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dopamine

·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.

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.

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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.

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·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.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·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.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 24, 2018·4 min read

Does Our Environment Affect the Genes in Our Brains?

A new study reports environmentally induced epigenetic alterations have a greater impact on intelligence that previously believed.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 20, 2018·5 min read

Octopuses Given Ecstasy Reveal Genetic Link to Evolution of Social Behaviors in Humans

Testing the behavioral reaction to MDMA in octopuses, researchers report they have discovered evidence of an evolutionary link between the sea creatures and humans.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 18, 2018·3 min read

The Neuroscience of Envy

A new study provides insight into the neurobiological underpinnings of envy. Researchers have identified a part of the brain that specifically registers when another receives a reward. This affects the subjective value placed on personal resources and rewards.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 17, 2018·4 min read

Resynchronizing Neurons to Erase Schizophrenia

Researchers report that by increasing the excitability of a subpopulation of hippocampal inhibitory neurons, certain behavioral symptoms associated with schizophrenia can be suppressed.