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University of Colorado

·December 2, 2022·5 min read

Key Brain Cells in Mice Underlying Stress-Related Behaviors Identified

Glutamate neurons in the ventral tegmental area play a key role in the underlying impact of stressors. Silencing the neurons made the brain more resilient to stress.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 6, 2024·4 min read

How Antidepressants Treat Major Depression

Researchers have developed a new framework explaining how antidepressants, like SSRIs, treat major depressive disorder (MDD) by restoring brain connectivity rather than correcting a serotonin imbalance. Their findings emphasize the continued importance of these medications despite shifting public opinion. This new understanding could improve patient-clinician conversations about depression treatment.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·March 22, 2024·3 min read

CaMKII Can Be Regulated to Mitigate Alzheimer’s

The CaMKII protein, critical in brain and heart function, can be regulated to mitigate Alzheimer’s and heart conditions using three types of drug inhibitors. Their findings, published in Cell Reports, reveal that these inhibitors allow for precise assessments of CaMKII's roles, providing a valuable tool for scientists across various disciplines.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 3, 2025·6 min read

Mental Illness Can Also Bring Strengths

Mental illness is typically defined by its challenges, but growing evidence shows it is also linked to surprising strengths. Certain psychological conditions are associated with enhanced creativity, social sensitivity, emotional awareness, and resilience.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 17, 2024·5 min read

Junk Food Fuels Anxiety

A high-fat diet can disrupt gut bacteria, alter behavior, and influence brain chemicals in ways that increase anxiety. The study found that rats fed a high-fat diet showed less diversity in gut bacteria and higher expression of genes associated with stress and anxiety. This suggests that unhealthy eating habits may not only lead to weight gain but also negatively impact mental health.

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Auditory Neuroscience Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·March 3, 2026·8 min read

Chronic Back Pain Makes the World Sound Harsher

New research shows that chronic back pain rewires the brain to amplify sound, but specialized therapy can reset the brain's "volume knob."

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·January 30, 2021·4 min read

Why Do Psychiatric Drugs Help Some, but Not Others?

Study reveals the function of a specific protein works differently in the brains of men and women. The findings help explain why some psychiatric disorders and resistance to treatments vary between the sexes.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 26, 2023·6 min read

Legalizing Recreational Cannabis Does Not Increase Substance Abuse

State-level legalization of recreational cannabis does not increase substance use disorder or encourage the use of other illicit drugs, a new study of twins reveals. Additionally, legalized recreational cannabis can reduce alcohol consumption.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·May 10, 2022·5 min read

Multiple Diagnoses Are the Norm With Mental Illness and a New Genetic Study Explains Why

Study reports an overlap between genetic architecture and co-morbid mental health diagnosis. Researchers found 70% of the genetic signals associated with schizophrenia were also linked to bipolar disorder. Anorexia and OCD have a strong, shared genetic architecture.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 25, 2022·9 min read

Where Do Fears Come From?

Exposure therapy for fears and phobias may only have a 50% success rate because fear memories outlast competing safety memories learned from therapy. Researchers investigate the genesis of fear memories and have developed a new mathematical model to help strengthen exposure therapies.