically, it replaces a faulty protein with a healthy one, effectively counteracting the mutation behind the disorder.

This method could potentially be applied to treat other genetic conditions, including some forms of schizophrenia, epilepsy, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder.

 

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Promising New Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease

Despite the advanced medical technology we have today, an effective treatment for Alzheimer's has not yet been found that not only helps slow the progression of the disease but also restores the brain to its previous state. However, a study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, and published in August 2024 revealed a surprising discovery. Researchers managed to synthesize a molecule called DDL-920 that restored the cognitive abilities of mice with Alzheimer's, and this discovery might significantly change the way the disease is treated. Not only could we slow its progression, but also restore and repair the brain, erasing the harmful effects of Alzheimer's disease. 

 

How does one molecule help restore cognitive abilities? 

Imagine your brain as a city, and the memory and thinking abilities are powered by an electrical system that lights up this city. Alzheimer's disease is a problem that disrupts the electrical flow of that system and causes electrical shorts, leading to memory loss and confusion, just like what would happen if some traffic lights and streetlights in the city were to go out. New molecule for Alzheimer's treatment: lights coming out of a brain.

Most existing treatments for Alzheimer's are aimed at cleaning the "junk" that accumulates in the brain (plaque) and causes these power outages, but the problem is that they don't address the power outages themselves. In contrast, the newly discovered molecule, named DDL-920, can actually do this, like an electrician called to fix the electrical short, and thanks to it, the future of Alzheimer's treatment looks much more promising. 

 

"There is really nothing like this on the market or in the experimental field, and no other treatment has shown the ability to do this," says Dr. István Módy, a professor of neurology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the lead researcher. Indeed, even the modern drugs recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), such as Lecanemab, which was approved for use in the U.S. in 2023, can only clean the plaque buildup in the brain but cannot repair the damage it caused. "These drugs may leave a brain without plaque, but all the pathological changes in the wiring mechanisms of nerve cells remain damaged," says Dr. Módy, meaning they do not address the cognitive problems that have already occurred.

The results in experiments look very promising 

The brain sends electrical signals at different rates to activate and deactivate various functions within it, much like how traffic lights work. Gamma wave oscillations are the ones that influence cognitive processes and working memory – the type of memory that helps us remember phone numbers, for example – and Alzheimer's patients who experience symptoms such as memory impairment show a decrease in gamma wave oscillations in their brains.

In other studies, attempts were made to restore memory by increasing gamma wave oscillations with the help of external aids, such as magnetic frequencies, but without success. However, in the current study, there is a significant breakthrough. Instead of trying to influence gamma wave oscillations using external aids, the researchers decided to try to influence the brain from within – with the help of molecules – and the molecule DDL-920 succeeded in the task.

 

In lab experiments, mice with Alzheimer's symptoms and healthy mice were tested, and they learned to navigate a maze with cues meant to lead them to the exit hole. The mice suffering from Alzheimer's were given a dose of the DDL-920 molecule twice a day for two weeks, and as a result, they showed remarkable improvement in their ability to navigate the maze and find the exit, functioning just as well as healthy mice in the same maze. 

 

Moreover, no negative side effects were observed from the treatment with the molecule, so researchers speculate that treatment with it will be safe for humans as well. However, more human trials are still needed to confirm this theory. If the trials show success at the same level, the molecule will allow effective treatments not only for Alzheimer's patients but also for those with schizophrenia, depression, and people on the autism spectrum.

Is this really a miracle cure for Alzheimer's?  

Dr. Módy claims that this mechanism has never been tested and studied before, so it represents a new direction that researchers have not yet tried, and it has a high chance of becoming the leading treatment for Alzheimer's patients. As mentioned, many more trials are still needed on the subject, but researchers are very optimistic. We hope to hear more developments on this soon, and we would be happy to discover if, in the near future, there will indeed be an available treatment that can restore the brain function of Alzheimer's patients to its former state. If so, we may be able to say goodbye to the damage caused by the disease and hello to a new era where "Alzheimer's" is no longer a scary word, but simply another disease that can be treated and its symptoms managed with a simple and quick treatment.

