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hypothalamus

·August 25, 2021·4 min read

Brain Circuitry That Motivates Mating in Mice Identified

Study reveals the precise hypothalamic neurons associated with mating motivation in mice. The findings could lead to new treatments for psychiatric disorders which do not impact libido.

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·August 18, 2021·6 min read

How Neuro-Immune Interactions Burn Deep Fat

Researchers identified the mechanisms in which neuro-immune processes trigger brain signals to instruct immune functions in visceral fat stores. The findings could pave the way for new treatments for obesity.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 9, 2021·7 min read

Fight-or-Flight Response Is Altered in Healthy Young People Who Had COVID-19

Regardless of symptom severity, otherwise healthy young people diagnosed with COVID-19 develop abnormalities with the system that governs the fight-or-flight response in the sympathetic nervous system.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 27, 2021·8 min read

Three Brain Responses Linked to Successful Weight Loss Surgery

Neuroimaging study reveals three distinct response types in brain areas that control hunger, food intake, and appetite in patients who had undergone weight loss surgery.

This shows a person with a bowl of cereal

Featured Neuroscience

·July 27, 2021·6 min read

Eating for Hunger or Pleasure? Regulating These Feeding Behaviors Involves Different Brain Circuits

The brain regulates both eating for hunger and pleasure through serotonin-producing neurons in the midbrain, but the different types of feeding are wired by independent circuits that do not influence the other type of feeding.

This shows oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamus

Featured Neuroscience

·July 5, 2021·2 min read

The Same Neural Pathways Promote Maternal and Paternal Behaviors in Voles

Connections between oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamus and dopamine neurons in the reward system drive parenting behaviors in both male and female voles.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 1, 2021·4 min read

Why Moms Take Risks to Protect Their Infants

A mother's overwhelming desire to take risks in the face of danger to protect her child, and other nurturing behaviors, are driven by neurons in the cMPOA region of the hypothalamus which contains a protein called the calcitonin receptor.

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·April 24, 2021·5 min read

Why Does Food Smell so Good When We’re Hungry?

A study of hungry mice sheds new light on the neurobiology of olfaction and food attraction. Researchers identified a pathway that promotes attraction to food odors over other olfactory cues.

This shows a brain made up of food items

Featured Neuroscience

·April 15, 2021·4 min read

Uncovering the Secret of the Hunger Switch in the Brain

Study sheds new light on how the brain regulates hunger. The findings may help with the development of new drugs to fight obesity.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 31, 2021·4 min read

Newly Discovered Node in Brain Could Expand Understanding of Dysfunctional Social Behavior

Researchers have identified a specific node in the brain of mice that regulates vocalizations in response to social situations. If a similar location could be found in the human brain, researchers say it could potentially lead to new insight into social dysfunctions associated with autism and depression.

This is a drawing of a brain and neurons

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·February 11, 2021·6 min read

Tiny Population of Neurons May Have Big Role in Depression

Induced changes in the function of AgRP neurons may contribute to depression, researchers report.

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Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·February 2, 2021·6 min read

Hormones in the Brain May Explain How Exercise Improves Metabolism

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.