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hypothalamus

·May 2, 2020·3 min read

Neural circuit that drives physical responses to emotional stress discovered

Researchers 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.

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·April 29, 2020·5 min read

Implant-free optogenetics minimizes brain damage during neuronal stimulation

Researchers 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.

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·March 27, 2020·3 min read

The brain and socially motivated behavior

The lateral hypothalamus is an integral component of social brain networks. It shapes socially motivated behaviors via functional coordination with neocortical regions.

This is a drawing of a mouse breastfeeding

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·March 23, 2020·1 min read

Lactation changes how mom’s neurons communicate, but it’s reversible

During 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.

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·March 3, 2020·3 min read

Brain cells that change shape after a meal

Following 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.

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·February 11, 2020·8 min read

Novel melatonin receptor molecules make possible therapies to adjust biological clock

Researchers identified molecules that can modulate circadian rhythms by binding to the MT1 melatonin receptor in the hypothalamus.

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·January 23, 2020·4 min read

A rat had basically no brain, but it could still see, hear, smell, and feel

Rat 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.

This shows a brain and a bottle of cooking oil.

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·January 17, 2020·6 min read

America’s most widely consumed cooking oil causes genetic changes in the brain

Soybean 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.

This is a drawing of a brain on a wall and a ladder

Featured Neuroscience

·January 16, 2020·4 min read

Making sense of the self

Study reveals how the insular cortex helps assess and predict physiological states of the body. The findings shed light on the neural basis for interoception.

This shows the brain scans of the hypothalamus

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·December 4, 2019·2 min read

Key brain region smaller in birth control pill users

A 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.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·November 6, 2019·3 min read

Scientists identify new puberty-promoting genes

Researchers 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.

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·October 17, 2019·3 min read

How hunger makes food tastier

Study identifies the neural circuits that cause hunger-induced increases in the preference for sweet foods and decreased sensitivity to aversive tastes.