Well, it turns out that the role played by serotonin in the brain is not as simple as was first supposed. Researchers have now discovered that depression and anxiety are associated with high levels of serotonin in certain parts of the brain. It had been assumed that serotonin boosts mood but the new discovery is prompting a rethink, argues New Scientist.

While high serotonin levels in some parts of the brain are mood enhancing in other parts they have negative effects. Tricky stuff but scientists hope better treatments will result.

Still with New Scientist and humans are capable of that old Klingon technique of mind melding apparently. Sort of, anyway.

A new study finds a connection between yoga and enhanced mood. It may be more effective than other forms of exercise apparently.

The Telegraph has a good piece by a psychiatrist about the mental health of service personnel and why more specialist support is needed.

And finally, psychotherapy is often accused of not having a solid evidence base but a study in American Psychologist (PDF) suggests this is not the case. With a few caveats, the authors says:

"the available evidence indicates that effect sizes for psychodynamic therapies are as large as those reported for other treatments that have been actively promoted as "empirically supported" and "evidence based."

He continues:

"...the evidence indicates that the benefits of psychodynamic treatment are lasting and not just transitory and appear to extend well beyond symptom remission."