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amygdala

·April 25, 2019·4 min read

Comfort food leads to more weight gain during stress

A combination of chronic stress and high-calorie diets raised insulin levels tenfold in the amygdala of mice. Prolonged high levels of insulin in the central amygdala resulted in neurons becoming desensitized to insulin. The desensitized neurons boosted NPY levels, which promoted eating and reduced the normal homeostasis response to burn calories. The findings may shed light on why some indulge in high-calorie foods when stressed, and why this may lead to obesity.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 24, 2019·5 min read

The neurobiology of noshing: Why is it so easy to overeat calorie-rich tasty foods?

Prepronociceptin expressing neurons in the central amygdala become activated by consuming palatable foods. Reducing nociceptin making neurons in mice reduced binge eating when the animals had access to calorie-rich foods, without affecting the intake of ordinary dietary needs. The finding could help in the development of new therapies to combat obesity and binge eating.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 23, 2019·5 min read

Obesity linked with differences in form and structure of the brain

Obesity is associated with alterations in brain structure, including lower gray matter volume and smaller globus pallidus volume.

This shows two heads and networked lines

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 19, 2019·3 min read

Behavioral disorders in kids with autism linked to reduced brain connectivity

Reduced connectivity between the amygdala and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex has been identified in children on the autism spectrum who exhibit disruptive behaviors, compared to those on the spectrum who do not. Findings suggest this distinct brain network could be independent of core autism symptoms.

This shows the chemical structure of oxytocin

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 16, 2019·3 min read

Oxytocin could help treat alcohol use disorder: Rat Study

Administering oxytocin blocks the enhanced motivation for drinking alcohol that fuels alcohol use disorder by blocking GABA signaling in the central nucleus of the amygdala.

This shows a brain with the amygdala highlighted

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 11, 2019·5 min read

‘Mindreading’ neurons simulate decisions of social partners

Neurons in the amygdala derive object values based on observations and use the values to simulate a social partner's decision making.

This shows the location of the hippocampus

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 1, 2019·4 min read

How the brain fights off fears that return to haunt us

Newly identified 'extinction neurons' in the hippocampus suppress fearful memories when activated, and allow the memories to return when deactivated. The findings may provide new treatment avenues for PTSD, phobias, and anxiety.

PET brain scan of an alzheimer's patient

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·March 14, 2019·4 min read

Insulin Signaling Failures in the Brain Linked to Alzheimer’s Disease

Insulin signaling plays a role in regulating synaptic function, glucose homeostasis, and cognition, a new study reports. Impairments in insulin signaling result in metabolic defects, in addition to memory and learning deficits, mirroring the cognitive impairments associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Featured Genetics Psychology

·March 13, 2019·4 min read

NIH-funded rodent study finds molecular link between adolescent alcohol use and adult anxiety

Adolescent rats exposed to alcohol had a decrease of both Arc eRNA expression and Arc gene expression in the amygdala during adulthood. Additionally, the alcohol-exposed rats displayed increased anxiety behaviors as they aged.

The amygdala is highlighted in this brain scan

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 12, 2019·5 min read

Fear center in the brain protects against illusions

Researchers report inhibited activity of the amygdala makes people more susceptible to deception when it comes to illusory perception. The study suggests the amygdala might help to protect us against distortions in self-perception.