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reward system

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 29, 2021·4 min read

New Research Exposes the Biological Basis of Empathy

The brain's reward system plays a key role in helping behaviors and empathy.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 2, 2021·4 min read

Beyond Dopamine: New Reward Circuitry Discovered

Researchers have identified a new reward system in the brain. The study found long-range GABA neurons from the ventral tegmental area to the ventral nucleus accumbens shell are engaged in reward and reinforcement behaviors. This GABAergic projection inhibits cholinergic interneurons.

This shows the location of the tpj and dlpfc in the brain

Featured Neuroscience

·August 10, 2021·5 min read

Readiness to Punish Others for Selfish Behavior Explained by Functional Brain Connections

The stronger the connection between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and temporal-parietal junction, the less likely people are to punish others for selfish deeds.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 6, 2021·5 min read

To Do or Not to Do: Cracking the Code of Motivation

Study highlights the role dopamine receptors play in motivation and decision making.

This shows different dishes on a buffet line

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 2, 2021·4 min read

Food Choices at an ‘all-You-Can-Eat’ Buffet Tied to Likelihood for Weight Gain

Study reveals the types of foods you load your plates with at all you can eat buffets may predict your risk for obesity.

This shows two white rats. One is trapped in a box, the other looks as though he is trying to help the other rat get out of the box

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 14, 2021·3 min read

Empathy May Drive Rats and Other Mammals to Help Friends Over Strangers

When a rat helps another within its social group, brain areas associated with reward and motivation become more active. This does not occur when a rat is faced with the prospect of helping another rat outside its social group. Researchers say the findings may provide a better understanding of similar social biases in humans.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 30, 2021·6 min read

Eating Disorder Behaviors Alter Reward Response in the Brain

Eating disorder behaviors are reinforced due to changes in the brain's reward response processes and alterations in the food intake control network.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 23, 2021·5 min read

Flavored E-Cigarettes May Affect the Brain Differently Than Non-Flavored

Flavored e-cigarette tobacco engages the taste system, while non-flavored vaped nicotine triggers the brain's reward system in a similar way observed when people smoke traditional cigarettes.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 11, 2021·6 min read

Brain Areas Involved in Seeking Information About Bad Possibilities Identified

Study reveals specific neurons in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex that become active when people are faced with the decision to learn or hide from information about an adverse event the person is not able to prevent.

This is an image of the brain and an explanation of what happens when people collaborate on musical pieces

Featured Neuroscience

·June 10, 2021·5 min read

What Happens in the Brain When People Make Music Together?

A new study reveals what goes on in the brain when a person embarks on a musical collaboration project.

Auditory Neuroscience Featured Neuroscience

·March 29, 2021·3 min read

Why the Brain Enjoys Music

Interaction between auditory areas of the brain and the reward system drive pleasure when we listen to music.

Featured Psychology

·February 27, 2021·7 min read

Psychological ‘Signature’ for the Extremist Mind Uncovered

Researchers conclude the mind of an extremist is marked by a mixture of conservative and dogmatic psychological signatures. Extremists tend to be cognitively cautious, slower at perceptual processing, and have weaker working memory. This is compounded by impulsive personality traits that seek sensation and risky experiences.