Different types of reward have unique effects on the basal ganglia nuclei. Food rewards influence the left hemisphere of the brain, while erotic rewards engage the right lateral globus and left caudate. Financial rewards engage the basal ganglia bilaterally.
The bilateral claustrum, right inferior frontal gyrus, and left superior frontal gyrus remain active during activities involving social punishment.
Researchers have identified how alcohol influences dopaminergic and inhibitory neurons in the ventral tegmental area. The findings could help develop new treatments for alcohol dependence.
Researchers have identified a brain mechanism that appears to support navigation systems used in both linguistic and spatial tasks.
Comprehension of words relies on areas of the brain associated with motor control as well as 'classic' language centers, researchers report.
Early risers take less time to complete memory related tasks than night owls, but tend to make more mistakes, a new study reports.