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brain research

Research articles and news stories tagged with brain research

·July 5, 2021·3 min read

Nanomaterials Shape and Form Influences Their Ability to Cross the Blood Brain Barrier

Silver and zinc oxide nanomaterials are able to pass through an in vitro blood-brain barrier model in the form of both particles and dissolved ions.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 5, 2021·2 min read

More Filling? Tastes Great? How Flies, and Maybe People, Choose Their Food

Neurochemistry may dictate our choices for certain kinds of food, even when we believe we are making a conscious choice in what to eat.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·July 5, 2021·6 min read

Common Mechanism Underlies Some Behavioral Traits Seen in Autism and Schizophrenia

Certain genes that are mutated or missing in those with schizophrenia and autism cause similar dysfunction in neural networks within the thalamus.

This shows oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamus

Featured Neuroscience

·July 5, 2021·2 min read

The Same Neural Pathways Promote Maternal and Paternal Behaviors in Voles

Connections between oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamus and dopamine neurons in the reward system drive parenting behaviors in both male and female voles.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 5, 2021·2 min read

Psychedelic Spurs Growth of Neural Connections Lost In Depression

One dose of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms, increases dendritic spine density within 24 hours. The neurobiological changes lasted for a month following psilocybin exposure. Additionally, mice subjected to stress showed behavioral improvements and increased neurotransmitter activity after psilocybin exposure.

Auditory Neuroscience Featured Neuroscience

·July 3, 2021·5 min read

Study Pinpoints Role of Dopamine in Songbird’s Brain Plasticity

Dopamine drives neuroplasticity in the auditory pallium region of the zebra finch brain, researchers report.

Autism Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 3, 2021·4 min read

Autistic Individuals More Likely to Use Recreational Drugs to Self-Medicate

While those with autism are less likely to use substances than those who are not on the autism spectrum, those who do are more likely to self-medicate for their mental health symptoms. Those with ASD who self-medicate report they do so to improve focus and attention and, in some cases, to mask ASD symptoms.

This shows a girl covering her face, looking upset

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 3, 2021·5 min read

Many Of Us Feel ‘Empty’ – Understanding What It Means Is Important For Improving Our Mental Health

Many people report feeling "empty" within their daily lives. Researchers have identified mental health symptoms, including suicidal ideations, associated with emptiness and say more emphasis needs to be placed on this psychological problem.