For those of you interested in the social and political (and ethical) implications of recent findings in neuroscience, there was a panel discussion recently in Washington, from which a video recording is available on the Web (also some written material).

And a rather Machiavellian study has found that people altered their consumption behaviors after exposure to subliminal facial expressions. Specifically, hidden smiles persuaded thirsty subjects to drink more of an unidentified beverage than did neutral expressions. Frowns had the opposite effect.

Confirming the link between genetics and depression, a brain scan study suggests that a particular gene may increase susceptibility to anxiety and depression by weakening a brain circuit involving the amygdala that processes negative emotion. People with the gene variant showed less gray matter and weaker connections in the circuit.