Articles tagged with Behavioral Neuroscience
Scientists from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience have discovered a new brain circuit underlying curiosity and novelty seeking behavior. By studying mice with freedom to choose, they found that specific neurons were more active during deep investigation compared to shallow investigation.
Researchers found that modulation of map-like representations in the brain's hippocampal formation can predict contextual memory retrieval in an ambiguous environment. The study used virtual reality navigation tasks to test human participants' ability to recall object positions in different contexts.
Mehrnaz Afkhami, a University of Oklahoma doctoral biology student, received the graduate student poster award for her research on female behavioral response to male novel traits in fruit flies. Her study focuses on genetics and neurobiology aspects of this behavior.
A new Heidelberg-based computerized approach recognizes motor impairments and provides information about underlying diseases through artificial intelligence. The uBAM algorithm uses machine learning to analyze movement patterns, highlighting pathological deviations and aiding in diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers identified specific neural circuits in the basal ganglia linked to motor and non-motor Parkinson's symptoms. The findings provide a novel framework for understanding disease progression and may lead to more precise therapeutic strategies.
A new study found that increased dopamine in the brain's striatum triggers auditory hallucination-like experiences in mice, shedding light on a possible causal role for dopamine-dependent neurological circuits in psychosis. This breakthrough could inform novel targeted treatments for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
A new study by William Bazley found that using the color red to represent financial data affects individuals' risk preferences, expectations of future stock returns, and trading decisions. The effects are not present in people who are colorblind, and they're muted in China, where red represents prosperity.
MIT neuroscientists have identified a brain circuit that stops mice from mating with others showing signs of illness. The circuit, controlled by the amygdala's COApm region, triggers a warning signal to stay away from sick animals.
Research by Matthew Panichello and Timothy Buschman found that attention and working memory share the same neural mechanisms, with neurons in the prefrontal cortex controlling both. This allows for dynamic transformation of memories to guide behavior, like rotating a paper to read text.
Researchers measured brain activity in first-time Japanese language students and found initial boosts followed by reductions as skills improved. Brain regions such as the grammar center, comprehension area, and auditory processing areas showed increased activation during early stages.
Researchers led by Dr. Katrin Vogt found that fly larvae adjust their behavior in response to internal states and context, similar to human brains. The study, funded by the German Research Foundation and NIH, sheds light on how the brain controls sensory processing.
A study by University of Tokyo researchers found that writing on physical paper leads to more brain activity when remembering information an hour later. Paper's unique spatial and tactile information enhances memory recall. In contrast, digital tools were slower and scored worse in simple test questions.
Researchers have developed a graphical model to identify cells in the brain, overcoming a major neuroscience bottleneck. The approach uses relationships among cells to define their identity and outperforms traditional methods in identifying cells, especially with imperfect data.
Mount Sinai researchers identified a neural pathway that detects errors and guides subsequent behavioral improvement, which is frequently dysregulated in psychiatric disorders. They also suggest that neurostimulation of this brain pathway could provide an important mechanism for attention adjustments following behavioral errors.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development argue that neural variability is a key dimension for understanding brain-behavior relationships. Studies have shown that neural variability has a direct influence on behavior, with individuals who can adapt their neural variability performing better on tasks.
A UTEP professor's study discovered a specific area of the brain linked to recollection and desire for food, which could inhibit overeating. The research found that regulating this brain region reduced animal subjects' consumption of treats.
Researchers found that caffeine exposure in utero is linked to changes in brain structure and function, particularly in white matter tracks. This study suggests that high caffeine intake during pregnancy may contribute to behavioral issues in children, highlighting the need for further research and guidance on safe caffeine limits.
Researchers develop robots that mimic human appearance, perception, and control systems to create more advanced androids. Robots can also experience sensations like touch and pain, and learn from humans through observation and feedback mechanisms.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered a possible mechanism that contributes to LSD's ability to increase social interaction, activating serotonin receptors and AMPA receptors in the prefrontal cortex. The findings could lead to the development of novel therapies for anxiety and autism disorders.
Researchers developed a wireless, rechargeable soft brain implant that can be controlled wirelessly by a smartphone, allowing seamless chronic neuromodulation. The device uses micrometer-sized LEDs to manipulate target neurons in the deep brain, enabling real-time brain control and reducing the burden on patients for long-term use.
