FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·March 5, 2020·5 min readPreviously unappreciated neurotransmitter system in the brain discoveredResearchers have identified a novel neurotransmitter system in the brain. The system signals transmission of innate olfactory information to areas of the brain associated with emotional processing via the TAAR5 receptor. The findings could help in the development of new treatments for depression and schizophrenia.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·February 20, 2020·3 min readHow serotonin modulates behaviorA new NIH funded study will use C. elegans to discover the secrets behind serotonin's influence on behavior.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·February 11, 2020·5 min readResearch points to potential brain marker of stress and its effects on problem solvingGenetics testing revealed those with a greater susceptibility to stress have at least one copy of a variation in the serotonin transporter gene. Additionally, changes to connections in the middle temporal gyrus related to changes in cognitive performance during stress.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·January 24, 2020·3 min readImbalance between serotonin and dopamine in social anxiety disorderStudy reports the balance between serotonin and dopamine may be a risk factor for a person developing social anxiety disorder.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·January 22, 2020·5 min readGlutamate in the brain has unexpected qualitiesA new analysis method shows the brain regulates its signals using glutamate in more ways than previously thought.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·January 8, 2020·5 min readAre some antidepressants less risky for pregnant women?Alteration of placental serotonin levels due to maternal depression or antidepressant use may be associated with the disruption of placental estrogen production.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscience·December 30, 2019·6 min readHangovers happen as your body tries to protect itself from alcohol’s toxic effectsResearchers explore the biology behind hangovers, including how excessive alcohol consumption alters glutamate, serotonin, and dopamine. The paper also examines how to reduce the effects of a heavy night's drinking.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·December 27, 2019·2 min readEvolutionary changes in brain potentially make us more prone to anxietyEvolutionary changes in neurotransmitter uptake of VMAT1 may be responsible for higher levels of anxiety.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·December 16, 2019·2 min readThe effect of taking antidepressants during pregnancyExposure to antidepressants during the first few weeks of pregnancy has long term implications for sensory processing in the offspring.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·December 11, 2019·7 min readRave new world: Scientists pry apart party drug’s therapeutic, addictive qualitiesResearchers have distinguished two different molecular pathways responsible for addiction and the prosocial feelings generated by MDMA. The findings could lead to novel treatments for psychiatric disorders marked by withdrawal and social awkwardness.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·December 3, 2019·4 min readYoung Children and Infants Read to By Parents Have Stronger Vocabulary SkillsReading to infants and young children is associated with stronger vocabulary skills at age three. The findings reveal parents who read to children with genetic predispositions to learning and attention disorders help improve their language acquisition skills.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·December 2, 2019·3 min readWhy stress doesn’t always cause depressionRats susceptible to anhedonia have more serotonin neurons in the ventral dorsal raphe nucleus. However, activating neurons in the central amygdala reduced the serotonin signaling and lowered the effects of social stress.Read More
