Latest

social behavior

·September 2, 2020·4 min read

Autism May Not Be Tied to Mindblindness

Reassessing years of research on Theory of Mind in autism, researchers argue the brains of those with ASD may be able to grasp what others think but may have a more difficult time processing the degree to which others think differently from themselves.

This shows neurons and astrocytes in the hippocampus

Electrophysiology Featured Neuroscience

·August 31, 2020·5 min read

Brain Protein Linked to Seizures and Abnormal Social Behaviors

Alterations in the excitation and inhibition balance is regulated in the developing brain by astrocytes via the ephrin-B1 protein. The loss of astrocytic ephrin-B1 alters the E/I balance by reducing inhibition, resulting in hyperactivity of neural circuits. The hyperactivity results in reduced sociability in mice.

Featured Psychology

·August 31, 2020·3 min read

Is Being Generous the Next Beauty Trend?

Researchers found more attractive people are more likely to be givers, and givers are generally rated as being more attractive.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 31, 2020·4 min read

Researchers Discover a Specific Brain Circuit Damaged by Social Isolation During Childhood

Social isolation experienced during childhood has an impact on adult brain function and behavior. Following two weeks of social isolation immediately following weaning in male mice, researchers noticed a failure in activation of medial prefrontal cortex neurons projecting to the posterior paraventricular thalamus during social exposure in adulthood. Findings suggest medial prefrontal cortex neurons required for sociability are profoundly affected by social isolation at a young age.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 24, 2020·3 min read

People Can Make Better Choices When It Benefits Others

Synchronized activity between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and temporoparietal junction improves learning and decision-making when people try to avoid harming others.

This is a cartoon drawing of someone handing another person a bottle of wine

Featured Psychology

·August 22, 2020·5 min read

Your In-Laws’ History of Drinking Problems Could Lead to Alcohol Issues of Your Own

Study reveals a previously unrecognized family connection to alcohol use disorder, the drinking habits of a person's in-laws. People married to those who experienced parental alcohol misuse as a child are more likely to develop an addiction to alcohol, even if the spouse has no history of a personal battle with alcohol use.

Featured Psychology

·August 18, 2020·4 min read

Sleepiness Can Have a Negative Impact on Your Social Life

Higher levels of sleepiness were associated with a reduction in both social activities and the amount of time people engage in social events. Social activities in the afternoons were linked to increased sleepiness following the engagement and longer sleep duration at night. Higher levels of social interaction at night were linked to reduced immediate sleepiness and shorter overall sleep duration.

Featured Genetics

·August 18, 2020·2 min read

Romantic Relationship Dynamics May Be in Our Genes

Variations of CD38, a gene associated with attachment behaviors in humans and animals, may play a key role in relationship behaviors and perceptions that support bonding.

Autism Featured Genetics

·August 5, 2020·4 min read

How a Gene Alteration Modifies Social Behavior in Autism

Researchers have uncovered a link between the Nlgn3 gene and the oxytocin signaling pathway in mouse models of ASD. Nlgn3 disrupts the oxytocin signaling pathway in neurons in the reward system, consequentially resulting in reduced social interactions in mice.

Featured Psychology

·July 25, 2020·8 min read

Unique Insights Into How We Change as We Age

A study that has been on-going for thirty-five years sheds light on several transitions throughout our lifespans.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 14, 2020·4 min read

Autism Researchers Map Brain Circuitry of Social Preference

Study reveals how two neural circuits dictate the choice between social approach and avoidance. The network connecting the infralimbic cortex to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) impairs social behavior if there is a decrease in neural activity. Another network connecting the prelimbic cortex to the BLA similarly impairs social behavior if the neural activity is increased.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 8, 2020·4 min read

Astrocytes Shed Light on the Link Between Cannabis Use and Sociability

Exposing mice to THC, researchers noted persistent activation of mitochondrial cannabinoid receptors located within astrocytes resulted in a cascade of molecular processing that led to dysfunctional glucose metabolism. The ability of astrocytes to transform glucose into "food" for neurons was reduced. The reduction resulted in a compromise in neural function, with a harmful impact on behavior. Specifically, social interactions were reduced for 24 hours post cannabis exposure.