A Northwestern University study finds that deep sleep has an ancient power to clear waste from the brain, including toxic proteins that may lead to neurodegenerative disease. This waste clearance process is substantially enhanced during deep sleep.
A new study published in the Journal of Marketing argues that a biological account of human behavior can benefit human welfare. The researchers found that many undesirable consumer behaviors are biologically rooted in the brain and genes, and that acceptance of biology as a causal explanation varies depending on factors such as portray...
Most women experience nausea and vomiting symptoms within a three-day timeframe after ovulation, according to a new study from the University of Warwick. This narrower time frame suggests that scientists may be able to identify a biological cause for the condition, previously thought to have psychological roots.
A newly developed behavioral monitoring system, CAPTURE, combines motion capture and deep learning to continuously track the three-dimensional movements of freely behaving animals. The system allows for precise measurement of behavior in naturalistic settings, providing valuable insights into brain function and behavior.
Early childhood memory abilities predict the strength of future brain connections, while the strength of early brain connections predicts future memory acuity. This study highlights the complex relationship between brain function and ability during development.
A new molecular probe called FLiCRE allows researchers to tag, record, and control cellular functions in living animals. It uses blue light and calcium sensitivity to precisely control experiments, enabling the study of tens of thousands of cells at once.
DeepLabCut-Live! is a real-time marker-less motion capture system for animals, allowing researchers to study posture and movement in real-time. This technology enables low-latency feedback and interfaces with hardware for optimal experimental control.
Recent study reveals astrocytes modulate balance of inhibition/excitation in neural networks controlling decision-making. Astrocyte activation improves cognitive performance and regulates gamma oscillations involved in perception, working memory, and other cognitive functions.
Researchers found a molecular basis for the connection between disrupted circadian rhythms and substance abuse in mice with an NPAS2 gene mutation. The study revealed sex-based differences in behavioral changes related to cocaine administration and striatum activation.
A team of researchers developed an AI model that estimates thoughts by evaluating behavior, then tested it on a trained artificial brain. The study found neural activity associated with those estimates, providing new insights into the brain's computations involved in complex behavior.
A new machine learning algorithm has been developed to isolate patterns in brain signals that relate to specific behaviors, enabling the decoding of these behaviors. The algorithm was tested on standard brain datasets and showed significant improvement over standard algorithms in predicting movement kinematics.
A comprehensive review synthesizes neurobiology of mindfulness, motivation, and learning to explain how MBIs promote behavior change. Mindfulness training increases interoceptive awareness, allowing patients to recognize and respond to negative thought patterns and cultivate self-compassion.
A new machine learning algorithm has been developed to isolate dynamic neural patterns in brain signals that relate to specific behaviors, such as finger movements. The algorithm resolves the challenge of isolating these patterns, which can be masked by other activities, and enhances the decoding of behaviors from brain signals.
Researchers study brain mechanisms in mice using a custom-made puzzle task to disentangle cognitive schemes. They discover that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) creates a neural map representing various aspects of behavior, including current location and predicted consequences of actions.
The event will feature a diverse cohort of neuroscientists presenting and discussing their latest research on the development and application of neurophotonics tools. The mini-symposium will highlight hot-off-the-press advances in neuroscience-related optical technology and its applications in in vivo imaging and neurocomputation.
Research from the University of Notre Dame found that artificial light abnormally increases mosquito biting behavior at night in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The study suggests that increasing levels of light pollution could impact the transmission of diseases such as dengue fever, yellow fever, and Zika.
Researchers found distinct effects of adversity early in life on the genomes of extremely preterm-born individuals, particularly males. The study suggests that extreme perinatal adversity may elicit wide-ranging epigenetic changes that remain detectable years later.
Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered a neural network in fruit flies that can convert external stimuli into a binary decision. The network, which involves the posterior medial core region, amplifies weak signals and suppresses strong ones to make 'yes' or 'no' decisions.
A new study by neuroscientists at Washington State University found that regular cannabis exposure in rats during pregnancy may cause long-term cognitive deficiencies, asocial behavior, and anxiety in their offspring. The research also revealed significant behavioral changes and cognitive deficits that persisted into adulthood.
Researchers propose a framework for capturing mathematical structure underlying moving animals, finding unexpected connections to energy-conserving phenomena. Chaos theory suggests that animal behavior becomes increasingly unpredictable over time, with divergence occurring within a single second.
