University of Pennsylvania Research Articles

Taking out the Protein Garbage Becomes More Difficult as Neurons Age

Neuroscience NewsJuly 19, 2019

In aging mice, the number of autophagosomes is significantly decreased, and pronounced defects in the structure of autophagosomes increased. Turning on the WIPI2B protein restores autophagosome formation in aged neurons.... Read More...

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Unraveling the brain’s reward circuits

Neuroscience NewsJuly 4, 2019

Study reveals how ArGP and dopamine neurons are linked, and how food and drugs affect them differently. The findings offer clues for the development of new treatments for obesity and substance use disorders.... Read More...

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A new drug target for chemically induced Parkinson’s disease

Neuroscience NewsJune 21, 2019

Mitochondrial CYP2D6 may be a powerful target for the treatment of Parkinson's disease induced by MPTP.... Read More...

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Children who nap midday are happier, excel academically, and have fewer behavioral problems

Neuroscience NewsJune 2, 2019

Children aged 10 to 12 have greater happiness, self-control, fewer behavioral problems, increased cognitive performance and academic achievement when they take a brief midday nap, a new study reports.... Read More...

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Seeing disfigured faces prompts negative brain and behavior responses

Neuroscience NewsMay 29, 2019

Neuroimaging reveals people experience a diminished neural response in the anterior cingulate cortex when shown images of others with facial disfigurements. A similar response is also seen when people view other stigmatized people, such as those who are homeless. The diminished activity may explain why people are less empathetic toward those who have facial disfigurements and may help explain the underlying neural mechanism for dehumanization. ... Read More...

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Twitter image colors and content could help identify users with depression, anxiety

Neuroscience NewsMay 15, 2019

Combining artificial intelligence and computer vision technology, researchers were able to determine anxiety and depression risks from peoples' Twitter profile pictures.... Read More...

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Brain regions linked to memory and emotion help humans navigate smell

Neuroscience NewsApril 22, 2019

During navigation tasks using a 'smell scape', the entorhinal cortex and ventromedial prefrontal cortex elicit grid cell-like activity.... Read More...

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How superstitions spread

Neuroscience NewsApril 18, 2019

A new game theory model demonstrates how superstitious beliefs become established in a society's social norms. The model shows how distinct belief systems can evolve as a coordinated set of behaviors which are enforced by a consistent set of social norms.... Read More...

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Empathy and cooperation go hand in hand

Neuroscience NewsApril 9, 2019

A capacity for empathy is key in sustaining cooperation between a social group. Findings reveal empathy can evolve through a process of social contagion. ... Read More...

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Childhood trauma has lasting effect on brain connectivity in patients with depression

Neuroscience NewsApril 8, 2019

Study finds an association between resting state network connectivity abnormalities in those with major depressive disorder who experienced childhood trauma.... Read More...

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