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·September 11, 2012·2 min read

How Genetics Shape Our Addictions: Genes Predict the Brain’s Reaction to Smoking

Have you ever wondered why some people find it so much easier to stop smoking than others? New research shows that vulnerability to smoking addiction is shaped by our genes.

Brain image with the basal ganglia and other brain areas.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 30, 2013·2 min read

NIH Study Advances Understanding of Movement Control

Voluntary movements involve the coordinated activation of two brain pathways that connect parts of deep brain structures called the basal ganglia, according to a study in mice.

The image shows the pathways in the basal ganglia. The striatum is shown in a purple/blue color.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·August 2, 2013·3 min read

New Findings Could Help Improve Development of Drugs for Addiction

Researchers describe findings which could help enable the development of more effective medications for addiction, with fewer side effects.

This is a PET scan image taken from the research paper.

Featured Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 20, 2013·6 min read

Researchers Discover Idling Brain Activity in Severely Brain Injured Patients Who “Wake Up” After Using a Sleep Drug

Researchers discover a signature of brain activity in some severely brain injured patients, who regained some consciousness after using certain drug treatments.

The image shows tms being applied to the brain.

Featured Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles

·December 11, 2013·4 min read

Researchers Uncover Mechanism Controlling Tourette Syndrome Tics

Researchers discover a mechanism in the brain which controls tics in children with Tourette Syndrome.

The image shows examples used in the computer task associated with the research.

Featured Psychology

·February 14, 2014·3 min read

Promise of a Bonus Counter Productive in Brains with High Dopamine Levels

People with higher levels of dopamine in the striatum perform worse after being promised a bonus, a new study reports.

The image shows the location of the dorsal anterior premotor cortex in the brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 19, 2014·5 min read

Study Reveals Workings of Working Memory

The brain uses similar circuits involved in planning motion when selecting tasks from working memory, new research reports.

This image shows a person washing their hands.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 29, 2014·4 min read

Creatures of Habit

A new study reports people affected by substance abuse, eating disorders and OCD share a common pattern of decision making and similarities in brain structure.