Psychiatry

Elderly people with loss of executive function--lessening of inhibitions--are more likely to offer useful, but tactless, advice. Christopher Intagliata reports

Robotic companions that are capable of expressing some emotion might be better as pals for autistic children as well as mentors and health advisors for young diabetic patients

The tools used by the commercial industry to detect our thoughts and brain states are very different, and somewhat limited, compared with those used in the research lab. Christie Nicholson reports

A recent review of studies on intoxication has determined that we are very bad at determining just how drunk someone is. Christie Nicholson reports

An illicit drug shows promise as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder

Letters to the editor about the May/June 2010 issue of Scientific American MIND

The sense of touch helps children to ground abstract ideas in concrete experiences

Museum exhibits, conferences and events relating to the brain

Polishing your self-image with counterfeit goods may lead to lying, cheating and cynicism