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behavioral neuroscience

The image shows the projected neurons of the fruit fly. The caption best describes the image.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 25, 2013·3 min read

Hunger Affects Decision Making and Perception of Risk

A new study finds the state of satiation affects perception of risk and decision making.

The diagram of the brain shown highlights the thalamus locato

Featured Neuroscience

·June 21, 2013·4 min read

Scientists Discover Previously Unknown Requirement for Brain Development

Genes alone don't determine how the cerebral cortex grows into separate functional areas. Input from the thalamus is also crucially required, a new study suggests.

The images above depict the activity of the mushroom body Kenyon cells in the fruit fly brain in response to 3 different odors.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 18, 2013·4 min read

The Discerning Fruit Fly: Linking Brain-Cell Activity and Behavior in Smell Recognition

Researchers have mapped the activity of brain cells in the mushroom body of flies conditioned to have Pavlovian behavioral responses to different odors. The findings suggest the activity of as few as 25 neurons are required to be able to distinguish between different odors.

The diagram shows the experimental set up.

Events Neuroscience Videos Psychology

·June 17, 2013·3 min read

Mice in a “Big Brother” Setup Develop Social Structures

A new study which developed a system designed to observe different strains of mice living together in a 'Big Brother house' pen and with no human intervention, provides some unusual insights into social behavior which enables social hierarchy.

This is a photo of the sea slug used in this research, Pleurobranchaea californica.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 7, 2013·3 min read

By Trying it All, Predatory Sea Slug Learns What Not to Eat

Researchers discover Pleurobranchaea californica, a predatory sea slug which normally isn't a picky eater, has more cognitive abilities than previously believed; allowing them to lean the warning cues of dangerous pray and avoiding them in the future.

The image shows a light beam shining onto a neuron.

Featured Psychology

·June 6, 2013·4 min read

Compulsive No More

Researchers use optogenetics to control compulsive behavior in mice. The results could help to develop new treatments such as OCD and Tourette's syndrome.

The brain diagram has the anterior cingulate cortex highlighted in yellow.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 27, 2013·3 min read

‘Should I Stay or Should I Go?’ Scientists Link Brain Cell Types to Behavior

Researchers discover the activity of two specific neuron types, somatostatin and parvalbumin neurons, correlates with foraging decisions in mice.

The image shows the autism jigsaw ribbon.

Autism Featured

·May 17, 2013·3 min read

New Research Suggests Possible Direction for Treatment of Autism

Researchers note marked improvements in young autistic boys when using a treatment known as sensory-motor or environmental enrichment.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 16, 2013·2 min read

Fishing for Memories

Observing whole-brain activity in live zebrafish, researchers have discovered how information stored as long-term memory in the cerebral cortex is processed to guide behavioral choices.

The anti smoking poster shows a drawing of a fish about to get hooked with a cigarette in its mouth.

Featured Psychology

·April 24, 2013·3 min read

Anti-Smoking Ads with Strong Arguments, Not Flashy Editing, Trigger Part of Brain That Changes Behavior

Researchers discovered a part of the brain involved in future behavioral changes, the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, had greater activation when smokers were exposed to anti-smoking messages with stronger arguments as opposed to weaker arguments.

A graphic of two rats with white lights sparking between their heads is shown to depict the BTBI activity.

Electrophysiology Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 28, 2013·6 min read

Brain-to-Brain Interface Allows Transmission of Tactile and Motor Information Between Rats 1000s of Miles Apart

Researchers electronically linked the brains of pairs of rats for the first time, enabling them to communicate directly to solve simple behavioral puzzles. A further test of this work successfully linked the brains of two animals thousands of miles apart - one in Durham, N.C., and one in Natal, Brazil.

The image shows two small birds sitting on a branch.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 27, 2013·4 min read

Songbirds’ Brains Coordinate Singing with Intricate Timing

Researchers discovered that as a bird sings, some neurons in its brain prepare to make the next sound while others are synchronized with the coordination of physical actions.