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.
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.
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.
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.
Study reveals the mechanism of the nucleus accumbens for mediating reward and aversion.
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.
Opioid withdrawal cuts off the supply of serotonin to the nucleus accumbens, dramatically reducing sociability in mice and increasing social aversion.
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.
The direct phosphorylation of KCNQ2 by ERK occurs through the activation of the dopamine signaling pathway in the nucleus accumbens of mice.
Deep brain stimulation of the nucleus accumbens helps control symptoms of binge eating disorder and assists in weight loss.
Researchers discuss how psychedelics can affect the brain and provide therapeutic benefits for those suffering from a range of psychiatric disorders.
Study reveals how reduced function of the rgs2 protein in the nucleus accumbens contributes to symptoms associated with depression. The findings may assist with the development of new therapeutics to help treat depression in individuals.