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dopamine

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·October 15, 2019·3 min read

Researchers discover potential therapy to treat detrimental effects of marijuana

Prenatal exposure to THC makes dopamine neurons hyperactive and increases the sensitivity to the behavioral effects of the compound during pre-adolescence. This may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia later in life. However, treatment with pregnenolone, a drug under clinical trials for ASD, cannabis use disorder, and schizophrenia, appears to correct the brain abnormalities and behavioral problems associated with prenatal cannabis exposure.

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Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·October 5, 2019·3 min read

Is there such a thing as an addictive personality?

Researchers examine the psychology and genetics of why some people are more prone to addiction-like behaviors than others.

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Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 26, 2019·4 min read

The secret of motivation

Researchers have identified a neural circuit in the brain of fruit flies that help them perform to their best ability while searching for food.

Electrophysiology Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain Psychology

·September 26, 2019·4 min read

Molecular link between chronic pain and depression revealed

Inhibitory inputs to the neural circuit between the dorsolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (dlBNST) to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) increase when a person is in chronic pain. This alteration is mediated by enhanced corticotropin-releasing factor signaling within the dlBNST, leading to suppression of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system. The result is depressive mood and anhedonia associated with chronic pain.

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Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 13, 2019·4 min read

Opiates reduce the brain’s ability to form and maintain synapses

Opiate exposure causes synaptic rewiring in the nucleus accumbens in addition to decreasing dendritic spines. The findings shed light into the neurobiology of opiate relapse.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·September 6, 2019·3 min read

Is laziness a choice or genetic trait?

Study identifies a specific gene in rats that relates to physical inactivity. The gene could play a role in human sedentary behaviors.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·September 4, 2019·4 min read

‘Hunger Hormone’ Linked to Memory in Alzheimer’s Study

A study that used postmortem brain tissue samples from Alzheimer's patients and mouse models found the hunger hormone ghrelin is linked to cognitive impairments and memory loss associated with the disease.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 3, 2019·4 min read

Parkinson’s disease may originate in the intestines

Two months after injecting alpha-synuclein into the intestines of rats, researchers discovered the proteins had traveled to the brain via peripheral nerves. Four months later, the pathology was greater. Additionally, the protein had traveled to the heart. The study supports the hypothesis that Parkinson's disease may begin in the intestinal system before migrating to the brain.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 27, 2019·4 min read

Neurological brain markers might detect risk for psychotic disorders

Researchers have identified a new biomarker for psychosis in the striatal dopamine neurons. Those at risk for psychosis showed increased activation in the striatum for positive feedback and decreased activation when faced with negative feedback.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 26, 2019·3 min read

Spontaneous brain fluctuations influence risk-taking

Fluctuations in the dopaminergic midbrain play a critical role in risky decision making.

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Featured Neuroscience

·August 19, 2019·6 min read

Study identifies type of brain cell involved in stuttering

In mice genetically engineered to carry human stuttering mutations, vocalization defects are derived from abnormalities in astrocytes in the corpus callosum.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·August 8, 2019·4 min read

Genetic variation contributes to individual differences in pleasure

What we find pleasurable may be down to our genetics. Researchers found nucleus accumbens activation and physical anhedonia were influenced by shared genes. The experience of pleasure and physical anhedonia also appear to share some of the same genes.

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