FeaturedNeuroscience·April 24, 2019·7 min readA good night’s sleep may be in sight: New 3D models of melatonin receptors shed light on sleep disordersResearchers have created new 3D maps of two melatonin receptors. The models can be used to help develop new treatments that not only improve sleep, but may also treat a variety of other conditions from diabetes to cancer.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·December 28, 2015·3 min readAbsence of Serotonin Alters Function and Development of Brain CircuitsA new study describes the role serotonin plays in brain development.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·August 8, 2016·3 min readActivating Dopamine Neurons Could Turn Off Binge Eating BehaviorsActivation of a neural circuit can inhibit binge like eating behaviors in mice.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·October 31, 2016·2 min readBrain Regulates Social Behavior Differences in Males and FemalesSerotonin and arginine-vasopressin act in opposite ways in males and females to influence aggression and dominance, researchers report.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsPsychology·September 13, 2016·4 min readChronic Stress Elevates Level of Protein That Decreases Serotonin AvailabilityResearchers discover elevated levels of TG2 in the prefrontal cortex of people who committed suicide.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·June 3, 2019·3 min readDiabetes drug alleviates anxiety in miceMetformin, a common diabetes medication, shows promise for the treatment of anxiety and depression.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·July 14, 2018·3 min readFat Consumption is the Only Cause of Weight GainResearchers say dietary fats, not sugars or proteins, are the only cause of weight gain.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·November 16, 2016·6 min readFight Club: Specific Types of Serotonin Neurons Modulate AggressionResearchers have identified two groups of serotonin neurons that may help to suppress aggression in mice.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·September 2, 2020·6 min readGuilt by Dissociation: The Role of Serotonin in AutismSERT Ala56 impacts the structure of the SERT protein cells, increasing the activity of the transporter to abnormally high levels. The high-activity state results in the removal of too much serotonin from brain sites where serotonin is needed, both during development and in adults.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·July 3, 2017·3 min readHigh Serotonin Levels in Blood of SIDS InfantsA new paper may help answer some questions as to why some infants die suddenly. Looking at blood samples from infants who had died of SIDS, researchers discover 31% of the children had elevated levels of serotonin. The researchers concluded that abnormal serotonin metabolism could indicate an underlying vulnerability that increases SIDS risk.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·October 26, 2018·4 min readHow LSD Changes PerceptionResearchers report LSD triggers a reduction in functional connection between areas of the brain that govern cognitive processes, while increasing connectivity in brain networks associated with sensory functions.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·September 6, 2019·5 min readHow serotonin and a popular anti-depressant affect the gut’s microbiotaSerotonin and SSRIs like Prozac can have a major effect on gut bacteria. When exposed to serotonin, specific gut bacteria grew to higher levels. However, when exposed to SSRIs, the bacterium grew to much lower levels in mouse models.Read More
