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This illustration shows the anatomy of the brain with the auditory cortex highlighted in green.

·June 30, 2013·4 min read

Researchers Discover Link Between Fear and Sound Perception

Researchers have discovered how fear can increase or decrease the ability to discriminate among sounds, depending upon context. The study provides insight into distorted sound perception with victims of PTSD.

This is a fMRI image taken during working memory tasks.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 27, 2013·4 min read

A Look Inside Children’s Minds

Using optical neuroimaging, researchers gain a better understanding of visual working memory in young children.

The image shows the projected neurons of the fruit fly. The caption best describes the image.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 25, 2013·3 min read

Hunger Affects Decision Making and Perception of Risk

A new study finds the state of satiation affects perception of risk and decision making.

The image shows the brain one day after activation. The caption best describes the image.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 25, 2013·4 min read

Past Brain Activation Revealed in Scans

Spontaneous waves neuronal activity bear imprints of earlier events for at least 24 hours after the experience has taken place, a new study finds.

This is a drawing of a child reading a book.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 18, 2013·2 min read

Not All Reading Disabilities are Dyslexia

Specific Reading Comprehension Deficits (S-RCD), a common reading disorder often goes undiagnosed until it becomes problematic, according to a new study.

The images above depict the activity of the mushroom body Kenyon cells in the fruit fly brain in response to 3 different odors.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 18, 2013·4 min read

The Discerning Fruit Fly: Linking Brain-Cell Activity and Behavior in Smell Recognition

Researchers have mapped the activity of brain cells in the mushroom body of flies conditioned to have Pavlovian behavioral responses to different odors. The findings suggest the activity of as few as 25 neurons are required to be able to distinguish between different odors.

The image is a photomicrograph of the nerve cell. The caption best describes the image.

Featured Neurology

·June 17, 2013·4 min read

Researchers Develop Novel Drug That Reverses Loss of Brain Connections in Models of Alzheimer’s

Researchers have developed an experimental drug, NitroMemantine, to boost brain synapses lost in Alzheimer's disease. The drug stops the destructive cascade of brain changes which destroy connections between neurons that leads to memory loss and cognitive decline.

The image highlights the location of the corpus callosum in the brain.

Featured Neurology

·June 10, 2013·3 min read

Reduced Brain Volume in Kids with Low Birth Weight Tied to Academic Struggles

Analysing recent MRI data of adolescents who were born with low birth weight, researchers tie smaller brain volumes to poor academic achievement.

The image shows Arc immunohistochemical staining of the rat (Rattus norvegicus) dentate gyrus..

Featured Neuroscience

·June 10, 2013·4 min read

Scientists Map Process by Which Brain Cells Form Long-Term Memories

Researchers have discovered how the Arc protein regulates neuronal activity, providing clues into the brain's ability to form long-term memories.

Autism Featured Genetics

·June 7, 2013·4 min read

Over Produced Autism Gene Alters Synapses, Affects Learning and Behavior in Mice

When manipulated in two lines of transgenic mice, neuroligin 1, a gene linked to ASD, produced mature adults with irreversible defects which affected either learning or social interaction. The findings could have implications for potential gene therapies for autism.

This is a photo of the sea slug used in this research, Pleurobranchaea californica.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 7, 2013·3 min read

By Trying it All, Predatory Sea Slug Learns What Not to Eat

Researchers discover Pleurobranchaea californica, a predatory sea slug which normally isn't a picky eater, has more cognitive abilities than previously believed; allowing them to lean the warning cues of dangerous pray and avoiding them in the future.