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dopamine

·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.

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·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.

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·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.

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·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.

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·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.

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·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.

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·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.

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·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.

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·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.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·October 3, 2018·3 min read

Fly Protein Has Protective Effect on Dopaminergic Neurons

Researchers report the Scarlet protein has a neuroprotective effect on dopaminergic neurons in fruit flies.

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·September 28, 2018·4 min read

Feeding Ants Dopamine Might Make Them Smarter Foragers

A new study reports dopamine may have an impact on foraging behavior in ants. Researchers report ants treated with dopamine went on more foraging trips and appeared to be more sensitive to humidity.