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hypothalamus

·May 16, 2025·5 min read

Surprising Diabetes Fix Found in the Brain

New research reveals that hyperactivity in a specific set of brain cells, AgRP neurons in the hypothalamus, plays a key role in type 2 diabetes—independent of obesity. When these neurons were silenced in diabetic mice, blood sugar normalized for months, even without changes in weight or food intake. This challenges long-standing beliefs that obesity and insulin resistance are the sole drivers of diabetes.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·December 5, 2024·4 min read

New Appetite Regulating Neurons Discovered

Researchers have identified a previously unknown population of neurons in the hypothalamus that play a critical role in regulating appetite. These neurons express both leptin receptors and the BNC2 gene, making them highly responsive to hunger-suppressing signals and food-related sensory cues.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·December 2, 2024·6 min read

Brain Stimulation Aids Walking Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury

Researchers have identified the lateral hypothalamus (LH) as a key brain region for walking recovery in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients, demonstrating that deep brain stimulation (DBS) can significantly enhance mobility and autonomy. Unlike traditional DBS applications, targeting the LH promotes long-term neurological improvements, even when stimulation is off. A clinical trial showed dramatic outcomes in participants, with restored walking ability and improved daily independence.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 23, 2024·9 min read

Neural Circuit Found to Regulate Chewing and Appetite

New research has uncovered a simple neural circuit that connects hunger signals to jaw movements required for eating. Scientists identified a three-neuron pathway involving the hormone leptin and BDNF neurons, which controls the jaw's motor function.

This shows a brain and fatty, sugary foods.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 5, 2024·4 min read

Fat Alone Doesn’t Disrupt Brain’s Appetite Neurons

A new study reveals that a high-fat diet alone does not appear to be responsible for changes in brain neurons that regulate appetite and energy balance. Researchers found no immediate effect on neurons in the hypothalamus of mice fed a high-fat, low-sugar diet, suggesting that other nutrients like sugar may play a more significant role in altering brain function.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 22, 2024·6 min read

Mapping Fear: Brain Circuit That Detects and Remembers Threats Revealed

A new study has mapped a brain circuit responsible for detecting threats and forming fear memories. The hippocampus, known for spatial navigation, also plays a role in recognizing dangers, with the subiculum transferring threat information to the hypothalamus.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 27, 2024·3 min read

Ozempic Boost Fullness Pre-Meal via Hypothalamus

A new study shows GLP-1 receptor agonists increase pre-meal fullness by activating neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus. This mechanism helps prevent overeating, offering insights into obesity treatment. The research highlights how GLP-1 impacts food perception and hypothalamic responses to food cues, enhancing satiation before food intake.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 27, 2024·2 min read

Hypothalamus Key in Switching Between Survival Behaviors

The hypothalamus helps humans switch between survival behaviors like hunting and escaping. Researchers used AI-enhanced fMRI scans to analyze brain activity in 21 participants playing a survival game. They found distinct hypothalamus activity patterns linked to behavior switching. This discovery highlights the hypothalamus's crucial role in survival strategies.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 19, 2023·6 min read

Neurons Vulnerable to Alzheimer’s Identified

Researchers identified a subset of neurons in the mammillary body of the hypothalamus which are susceptible to hyperactivity and neurodegeneration. This damage often leads to memory impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease. Treating these neurons with a drug currently used in the treatment of epilepsy reverses memory impairments caused by this hyperactivity and neurodegeneration.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·March 16, 2023·4 min read

Unlocking the Fountain of Youth: Dietary Supplement Reverses Aging by Countering Menin Loss

Supplementing the amino acid D-serine helped to mitigate some of the age-related changes associated with a decline of the hypothalamic hormone Menin in mouse models.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·March 3, 2023·4 min read

Small Differences in Mom’s Behavior May Show Up in Child’s Epigenome

A mother's social interaction with her child, especially if her behavior is cold or awkward, correlated with a small increase in methylation of the child's NR3C1 gene. The NR3C1 is involved in the regulation of the HPA-axis which plays a critical role in stress response and the production of cortisol.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 16, 2023·6 min read

Scientists Discover Mirror Neurons in Mice and Find They’re Tuned to Aggression

Study is the first to find mirror neurons in mice and in the hypothalamus, suggesting mirror neurons may have a more primal origin than previously believed.