Study Advances Understanding of How Brains Remember Decisions
The medial prefrontal cortex persistently encodes value based decision variables.... Read More...
PFC
How we tune out distractions
A pathway linking the basal ganglia to the thalamus enhances sensory discrimination and is used to suppress 'background noise'. The pathway, which is controlled by the prefrontal cortex, selectively suppresses sensory input as it flows to the thalamus.... Read More...
Growing up high: Neurobiological consequences of adolescent cannabis use
Researchers evaluate the psychological and neurobiological impact of teen cannabis use. The findings, to be presented at the 13th Annual Canadian Neuroscience Meeting, will cover how cannabis contributes to cognitive impairments, psychosis and deficits in decision making in adolescents.... Read More...
Hotspot in the genome may drive psychosis in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
A cluster of epigenetic marks in an enhancer at IGF2 could enhance dopamine synthesis associated with psychosis in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The findings may help in devising more effective treatments and screening strategies for both disorders.... Read More...
Hypersociability in Williams syndrome result of Myelination deficits
Myelin thickness and oligodendrocytes were significantly reduced in the prefrontal cortex in mouse models of Williams syndrome. ... Read More...
Ketamine reverses neural changes underlying depression-related behaviors: Mouse study
The formation of prefrontal cortex dendritic spine formation sustains the remission of depressive related symptoms and behaviors following ketamine treatment by restoring lost spines. ... Read More...
Inflammation linked to chemical imbalance in schizophrenia
Increased kynurenic acid production has been implicated in the pathology of schizophrenia. The findings provide a new target for cell-specific treatments that help reduce the production of kynurenic acid and reduce symptoms of schizophrenia.... Read More...
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.... Read More...
Dopamine conducts prefrontal cortex ensembles
Dopamine activation controls the ensemble activity of neurons and increases oscillatory activity in the prefrontal cortex.... Read More...
Inflammation inhibitor blocks neurodevelopmental disorders in mouse model
Increased levels of epoxide hydrolase in the prefrontal cortex were found in the brains of young mice whose mothers had suffered infection during pregnancy. Inhibiting epoxide hydrolase reverses cognitive and social deficits associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ASD.... Read More...
A Reciprocal Relationship Between Obesity and Self Control
Researchers report obesity may be a result of reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex, which can influence self control and predispose a person to overeating. ... Read More...
Ritalin Has No Effect on Primate Prefrontal Cortex
Even at doses that help improve monkeys' attention, researchers observe no differences of neural activity in the prefrontal cortex after administering Ritalin.... Read More...