Researchers temporarily switched off the neural pathway between the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens in primate models, negatively impacting motivation, but not learning.
Patients with psychosis who have higher levels of an antioxidant called glutathione responded more quickly to medications and had improved outcomes. Researchers estimate a 10% increase in antioxidants could lead to reduced time spent in hospital for those with psychosis.
Two regions outside of the non-amyloid-beta-component play a critical role in controlling amyloid formation of alpha-synuclein.
Multiple sclerosis patients who received N-acetylcysteine treatments had improvements in metabolism in brain areas associated with cognition and attention.
Alpha synuclein's non-amyloidal component (NAC) aids the protein's movement through axons. When the NAC region is removed, alpha-synuclein did not move within axons.
Ketamine reduced alcohol intake in male rat models of alcohol use disorder but increased the desire for alcohol in low-consumption females.
A circuit-specific gender difference in ventral hippocamps to nucleus accumbens (vHPC-NAc) neurons is dependent on testosterone and causes more susceptibility to stress in females.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) appears to positively affect the dopaminergic system, helping to improve symptoms in those with Parkinson's disease.
By looking at THC’s effect on a rat brain, the researchers showed that THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana, can produce highly rewarding effects in the front-most part of a region of the brain called the nucleus accumbens. The image is in the public domain.
A new study sheds light on how the brain processes rewards and provides a deeper understanding on the neurobiology of depression.
Researchers report they have discovered the region of the brain that registers excitement over a preferred food option. The study reports the findings could help develop new therapies and treatments to potentially combat obesity and encourage healthier eating.
Researchers report diet and weight may hinder the response to medications for some with bipolar disorder. The study found those who had a better quality of diet and lower BMI responded better to treatments than those who were overweight and ate foods that promoted inflammation.
