nucleus accumbens

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nucleus accumbens

·March 1, 2020·6 min read

Second Type of Schizophrenia Discovered

Combining neuroimaging data with artificial intelligence, researchers have identified two distinct neuroanatomical subtypes of schizophrenia. The first, more typical subtype is associated with a lower widespread volume of gray matter compared to healthy controls. In the second subtype, gray matter volume is largely similar to healthy brains.

A brain image is shown with the medial forebrain highlighted.

Electrophysiology Featured Psychology

·April 9, 2013·3 min read

Sensational Success in Patients with Major Depression Using Deep Brain Stimulation

Researchers implanted pacemaker electrodes into the medial forebrain bundle of patients suffering from major depression and performed deep brain stimulation. In a matter of days, in six out of seven patients, symptoms such as anxiety, despondence, listlessness and joylessness had improved considerably.

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.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·January 28, 2019·4 min read

Sleep Loss Heightens Pain Sensitivity and Dulls Brain’s Painkilling Response

Researchers report sleep deprivation intensifies and prolongs pain.

This is a graphic abstract from the study

Featured Neuroscience

·June 2, 2020·3 min read

Some people are easily addicted to drugs, but others are not

Dopamine D2 receptor overexpression in cholinergic interneurons of the nucleus accumbens may explain why some are more prone to cocaine addiction than others.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 8, 2018·7 min read

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.

This image shows brain scans with higher levels of gray matter marked in red.

Featured Psychology

·February 26, 2015·3 min read

Study Maps Extroversion Types in the Brain’s Anatomy

A new study uses MRI technology to map the neuroanatomical differences and similarities in two different kinds of extroverts.

Neuroscience Videos Psychology

·January 11, 2012·3 min read

Study Offers Clue As to Why Alcohol is Addicting

UCSF Gallo scientists show that drinking releases brain endorphins Drinking alcohol leads to the release of endorphins in areas of...

This image shows a puppy running down a path.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·October 3, 2014·6 min read

Study Suggests Neurobiological Basis of Human-Pet Relationship

A neuroimaging study looks at how closely the human-pet relationship mirrors the mother-child bond.

Featured Neuroscience

·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.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 27, 2020·3 min read

The brain may need iron for healthy cognitive development

Iron levels in the basal ganglia steadily increase throughout development and, in two sub-regions, continue to increase into adulthood. Decreased levels of iron in the putamen was correlated with impaired cognitive performance involving reasoning and spatial processing. Findings suggest the brain requires iron for healthy cognitive development.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 25, 2022·3 min read

The Connection Between Loss of Motivation and Alzheimer’s Disease Progression

Targeting synaptic calcium permeable receptors in the nucleus accumbens and blocking them could delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer's associated neuropsychiatric symptoms, and ultimately cognitive decline.

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