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Link Found Between Cats and Alzheimer's?

Recent research has brought into focus a potentially unsettling link for cat lovers: owning a feline may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia-related disorders. This connection is not new to science but continues to be contentious, with various studies drawing different conclusions over the years.

Australian researchers, including psychiatrist John McGrath from the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, took on the task of analyzing 17 studies spanning 44 years and 11 countries, including the US and the UK. Their findings, published in the December issue of Schizophrenia Bulletin, suggest that individuals who own cats might be at twice the risk of developing schizophrenia or similar disorders compared to those without cats. 

 

But why cats? The answer might lie in a seemingly harmless parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), often carried by cats and transmitted through their feces. This parasite can also find its way into the human body through undercooked meat or contaminated water, but the feline connection has garnered particular interest due to the intimate nature of pet ownership.

T. gondii’s intrusion into the human body is not usually marked by physical symptoms, but the parasite is capable of reaching the central nervous system, where it may wreak havoc on neurotransmitters. Indeed, it’s linked to personality changes and even psychotic symptoms. Does this mean our furry friends are to blame for serious mental health issues? Not exactly, but the relationship between T. gondii infection and schizophrenia has sparked significant debate and research. 

 

The McGrath team’s meta-analysis indicates a significant association between cat ownership and increased odds of developing schizophrenia-related disorders. However, it's crucial to recognize the limitations of the studies involved. Most of the analyzed research comprises case-control studies, which, while useful for identifying associations, do not prove causation. Furthermore, many of these studies did not account for other factors that could influence both cat ownership and the development of mental health issues, such as household income or urban versus rural living environments. 

 

The research world has seen its share of contradictory findings on this topic. Some studies point to specific childhood years, like ages 9 to 12, as critical periods during which cat exposure might influence mental health later in life. Other studies, however, have found no significant links at all, suggesting that the timing and context of exposure are key. 

 

One particularly interesting aspect of the research involves the concept of "schizotypy"—a cluster of personality traits that may T.gopredispose individuals to psychosis. A U.S. study involving 354 psychology students found no significant correlation between cat ownership and schizotypy scores, but a twist in the tale emerged with the examination of cat bites: students who had been bitten by cats scored higher on schizotypy scales. This finding opens the door to the possibility that it is not merely the presence of a cat but specific interactions, like bites, that might be critical.

Moreover, another study highlighted a different pathogen, Pasteurella multocida, found in cat bites, suggesting that other factors related to cats might also influence psychological health. This points to a complex interplay of variables, each adding layers to the understanding of cat ownership and mental health. 

 

Despite these fascinating insights, the research community agrees that more robust, high-quality studies are needed. Large, representative samples and longitudinal studies could provide clearer answers and help untangle the complex web of cat ownership, T. gondii exposure, and mental health outcomes. 

 

For cat owners and lovers, these findings might sound alarming, but it's important to balance this knowledge with practical measures. Good hygiene practices, such as washing hands after handling cats or cleaning litter boxes, can reduce the risk of T. gondii infection. Also, cooking meat thoroughly and ensuring that drinking water is clean can help prevent the parasite's transmission.

In conclusion, while there is an intriguing association between cat ownership and an increased risk of schizophrenia-related disorders, cat lovers need not panic. It’s essential to approach this information with a critical mind and consider personal circumstances and health practices. Future research will hopefully provide more definitive answers, helping cat owners understand and manage any potential risks without compromising the joy their pets bring into their lives.

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Hypersomnia: Why This Sleep Disorder May Be Affecting You

Recent neurological studies reveal that a rare condition leading to daytime fatigue, even with sufficient sleep, is more widespread than initially thought. The most recent findings from the American Academy of Neurology shed light on idiopathic hypersomnia, a condition characterized by extreme daily fatigue, difficulty waking, and confusion upon awakening.

