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Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 3, 2019·4 min read

Parkinson’s disease may originate in the intestines

Two months after injecting alpha-synuclein into the intestines of rats, researchers discovered the proteins had traveled to the brain via peripheral nerves. Four months later, the pathology was greater. Additionally, the protein had traveled to the heart. The study supports the hypothesis that Parkinson's disease may begin in the intestinal system before migrating to the brain.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 26, 2019·3 min read

Spontaneous brain fluctuations influence risk-taking

Fluctuations in the dopaminergic midbrain play a critical role in risky decision making.

The gut and brain are highlighted in this drawing of a man

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·July 17, 2019·5 min read

Bacterial intestinal infections may trigger Parkinson’s disease

Mice infected with bacteria that cause mild intestinal infections exhibited Parkinson's like symptoms later in life. The findings provide a pathophysiological model in which intestinal infections may act as a trigger for Parkinson's disease.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 18, 2019·4 min read

Neuromelanin-Sensitive MRI Identified As a Potential Biomarker for Psychosis

A new study reports neuromelanin sensitive MRI is able to measure dopamine function associated with psychosis.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·December 4, 2018·5 min read

A Toxin That Travels From Stomach to Brain May Trigger Parkinson’s

A new study reports the combination of a toxic herbicide and lectins may trigger Parkinsonism after the toxins travel from the stomach to the brain.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·November 20, 2018·4 min read

Personality and Mood Affect Brain Response to Personal Choice

Researchers report personality traits and psychological health impact how we value personal control when making decisions. The study reports brain activity in the motivation system is dampened in those with passive personalities and depression when we receive rewards that we have earned or feel in personal control of situations.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·August 3, 2018·4 min read

How Cues Drive Our Behavior

Researchers shed light on the role dopamine neurons play in assigning values to transient environmental cues that drive behaviors.

Featured Neurology

·July 25, 2018·3 min read

A Breath Test for Early Stage Parkinson’s

Researchers have developed a sensor that can detect early stage Parkinson's disease by analyzing a sample of a patient's breath.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 29, 2018·4 min read

Neural Implants Modulate Microstructures in the Brain with Pinpoint Accuracy

Researchers have developed new neural implants that enable targeted delivery of drugs deep into brain structures.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·June 18, 2018·4 min read

Rare Genetic Mutation May Give Insight into How the Brain is Wired

A family with a rare genetic mutation are helping researchers answer important questions about how the human brain is wired. The family, who share an altered copy of the DCC gene, have less connectivity between areas where dopamine neurons originate and their target sites.

Featured Neurology

·May 23, 2018·3 min read

Study Reveals Cause of Pesticide Exposure and Parkinson’s Link

People exposed to two common agrochemicals, Paraquat and Maneb, are at a 250% higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease, researchers report.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 2, 2018·5 min read

How Dopamine Neurons Contribute to Memory Formation in Humans

According to researchers, dopamine neurons may play a key role in the formation of episodic memory. The findings could help in the development of new treatments for neurodegenerative disorders that affect memory.