Formation of habitual use drives cannabis addiction
Individual differences in the striatum of habitual cannabis users distinguish between who is at increased risk of addiction and cannabis use disorder.... Read More...
ventral striatum
Differences in brain activity in children with anhedonia
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...
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.... Read More...
Anti-Convulsant Drug Reduces Major Depression Symptoms
Ezogabine, an FDA approved anti-convulsant, appears to significantly reduce symptoms in those with major depressive disorder.... Read More...
Brains of People with Schizophrenia Are Less Reactive to Social Rewards Like Smiling Faces
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...
Brain Function Impacts How Experiences Contribute to Depression
A new study examines the relationship between brain function and the impact of life events on depressive symptoms. ... Read More...
People with Family History of Alcoholism Release More Dopamine in Expectation of Alcohol
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...
Magnetic Stimulation Dampens Brain Response to Drug Cues in Addiction
Researchers report a single session of transcranial magnetic stimulation can significantly reduce drug cue reactivity for those with substance abuse problems.... Read More...
Dancers’ Brains React Quickly to Changes in Music and Display Brain Frequencies Linked to Emotion and Memory Processes
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...
Even Brief Maternal Deprivation Early in Life Alters Adult Brain Function and Cognition
Babies removed from their mothers for 24 hours when they were 9 days old exhibited significant behavioral and brain structural abnormalities in adulthood, a new study reports. Researchers noted memory impairment and less communication between specific brain regions in those removed from maternal care.... Read More...
How the Brain Responds to Injustice
A new study implicates oxytocin in corrective punishment that helps maintain fairness.... Read More...
Brain Pacemaker Shows Promise in Slowing Alzheimer’s Progression
Deep brain stimulation to the frontal lobe may help to improve cognitive, behavioral and functional difficulties in those with Alzheimer's disease, a new study reports.... Read More...