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...
glutamate
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...
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...
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...
Dietary supplement may help with schizophrenia
The dietary supplement sarcosine taken in combination with antipsychotic medications may be beneficial for the treatment of schizophrenia. ... Read More...
Lack of oxygen doesn’t kill infant brain cells, as previously thought
A lack of oxygen as a result of preterm birth does not cause hippocampal neurons to die but does impair hippocampal development. Hypoxia causes hippocampal cells to fail to mature normally, causing a reduction in long-term potentiation and impaired learning.... Read More...
Ketamine: The illicit party psychedelic that promises to heal depression
Ketamine, an anesthetics which has been commonly used as an illicit party drug, is helping people overcome depression. The drug works rapidly and provides lasting relief from depressive symptoms for weeks after exposure. Researchers are examining how ketamine works in the brain to help positively influence behavior in those with mood disorders.... Read More...
Broccoli sprout compound may restore brain chemistry imbalance linked to schizophrenia
Sulforaphane, a compound derived from broccoli sprouts, may be a useful new treatment for those suffering from schizophrenia. In a recent set of animal and human studies, researchers characterized novel chemical imbalances in the brain related to glutamate. Levels of glutamate, they discovered, can be altered by administering sulforaphane.... Read More...
Researchers Discover How a Critical Receptor is Involved in the Response to Fast-Acting Antidepressants Like Ketamine
The mGlu2 receptor plays a critical role in the effectiveness of ketamine for treating depression. ... Read More...
Finding the Elusive Drinking ‘Brake’
Researchers have uncovered a mechanism in the BNST that senses the negative effects of alcohol and modulates the urge to drink. The study reports that when this mechanism doesn't function correctly, we lose the ability to recognize that we have had enough to drink. ... Read More...
Researchers Describe First Model of Mitochondrial Epilepsy
Researchers have developed a new model of mitochondrial epilepsy which captures specific features observed in patients. The new model may help provide better therapies and treatments for the condition.... Read More...
Boosting Glutamate Reduces Anxiety in Monkeys
Increasing glutamate levels in the hippocampus helps to reduce anxiety in monkeys, a new study reports.... Read More...