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striatum

·May 13, 2026·9 min read

A New Genetic Entry Point for Autism Traits

Can autism's core traits be separated from cognitive ability? Researchers have identified PTCHD1-AS, a long non-coding RNA gene that regulates social interaction and repetitive behaviors without affecting learning or memory. By tracing this gene's influence to synaptic plasticity in the striatum, the study provides a "molecular pattern" for future precision treatments aimed specifically at the hallmark features of the autism spectrum.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 22, 2026·7 min read

Embryonic Pathways Found to Balance the Adult Mind

Researchers discovered that a signaling pathway used in brain development is repurposed in adulthood to balance behavioral persistence and flexibility.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·March 19, 2026·7 min read

Dopamine GPS: Visual Guidance Beyond Reward

More than just a reward. New research reveals that dopamine acts as a biological GPS, sending real-time "guidance signals" to the brain to ensure you stay on the right path.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 16, 2026·7 min read

Acetylcholine Seizes Control of Serotonin Signaling

New research reveals how acetylcholine hijacks the serotonin system, potentially causing the chemical "overdrive" seen in OCD and depression.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 24, 2026·7 min read

Dopamine Signals Astrocytes to Sculpt the Brain

Neurons write the draft, but astrocytes edit the circuit. Scientists discover how star-shaped brain cells use dopamine signals to prune synapses and master new motor skills.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 19, 2025·6 min read

Brain’s “Hourglass Timer” Controls the Precise Timing of Movement

Researchers have discovered how the brain keeps time for precise movements, revealing a neural “hourglass” mechanism between the motor cortex and striatum. The motor cortex sends timing signals that accumulate in the striatum until they reach a threshold that triggers action.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 27, 2025·5 min read

Research Rewrites Striatum’s Role in Action and Movement

A new study challenges the long-held belief that the striatum is responsible for selecting actions. Researchers found that instead of making decisions, the striatum and motor cortex work together to specify movement details, such as how to reach for an object.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 2, 2024·4 min read

Study Reveals Dopamine’s Limited Role in Rapid Neural Activity

A recent study has found that dopamine signals have a minimal impact on rapid neural activity in the striatum, challenging existing theories about dopamine's role in brain signaling. Using advanced optical neural chip technology, researchers observed that dopamine signals within normal physiological ranges do not significantly affect neural processing.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 30, 2023·4 min read

Brain Waves: Acetylcholine and Dopamine’s Synchronized Dance in Striatum

Researchers unveiled a groundbreaking discovery in brain chemistry. They identified wave-like patterns of the neurochemical acetylcholine in the striatum, a region vital for motivating actions.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 12, 2023·5 min read

The Brain’s Support Cells May Play a Key Role in OCD

A newly discovered cellular mechanism that involves astrocytes, as well as neurons, appears to be involved in repetitive behaviors and OCD.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 21, 2023·4 min read

Brain Circuit Involved in Fentanyl Abuse and Relapse Identified

Fentanyl enhances direct pathway medium spiny neurons activity in the striatum. During withdrawal from the opioid, inhibitory signals from direct pathway medium spiny neurons to dopaminergic neurons become enhanced. The enhanced suppression of dopaminergic neurons contributes to the negative emotions associated with fentanyl withdrawal. Inhibiting the direct pathway medium spiny neurons can reduce withdrawal symptoms and associated anxiety behaviors.