FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·May 27, 2020The neural home where stress livesResearchers have identified a hippocampal neural network that activates during stress. Activity in a hippocampal-hypothalamus network predicts greater feelings of stress, while connectivity between the hippocampus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex predicts less stress. Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 2, 2020Neural circuit that drives physical responses to emotional stress discoveredResearchers have identified a brain circuit that drives physical response to emotional stress. The circuit begins in the dorsal peduncular cortex and dorsal tenia tecta, before sending signals to the hypothalamus. The findings could help with the development of treatments for panic disorders and PTSD. Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceneurotech·April 29, 2020Implant-free optogenetics minimizes brain damage during neuronal stimulationResearchers genetically engineered neurons to produce a newly developed, light-sensitive protein called SOUL. They then used optogenetic technology to shine a light through the skull and alter neural responses through an entire mouse brain. Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·March 27, 2020The brain and socially motivated behaviorThe lateral hypothalamus is an integral component of social brain networks. It shapes socially motivated behaviors via functional coordination with neocortical regions. Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·March 23, 2020Lactation changes how mom’s neurons communicate, but it’s reversibleDuring lactation, the cell voltage of TIDA neurons in the hypothalamus oscillates more frequently, increasing firing. The change is reversible and returns to normal once the mother stops lactating. Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·March 3, 2020Brain cells that change shape after a mealFollowing a meal, astrocytes associated with POMC neurons in the hypothalamus alter their shape. After eating, glucose levels increase temporarily. Astrocytes detect the signal and react within one hour, causing POMC neurons to activate and promote the feeling of satiety. Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·February 11, 2020Novel melatonin receptor molecules make possible therapies to adjust biological clockResearchers identified molecules that can modulate circadian rhythms by binding to the MT1 melatonin receptor in the hypothalamus. Read More
artificial intelligencedeep learningFeaturedmachine learningNeurologyNeuroscienceneurotechOpen Neuroscience Articles·January 23, 2020A rat had basically no brain, but it could still see, hear, smell, and feelRat R222 was born with hydrocephalus. Neuroimaging revealed most of its brain had compressed and collapsed as it filled with fluid. However, despite its condition, the animal was still able to see, hear, smell, and feel like other animals. The study sheds new light on neuroplasticity, and the findings could have implications for the development of new machine learning technologies. Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·January 17, 2020America’s most widely consumed cooking oil causes genetic changes in the brainSoybean oil, the most consumed cooking oil in the US, has been linked to neurological and metabolic alterations in mice. Soybean oil-fed mice showed decreased levels of oxytocin in the hypothalamus. Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·January 16, 2020Making sense of the selfStudy reveals how the insular cortex helps assess and predict physiological states of the body. The findings shed light on the neural basis for interoception. Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeurosciencePsychology·December 4, 2019Key brain region smaller in birth control pill usersA new neuroimaging study reveals women who take oral contraception have reduced hypothalamic volume compared to women who do not take the pill. Smaller hypothalamic volume was associated with increased negative emotions and depression risk. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·November 6, 2019Scientists identify new puberty-promoting genesResearchers have identified two molecules that might be linked to Kallmann syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes a lack of hormones which stimulate the brain to produce signals required to reach sexual maturity. Read More
