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Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·October 30, 2018·4 min read

Dopamine Drives Early Addiction to Heroin

Researchers have identified a significant role dopamine plays in the development of heroin addiction. The study reports dopamine appears to directly cause drug reinforcement and, when dopamine neurons are silenced, mice are less likely to self administer the drug.

The image shows axial and sagittal views of TBSS results.

Featured Neurology

·June 16, 2015·4 min read

Distinct Injury Patterns Found in Brains of Those With Post Concussion Depression and Anxiety

Findings could lead to improved treatment options and better understanding of post concussion depression and anxiety.

This image shows brain scans of the continued damage alcohol does to the brain

Featured Neuroscience

·April 3, 2019·5 min read

Alcohol-induced brain damage continues after alcohol is stopped

Contrary to popular belief that brain changes begin to normalize immediately after ceasing alcohol consumption, a new study reveals damage to the brain continues during the first weeks of abstinence.

This image shows a brain slice taken from a rat's nucleus accumbens.

Featured Genetics Psychology

·November 30, 2015·4 min read

How Anxiety Kills Your Social Status

Researchers have identified an area of the brain that links anxious temperaments to low social status. They were also able to 'tweak' the social hierarchy in animals using vitamin B3.

Featured Genetics Psychology

·July 6, 2017·3 min read

Gene That May Play Key Role In Depression Identified

Researchers have identified a gene that appears to be implicated in depression in both animal and human models of the disorder. The gene, Slc6a15 can either amplify or reduce stress, depending on its level of activity.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 23, 2019·5 min read

Obesity linked with differences in form and structure of the brain

Obesity is associated with alterations in brain structure, including lower gray matter volume and smaller globus pallidus volume.

The image shows two mice and lines representing brain waves.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 19, 2014·6 min read

Scientists Tie Social Behavior to Activity in Specific Brain Circuit

Using optogenetics, researchers link a particular brain circuit to social interaction in mice.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·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.

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.

Image shows a diagram which includes images of the brain with the NAcc and auditory cortex highlighted.

Auditory Neuroscience Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 17, 2016·3 min read

How Do the Brains of People Who Don’t Like Music Work?

Researchers explain the neural mechanisms behind a person's lack of sensitivity to music.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 11, 2019·7 min read

Rave new world: Scientists pry apart party drug’s therapeutic, addictive qualities

Researchers have distinguished two different molecular pathways responsible for addiction and the prosocial feelings generated by MDMA. The findings could lead to novel treatments for psychiatric disorders marked by withdrawal and social awkwardness.