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ventral tegmental area

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 25, 2019·3 min read

When It Comes to Brain Connectivity, Cell Location Matters Most

A new study reports brain connectivity appears to be dictated by the spatial architecture of neurons, rather than the cell type-specific cues.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 17, 2019·7 min read

Surprising Role of the Cerebellum in Reward and Social Behaviors

Researchers reveal the role the cerebellum plays in helping to control the brain's reward system. The researchers identified a direct connection from the cerebellum to the ventral tegmental area. The study may shed new light on neural networks associated with social dysfunction.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 19, 2018·4 min read

GABA Cells Help Fight Alcoholism

Researchers have identified how alcohol influences dopaminergic and inhibitory neurons in the ventral tegmental area. The findings could help develop new treatments for alcohol dependence.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 10, 2018·6 min read

Dopamine’s Yin-Yang Personality: It’s an Upper and a Downer

Researchers shed light on the dual nature of dopamine, as a neurotransmitter that makes us seek pleasure and also reinforces avoidance of pain.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 8, 2018·5 min read

Dopamine Primes the Brain for Enhanced Vigilance

Researchers have identified a brain network that may control the diversion of attention to focus on potential threats. Dopamine, they report, is key to the process.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·October 30, 2018·4 min read

Dopamine Drives Early Addiction to Heroin

Researchers have identified a significant role dopamine plays in the development of heroin addiction. The study reports dopamine appears to directly cause drug reinforcement and, when dopamine neurons are silenced, mice are less likely to self administer the drug.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 24, 2018·5 min read

New Target of Alcohol in the Brain Identified

Researchers have identified a new target of alcohol in the brain. A new study reveals alcohol blocks the KCNK13 potassium channel within the membrane of dopamine releasing neurons in the ventral tegmental area.

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 Genetics

·July 13, 2018·3 min read

Maged1 Gene Protects Against Cocaine Addiction

A new study reports mice lacking the Maged1 gene are unable to acquire an addiction to cocaine.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 27, 2018·4 min read

Dopamine’s Role in Unlearning Fearful Association

Researchers report dopamine neurons may play a role in fear extinction. The study suggests targeting dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area could be of therapeutic benefit to reduce the impact of learned fear in PTSD and anxiety disorders.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 26, 2018·3 min read

How Your Brain Decides Between Knowledge and Ignorance

Researchers report the brain's reward network could play an influential role in evaluating the opportunity to gain new information, just as it does to evaluate rewards such as food or financial gain.

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.