How Calorie Content Makes You Rethink Food Choices
A neuroimaging study reveals seeing images of food with calorie information alters the way the brain responds to the food, making the item seem less appealing.... Read More...
nucleus accumbens
Your Brain on Imagination: It’s a Lot Like Reality
A new neuroimaging study reveals imagination may help people with fear or anxiety disorders overcome them. The study reports imagining a threat can alter the way it is represented in the brain.... Read More...
Dopamine’s Yin-Yang Personality: It’s an Upper and a Downer
Researchers shed light on the dual nature of dopamine, as a neurotransmitter that makes us seek pleasure and also reinforces avoidance of pain.... Read More...
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.... Read More...
Dopamine Drives Early Addiction to Heroin
Researchers have identified a significant role dopamine plays in the development of heroin addiction. The study reports dopamine appears to directly cause drug reinforcement and, when dopamine neurons are silenced, mice are less likely to self administer the drug.... Read More...
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.... Read More...
Binge Drinking Affects Male and Female Brains Differently
A new study reports binge drinking affects gene expression in both males and females differently. In females who binge drink, genes linked to hormone signaling and immune function become altered, whereas in males, alterations occur to genes associated with nerve signaling.... Read More...
Link Between Gut Bacteria and Eating For Pleasure Discovered
A new study reveals a link between elevates microbiome levels of indole and hedonic eating. Researchers report those with higher levels of indole are more likely to have food addiction and overeating disorders.... Read More...
Specific Brain Circuits Tied to Sociability: Mouse Study
A new study implicates serotonin neurons in the nucleus accumbens with social behavior in mouse models of ASD. When serotonin release was triggered, researchers noted social behaviors normalized.... Read More...
Maged1 Gene Protects Against Cocaine Addiction
A new study reports mice lacking the Maged1 gene are unable to acquire an addiction to cocaine.... Read More...
How Your Brain Decides Between Knowledge and Ignorance
Researchers report the brain's reward network could play an influential role in evaluating the opportunity to gain new information, just as it does to evaluate rewards such as food or financial gain.... Read More...
Weak Brain Nodes Have Strong Influence on Memory Network
Researchers report that for memory formation, the nucleus accumbens is both upstream and influential.... Read More...