nucleus accumbens

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nucleus accumbens

·September 2, 2021·4 min read

Beyond Dopamine: New Reward Circuitry Discovered

Researchers have identified a new reward system in the brain. The study found long-range GABA neurons from the ventral tegmental area to the ventral nucleus accumbens shell are engaged in reward and reinforcement behaviors. This GABAergic projection inhibits cholinergic interneurons.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·August 15, 2021·4 min read

Brain Gene Expression Patterns Altered by Chronic Opioid Use

Opioid use disorder affects genes associated with proinflammatory immune molecule encoding and genes associated with remodeling the extracellular matrix, suggesting the connection between neurons may be altered as a result of opioid use. Additionally, those with OUD have higher levels of microglia in the brain.

Auditory Neuroscience Featured Neuroscience Neurotech

·March 29, 2021·3 min read

Why the Brain Enjoys Music

Interaction between auditory areas of the brain and the reward system drive pleasure when we listen to music.

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Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·March 15, 2021·5 min read

Epigenetic Mechanism Contributing to Lifelong Stress Susceptibility Discovered

Early life stress induces epigenetic modifications in D2-type medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens, increasing the susceptibility to stress in adulthood.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 8, 2021·3 min read

Brain Activity Foreshadows Changes in Stock Prices

Increased activity in the nucleus accumbens forecasted an increase in stock price within the next day, whereas increased activity in the anterior insular was predictive of whether a stock price would flip or change direction.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 26, 2021·4 min read

Highly Specific Synaptic Plasticity in Addiction

Enzyme activity outside of specific cell types contribute to synaptic plasticity associated with addiction behaviors.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 2, 2020·4 min read

Common Neural Circuit and Potential Target for Anxiety and OCD

Glutamatergic neural connections between the prelimbic prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens appear to be responsible for co-morbid anxiety and OCD behaviors.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 27, 2020·6 min read

Regions of the Brain Where Serotonin Promotes Patience Revealed

A new study reveals specific brain regions that individually promote patience through the action of serotonin.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 29, 2020·4 min read

Nucleus Accumbens Neuron Ensembles Recruited by Cocaine and Sugar Are Different

Cocaine and sucrose neuron ensembles in the nucleus accumbens are mostly non-overlapping.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 17, 2020·3 min read

Astrocytes Build Synapses After Cocaine Use

Astrocytes respond to cocaine exposure in the brains of mice by promoting the formation of new synapses.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 14, 2020·3 min read

Brain Imaging Can Predict Childhood Weight Gain

Neuroimaging reveals the higher density of cells in the nucleus accumbens is associated with a larger waist circumference in children.

This shows the location of the VTA and NAc in the brain

Featured Neuroscience

·August 25, 2020·5 min read

Researchers Reversibly Disable Brain Pathway in Primates

Researchers temporarily switched off the neural pathway between the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens in primate models, negatively impacting motivation, but not learning.

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