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optogenetics

This shows the chemical structure of dopamine

·February 5, 2020·3 min read

Novelty speeds up learning thanks to dopamine activation

Novelty directly activates the dopamine system and enhances associative learning. The findings have implications for the development of new machine learning technologies and educational strategies.

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·December 20, 2019·3 min read

Neurons responsible for rapid eye movements/REM during sleep identified

Nucleus papilion neurons play an important role in eye movement during REM sleep.

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·October 3, 2019·6 min read

Key to learning and forgetting identified in sleeping brain

Using optogenetics to dampen delta waves of rats during sleep resulted in weaker memory reactivation and promoted forgetting. The findings could have significant implications for treating PTSD in humans.

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·September 13, 2019·4 min read

How emotion affects action

Researchers have identified a comprehensive circuit mechanism that governs how emotional states can influence movement through connections in the basal ganglia. The mechanism represents a way in which emotional states relate to changes in action control in depression, anxiety, and OCD.

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·August 12, 2019·3 min read

Negative memory storage affects depression symptoms

Enhanced reactivation of negative memory engrams may be an important cellular mechanism behind the cognitive symptoms of depression.

This shows how ultrasound frequency affects different mammals

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·August 11, 2019·6 min read

The new field of sonogenetics uses sound waves to control the behavior of brain cells

A new technology known as sonogenetics can control neural activity by using sound frequencies. The technology could be used to non-invasively treat a range of neurological conditions, including Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.

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·August 5, 2019·4 min read

Scientists can now manipulate brain cells using smartphone

A soft neural implant that can be controlled by a smartphone is capable of drug delivery and optogenetics. The technology could speed up efforts to uncover the causes of neurological and psychological disorders.

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·July 22, 2019·2 min read

Hypothalamus pathway drives defense behaviors

A newly discovered pathway that links the hypothalamus and midbrain drives innate defense behaviors. The findings could have implications for developing therapies for anxiety disorders.

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·July 18, 2019·5 min read

Stimulating neurons to induce particular perceptions in mice’s minds

Using optogenetics, researchers stimulated neurons in the visual cortex of mice to induce illusory images in the animals' minds.

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·July 5, 2019·5 min read

Researchers controlled the behavior in a mouse’s brain with single-cell precision

Using holographic optogenetics, researchers were able to control visual behavior in mice by activating neurons in the visual cortex.

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·June 24, 2019·5 min read

Settling the debate on serotonin’s role in sleep

Serotonin produced by the raphe is critical for sleep in both mice and zebrafish. The firing of neurons in the raphe and the release of serotonin may help the brain build up better sleep pressure. The results may explain why some sleep-related side effects of antidepressants increase serotonin in the brain.