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NAC

This shows the location of the VTA and NAc in the brain

·August 25, 2020·5 min read

Researchers Reversibly Disable Brain Pathway in Primates

Researchers temporarily switched off the neural pathway between the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens in primate models, negatively impacting motivation, but not learning.

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·June 9, 2020·3 min read

Antioxidants in brain linked to improved psychosis treatment

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.

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·March 11, 2020·5 min read

New target for Parkinson’s therapies identified

Two regions outside of the non-amyloid-beta-component play a critical role in controlling amyloid formation of alpha-synuclein.

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·February 26, 2020·4 min read

Antioxidant precursor molecule could improve brain function in patients with MS

Multiple sclerosis patients who received N-acetylcysteine treatments had improvements in metabolism in brain areas associated with cognition and attention.

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·January 17, 2020·3 min read

New insights into a Parkinson’s disease protein

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.

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·November 18, 2019·3 min read

Ketamine reduces drinking in male rats, but not females

Ketamine reduced alcohol intake in male rat models of alcohol use disorder but increased the desire for alcohol in low-consumption females.

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·October 9, 2019·3 min read

Scientists find gender-distinct circuit for depression

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.

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·July 16, 2019·3 min read

Antioxidant precursor molecule could improve Parkinson’s

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) appears to positively affect the dopaminergic system, helping to improve symptoms in those with Parkinson's disease.

This shows the location of the nucleus accumbens in the brain

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·July 8, 2019·3 min read

Why marijuana affects different people differently

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.

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·November 27, 2018·4 min read

Clues to Brain Changes in Depression Discovered

A new study sheds light on how the brain processes rewards and provides a deeper understanding on the neurobiology of depression.

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·October 20, 2018·4 min read

Researchers Find Brain Signal that May Help Us Navigate the Holiday Buffet

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.

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·October 7, 2018·3 min read

Diet and Weight May Affect Bipolar Treatment Response

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.