How does your brain really work? And how is it affected by injury, drugs, or disease? We asked experts Drs Kevin Thomas and Susan Malcolm-Smith from the ACSENT Laboratory, Department of Psychology, UCT, to respond to users' questions during Brain Awareness Week.
Here are a few of the questions people had on their minds:
Is it true that male and female brains work differently?
What is the difference between old age dementia and Alzheimer’s?
Is there a remedy for memory loss?
Is brain damage due to prolonged alcohol abuse reversible?
What are the long-term effects of ecstasy?
Can I just stop taking my antidepressants?
How can I stimulate the release of feel-good brain chemicals?
Forgetful: antidepressants or stress to blame?
What are the effects of cocaine on the brain?
Personality changes after bad fall
How can I get rid of phantom limb pain?
Why can you have blackouts after heavy drinking?
Is recovery after a stroke possible?
Can the brain recover after a brain injury?
Can head injuries affect emotions?
What is the latest research on ADHD and the brain?
What happens during an epileptic fit?
View all the questions here.
Call for research participants
To learn more about Dr Thomas' work and how to participate in his research, click here.
To learn more about Dr Malcolm-Smith's research and how to participate, click here.