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motivation

·June 4, 2019·3 min read

How chronic inflammation may drive down dopamine and motivation

Computational model sheds light on the impact chronic, low-grade inflammation has on the mesolimbic dopamine system and motivational impairments.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 29, 2019·4 min read

Extroverts enjoy four key advantages according to science; here they are

Being extroverted may be a clear advantage in the workplace. A new study reveals extroverts tend to be more motivated, conscientious, emotionally positive and better communicators than their more introverted peers.

This shows the chemical structure of dopamine

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 2, 2019·3 min read

Dopamine conducts prefrontal cortex ensembles

Dopamine activation controls the ensemble activity of neurons and increases oscillatory activity in the prefrontal cortex.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·March 13, 2019·5 min read

Blunting pain’s emotional component

Blocking the release of dynorphin, researchers restore motivation in animals experiencing pain. The findings may help in the development of new, less addictive, pain medications.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·January 25, 2019·4 min read

Tobacco Use in Adolescence Tied to Paranoia, Due Largely to Shared Genetic Influences

Researchers have discovered a link between teenage tobacco use and an increased risk of psychotic experiences, such as paranoia and hallucinations. They report this may be due, in part, to some shared genetic influences.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 22, 2019·4 min read

Inability to Integrate Reward Information Contributes to Undervalued Rewards in Schizophrenia

A new computational model reveals the impaired ability to integrate size and probability of reward in those with schizophrenia may be the result of a lack of consideration of the magnitude of the reward.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 20, 2018·4 min read

Sugar Sweetened Drinks Are Harmful to Health and May Be Addictive

In addition to having implications for personal health, sugar sweetened drinks may have addictive properties, researchers report. The study found when abstaining from drinking sweetened drinks, people who consume them often experience increased headaches, decreased motivation and a lower ability to concentrate.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 5, 2018·3 min read

Cognitive Changes in Offspring of Heavy Cannabis Users: Rat Study

A new study reports prenatal exposure to cannabis could cause alterations in brain development, negatively impacting cognitive function as adults.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 21, 2018·4 min read

Gut Branches of Vagus Nerve Essential Components of Brain’s Reward and Motivation System

Researchers report a gut-brain neural circuit establishes the vagus nerve as an essential component of the brain system that regulates reward and motivation.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 2, 2018·4 min read

Reward and Unease Are Closely Linked in the Brain

Researchers say melanocortin 4 receptors may play a role in unease and reward. The study reports dopamine levels fell in the reward system of mice when the animal experienced something unpleasant. However, in mice lacking the melanocortin 4 receptor, dopamine levels increased slightly following a negative experience.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·January 29, 2018·4 min read

Glial Cells Play Key Role in Regulating Motivation for Drug in Heroin Addiction

Researchers report in glial cells, drug induced plasticity can reduce the motivation for heroin. The findings could help develop new treatments for opioid addiction.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 29, 2017·3 min read

Why Do We Fall Asleep When We’re Bored?

According to researchers, the nucleus accumbens, an area of the brain associated with pleasure and motivation, can also promote sleep. Researchers believe the findings might help answer why we often fall asleep when we are bored.