FeaturedNeuroscience·March 29, 2025·3 min readDopamine Circuit in Brain Found to Drive Male EjaculationNew research uncovers how dopamine in the ventral shell of the nucleus accumbens (vsNAc) governs the sexual behavior sequence in male mice, from sniffing to ejaculation. Using fiber photometry, scientists identified rhythmic dopamine activity during intromission that aligns with movement patterns and is regulated by acetylcholine inputs.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·March 28, 2025·4 min readDopamine Surge Boosts Brain’s Ability to AdaptFor the first time, researchers have directly observed dopamine release in the human brain during moments of cognitive flexibility. Using PET imaging, they found that dopamine levels spike in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex when people switch between tasks — and the more dopamine released, the more efficiently they adapted.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·March 27, 2025·8 min readPleasure Loss, Not Cravings, Drives Overeating in ObesityA new study reveals that long-term high-fat diets reduce pleasure from eating by lowering neurotensin, a brain peptide that boosts dopamine response.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·March 27, 2025·4 min readHow the Brain Learns to Reclassify Danger and RewardThe brain constantly evaluates whether stimuli are positive or negative, prompting approach or avoidance behaviors that are essential for survival. A new study reveals that two neuron types in the nucleus accumbens—D1 and D2 neurons—respond together to both rewarding and aversive stimuli, but in distinct ways.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·March 15, 2025·4 min readDopamine Can Rewire Reward-Linked MemoriesNew research reveals dopamine has a previously unknown role: reshaping our memories of rewarding experiences. In a study using mice, scientists found dopamine helps reduce the perceived value of memories linked to rewards, altering future behavior toward those rewards.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·February 20, 2025·7 min readBrain’s Hidden Circuitry for Risk and Reward UncoveredResearchers have identified two distinct groups of neurons that help the brain evaluate risk and reward in decision-making. These neurons, located in the ventral striatum, separately process better-than-expected and worse-than-expected outcomes.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·January 27, 2025·3 min readDopamine Clock May Drive Bipolar Mood SwingsNew research suggests that mood swings in bipolar disorder are regulated by two clocks: the body’s 24-hour circadian rhythm and a dopamine-based clock that influences alertness. When these clocks align at specific intervals, they may trigger shifts between mania and depression.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·January 22, 2025·7 min readTargeting Reward Pathways to Treat DepressionNew research highlights how the brain's reward-learning system can guide personalized treatments for depression. By studying two brain signals, expected value and prediction error, researchers identified markers that predict recovery potential and tailored responses to rewards and setbacks.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·January 22, 2025·6 min readDopamine Drives Aggression Learning in MalesNew research reveals that dopamine plays a crucial role in teaching young male mice to fight, with the chemical’s influence diminishing as they gain experience. In novice fighters, boosting dopamine increased aggression, while blocking it stopped them from fighting.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·January 8, 2025·6 min readDopamine and Serotonin Drive Emotional Word ProcessingResearchers have uncovered how neurotransmitters in the brain respond to the emotional content of language, shedding light on the intersection of emotion, cognition, and communication. Using advanced techniques, the team simultaneously measured dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine release in patients during exposure to emotionally charged words.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·December 20, 2024·5 min readSerotonin, GABA, and Dopamine Drive Hunger and FeedingA new study has revealed how brain circuits and neurotransmitters regulate meal initiation, offering insights into obesity management. Researchers identified serotonin neurons in the midbrain's dorsal Raphe nucleus (DRN) as key players, inhibited by GABA and dopamine when hunger strikes.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·December 16, 2024·3 min readDopamine Plays Key Role in the Heart’s Stress ResponseResearchers have discovered how stress-induced cardiovascular changes are controlled by the brain. Experiments in rats show that activating the lateral habenula, a stress-sensitive brain region, triggers changes in heart rate and blood pressure.Read More
