Latest

dopamine

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 26, 2018·4 min read

Brain Prioritizes Most Rewarding Experiences When Storing Memories

A new study reveals that over night, the brain automatically preserves memories for important events and filters out other, less relevant information. The findings provide new insight into the processes that help guide decision making and human behavior.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 8, 2018·5 min read

Dopamine Primes the Brain for Enhanced Vigilance

Researchers have identified a brain network that may control the diversion of attention to focus on potential threats. Dopamine, they report, is key to the process.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·October 30, 2018·4 min read

Dopamine Drives Early Addiction to Heroin

Researchers have identified a significant role dopamine plays in the development of heroin addiction. The study reports dopamine appears to directly cause drug reinforcement and, when dopamine neurons are silenced, mice are less likely to self administer the drug.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 26, 2018·4 min read

How LSD Changes Perception

Researchers report LSD triggers a reduction in functional connection between areas of the brain that govern cognitive processes, while increasing connectivity in brain networks associated with sensory functions.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 26, 2018·4 min read

Why Cannabis Affects Women Differently

A new study explores the differences in cannabis use between males and females. Researchers reveal women are develop addiction to marijuana more quickly than men. The study reports females have different levels of endocannabinoids and more sensitive receptors than males in areas related to social behavior.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 25, 2018·5 min read

Just a Few Drinks Can Change How Memories Are Formed

Researchers report alcohol hijacks a conserved memory pathway in the brain and alters protein expressed in neurons, forming craving that fuel addiction.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 24, 2018·5 min read

New Target of Alcohol in the Brain Identified

Researchers have identified a new target of alcohol in the brain. A new study reveals alcohol blocks the KCNK13 potassium channel within the membrane of dopamine releasing neurons in the ventral tegmental area.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·October 16, 2018·4 min read

Dads’ Nicotine Use May Cause Cognitive Problems for Children and Grandchildren

Researchers report a father's exposure to nicotine may have lasting effects on the cognitive development of his offspring. The study reports nicotine exposure may cause epigenetic alterations in key genes within the father's sperm, affecting not only his direct children but also grandchildren.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 12, 2018·4 min read

Effects of High Fat Diet May Be Passed on For Three Generations

Researchers report high fat diet in female mice can have an epigenetic effect on future generations. The study found high fat diets had lead to an increased risk of obesity, insulin resistance and addictive behaviors over three generations of offspring.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 11, 2018·4 min read

Researchers Unexpectedly Reprogram Mature Neurons in Mice

Researchers have made a surprise discovery that could help provide treatment options for a range of conditions from Parkinson's disease to depression. Researching how to transform supportive brain cells into neurons, the scientists unexpectedly transformed mature inhibitory striatal neurons into dopamine producing neurons.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 10, 2018·5 min read

Researchers Show Change in Beliefs Associated with Dopamine in Brain

A new brain imaging study reveals how the midbrain and striatum, two key areas of the dopamine system, become more active when a person updates their beliefs about the world around them.