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reward system

·October 18, 2021·5 min read

Brain Circuitry Identified That May Be Responsible for Negative Emotional Aspects of Pain

A new rodent study uncovers a neural circuit in the brain that appears to govern pain-induced anhedonia. Altering the activity of this circuit restored motivation in pre-clinical models of pain.

This shows neurons in the basolateral amygdala

Featured Neuroscience

·October 18, 2021·3 min read

Mammalian Motivation Circuits: Maybe They’re Born With It

Researchers have identified a pre-programmed neural circuit in the basolateral amygdala of mice that processes both positive and negative stimuli.

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.