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norepinepherine

·May 16, 2025·6 min read

Astrocytes Control Behavior Through Slow Brain Signaling

Astrocytes, once thought to be mere support cells, are now shown to play a leading role in regulating behavior by modulating neuronal activity through slow biochemical circuits. In zebrafish, researchers discovered that astrocytes respond to norepinephrine by releasing ATP, which is then broken down into adenosine—an important neuromodulator that signals neurons to stop swimming when progress is futile.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 8, 2025·6 min read

Dopamine and Serotonin Drive Emotional Word Processing

Researchers have uncovered how neurotransmitters in the brain respond to the emotional content of language, shedding light on the intersection of emotion, cognition, and communication. Using advanced techniques, the team simultaneously measured dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine release in patients during exposure to emotionally charged words.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 8, 2025·5 min read

Deep Sleep Drives Brain’s Waste Clearance, Aiding Cognitive Health

Deep sleep may clear the brain of toxic waste via a process driven by norepinephrine, a molecule that creates rhythmic blood vessel contractions. This "brainwashing" system, part of the glymphatic system, helps remove harmful proteins linked to neurological disorders.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·May 2, 2024·6 min read

Brainstem Plays Vital Role in Visual Attention

Researchers highlights the locus coeruleus (LC), a small brainstem region, as critical in enhancing visual sensory processing through its production of norepinephrine. In the study scientists used optogenetics to activate these specific neurons in non-human primates, significantly improving their performance in a visual attention task.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 8, 2023·6 min read

Why PTSD Patients Relive Highly Charged Fear Memories in Sleep

In people with PTSD, during REM sleep norepinephrine and serotonin levels remain high, reducing the brain's ability to inhibit fear-expression neurons through neural rhythms sent between the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Those with PTSD require higher frequency rhythms to extinguish fear memories. Researchers say unlocking the higher frequencies via therapies could help to restore quality sleep in those with PTSD.

This shows neurons in the locus coeruleus

Featured Neuroscience

·June 1, 2022·6 min read

How the Brain Responds to Surprising Events

Surprising events trigger the release of noradrenaline in the brain, helping to focus attention and learn from the experience.

Featured Genetics Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 17, 2020·4 min read

Protective Factor Against Psychological Trauma Discovered

The NTRK2 gene has been implicated in resilience to developing PTSD following psychologically traumatic events. Previous studies outlined the role NTRK2 plays in memory formation. Those with increased regulation of the gene developed fewer traumatic memories following traumatic experiences.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 25, 2019·3 min read

What stress does to the brain

A new study sheds light on how the brain changes as a result of chronic stress. Selective noradrenaline release rewires connectivity patterns between different brain regions. Activity in the amygdala and networks that process sensory stimuli increased.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 20, 2019·4 min read

Frustrated fish give up thanks to glia, not just neurons

Glial cells and radial astrocytes might control the decision to give up swimming against the current in Zebrafish.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 18, 2019·3 min read

Modulating Stress Circuits

A new study reveals a unique population of corticotropin releasing factor neurons in female mice that may mediate differences in stress response.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 27, 2017·3 min read

Research Seeks to Boost Memory and Performance with Targeted Electrical Stimulation

Researchers look to transdermal electrical neuromodulation to help boost performance and memory.

Image shows the outline of a person and their lungs in blue.

Featured Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 26, 2017·5 min read

Dietary Supplement Shows Promise In Treatment of Sleep Apnea

Researchers report Yohimbine, a dietary supplement derived from tree bark, shows potential in the treatment of sleep apnea, especially for those with anxiety disorders and high blood pressure.