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behavioral neuroscience

This shows a young gorilla grooming a close social member who has recently died

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 3, 2019·4 min read

Gorillas gather around and groom their dead

Researchers observe grooming and mourning behaviors by gorillas towards others in their social groups who recently died. The study sheds light on how animals perceive and process death.

This shows the chemical structure of dopamine

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 2, 2019·3 min read

Dopamine conducts prefrontal cortex ensembles

Dopamine activation controls the ensemble activity of neurons and increases oscillatory activity in the prefrontal cortex.

The male and female symbols are shown here

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·March 31, 2019·4 min read

Allergic reactions play role in sexual behavior development in unborn males/females

Exposure to allergic inflammation, while in utero, increased mast cell and microglia activation, leading to masculinization of dendritic spine density in the preoptic area of females. During adulthood, females exposed to allergic inflammation showed an increase in more masculine behaviors.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·March 18, 2019·5 min read

Scientists hunt down the brain circuit responsible for alcohol cravings

Optogenetic inactivation of CRF neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala decreases escalation of alcohol consumption and intensity of withdrawal in rodent models of alcoholism. The findings suggest a potential target for treating excessive drinking in alcohol use disorder.

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.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 2, 2019·3 min read

Clues to Brain Differences Between Males and Females

A new study reveals how male sex steroids impact brain development. The findings could help shed light on behavioral developmental differences between males and females.

Featured Psychology

·February 28, 2019·4 min read

When Watching Others in Pain, Women’s Brains Show More Empathy

Study reveals women have higher activation in sensory areas of the brain associated with pain compared to males when witnessing another person suffering.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·February 27, 2019·3 min read

Mother’s Behavioral Corrections Tune Infant’s Brain to Angry Tone

A new study reports babies' brains are sensitive to different emotional tones they hear in voices. Researchers suggest maternal interactions may help to shape the same brain region adults use for emotional processing.

Auditory Neuroscience Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 26, 2019·4 min read

Brain Response to Mom’s Voice Differs in Kids with Autism

In children with autism, the sound of their mom's voice creates a weaker brain response than in their peers not on the autism spectrum, a new study reports.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·February 25, 2019·4 min read

Some Personal Beliefs and Morals May Stem From Genetics

A new study reports genetics, in addition to environmental factors, influence morals and some personal behaviors in adults.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 25, 2019·3 min read

High Fructose Corn Syrup Consumption Linked to Bipolar Like Behaviors: Adolescent Rat Study

Researchers report adolescent rats exposed to high fructose corn syrup in their diets were more prone to experience symptoms associated with bipolar disorder.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 25, 2019·3 min read

Eye Contact Prepares Brains for Social Interaction

A 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.