Induced changes in the function of AgRP neurons may contribute to depression, researchers report. Read More
Exercise promotes the hypothalamus to release MOTS-c. Mitochondrial encoded MOTS-c interacts with the nuclear genome and regulates both cell metabolism and the stress response. Read More
Researchers found functional and anatomical differences in the brains of people who are more likely to embark on risky behaviors. Read More
Activity in the medial preoptic area tilts the mouse brain toward love and affection, while activity in the ventromedial hypothalamus is associated with more aggressive or hateful acts. Read More
Glutamatergic neural connections between the prelimbic prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens appear to be responsible for co-morbid anxiety and OCD behaviors. Read More
Oxytocin injections in rodent models directly activated SEG/GRP neurons via oxytocin receptors and influenced male sexual functions in the lumbar spinal cord. Reducing the activity of oxytocin receptors resulted in a decrease in sexual activity and ejaculatory response in the animals. Read More
Diet-induced changes to the reward system and innate differences may predispose mice to over-eating. Read More
Mouse study links specific autism types to abnormal parvocellular oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamus. Read More
Overactivity in the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex underlies several key symptoms of depression, anxiety, and heart disease. Read More
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
