nucleus accumbens

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nucleus accumbens

·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.

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·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.

The image shows fMRI scans wiht the amygdala and prefrontal cortex highlighted in yellow.

Featured Psychology

·August 15, 2014·2 min read

Brain Imaging Shows Brain Differences in Risk Taking Teens

A neuroimaging study reports connections between certain brain regions are amplified in teens who are more prone to taking risks.

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·June 27, 2019·5 min read

Brain structure determines individual differences regarding music sensitivity

White matter connectivity between the auditory processing areas and brain areas associated with reward may explain why we like, or dislike music.

This shows the location of the hippocampus in the human brain.

Featured Psychology

·August 5, 2015·3 min read

Brain Structures Involved in Delayed Gratification Identified

Researchers implicate the hippocampus and nucleus accumbens in decisions that call for delayed gratification.

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·December 19, 2017·7 min read

Brain Zap Saps Destructive Urges

Deep brain stimulation to the nucleus accumbens can help prevent impulsive behaviors, researchers report in PNAS.

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·December 19, 2017·5 min read

Can Brain Lesions Contribute to Criminal Behavior?

Researchers report lesions within a brain network involved in moral decision making can contribute to criminal behavior.

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·January 16, 2018·3 min read

Cannabis Abuse Alters Activity of Brain Regions Linked to Negative Emotion

Researchers report brain alterations associated with heightened feelings of negative emotion and alienation in people who have a dependence on cannabis.

Image shows a sagittal MRI slice with highlighting (red) indicating the nucleus accumbens.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 23, 2015·4 min read

Central Gatekeeping System Implicated in Tinnitus and Chronic Pain Identified

Researchers identify a central gatekeeping system they believe is implicated in both chronic pain and tinnitus.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 27, 2018·4 min read

Clues to Brain Changes in Depression Discovered

A new study sheds light on how the brain processes rewards and provides a deeper understanding on the neurobiology of depression.

This shows a woman looking out of a window

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.