The ventral striatum plays a key role in decision making, weighing the cost versus the benefit of making a physical effort. Read More
Study reveals how the brain's opioid system is linked to mood changes associated with depression and anxiety. Neuroimaging revealed, in those with depression, there is a decreased number of opioid receptors in specific areas of the brain. Read More
Researchers investigate the role the dopamine 2 receptor plays in psychosis. Read More
Individual differences in the striatum of habitual cannabis users distinguish between who is at increased risk of addiction and cannabis use disorder. Read More
Using fMRI to examine the brains of children while resting, researchers discover anhedonia is associated with hyperconnectivity between the cingulo-opercular network and ventral striatum. Read More
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. Read More
Ezogabine, an FDA approved anti-convulsant, appears to significantly reduce symptoms in those with major depressive disorder. Read More
A neuroimaging study conducted by researchers from UCLA reveals the brains of people with schizophrenia are less sensitive to social rewards than they are to non-social rewards. Read More
A new study examines the relationship between brain function and the impact of life events on depressive symptoms. Read More
A new study reports people who have a family history of alcohol use disorder release more dopamine in the ventral striatum as a response to the expectation of receiving an alcoholic drink than those without a family history of alcoholism. Read More
Researchers report a single session of transcranial magnetic stimulation can significantly reduce drug cue reactivity for those with substance abuse problems. Read More
A new study reveals professional dancers' brains react more quickly to musical changes than professional musicians. EEG data reveals dancers display stronger synchronization at a lower theta frequency, which is linked to emotional and memory processing. The study backs up previous findings that indicate both the auditory and motor cortices of dancers develop in unique ways. Read More
