FeaturedNeuroscience·September 2, 2021·4 min readBeyond Dopamine: New Reward Circuitry DiscoveredResearchers have identified a new reward system in the brain. The study found long-range GABA neurons from the ventral tegmental area to the ventral nucleus accumbens shell are engaged in reward and reinforcement behaviors. This GABAergic projection inhibits cholinergic interneurons.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesVisual Neuroscience·August 27, 2021·3 min readNeurons in Visual Cortex of the Brain ‘Drift’ Over TimeNeurons in the visual cortex change their response to the same stimuli over time.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·August 19, 2021·5 min readAntibodies Block Specific Viruses That Cause Arthritis and Brain InfectionsChikungunya, and other mosquito-borne alphaviruses are known to trigger brain infections and arthritis in those who contract the infections. Researchers have identified two antibodies that protect animals from diseases caused by alphaviruses. The findings could pave the way to new treatments and a universal vaccine for alphaviruses.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·August 18, 2021·6 min readPhysical Activity Associated With Better Cognition in Breast Cancer PatientsA new study reports a strong association between high levels of physical activity and the ability to maintain cognitive function in breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·August 9, 2021·5 min readPoverty Associated With Smaller, Slower Growing Subcortical Regions in ChildrenA study spanning 17 years has found children born and raised in poverty had smaller subcortical brain regions, including the hippocampus, caudate, putamen, and thalamus. These brain areas also showed less growth over time.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscience·June 21, 2021·5 min readInvestigational Alzheimer’s Drug Improves Biomarkers of the DiseaseGantenerumab, an investigational drug for Alzheimer's disease, reduced amyloid plaques and lowered tau levels in the brains of people with genetic risk factors for the neurodegenerative disorder.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·June 15, 2021·5 min readWhat Makes Us Sneeze?Findings from a mouse study reveal specific cells and proteins that control the sneeze reflex.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·June 3, 2021·5 min readThe Skull Is an Unexpected Source of Brain ImmunityImmune cells in the meninges come from bone marrow in the skull and migrate to the brain through special channels without passing through the blood. These immune cells help to guard the brain and spinal cord against inflammation and infection.Read More
Brain CancerFeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·May 26, 2021·6 min readBrain Tumors Caused by Normal Neuron Activity in Mice Predisposed to Such TumorsNeural activity plays an underappreciated role in the development and growth of nervous system cancers, a new study reports.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·May 12, 2021·6 min readDesigner Alterations to Brain Cells Reduce Anxious Behavior in MonkeysA new method, dubbed DREADDs, relies on gene therapy techniques to alter genes in target cells to change the cell's behavior. The method reduced anxious behaviors in monkey models of schizophrenia when combined with clozapine. Researchers say the method has the potential for use in humans to help reduce anxiety.Read More
Brain CancerFeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·April 1, 2021·7 min readChemo for Glioblastoma May Work Better in Morning Than EveningAdministering the chemotherapy drug temozolomide to glioblastoma brain cancer patients in the morning may enhance the cancer-fighting effects. The study demonstrates the timing of chemotherapy could have a significant impact on treatment for glioblastoma patients.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·April 1, 2021·5 min readMice With Hallucination-Like Behaviors Reveal Insight Into Psychotic IllnessMouse study reveals elevated dopamine levels preceded hallucination-like events, and artificially boosting dopamine levels induced more hallucination-like events. The behavioral effects could be blocked by administering haloperidol, an antipsychotic which blocks dopamine. The study sheds light on potential new treatments for psychotic disorders marked by hallucinations.Read More