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serotonin

Featured Neuroscience

·January 22, 2020·5 min read

Glutamate in the brain has unexpected qualities

A new analysis method shows the brain regulates its signals using glutamate in more ways than previously thought.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 8, 2020·5 min read

Are 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.

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Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·December 30, 2019·6 min read

Hangovers happen as your body tries to protect itself from alcohol’s toxic effects

Researchers 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.

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Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·December 27, 2019·2 min read

Evolutionary changes in brain potentially make us more prone to anxiety

Evolutionary changes in neurotransmitter uptake of VMAT1 may be responsible for higher levels of anxiety.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 16, 2019·2 min read

The effect of taking antidepressants during pregnancy

Exposure to antidepressants during the first few weeks of pregnancy has long term implications for sensory processing in the offspring.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 11, 2019·7 min read

Rave new world: Scientists pry apart party drug’s therapeutic, addictive qualities

Researchers 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.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 3, 2019·4 min read

Young Children and Infants Read to By Parents Have Stronger Vocabulary Skills

Reading 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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 2, 2019·3 min read

Why stress doesn’t always cause depression

Rats 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.

This shows a stick and ball model of serotonin

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 27, 2019·5 min read

Why do we freeze when startled? New study points to serotonin

When fruit flies experience an unexpected change in its surroundings, serotonin produced in the ventral nerve cord slows the insect down. The findings may shed light on the neurobiological mechanisms of human startle response.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 24, 2019·4 min read

Turning to turkey’s tryptophan to boost mood? Not so fast

Research examines the myths and science behind how the amino acid tryptophan, associated with turkey, affects mood.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 21, 2019·4 min read

Severe pregnancy-related depression may be rooted in inflammation

Inflammatory factors appear to contribute to pregnancy-related depression onset and severity. Researchers found elevated levels of IL-6 and IL-8 and reduced levels of IL-2 in blood samples taken from blood samples of pregnant women who reported symptoms of depression. Additionally, they found serotonin was drastically reduced.