A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found a link between elevated serotonin levels and tinnitus behavioral symptoms. The research suggests that clinicians should recognize and validate patient reports of medication-associated increases in tinnitus when prescribing antidepressants like SSRIs.
Researchers investigated brain mechanisms that maintain balance between intimidation and physical aggression in mice. Projections from the lateral hypothalamus to the dorsal raphe nucleus play a critical role in preserving this balance. Increasing pathway activity led to increased attacks, while inhibiting it decreased attack bites.
Researchers have identified three cell types in the median raphe nucleus that control decisions on perseverance, exploration, and disengagement. These findings may help understand neuropsychiatric conditions such as OCD, autism, and major depressive disorder.
Scientists from Nagoya University identified signaling from serotonin neurons as important for maintaining reproductive function by sensing glucose availability. This discovery provides an explanation and possible treatment for decreased fertility observed in people with depression.
A recent study at the University of Helsinki found that brainstem neurons play a crucial role in controlling both normal behaviour and misbehaviour in mice. The researchers discovered that faulty gene regulation can lead to behavioural abnormalities such as hyperactivity and attention deficit. The study provides new insights into the d...
Researchers found that serotonin produced by the raphe region is required for zebrafish and mice to get normal amounts of sleep. The team used genetically modified models to demonstrate this, with light stimulation putting fish and mice to sleep only when activating serotonin-producing neurons.
Salk Institute researchers found altered neuron growth patterns and low levels of key genes in SSRI non-responders, leading to abnormal neuronal communication. This discovery provides new insights into the complex neural circuitry underlying depression.
New research suggests that serotonin facilitates adaptation to environmental changes, which may indirectly impact mood. Serotonin-producing neurons exhibit a surprise spike in activity when rules are suddenly reversed, signaling altered circumstances.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center found that neighboring serotonin-producing brainstem regions exert different and sometimes opposing effects on behavior. Alterations in serotonergic neuronal activity in the DRN and MRN produce markedly different behavioral consequences, leading to an imbalance between DRN and MRN activ...
Scientists have characterized six major molecular subtypes of serotonergic neurons in mice, revealing distinct expression patterns of hundreds of genes. These subtypes modulate different behaviors and vary in developmental lineage, anatomical distribution, and electrical firing properties.
Researchers have localized the seasonal light cycle effects that drive SAD to a small region in the mid-brain called the dorsal raphe nucleus. The study found that serotonergic neurons fire faster in mice exposed to summer-like light cycles, leading to increased levels of serotonin and norepinephrine.
A neural pathway in the habenula enables animals to predict dangers and update their expectations based on actions and new outcomes. The study's findings have implications for understanding anxiety and panic disorders, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for improving behavioral learning.
Researchers have developed a toolkit to selectively silence serotonin-producing neurons in mice, revealing new insights into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The study found that serotonergic neuron activity affects body temperature regulation and responses to carbon dioxide levels.
Researchers discovered Prozac's mechanism of action, revealing that it increases serotonin levels by releasing a signal molecule that reduces microRNA miR-16, unlocking expression of the serotonin transporter. This unlocks new 'source' of serotonin production in brain neurons, leading to antidepressant effects.
Research in Drosophila larvae reveals that 5-HT and corazonergic neurons regulate photobehavior, increasing aversion to light during foraging phase. The study provides new insights into the function of 5-HT neurons and mechanisms underlying regulation of larval response to light.
Researchers found that Nucleostemin 3 (NS3) is required in serotonin-producing neurons to regulate body size. NS3 disruption leads to a 60% reduction in fly body size, highlighting the link between serotonergic and insulin signaling pathways.
Researchers have identified 'transcription factors' that control the time of neural cell generation, surprising discovery given earlier spatial control roles. The findings suggest a link between temporal and spatial control mechanisms in neuronal differentiation.