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locus coeruleus

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Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·December 2, 2020·3 min read

Drinking Blocks a Chemical That Promotes Attention

Study sheds light on the brain chemistry involved in attention loss when a person drinks alcohol.

Featured Neurology Pain

·November 25, 2020·3 min read

New Mechanism of Pain Control Revealed

Stimulating noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus that carry signals from the brain down the spinal dorsal horn activates astrocytes. The astrocyte activation results in hypersensitivity to pain.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 2, 2020·5 min read

Specific Brain Region and Circuits Controlling Attention Identified

Study identifies a key role locus coeruleus neurons play in attentional control.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 31, 2020·3 min read

Brainstem Protein Mediates Exercise-Based Stress Relief

Exercise increases levels of galanin in the brain stem, making mice more resilient to stress.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·April 6, 2020·3 min read

Changes in brain attention may underlie autism

Those on the autism spectrum had atypically smaller pupil dilation compared to the control group during distracting conditions while taking a push-button test. The findings suggest those with ASD may have dysregulation in locus coeruleus activity. The dysregulation of the LC may explain the exaggerated responses to environmental stimuli and fixated behaviors many with ASD experience.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·September 15, 2019·3 min read

How the eyes might be windows to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to Alzheimer's disease, have greater pupil dilation when taking cognitive tests than their cognitively normal peers. Task-evoked pupillary response may be a cost-effective, and low invasive screening test for those at genetic risk for Alzheimer's before the symptoms of the disease take hold.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 12, 2019·5 min read

Alzheimer’s disease destroys neurons that keep us awake

Tau accumulations disrupt wake-promoting neurons. The findings help explain why day-time napping and sleep disruptions are often reported in Alzheimer's patients.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 25, 2019·3 min read

What stress does to the brain

A new study sheds light on how the brain changes as a result of chronic stress. Selective noradrenaline release rewires connectivity patterns between different brain regions. Activity in the amygdala and networks that process sensory stimuli increased.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 14, 2019·5 min read

The Circuits That Help You Keep Your Cool

Researchers reveal how connections from around the mammalian brain stimulate two key cell types in the locus coeruleus to moderate arousal in two different ways.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 22, 2018·4 min read

Brain Structure Linked with Sex Based Differences in Anxiety Behavior: Mouse Study

A new mouse study reveals females have a three fold higher abundance of EP3, in addition to elevated levels of genes associated with major depressive disorder in the locus coeruleus.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 10, 2018·6 min read

Meditation and Breathing Exercises Can Sharpen Your Mind

Trinity College Dublin researchers report controlled breathing, a key element of meditation, directly affects noradrenaline levels in the brain. The study suggests controlled breathing can enhance attention and improve overall brain health.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 7, 2018·6 min read

Why People Become More Prone to Distraction With Age

A new study reports the locus coerleus, a brain network that controls our ability to focus while under stress, appears to weaken as we age. This may explain why we find it more difficult to focus as we get older.

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locus coeruleus

Drinking Blocks a Chemical That Promotes Attention

New Mechanism of Pain Control Revealed

Specific Brain Region and Circuits Controlling Attention Identified

Brainstem Protein Mediates Exercise-Based Stress Relief

Changes in brain attention may underlie autism

How the eyes might be windows to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease destroys neurons that keep us awake

What stress does to the brain

The Circuits That Help You Keep Your Cool

Brain Structure Linked with Sex Based Differences in Anxiety Behavior: Mouse Study

Meditation and Breathing Exercises Can Sharpen Your Mind

Why People Become More Prone to Distraction With Age

Human Brains Keep Making Memory Neurons in Adulthood

Gene Therapy Restores Hearing in Those with Deafness

Forever Chemicals May Disrupt Brain Development

Kids Outsmart AI in Puzzle Game That Builds Critical Thinking

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