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mPFC

·July 19, 2018·4 min read

Perinatal Exposure to Phthalates Impairs Brain Structure and Function: Rat Study

Researchers report rats exposed to phthalates, both while in the womb and through lactation, had fewer neurons and synapses than peers who were not exposed to the plasticizing chemicals. Additionally, the phthalate exposed rats showed deficits in cognitive flexibility.

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·July 19, 2018·4 min read

Neuroinflammation Play a Critical Role in Stress Induced Depression

Researchers report repeated social defeat stress activates microglia in the medial prefrontal cortex, triggering inflammation related cytokines. This leads to impaired neural responses in the mPFC, resulting in depressive behavior.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 3, 2018·5 min read

Follow the Leader: What Sets Leaders Apart?

A new study reveals the cognitive and neurobiological processes that influence whether a person is likely to be a leader or follower.

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·August 8, 2018·6 min read

Video Game May Improve Empathy in Middle Schoolers

Researchers report a new video game aimed at middle school children can help boost empathy and prosocial behavior. The study reports children exposed to the game showed greater connectivity between brain networks linked to emotional regulation and perspective taking.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 18, 2018·3 min read

The Neuroscience of Envy

A new study provides insight into the neurobiological underpinnings of envy. Researchers have identified a part of the brain that specifically registers when another receives a reward. This affects the subjective value placed on personal resources and rewards.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·September 25, 2018·4 min read

Why it Doesn’t Go Dark When You Blink

Researchers report the medial prefrontal cortex calibrates current visual information with previously obtained information to help us perceive the world with more stability, helping to retain visual consistency as we blink.

Featured Psychology

·October 7, 2018·2 min read

Aging and Decision Making: Who Makes Riskier Decisions?

Researchers report older people may make riskier decisions than younger people.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 8, 2018·5 min read

Dopamine Primes the Brain for Enhanced Vigilance

Researchers have identified a brain network that may control the diversion of attention to focus on potential threats. Dopamine, they report, is key to the process.

Featured Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos

·December 9, 2018·6 min read

Learning From Mistakes: Neurons Which Catch Our Mistakes and Correct Our Behavior Identified

Researchers identified specific neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex, called self monitoring error neurons, that fire immediately after people make a mistake.

This is a collection of neuroimaging photos from the study.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 8, 2019·3 min read

How education may stave off cognitive decline

Neuroimaging reveals those who have spent more years studying have increased cortical thickness in the medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate and orbitofrontal areas of the brain. Researchers also identified enhanced gene expression profiles in these brain regions that promote information processing and provide protection against some age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

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·April 30, 2019·4 min read

Possible link between autism and antidepressants use during pregnancy: Mouse Study

A new study in mice reveals a possible link between the use of SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism-like symptoms in offspring. Offspring exposed to fluoxetine (Prozac) in utero were more likely to exhibit impaired neurotransmission caused by an overactive serotonin receptor in the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain implicated in modulating social behaviors. However, treating the mice with a compound that blocks the receptor alleviated the behavioral problems and improved working memory.