FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·July 15, 2024·7 min readBeta Brain Waves: A Novel Brain Signature for DepressionA new study identifies beta frequency neural activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as crucial for recognizing rewards and shaping behavior. This neural signature is altered in patients with depression, suggesting it could serve as a biomarker and potential treatment target for anhedonia.Read More
AutismFeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·May 9, 2024·4 min readKey Brain Region Implicated in Autism Sensory IssuesResearchers identified the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as a crucial area linked to sensory hypersensitivity in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This sensory hypersensitivity, affecting about 90% of individuals with autism, leads to abnormal responses to stimuli like sound and light, complicating daily activities and social interactions.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·February 5, 2024·6 min readBrains of Bullied Teens Show Chemical Shifts Linked to PsychosisA new study revealed a significant link between bullying in adolescents and the early stages of psychosis, associated with lower levels of the neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain's anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a region critical for emotion regulation. This finding underscores the potential of targeting glutamate levels for pharmaceutical interventions to mitigate the risk of developing psychotic disorders.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·March 16, 2023·3 min readProgress in Unlocking the Brain’s Code for DepressionChanges in brain activity in the anterior cingulate cortex could be the best predictor of depression severity.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·November 8, 2022·4 min readNeuronal Mechanism Involved in the Learning of Maternal Behavior DiscoveredFemale mice who have not been pregnant or given birth show activation in the anterior cingulate cortex when they acquire maternal behaviors after exposure to pups. The findings reveal through repeated exposure to pups, virgin female mice are capable of learning maternal behaviors that resemble those of mothers following birth.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·August 5, 2022·6 min readWhen a Task Adds More Steps, This Circuit Helps You NoticeResearchers reveal how the anterior cingulate cortex and motor cortex collaborate to update behaviors when adding a new step to an established task.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·April 18, 2022·3 min readThe Brain Employs an Alarm System to Suppress Intrusive ThoughtsThe anterior cingulate cortex generates a reactive alarm, increasing its activity to signal to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to stop intrusive thoughts and memories.Read More
AutismFeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·July 26, 2019·3 min readBrain region linked to altered social interactions in autism modelThe anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays a critical role in regulating social behaviors. In mouse models of ASD, dysfunction in the ACC was linked to social impairments associated with the disorder.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·May 16, 2019·5 min readHow we make complex decisionsWhen making complex decisions, the brain performs two computations using distributed network areas in the frontal cortex.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·April 15, 2019·4 min readLow-intensity ultrasound can change decision-making process in the brainA study of macaque monkeys reveals low-intensity ultrasound can both generate and suppress signalling in the brain and modulate normal function. The ultrasonic stimulation alters counterfactual thinking, allowing the ability to decide upon a better alternative in decision-making tasks.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·April 11, 2019·4 min readI feel you: Emotional mirror neurons found in the ratStudy reports the anterior cingulate cortex of rats contain mirror neurons that respond to pain experienced by and observations of others.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·February 25, 2019·3 min readEye Contact Prepares Brains for Social InteractionA new neuroimaging study reveals real time eye contact is a basis for effective social communication. The study found eye contact between two people simultaneously activated the same areas of each person's brain.Read More
