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optogenetics

·August 16, 2017·5 min read

Scientists Use Magnetic Fields to Remotely Stimulate Brain and Control Body Movements

Researchers have developed a new, minimally invasive brain stimulation technique that can induce a range of bodily movements. The technique, magneto-thermal stimulation, can be used to target highly specific brain regions and could help researchers to advance brain mapping studies.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 3, 2017·6 min read

Autism May Reflect Excitation-Inhibition Imbalance in Brain

Reducing the excitation-inhibition ratio by diminishing excitability of pyramidal neurons or increasing excitability of PV neurons led mice to spend more time engaged in social encounters. Researchers believe the excitation-inhibition balance may play a key role in autism and normal social behavior.

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·July 24, 2017·5 min read

Illuminating Neural Pathways in the Living Brain

A new optogenetic method called Optobow is helping researchers to discover specific and individual components of functional neural networks in the living brain. A Nature Communications report states this new method can help provide more detailed insights into both brain function and structure.

Image shows matrices of the neural activity.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 20, 2017·4 min read

Patterns of Brain Activity Direct Specific Body Movements

A new study sheds light on how neurons in the motor cortex communicate with muscles and drive motion. Using optogenetics, the researchers discovered the motor cortex communicates with muscles differently, depending on the type of movement an animal makes.

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·July 14, 2017·3 min read

A Neural Switch for Becoming Alpha Male

A new report in Science identifies a neural circuit in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex of mouse brains that may play a key role in social dominance. Using optogenetics, researchers were able to target neurons in the dmPFC to help boost a mouse's chance of 'winning' in an aggressive encounter.

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·July 6, 2017·6 min read

Controlling Memory By Triggering Specific Brain Waves During Sleep

Using optogenetics, researchers manipulated pulses of neural activity during non REM sleep that made mice either remember of forget things they had learned. This novel study demonstrated that altering sleep spindle oscillations during sleep has an impact on memory formation and retention.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 27, 2017·6 min read

A Snapshot of Neural Activity

A new neuron labeling technique allows researchers to obtain a snapshot of their activity at any moment in time. The new approach could provide new insights into neural functioning by offering better precision than current, more long term, labeling techniques.

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·June 26, 2017·5 min read

Shining Light on Brain Cells That Coordinate Movement

Researchers have developed a novel technique that allows them to insert a gene into Perkinje cells in the adult brain. This approach, researchers say, could be used to change behavior and alter the function of brain circuits.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 8, 2017·4 min read

Overriding the Urge to Sleep

Researchers have identified neurons that control wakefulness.

Featured Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 6, 2017·5 min read

Explaining the Link Between Seizures and Psychiatric Disorders

Newly identified neurons in the reticular thalamus could help shed light on the link between seizures and psychiatric disorders such as ADHD and schizophrenia, a new study reports.

A new study reports on a key connection between two areas of an adult female vole's brain reward system that promotes pair bonding.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 31, 2017·5 min read

Cracking the Neural Code of Love

A new study reports on a key connection between two areas of an adult female vole's brain reward system that promotes pair bonding.

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·May 26, 2017·2 min read

Optic Probes Shed Light on Binge Eating

Optogenetically activating neurons in an area of the brain not previously associated with feeding can produce binge eating behavior, researchers report.