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nucleus accumbens

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·December 10, 2018·4 min read

Your Brain on Imagination: It’s a Lot Like Reality

A new neuroimaging study reveals imagination may help people with fear or anxiety disorders overcome them. The study reports imagining a threat can alter the way it is represented in the brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 10, 2018·6 min read

Dopamine’s Yin-Yang Personality: It’s an Upper and a Downer

Researchers shed light on the dual nature of dopamine, as a neurotransmitter that makes us seek pleasure and also reinforces avoidance of pain.

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.

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.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·October 20, 2018·4 min read

Researchers Find Brain Signal that May Help Us Navigate the Holiday Buffet

Researchers report they have discovered the region of the brain that registers excitement over a preferred food option. The study reports the findings could help develop new therapies and treatments to potentially combat obesity and encourage healthier eating.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 11, 2018·5 min read

Binge Drinking Affects Male and Female Brains Differently

A new study reports binge drinking affects gene expression in both males and females differently. In females who binge drink, genes linked to hormone signaling and immune function become altered, whereas in males, alterations occur to genes associated with nerve signaling.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·August 24, 2018·3 min read

Link Between Gut Bacteria and Eating For Pleasure Discovered

A new study reveals a link between elevates microbiome levels of indole and hedonic eating. Researchers report those with higher levels of indole are more likely to have food addiction and overeating disorders.

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.

Featured Genetics

·July 13, 2018·3 min read

Maged1 Gene Protects Against Cocaine Addiction

A new study reports mice lacking the Maged1 gene are unable to acquire an addiction to cocaine.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 26, 2018·3 min read

How Your Brain Decides Between Knowledge and Ignorance

Researchers report the brain's reward network could play an influential role in evaluating the opportunity to gain new information, just as it does to evaluate rewards such as food or financial gain.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 20, 2018·3 min read

Weak Brain Nodes Have Strong Influence on Memory Network

Researchers report that for memory formation, the nucleus accumbens is both upstream and influential.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 18, 2018·6 min read

How the Brain’s “Reward Circuit” Plays a Key Role in Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder

A new meta-analysis of neuroimaging data reveals people with ASD process social and nonsocial rewards differently than those without an autism diagnosis.