Using electroacupuncture, researchers stimulated the vagus-adrenal axis to induce secretion of dopamine from chromaffin cells in the adrenal glands. Mice exposed to this treatment had lower levels of three types of inflammation-inducing cytokines and improved survival chances over those who did not receive electroacupuncture. Animals treated with the method immediately before they developed cytokine storms experienced lower levels of inflammation during their disease and an increase in survival odds from 20% to 80%.
Corticotropin-releasing factor and neuropeptide Y work in synchronized opposition to each other to remodel and rewire neurons in the amygdala as a response to stress. The process, researchers say, can be manually reversed to help relieve anxiety.
The neuropeptide NPY reduces seizures in human brain tissue.
A combination of chronic stress and high-calorie diets raised insulin levels tenfold in the amygdala of mice. Prolonged high levels of insulin in the central amygdala resulted in neurons becoming desensitized to insulin. The desensitized neurons boosted NPY levels, which promoted eating and reduced the normal homeostasis response to burn calories. The findings may shed light on why some indulge in high-calorie foods when stressed, and why this may lead to obesity.
Researchers report specific drugs designed to affect human appetite work to suppress the appetite of mosquitoes.
Researchers have identified a new neural pathway that may provide a good target for a drug to reduce anxiety symptoms.
A new study reports researchers have discovered the mechanism behind the enzyme that controls our appetite in response to low glucose availability.
Researchers have discovered a dedicated neural pathway that transmits the itchy feeling triggered by light touch.