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behavioral neuroscience

·May 31, 2024·5 min read

Activating Brain’s Serotonin Center Alters Behavior and Motivation

Stimulating the brain's serotonin center, the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), activates areas responsible for behavior and motivation. This discovery, using opto-functional MRI in awake mice, highlights serotonin's significant role in cognitive functions. The study offers insights into how serotonin influences behavior and mood regulation.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 28, 2024·5 min read

Revolutionary Tool Unveils Hidden Brain Cell Functions

Researchers developed ConVERGD, a tool for precise manipulation of specific cell subpopulations, enhancing studies of cellular diversity. The study demonstrated ConVERGD's utility by identifying a norepinephrine neuron subpopulation linked to anxiety. This innovative approach could impact research and treatment across various fields.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 27, 2024·5 min read

Brain Region Governing Helping Behavior Identified

A new study found that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) is crucial for prosocial behaviors. Researchers studied patients with brain damage and found that damage to the vmPFC reduced willingness to help others. Understanding this brain region's role could improve treatments for social interaction disorders and motivate global problem-solving efforts.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 23, 2024·4 min read

AI Decodes Fruit Fly Vision, Paving Way for Human Insight

Researchers developed an AI model of the fruit fly brain to understand how vision guides behavior. By genetically silencing specific visual neurons and observing changes in behavior, they trained the AI to predict neural activity and behavior accurately. Their findings reveal that multiple neuron combinations, rather than single types, process visual data in a complex "population code." This breakthrough paves the way for future research into the human visual system and related disorders.

This shows a pregnant woman drinking water.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 20, 2024·6 min read

Fluoride Exposure During Pregnancy Linked to Behavior Problems in Kids

A new study finds that higher fluoride levels in pregnant women are associated with increased odds of their children experiencing neurobehavioral problems at age 3. These problems include anxiety, difficulty regulating emotions, and physical complaints like stomachaches and headaches. Researchers urge policymakers to consider these findings and create specific recommendations for fluoride consumption during pregnancy.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 16, 2024·2 min read

Stress May Boost Helping Behavior When Witnessing Injustice

A new study finds that acute stress experienced while witnessing injustice can make people more likely to help victims rather than punish offenders. This shift in behavior is linked to increased activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a brain region involved in decision-making. The findings suggest that helping others may be a more intuitive response than punishing them, especially under stress.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 15, 2024·5 min read

New Hormone Discovery Explains Monogamy

Researchers found that a hormone-producing cell in the adrenal glands may explain why oldfield mice are monogamous while their close relatives are promiscuous. This hormone, 20⍺-OHP, boosts nurturing behavior, suggesting a link to monogamy.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·May 14, 2024·5 min read

Fever Effect May Improve Autism Symptoms

Researchers are exploring how fever can temporarily improve autism symptoms. They aim to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind this "fever effect" to develop therapies that mimic it.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 10, 2024·6 min read

Gut Microbes Influence Autism-Related Behaviors

A new study demonstrates the profound influence of gut microbes on behavior, particularly in the context of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The study reveals that gut discomfort in mice reduces social behaviors, a phenomenon reversible by specific bacterial introductions.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 3, 2024·3 min read

Does Omega 3 Boost Kids’ Mental Health and Behavior?

Researchers are conducting a study to explore the impact of omega-3 supplements on children’s behavior, mood, and mental health. Recognizing that UK children consume less than half the recommended omega-3 intake, this study, aims to assess whether these supplements can address dietary deficiencies and improve well-being. The online study will involve children aged 6-12 and include assessments of behavior changes through parental questionnaires. This research could inform broader educational and health strategies by identifying which children benefit most from increased omega-3 intake.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 3, 2024·7 min read

Predicting Human Behavior and How We Can Change It

Researchers identify effective behavior change interventions across different crises, such as pandemics and climate change. The study found that common approaches focusing on changing knowledge or beliefs are often ineffective.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 15, 2024·5 min read

Poverty’s Profound Impact on Brain Development and Behavior

A new review connects low socioeconomic status (SES) with significant changes in brain development, behavior, and cognitive outcomes. The review synthesizes existing research to present a unified framework showing how factors common in low SES environments—such as poor nutrition, chronic stress, and substandard living conditions—adversely affect neurodevelopment.