glutamate

Featured Genetics Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 24, 2020

Genetic malfunction of brain astrocytes triggers migraine

Familial hemiplegic migraine type 2 (FHM2) causes a malfunction of astrocytes in the cingulate cortex. Manipulating astrocytes in the cingulate cortex reversed the disfunction, preventing an increase in migraine-like symptoms in mice carrying the FHM2 defect. Read More

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 16, 2020

Insight into the synapses

The direct contact of mGluR4 receptors with other key proteins plays a significant role in the regulation of synaptic activity. Read More

Brain Cancer Electrophysiology Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 6, 2020

Brain tumors impact normally helpful cells

Glioma brain tumors alter the function of astrocytes, possibly contributing to seizures many brain cancer patients experience. Astrocytes encasing gliomas exhibit different molecular signatures based on their proximity to the cancer cells. Those directly touching the cancer cells become elongated and swollen, mimicking the astrocyte's response to other epilepsy-related brain injuries. Read More

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 30, 2020

How stress remodels the brain

A single, stressful event causes rapid and long-lasting retraction of astrocyte branches. Stress induces this change by halting the production of GluA1. Read More

This shows synaptic transmission in action

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·February 24, 2020

Antibodies: The body’s own antidepressants

When autoantibodies are able to enter the bran and act on NMDA receptors, people experience relief from symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Read More

This is a 3d reconstruction of a synapse

Featured Neuroscience

·February 19, 2020

Researchers identify neurons capable of coordinating functional networks in the brain

A single neuron, through its axon, is capable of simultaneously producing different effects in separate areas of the cerebral cortex. Read More

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 27, 2020

Prescription drug improves symptoms of autism by targeting brain’s chemical messengers

A drug commonly prescribed for edema improves the symptoms for young children on the autism spectrum with no significant side effects. The drug, bumetanide, decreases the ratio of GABA to glutamate in the brain. Read More

Featured Neuroscience

·January 22, 2020

Glutamate in the brain has unexpected qualities

A new analysis method shows the brain regulates its signals using glutamate in more ways than previously thought. Read More

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 1, 2020

New Year’s anxiety hangover? Here’s what’s happening in your brain

Hangxiety, the feeling of waking up with anxiety the morning after heavy drinking, is a common symptom associated with a hangover. Researchers explain how a heavy night's drinking alters neurochemistry, leaving some of us prone to waking with anxiety. Read More

This shows the location of the ventral pallidum in the brain

Featured Neuroscience

·December 31, 2019

How the brain balances pleasure and pain

Different classes of neurons in the ventral pallidum control positive and negative motivations, sending opposing signals along a shared motivation-processing circuit. Read More

This shows a person laying with their head on the table and an empty alcohol bottle

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·December 30, 2019

Hangovers happen as your body tries to protect itself from alcohol’s toxic effects

Researchers explore the biology behind hangovers, including how excessive alcohol consumption alters glutamate, serotonin, and dopamine. The paper also examines how to reduce the effects of a heavy night's drinking. Read More