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basolateral amygdala

·April 14, 2025·4 min read

Brain Region Found to Regulate Social Generosity

A new study reveals that the basolateral amygdala (BLA) plays a key role in calibrating prosocial behavior based on emotional closeness. Researchers studied individuals with Urbach-Wiethe disease, a rare condition that selectively damages the BLA, using economic games to assess generosity.

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·June 26, 2024·4 min read

Depression Linked to Amygdala Activity

A new study reveals how depression affects brain activity in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) of rats. Using a microelectrode array, researchers found increased theta frequency activity in the BLA correlated with depressive behaviors. These findings could pave the way for targeted treatments for depression. The research highlights the potential of specific brain activity as a biomarker for depression.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 22, 2024·4 min read

Astrocytes Play Crucial Role in Mental Health

New research reveals the pivotal role of astrocytes in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) in modulating risk assessment behaviors, which are often disrupted in mental disorders. The study used advanced techniques to explore how these brain cells influence a specific group of neurons in the BLA that are crucial for evaluating threats.

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·July 20, 2022·5 min read

Making a Memory Positive or Negative

Researchers discovered a specific neurotransmitter that helps assign either positive or negative emotions to memories.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 6, 2022·5 min read

What Causes the Brain’s Emotional Hub to Switch to Negative States?

Researchers explore how changes in the patterns of activity in the basolateral amygdala contribute to negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, and depression.

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·June 7, 2022·3 min read

Neuroscientists Identify Role of Basolateral Amygdala Neurons

Neurons in the basolateral amygdala allow rats to respond to and recall ethological stimuli.

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·April 25, 2022·5 min read

Where the Mind Is Without Fear

KNT-127, a chemically synthesized compound, helps suppress fear memories associated with PTSD, researchers report.

This shows the outline of a woman's head and brain

Featured Neuroscience

·April 11, 2022·8 min read

A Single Memory Is Stored Across Many Connected Brain Regions

Brain mapping study reveals memory engrams are widely distributed throughout the brain, including among regions not previously realized.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 3, 2022·4 min read

Midbrain Projection to the Basolateral Amygdala Encodes Anxiety-Like Behaviors

A ventral tegmental area dopamine neuron circuit that projects to the basolateral amygdala selectively controls anxiety-like behaviors, but not depression-like behaviors.

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·October 26, 2021·4 min read

Release of Dopamine in Infant Brains May Help Control Early Social Development

Increased levels of dopamine release in the basolateral amygdala as a result of stressful situations during infancy could lead to lasting behavioral issues and social difficulties, a new study reports.

This shows neurons in the basolateral amygdala

Featured Neuroscience

·October 18, 2021·3 min read

Mammalian Motivation Circuits: Maybe They’re Born With It

Researchers have identified a pre-programmed neural circuit in the basolateral amygdala of mice that processes both positive and negative stimuli.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 21, 2021·5 min read

Neuroactive Steroids May Induce Prolonged Antidepressant Effects by Altering Brain States

Allopregnanolone, a neuroactive steroid used in the treatment of postpartum depression, alters neural communication in the basolateral amygdala, an area of the brain associated with emotion and mood regulation. The drug may alter the network associated with chronic stress, which may explain its persistent antidepressant effect.