A computer brain circuit has identified a potential mechanism for impaired decision making in schizophrenia, linked to reduced activity of molecules called NDMA receptors. The model's results provide new insight that may inform future treatments for neuropsychiatric conditions.
A groundbreaking study mapping cavefish brains has identified large-scale differences in brain structure and function between surface fish and cavefish populations. The research reveals how these morphological changes relate to changes in behavior, including sleep loss, reduced social behaviors, and alterations in sensory processing.
Researchers pinpoint a specific protein and brain region responsible for dissociation, a phenomenon affecting up to 10% of the population. This discovery could lead to targeted therapies for conditions like PTSD and borderline personality disorder.
As the pandemic progressed, individuals' personal risk assessments led to increased protective behaviors like hand washing and social distancing. The study found that knowing one's own risk affected behavior more than concerns about others.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered that the orbitofrontal cortex can reprogram neurons in sensory areas to enable flexible decision-making. This process involves a direct connection between the two regions, allowing for rapid adaptation to new situations.
Researchers demonstrate a new x-ray microscopy technique called x-ray holographic nano-tomography (XNH) that can image large volumes of brain tissue at high resolutions. This technique, combined with artificial intelligence-driven image analysis, enables the comprehensive cataloging of neurons and tracing of individual neurons from mus...
A groundbreaking international research network will study how animals use odor information to guide behavior, aiming to understand the brain's evolution and potential applications in robotics and disease research. The project, led by CU Boulder, will reverse-engineer how the brain interprets odors and activate motor circuits.
Researchers found that when flying alone, individual fruit flies freeze as a response to an imminent threat, but this behaviour changes in the presence of others. When other flies begin to move after the threat has passed, it signals safety and causes the freezing fly to exit its frozen state.
Researchers at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown have discovered that fruit flies freeze as a social cue of danger, but also resume movement when others start moving again, signaling safety. Group size plays a crucial role in this behavior, with smaller groups freezing less and larger groups showing a more complex response pattern.
Researchers at Marshall University found that green apple vape flavor enhances nicotine reward by promoting high-sensitivity nAChRs. This could lead to heightened drug-seeking behavior and addiction risk, particularly among adolescents.
A study by Matthew Smith and colleagues found that changes in brain activity are linked to shifts in internal states, impacting decision-making. The researchers' discovery could inform understanding of mental conditions like ADHD and improve BCI design.
New research found prenatal depression alters child's brain connectivity, with weaker white matter connections linked to increased aggression and hyperactivity in male children. The study suggests a need for better prenatal care to recognize and treat prenatal depression.
Scientists selectively bred zebrafish to exhibit distinct personality traits, finding that brain activities soon changed and new brain regions were activated. The study suggests a rapid pace of personality trait changes and potential implications for human behavior.
A new study identifies a genetic switch in brain cells that can toggle between sex-specific states when necessary, challenging the idea of sex as a fixed property. This finding has implications for human biology, particularly in understanding sex-typical behaviors and their flexibility.
Research by American Psychological Association reveals that children who experience trauma show signs of accelerated aging, including early puberty and cellular changes. The study suggests that these adaptations may have originated as survival mechanisms but can lead to health consequences later in life.
Research has found that the brains of humans, flies, and mice share similar mechanisms for brain development and function. This similarity can be interpreted in two ways: as evidence of a single ancestral brain or independent evolution of brain circuits. The study identified shared genetic regulatory mechanisms controlling brain area f...
Research in mice found that a common green apple vape flavor, farnesene, enhances nicotine reward and is also rewarding on its own. Farnesene partially activated nicotinic receptors and increased high-sensitivity receptors, potentially heightening reward and drug-seeking behavior.
Researchers are investigating the link between impaired brain hubs and mental health issues using cutting-edge methods. The study aims to understand how hub regions contribute to altered brain network function and behavior, potentially leading to better treatments for brain disorders.
A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that 1 in 10 kindergarten children had undiagnosed vision problems. The study highlights the importance of adequate follow-up care to ensure successful vision screening programs.
Research by Welsh academics finds that patients with PTSD exhibit exaggerated pupil reactions to both threatening and positive images, suggesting a hyper-response to any arousing stimulus. This discovery may lead to the development of new therapy approaches using positive images.