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adenosine

·December 6, 2024·4 min read

Astrocytes Hold the Key to Stress Response Regulation

Astrocytes, previously known for supporting nerve cells, have been identified as key regulators of stress responses in the lateral septum of the brain. Researchers demonstrated that astrocytes release adenosine to suppress nearby nerve activity when exposed to stress-inducing stimuli. This groundbreaking finding reveals that astrocytes interact dynamically with neurons to influence fear, anxiety, and social behaviors, varying based on the stress type and brain region.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 3, 2024·5 min read

Brain Energy Boost Mechanism Discovered

Researchers identified a key mechanism that detects when the brain needs an energy boost, involving astrocytes and the molecule adenosine. This discovery could lead to new therapies for maintaining brain health and longevity, particularly in combating cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.

This is a photo of a woman drinking coffee

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos

·January 20, 2020·4 min read

How coffee affects the brain, body, and health

From helping to protect against certain cancers and neurodegenerative diseases to causing anxiety and insomnia, researchers investigate how coffee affects the brain, body, and overall health.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·June 19, 2018·4 min read

A Single Binge Drinking Episode Affects Gene that Regulates Sleep

Researchers report a single instance of binge drinking could alter a gene associated with sleep regulation.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 18, 2018·3 min read

Sleep Deprivation Takes Toll on Decision Making

A new study will look at how sleep deprivation affects cognitive flexibility and cognitive processing on a neurobiological level.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 29, 2017·3 min read

Why Do We Fall Asleep When We’re Bored?

According to researchers, the nucleus accumbens, an area of the brain associated with pleasure and motivation, can also promote sleep. Researchers believe the findings might help answer why we often fall asleep when we are bored.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 24, 2017·3 min read

Caffeine Tempers Taste, Triggering Temptation for Sweets

Researchers report caffeinated drinks reduce our ability to taste just how sweet something is. Ironically, this makes us crave sweet tastes more.

Image shows a chemical diagram of caffeine.

Featured Neurology

·August 1, 2017·3 min read

Caffeine Shortens Recovery Time From General Anesthesia

A new study reveals animals injected with caffeine during the last 10 minutes of exposure to general anesthetic woke more quickly than those injected with saline solution. Waking times became significantly quicker with higher doses of caffeine.

Image shows a little girl playing the piano.

Auditory Neuroscience Featured Neuroscience

·June 30, 2017·5 min read

Controlling a Single Brain Chemical May Help Expand Window for Learning Language and Music

Using mouse models, researchers restricted a key chemical messenger to extend efficient auditory learning until much later in life. Disrupting adenosine signaling in the auditory thalamus allowed researchers to extend the window for auditory learning well into adulthood and far beyond the current critical period.