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orbitofrontal cortex

This shows a male and female head with brains drawn on

·July 20, 2020·4 min read

Highly Reproducible Sex Differences in Aspects of Human Brain Anatomy

Analysis of over 2,000 brain scans revealed evidence of highly reproducible sex differences in the volume of different regions of the brain. On average, females had greater cortical volume in the medial and lateral prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, superior temporal cortex, and lateral parietal cortex. Males had increased volume in the ventral temporal and occipital brain regions. Gene expression data suggest the potential role of sex chromosomes that contribute to the differences.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 13, 2020·3 min read

Rats’ Brain Activity Reveals Their Alcohol Preference

Study reveals the role the orbitofrontal cortex plays in individual differences to alcohol preference. The findings shed new light on how some are more prone to alcohol use disorder than others.

This shows a monkey at a computer screen

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 6, 2020·3 min read

Dopamine Neurons Mull Over Your Options

Dopamine neurons in the brain regulate internal processes of economic decision making, evaluating available options, and identifying the most preferable outcome.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 21, 2020·3 min read

How a genetic change increases the risk of schizophrenia

Chromosome 16p11.2 duplication impacts several different inhibitory neuron types that use GABA in brain areas that are dysfunctional in schizophrenia, including the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. The chromosome 16p11.2 duplication also resulted in cognitive and social deficits that are symptomatic of schizophrenia.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 9, 2020·5 min read

Aha! + Aaaah: Creative insight triggers a neural reward signal

Neuroimaging study sheds light on what drove the evolutionary development of human creativity.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·March 5, 2020·5 min read

Previously unappreciated neurotransmitter system in the brain discovered

Researchers have identified a novel neurotransmitter system in the brain. The system signals transmission of innate olfactory information to areas of the brain associated with emotional processing via the TAAR5 receptor. The findings could help in the development of new treatments for depression and schizophrenia.

Electrophysiology Featured Neuroscience

·February 27, 2020·6 min read

How does the brain put decisions in context?

The anterior lateral motor cortex appears to play a significant role in context-based decision making.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 11, 2020·7 min read

Mice ‘detectives’ hint at how humans read between the lines

Humans and mice use inference skills to solve problems in a remarkably similar manner.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 4, 2020·3 min read

Children’s mental health affected by sleep duration

Shorter sleep duration can increase the risk of children developing depression, anxiety, and cognitive problems. Children who routinely suffered sleep disruptions or shorter sleep durations had reduced brain volume in the orbitofrontal cortex, prefrontal cortex, precuneus, supramarginal gyrus, and temporal cortex.

This shows the brain symmetry via brain scans

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 1, 2019·3 min read

People with autism have a more symmetrical brain

The left and right brain areas are more similar in those with ASD. Reduced asymmetry was identified in cortical thickness across various brain regions in those on the autism spectrum.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 29, 2019·3 min read

Distinct brain region alterations in youth with psychosis spectrum disorders

Teens with psychosis spectrum disorders have significantly reduced surface areas in the orbitofrontal cortex, cingulate, precentral, and postcentral brain regions. MRI scans also revealed decreased thalamic volume.