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nucleus accumbens

This shows a brain slice with serotonin neurons in the Nca highlighted

·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.

This shows the maze the researchers used

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 19, 2022·7 min read

Brain’s Sensitivity to Different Types of Regret May Impact Mood Disorders Like Depression

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.

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·September 29, 2022·4 min read

Unraveling the Reward Behavior: The Mechanisms Underlying the Dopamine Signaling Pathway

The direct phosphorylation of KCNQ2 by ERK occurs through the activation of the dopamine signaling pathway in the nucleus accumbens of mice.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 29, 2022·4 min read

Deep Brain Stimulation Shows Promise Against Binge Eating Disorder

Deep brain stimulation of the nucleus accumbens helps control symptoms of binge eating disorder and assists in weight loss.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 2, 2022·6 min read

Psychedelic Drugs’ Therapeutic Potential for a Range of Psychiatric Disorders

Researchers discuss how psychedelics can affect the brain and provide therapeutic benefits for those suffering from a range of psychiatric disorders.

This shows the nucleus accumbense in the brain

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·July 13, 2022·5 min read

Why Women May Not Respond to Depression Treatments the Same as Men

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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 16, 2022·5 min read

Us Versus Them: Harming the ‘Outgroup’ Is Linked to Elevated Activity in the Brain’s Reward Circuitry

Aggression toward members in an "outgroup" was associated with increased activity in areas of the brain associated with reward. Activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex impacted the level of aggression a person demonstrated against an outsider.

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·June 8, 2022·6 min read

Three Distinct Brain Circuits in the Thalamus Contribute to Parkinson’s Symptoms

Neurons in the parafascicular thalamus project to three different parts of the basal ganglia. Targeting these circuits could be a new target for treating motor dysfunction and depression associated with Parkinson's disease.

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·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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·April 4, 2022·4 min read

Neuronal Mechanisms That Control Food Cravings During Pregnancy Identified

A new study sheds light on the neurobiology of cravings for certain foods women experience while pregnant. According to researchers, during pregnancy, the brain undergoes alterations to functional connections in the reward systems, as well as taste and sensorimotor centers. Pregnant females become more sensitive to sweet foods and develop binge eating behaviors toward high-calorie foods. Pregnancy induces a full reorganization of the mesolimbic neural circuits via D2R dopaminergic neurons in the nucleus accumbens.

This shows a graph and the location of the amygdala in the brain

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 14, 2022·3 min read

Loneliness Has a Different Neural Basis Than Social Anxiety

People with social anxiety have increased amygdala activity during social decision making, and reduced activity in the nucleus accumbens during social feedback. Those who are lonely did not experience the same alterations as those with social anxiety, suggesting loneliness is a unique condition.

This shows a walnut that looks like a brain

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·February 11, 2022·4 min read

New Clues in the Brain Linking Pain and Food

Brain circuitry responsible for motivation and pleasure is activated when a person experiences pain. The findings reveal a link as to why some people may overeat when they experience chronic pain.