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wakefulness

·May 18, 2025·3 min read

Vitamin B1 Derivative Sparks Dopamine, Boosts Wakefulness

Thiamine derivatives, once developed to treat nutrient deficiencies, are now being explored for their potential effects on brain function and energy. A new study shows that TTFD, a thiamine derivative, increases dopamine in the brain’s medial prefrontal cortex, leading to enhanced arousal and physical activity in rats.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 1, 2024·4 min read

Key Consciousness Connections Uncovered

Using neuroimaging, researchers identified a brain network crucial to human consciousness. Using advanced multimodal MRI techniques, the team mapped connections among the brainstem, thalamus, and cortex, forming what they call the "default ascending arousal network," which is vital for sustaining wakefulness.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 30, 2019·6 min read

Pregnancy shifts the daily schedule forward

In pregnant women and mice, the daily schedule shifts a few hours forward during the first trimester. Activity levels also dip during this time. The advance of the daily schedule stabilizes, before gradually returning to normal during later stages of pregnancy.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·November 29, 2018·5 min read

Rewriting the Brain Pathway for Consciousness

Researchers say a new discovery about the pathways associated with consciousness contradicts conventional belief. The study reports the thalamus is not a critical part of the brain's pathway involved in wakefulness and consciousness, a finding that could help develop better methods for treating comas.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 11, 2018·4 min read

Thalamus Wakes the Brain During Development

Researchers have discovered the thalamus plays a crucial role in the development of normal sleep and waking states.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 9, 2018·3 min read

Memory Brainwaves Look the Same in Sleep and Wakefulness

A new study reports the brain mechanisms responsible for triggering memory are identical, whether a person is awake or asleep.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 30, 2018·1 min read

What Keeps the Brain Awake?

A new study reveals a specific pathway in the brains of fruit flies that prevents them from falling asleep during the day.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 20, 2018·3 min read

A Peek Into the Interplay Between Sleep and Wakefulness

Researchers have identified novel neural pathways that help regulate sleep and wakefulness.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 4, 2018·5 min read

Sleep Deprived Brains May Be Asleep and Awake at the Same Time

Researchers look at how sleep deprivation can impact cognition, information processing and memory. A new study reveals sleep deprived mice can demonstrate sleep like brain activity while awake.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 8, 2017·4 min read

Overriding the Urge to Sleep

Researchers have identified neurons that control wakefulness.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 4, 2017·5 min read

Newly Discovered Neural Pathway Has Implications For Schizophrenia Treatment

Researchers have discovered a new signaling pathway that connects NMDAR and alpha 7 acetylcholine nicotinic receptors, both implicated in memory and learning. Findings could help develop new treatments for schizophrenia.