Oxytocin produced in the BNST increased stress-induced social anxiety behaviors in mice. The findings shed light on why oxytocin can sometimes provoke anti-social effects. Read More
Hard wired neural circuits in mice that govern aggression are strengthened following victories in aggressive encounters. Synapses in the hypothalamus show signs of LTP following aggression training. Read More
p11, a protein implicated in serotonin function, affects the initial release of cortisol in mice by modulating the activity of specific neurons in the hypothalamus. Previous studies found people with depression lave lower levels of p11 in their brains. The findings could help in the development of new treatments for depression and stress. Read More
A specialized area of the mouse brain called the SuM specializes in detecting novel experiences. Within this brain area, responses to social novelty, or experiences related to unknown individuals, were segregated from those related to unfamiliar places, before being sent to areas of the brain associated with memory. Read More
Women who experience unexplained repeated pregnancy loss (uRPL) process olfactory signals related to male body odor differently to other women. Those who experience uRPL are better able to identify the smell of their spouse. Read More
Researchers have identified a novel neural circuit that detects male pheromone cues pertaining to inter-male aggression. Read More
When a mouse senses a threat, neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus become activated and remain active for ten seconds after the threat is removed. Fear responses could be induced by artificially stimulating these neurons. Artificially silencing the neurons reduced fear behavior. Read More
Researchers have identified a neural circuit responsible for inducing insomnia associated with stress. The same neural circuit also induces changes in the immune system. Read More
Suppressing the activity of hypothalamic neurons in mice during REM sleep resulted in a decrease in the amount of food later consumed. The study suggests REM sleep is essential to stabilize food intake. Read More
Mouse study reveals "on-off switch" nerve cells for male mating and aggression in the amygdala. MPN signaling cells in the amygdala that communicate with the hypothalamus are associated with reproductive behavior, and VMHvL signaling cells play a critical role in aggression. Read More
Normally bushy networks of neural fibers within fat tissue shrink in the absence of leptin, but grow back when the hormone is administered in drug form. The alterations influence the ability to burn energy stored in fat in mouse models. Read More
FGF21, a hormone created in the liver in response to increased levels of sugar, acts in the brain to suppress sugar intake and controls the preference for sweet-tasting foods. Read More
