Negative emotions can reduce our capacity to trust
The activity of the temporoparietal junction becomes significantly suppressed during trust decisions when people feel threatened, a new study reports.... Read More...
prefrontal cortex
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...
Extinguishing Fear Memories Relies On An Unusual Change to DNA
Researchers report fear extinction memories form as a result of an adenosine modification, which help to increase the activity of specific genes. ... Read More...
Depression Reversed by Activating Gene That Helps Excite Neurons: Male Mouse Study
Researchers report activating the SIRT1 gene in male mice helped to reverse symptoms of depression, such as social isolation and loss of interest. The study suggests drugs that activate SIRT1 may be an effective therapy for some with major depression.... Read More...
Identifying Brain Patterns of Consciousness
Researchers shed light on the neural networks that appear to govern human consciousness.... Read More...
Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Alleviates Chronic, Treatment Resistant Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Using transcranial magnetic stimulation, researchers have successfully restored network function between the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum, helping to improve symptoms in those with treatment resistant schizophrenia.... Read More...
All Too Human: The Price We Pay for Our Advanced Brains May Be a Greater Tendency to Disorders
Researchers report the neural code of the prefrontal cortex is more efficient than the amygdala in both humans and primates. The lower resistance of the amygdala to errors in humans may play a role in exaggerated survival responses, such as those seen in anxiety and PTSD.... Read More...
Surprising Role of the Cerebellum in Reward and Social Behaviors
Researchers reveal the role the cerebellum plays in helping to control the brain's reward system. The researchers identified a direct connection from the cerebellum to the ventral tegmental area. The study may shed new light on neural networks associated with social dysfunction.... Read More...
The Circuits That Help You Keep Your Cool
Researchers reveal how connections from around the mammalian brain stimulate two key cell types in the locus coeruleus to moderate arousal in two different ways. ... Read More...
Maternal Stress and Abnormal Brain Development May Interact to Produce Mental Illnesses
Researchers report abnormal development of the prefrontal cortex and maternal stress may lead to brain activity and cognitive impairments linked to psychiatric diseases such as Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.... Read More...
Peering Into Little Foot’s 3.76 Million Year Old Brain
Researchers create the first endocast reconstruction of nearly the complete brain of the hominin Little Bigfoot. The brain, researchers report, is relatively small and combines both ape like and human like features. ... Read More...