Interaction between auditory areas of the brain and the reward system drive pleasure when we listen to music. Read More
Early life stress induces epigenetic modifications in D2-type medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens, increasing the susceptibility to stress in adulthood. Read More
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. Read More
Enzyme activity outside of specific cell types contribute to synaptic plasticity associated with addiction behaviors. Read More
Glutamatergic neural connections between the prelimbic prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens appear to be responsible for co-morbid anxiety and OCD behaviors. Read More
A new study reveals specific brain regions that individually promote patience through the action of serotonin. Read More
Cocaine and sucrose neuron ensembles in the nucleus accumbens are mostly non-overlapping. Read More
Astrocytes respond to cocaine exposure in the brains of mice by promoting the formation of new synapses. Read More
Neuroimaging reveals the higher density of cells in the nucleus accumbens is associated with a larger waist circumference in children. Read More
Researchers temporarily switched off the neural pathway between the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens in primate models, negatively impacting motivation, but not learning. Read More
The key to performance and motivation lies within the ratio of glutamine and glutamate in the nucleus accumbens. The ratio of glutamine to glutamate relates specifically to stamina. Read More
Examining the brains of frequent cannabis users, researchers have identified a pattern of connectivity related to craving the substance. The findings add weight to the idea that brain regions do not work in isolation, but via the connectivity of multiple networks that signal to each other depending on state and need. Brain connectivity during cannabis cravings is not static but has fluctuations in connection patterns between the central executive network and nucleus accumbens. Read More
