FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·July 23, 2020·4 min readMysterious Brain Structure Sheds Light on AddictionA new study reveals the role the claustrum plays in cocaine addiction. Inhibiting claustral neurons prevented behavioral responses to cocaine in mouse models of addiction.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceNeuroscience Videos·June 25, 2020·5 min read‘Where are my keys?’ and other memory-based choices probed in the brainStudy identifies a different set of individual neurons in the medial frontal cortex that is responsible for memory-based decision making. The findings have implications for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and other disorders associated with problems in cognitive flexibility.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·May 11, 2020·3 min readA ‘consciousness conductor’ synchronizes and connects mouse brain areasMouse study reveals slow-wave brain activity, which is indicative of sleep and resting states, is controlled by the claustrum. The synchronization of active and silent states across the brain via the slow waves contributes to consciousness.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·February 25, 2020·4 min readA weak heart also damages the brainHeart insufficiency has a negative impact on gray matter in the brain. Weak heart function was linked to decreased gray matter in areas of the brain associated with memory and learning, including the hippocampus and parietal medial cortex. This may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·February 12, 2020·3 min readCircular reasoning: Reduced levels of circHomer1a associated with mental health disordersLower levels of the circular RNA in the frontal cortex appears to be correlated with earlier onset of schizophrenia symptoms.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·December 4, 2019·3 min readRespiration key to increase oxygen in the brainBlood can bring more oxygen into the brains of mice following exercise as increased respiration increases oxygen levels in hemoglobin.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·November 21, 2019·3 min readCould psychedelic drugs be a new treatment option for people with depression?Study discussed the benefits of using psychedelics as an antidepressant option for those with depression.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeuroscience·November 19, 2019·7 min read‘Face blindness’ may involve a failed brain network, and could shed light on autismProsopagnosia, or "face-blindness", involves an entire network, not just one area of the brain. The findings may shed light on poor facial processing abilities associated with autism.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·November 1, 2019·3 min readPeople with autism have a more symmetrical brainThe left and right brain areas are more similar in those with ASD. Reduced asymmetry was identified in cortical thickness across various brain regions in those on the autism spectrum.Read More
Auditory NeuroscienceFeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·September 20, 2019·4 min readWhy is the brain disturbed by harsh sounds?Harsh noises, such as alarm bells and sirens, hold the brain's attention by stimulating its aversion networks.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·July 27, 2019·3 min readGenes underscore five psychiatric disordersNineteen gene sets have been identified that contribute to at least five psychiatric disorders. The gene sets were associated with ADHD, ASD, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·July 15, 2019·6 min readHow expectation influences perceptionBrain activity patterns in the frontal cortex encode beliefs and affect how we perceive the world around us.Read More