FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·June 15, 2019·4 min readMany choices seems promising until you actually have to chooseChoice overload can have negative consequences, a new study reveals.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeurosciencePsychology·June 13, 2019·15 min readThe neuroscience of terrorism: How researchers convinced a group of radicals to let them scan their brainA new neuroimaging study provides an insight into the neurobiology of those willing to commit terrorist acts. Researchers consider the psychological and social factors which also contribute to radicalization, and discuss how inclusive societies could help in the fight against political violence.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·May 28, 2019·5 min read‘Mindreading’ neurons capable of having expectations about the behavior of the othersSimulation neurons found in the amygdala allow animals to reconstruct the mental state of social partners and predict intentions. Dysfunction in these newly identified neurons may be involved in disorders associated with social behavioral problems, such as autism and social anxiety.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·May 22, 2019·4 min readExploring the science of decision-makingWhen faced with complex choices, people show bursts of exploration before settling into preferred options of higher value.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·May 16, 2019·5 min readHow we make complex decisionsWhen making complex decisions, the brain performs two computations using distributed network areas in the frontal cortex.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·May 9, 2019·3 min readScientists locate brain area where value decisions are made: Mouse studyThe retrosplenial cortex plays a vital role in value-based decision making.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·April 30, 2019·4 min readTo boldly go or anxiously hang back? Mouse StudyInhibiting VIP interneurons disrupts medial prefrontal cortex representations of anxiety-related information which drive avoidance behaviors.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·April 16, 2019·5 min readWhen it comes to learning, what’s better: The carrot or the stick?People are more confident in decisions, and execute choices more quickly, if they are chasing a reward. However, we become more flexible in our decisions when trying to avoid a negative outcome.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·April 15, 2019·4 min readLow-intensity ultrasound can change decision-making process in the brainA study of macaque monkeys reveals low-intensity ultrasound can both generate and suppress signalling in the brain and modulate normal function. The ultrasonic stimulation alters counterfactual thinking, allowing the ability to decide upon a better alternative in decision-making tasks.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·April 13, 2019·4 min readICU patients with non-brain-related injuries may suffer undetected cognitive dysfunctionA number of patients in intensive care units for non-brain-related illnesses may suffer from cognitive dysfunction. Inflammation that occurs as a result of infection and problems with oxygen flow to the brain which occur when breathing is affected, could contribute to cognitive impairments.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·April 11, 2019·5 min read‘Mindreading’ neurons simulate decisions of social partnersNeurons in the amygdala derive object values based on observations and use the values to simulate a social partner's decision making.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·April 10, 2019·5 min readHigher lead in topsoil boosts probability of cognitive difficulties in 5-year-old boysHigher levels of lead in topsoil have been linked to an increased risk of cognitive impairments, learning difficulties, and problems with decision making in 5-year-old boys.Read More
