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dopamine

·October 5, 2024·5 min read

New Molecule Offers Hope for Parkinson’s by Outperforming L-Dopa

A new study has discovered that ophthalmic acid, a molecule in the brain, acts like a neurotransmitter to regulate motor function, similar to dopamine. In Parkinson’s mouse models, this molecule improved movement for over 20 hours—far longer than the effects of the current treatment, L-dopa.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 27, 2024·5 min read

Unexpected Sounds Boost Dopamine, Leading to Riskier Decisions

A new study shows that unexpected sounds can cause dopamine bursts in the brain, which may lead to riskier decision-making. Researchers found that participants were 4% more likely to choose risky options after hearing a surprising tone. These findings highlight how unrelated sensory events, like sounds, can influence choices, shedding light on the role dopamine plays in decision-making.

Featured Neuroscience Pain

·September 24, 2024·3 min read

Dopamine Not Essential for Placebo Effect in Pain Relief

New research reveals that dopamine is not directly responsible for the formation of placebo analgesia, contrary to previous beliefs. In a study with 168 participants, altering dopamine levels did not affect positive treatment expectations or pain relief.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 6, 2024·5 min read

New Sensor Detects Dopamine from Blood Samples

Researchers have developed a novel optical sensor that can detect dopamine directly from unprocessed blood samples. This sensor, using a synthetic DNA strand called an aptamer, identifies dopamine with high precision, making it a potential tool for diagnosing cancers and neurological disorders.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 27, 2024·5 min read

Hidden Dopamine Neurons Balance Brain Functions and Behavior

Researchers identified a small group of dopamine neurons in the striatum that play a crucial role in balancing essential brain functions such as reward, cognition, and movement. This discovery opens the door to new treatments for psychiatric and neurological disorders like schizophrenia, addiction, and Parkinson’s disease. These neurons help regulate the brain's dopamine pathways, preventing overactivity that can lead to various disorders. The research marks a significant step toward understanding how these pathways impact motor and cognitive functions.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 6, 2024·6 min read

Social Drinking Activates Dopamine and Elevates Mood

New research reveals why alcohol makes people feel happier in social settings but not when drinking alone. Using fruit flies, scientists discovered that dopamine in the brain plays a key role in amplifying the euphoric effects of alcohol during social interactions.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 6, 2024·5 min read

Dopamine Treatment Reduces Alzheimer’s Plaques

Researchers uncovered a promising approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease by using dopamine to enhance brain enzyme activity that reduces harmful plaques. Conducted on mice, the study shows that dopamine increases neprilysin production, which breaks down beta-amyloid plaques linked to Alzheimer's.

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Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 5, 2024·3 min read

Seaweed Antioxidants Show Promise in Preventing Parkinson’s

Researchers have found that antioxidants from Ecklonia cava, a type of seaweed, may help prevent Parkinson's disease by protecting dopamine-producing neurons. In mouse models, these antioxidants restored motor function and improved gut health after exposure to toxins. Cellular studies revealed that these compounds activate the AMPK enzyme and reduce harmful reactive oxygen species, potentially offering a new approach to combat neurodegeneration. This discovery highlights the potential of Ecklonia cava as a preventive ingredient against Parkinson's disease.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 2, 2024·4 min read

Study Reveals Dopamine’s Limited Role in Rapid Neural Activity

A recent study has found that dopamine signals have a minimal impact on rapid neural activity in the striatum, challenging existing theories about dopamine's role in brain signaling. Using advanced optical neural chip technology, researchers observed that dopamine signals within normal physiological ranges do not significantly affect neural processing.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 30, 2024·4 min read

Exercise Boosts Motivation to Combat Depression

A new study suggests that exercise reduces depression by boosting motivation through decreased inflammation and enhanced dopamine function. This understanding could lead to personalized exercise programs as treatment. The review highlights how aerobic exercise combats anhedonia and low energy in depression. Large trials are needed to further test this hypothesis and explore barriers to exercise.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 13, 2024·3 min read

Dopamine Levels Impact Mentalizing Abilities

Dopamine levels affect mentalizing abilities—understanding others' thoughts and feelings—in healthy people. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment with 33 volunteers, researchers found that blocking dopamine receptors reduced participants' accuracy in ascribing mental states.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 30, 2024·4 min read

Prenatal Amphetamine Exposure Impacts Brain Development

A new study used C. elegans to study the long-term effects of amphetamine exposure during embryogenesis, finding significant alterations in dopamine-related genes and proteins. These changes lead to increased sensitivity to amphetamines in adulthood, highlighting potential risks for humans. The study emphasizes the need for careful consideration of amphetamine use during pregnancy due to its lasting impact on brain function.