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nucleus accumbens

This illustration shows a woman pulling at her hair with a brain and the NAc highlighted. The dopamine structure is in the background.

·August 16, 2025·5 min read

Dopamine Imbalance in the Brain May Drive Trichotillomania

A new study using SAPAP3 knockout mice sheds light on the brain mechanisms that may drive trichotillomania, or hair-pulling disorder. These mice displayed compulsive grooming, heightened aggression, and stress-sensitive behaviors, mirroring human TTM traits—particularly in females.

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·July 8, 2024·5 min read

Brain Area Linked to Mood Swings in Bipolar Disorder

A new study identifies brain areas linked to mood swings and pleasure response in bipolar disorder. Researchers found that people with bipolar disorder show heightened activity in the ventral striatum during rewards, explaining extreme mood shifts. Reduced communication between the ventral striatum and anterior insula may contribute to these mood changes. These findings could lead to better treatments for managing bipolar disorder.

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·March 16, 2023·4 min read

Matcha Tea Powder Has Antidepressant-Like Effects

Researchers say Matcha, a traditional Japanese tea, can help boost mood and mental performance. Match tea powder activates dopaminergic neural networks and improves depressive symptoms in mice that previously experienced stress as a result of social isolation.

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·February 27, 2023·4 min read

Early-Life Stress Can Disrupt Maturation of Brain’s Reward Circuits, Promoting Disorders

Researchers have identified a novel stress-sensitive pathway in the reward system of the brain that releases corticotropin-releasing hormone in response to stress. Adverse experiences cause this pathway to become overactive.

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·February 3, 2023·5 min read

Sugar Is Processed Differently in the Brains of Obesity-Prone vs. Obesity-Resistant Rats

Glucose takes longer to get into the nucleus accumbens of obesity-prone rat models. Researchers also discovered excess levels of glutamate in obesity-prone rats, implying a deficiency in the neurotransmitter recycling process normally maintained by astrocytes.

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·December 9, 2022·4 min read

A Better Understanding of How the Most Commonly Used ADHD Medication Works

Study reveals how methylphenidate interacts with cognitive control networks and attention behaviors. Methylphenidate changes spontaneous neural activity in reward and cognitive control systems in children with ADHD. The changes result in more stable sustained attention.

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·November 15, 2022·3 min read

How the Nucleus Accumbens Mediates Positive and Negative Motivational Valence

Study reveals the mechanism of the nucleus accumbens for mediating reward and aversion.

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·November 7, 2022·5 min read

Motivation Is Affected by Oxidative Stress, but Nutrition Can Help

Higher levels of glutathione in the nucleus accumbens correlated with better and more steady performance in motivation-based tasks. Findings suggest improvements in accumbal anti-oxidant function that can be acquired via diet or supplementation may be a feasible approach to help boost motivation.

This shows a brain slice with serotonin neurons in the Nca highlighted

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 4, 2022·6 min read

Serotonin Key to Social Aversion During Withdrawal From Opioids

Opioid withdrawal cuts off the supply of serotonin to the nucleus accumbens, dramatically reducing sociability in mice and increasing social aversion.

This shows the maze the researchers used

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 19, 2022·7 min read

Brain’s Sensitivity to Different Types of Regret May Impact Mood Disorders Like Depression

Study finds mice show sensitivity to two different types of regret, and the different thought processes stem from different parts of the brain. Researchers also identified a genetic marker that predisposes maladaptive stress response traits and vulnerability to depression was linked to sensitivity to one type of regret.