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dopamine

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·December 21, 2017·5 min read

How Genes Influence Performance of Sleep Deprived People

People with a variation of the DRD2 gene are more resilient to the effects of sleep deprivation when completing tasks that require cognitive flexibility, a new study reports.

Image shows a doctor and patient with Parkinson's.

Featured Neurology

·December 21, 2017·5 min read

Deep Brain Stimulation Linked to Longer Survival For Parkinson’s Patients

A new study reveals deep brain stimulation not only improves motor function, but can also increase survival rates for those with Parkinson's disease.

Featured Neurology

·December 5, 2017·5 min read

Restless Sleep May Be an Early Sign of Parkinson’s

People who suffer from REM sleep behavior disorder are at increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease and dementia as they age, a new study reports. Researchers report RBD causes a lack of dopamine in the brain, and this can contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·November 28, 2017·4 min read

Complications at Birth Associated With Lasting Chemical Changes in the Brain

According to a new study in eLife, adults who were born prematurely or who suffered small brain injuries around the time of birth have reduced dopamine levels.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 24, 2017·4 min read

Small But Distinct Differences Among Species Mark Evolution of Human Brain

Yale researchers report the human brain contains some distinct patterns that mark our evolution and could contribute to our cognitive abilities.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 22, 2017·5 min read

To Forget or to Remember? Memory Depends on Subtle Brain Signals

Study reveals how the mechanism for storing olfactory memories differs slightly from erasing unnecessary memories. Understanding how the brain gets rid of unimportant memories could help unlock new avenues of research to better understand memory loss in aging, researchers say.

Featured Genetics Psychology

·November 13, 2017·3 min read

Impact of a Genetic Risk Factor For Substance Use Differs By Sex in Adolescents

Study finds a sex difference in a gene linked to substance abuse risk in adolescents.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 10, 2017·3 min read

Discovery Could Lead to New Treatments for Addiction and Anxiety

Researchers have identified a specific network in the brain that appears to be associated with risk and reward assessment.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 7, 2017·6 min read

Higher Estrogen Levels Linked to Increased Alcohol Sensitivity in Brain’s Reward Center

Neurons in the ventral tegmental area, an area of the brain considered to be the reward center, fire more rapidly to alcohol when estrogen levels are elevated, a new study reports. The study may shed light on how alcohol addiction develops in some women.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·November 2, 2017·3 min read

Why Gut Bacteria and Gender May Impact Nicotine Addiction

Researchers reveal a surprising association between nicotine addiction and gut bacteria. Gender smoking patterns and the effect nicotine has on a person may be a result of how the gut-brain relationship is impacted by nicotine.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 1, 2017·5 min read

Why It’s Time to Lay the Stereotype of the ‘Teen Brain’ to Rest

Researchers explore what goes on in the teen brain during this critical point of development and say that it might be time to put some age-old stereotypes to rest.

Featured Genetics Neurology

·October 26, 2017·4 min read

Parkinson’s Gene Needed For Dopamine Neuron Health

A new study reveals LRRK is essential for the survival of dopamine neurons in the brain. The finding may prompt new treatments for Parkinson's disease.