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reward system

This image shows the location of the ventral striatum.

·September 18, 2017·5 min read

Why Bad Sleep Doesn’t Always Lead to Depression

Researchers from Duke University report people with poor sleep quality were less likely to experience symptoms of depression if they had higher activity in the ventral striatum.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 11, 2017·5 min read

Protein Links Alcohol Abuse and Changes in Brain’s Reward Center

A new Neuron study reports blocking the action of the mTORC1 protein causes mice to stop problem drinking behaviors. The findings could help develop new treatments for addictive behaviors in people.

Image shows endorphin release in a brain scan.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 24, 2017·3 min read

High Intensity Interval Training Releases Endorphins in the Brain

A PET neuroimaging study reveals high intensity impact training significantly increases endorphin release in brain areas associated with controlling emotion and pain.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 23, 2017·5 min read

A Song’s Structure Can Be Linked to Its Popularity

Researchers link the harmonic structure in pop songs to their ultimate popularity. Findings suggest unexpected chord changes when followed by predictable harmonies help make a song popular.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 22, 2017·5 min read

Brain’s Self-Regulation in Teens at Risk for Obesity

Teens at risk for obesity as they age have less active self regulatory systems in the brain, a new study reports.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 22, 2017·6 min read

High Moral Reasoning Associated With Increased Reward System Activity

University of Pennsylvania researchers report people who report higher levels of moral reasoning show increased activity in brain areas associated with reward. The study may improve understanding as to why some people are more likely to engage in prosocial behaviors.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 21, 2017·3 min read

Afternoon Slump in Reward Response

A new Journal of Neuroscience study reveals the activation of a brain area associated with reward response early in the afternoon.

Image shows the professor and two glasses of red wine.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 14, 2017·4 min read

Why Expensive Wine Appears to Taste Better

Researchers reveal how our brain's reward system tricks us into thinking a more expensive bottle of wine tastes better.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·August 9, 2017·4 min read

Playing With Your Brain: The Negative Impact of Action Video Games

A neuroimaging study reveals response learners show a decrease in hippocampal gray matter after playing action based video games for 90 hours.

Featured Psychology

·July 27, 2017·5 min read

Substance Addiction Changes Mother’s Response to Infant

Substance addiction modifies they way a mother's brain responds to her own child, a new study reports. Researchers found key reward regions of the brain appear to shut down in response to their own infant's smiles in mothers with addictions.

Featured Genetics Psychology

·July 6, 2017·3 min read

Gene That May Play Key Role In Depression Identified

Researchers have identified a gene that appears to be implicated in depression in both animal and human models of the disorder. The gene, Slc6a15 can either amplify or reduce stress, depending on its level of activity.