 

 “We examined data from a large sleep study and found that this condition is much more common than previous estimates and as prevalent as some other common neurologic and psychiatric conditions, such as epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia,” said study author Dr. David T. Plante of the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

The study examined the sleep patterns of 792 people, looking at both daytime and nighttime data. Surprisingly, 1.5% of the participants, or 12 individuals, had signs of idiopathic hypersomnia, according to the data. Sleep Disorders Australia notes that this defies previous beliefs that estimated a prevalence of only 0.005 to 0.3%.

Idiopathic hypersomnia is defined by medical specialists as a sleep condition characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and an elevated need for sleep, even after having enough or lengthy nocturnal sleep. The term 'idiopathic' refers to the fact that the etiology is uncertain. Individuals suffering from idiopathic hypersomnia frequently struggle to get up in the morning and struggle with decreased attentiveness and focus during the day. 

 

Though similar in some ways, this condition differs from the more common narcolepsy. While narcolepsy can cause daily fatigue without adequate sleep, people who suffer from it generally wake up refreshed after naps. Idiopathic hypersomnia, on the other hand, has no obvious cause. 

 

 

How do I diagnose idiopathic hypersomnia?

Diagnosis of idiopathic hypersomnia, according to specialists, requires a thorough assessment of medical history, sleep diaries, and many sleep examinations such as polysomnography and several sleep latency tests. 

 

After ruling out other reasons for excessive sleepiness and meeting specific criteria for idiopathic hypersomnia, a clear diagnosis is usually achieved. Excessive nighttime slumber, difficulty waking up, and daytime weariness that persists despite regular naps are all common symptoms.

Can this condition be managed?

 

 

Managing idiopathic hypersomnia is difficult, given the limited treatment options available. Recommendations may include stimulant medications, lifestyle modifications, and scheduled naps. However, responses to treatment can differ, making it important to know that what works for one person may not work for another.

Maintaining a regular sleep schedule, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and successfully dealing with stress are all factors that can help with symptom control. 

 

If you suspect that you have idiopathic hypersomnia or a similar sleep issue, consulting with a healthcare professional is essential for an accurate diagnosis and specific advice on successful management measures.

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The Link Between Migraine Therapy and Premature Fetal Aging

A substance called Valproic acid (VPA) can be found in many neurotherapeutic drugs used to treat a variety of diseases, including the manic phase of bipolar disorder, seizures, and even migraines. But when taken during pregnancy, it has life-altering consequences on the evolving fetus. This has been widely known to researchers for quite some time now, but up until now, the reason remained unclear. Researchers from the Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology in France set out to find why VPA has such severe negative effects on fetal development. 

 

What is VPA?

VPA is also used to treat depression and schizophrenia and is the most prescribed medicine for epilepsy. It was first synthesized in 1882 to be used as a non-reactive solvent, but in 1962, researcher Pierre Eymard discovered its anti-epileptic properties. Shortly after this discovery, VPA was approved for wide pharmaceutical use. Its activity blocks certain neurotransmitter passageways in the brain, eliminating or easing symptoms of neurological diseases. 

 

Today it is commercially marketed under several different names, including Depakene, Depakote, Depakote DR, Depakote ER, Depakote Sprinkles, Stavzor, and Alti-Valproic.

There are many documented instances of pregnant women who use VPA giving birth to babies who suffer from several birth abnormalities, such as Spina Bifida (a condition that affects the spine and might cause physical and intellectual disabilities that range from mild to severe), facial changes, and heart malformations. Less frequent birth abnormalities include cognitive decline and Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

 

Research findings  

Researchers found that stem cells responsible for building the fetal central nervous system undergo premature cellular aging after exposure to VPA. The researchers were also able to identify the specific molecule that caused the premature cellular aging. However, VPA continued to cause different birth abnormalities even in lab mice that don't have the gene that responds to the specific trouble-making molecule. 

 

This premature cellular aging is known as senescence. "Cellular senescence has long been associated with aging and age-related disease," says Muriel Rhinn, the first author of the study. "We now show that aberrant induction of senescence can also contribute to developmental defects." 

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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H/T: SciTechDaily