Research on the brain basis of behavior. Covers reward and pleasure signals, attention in children, taste circuitry, and adaptive AI models.
Researchers have mapped zebrafish brain regions involved in decision making, revealing how sensory information is integrated to trigger a behavior. The study uses whole-brain imaging and behavioral paradigms to demonstrate the accumulation of evidence over time.
A new perspective piece challenges standard economic theory by highlighting individual trajectories over time. People's behavior often deviates from classical recommendations due to a lack of understanding of unique wealth evolution.
Scientists outline 10 simple rules to ensure responsible use of computational modelling in behavioural sciences, avoiding common pitfalls and misinterpretations. The guidelines cover designing effective experiments, generating and validating models, and reporting on analyses.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed models to identify internal states of the brain in fruit flies. By analyzing song patterns and behavioral changes, they discovered three distinct strategies - Close, Chasing, and Whatever - linked to specific neurons controlling these shifts.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered that neural activity patterns can predict which individuals will develop compulsive drinking behaviors after a single binge drinking experience. The study identifies a specific cortical-brainstem circuit as a biomarker for the development of compulsive drinking behavior.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover a brain circuit controlling alcohol drinking behavior in mice, which can predict compulsive drinking. The study found that neural communication patterns between two brain regions are related to the development of compulsive drinking.
A new study uses deep neural networks to accurately assess neurological disorders in rats and mice, identifying key features of motor impairments. This breakthrough technology has the potential to standardize diagnosis and monitoring of neurological disorders, enabling early interventions and improved patient outcomes.
Research reveals that walking changes how we perceive our environment, especially in the peripheral visual field, which enhances processing for navigation. This shift in visual preference makes sense due to the role of peripheral input in tracking movement and direction.
A new study found that ketamine decreases alcohol consumption in high-consuming male rats, but has no effect on females. The drug may be a viable treatment option for male patients with an alcohol use disorder.
Researchers create algorithm to identify stable traits that capture mouse behavior, revealing unique individual characteristics and genetic basis. The method has potential to advance knowledge of mouse personality and its relation to mental health and disease.
A new study from Michigan State University found that open monitoring meditation increased error recognition in non-meditators. The researchers measured brain activity using EEG and found a stronger neural signal about half a second after an error, indicating enhanced conscious error recognition.
A study on mice has created a set of objective measurements for personality, revealing the connection between genes, behavior, and individual traits. The researchers found that each mouse had a unique personality that consistently informed its behavior.
Researchers at Pitt and CMU are developing an all-in-one implantable device that can record neural activity, identify cell type, and determine cell function through chemical stimulation. This innovation aims to provide more information on brain function and reduce invasive methods.
Researchers studied blue bottle fly landing behaviors using high-speed videography, uncovering a wide range of rotational maneuvers. The results suggest the flies may use neural processes and sensory cues for inverted landings, informing efforts to engineer small robotic fliers.
Researchers developed an agent that reduces toxic protein buildup in animal models of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, improving cognitive and motor behavior. The new compound CM101 specifically targets DDRs to switch on the garbage disposal in brain cells.
The researchers used BARseq to map the connections of 3,579 neurons in the auditory cortex of the mouse brain. This technology enables scientists to pinpoint the location of a neuron and determine its pattern of gene expression and physiological activity.
Researchers used a grip-force test to analyze sensorimotor function in people with the FMR1 premutation, identifying subtle symptoms and potential indicators of disease progression. The study aims to improve early diagnosis and treatment for Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) in at-risk individuals.
Researchers discovered a neurosteroid drug can correct behavioral problems and brain abnormalities caused by prenatal exposure to THC. This finding suggests a therapeutic approach for children born to mothers who used cannabis during pregnancy, highlighting the need for caution and guidance for pregnant women using cannabis.
Deep3DFly uses computer science and neuroscience to model fly movements and poses, enabling robots to climb challenging terrain. The system can automatically predict and correct errors in calculations, opening up new possibilities for robotics and medicine.
Researchers have developed a fluorescent probe that can image electrical activity in multiple neurons simultaneously, enabling the visualization of brain circuits and their relation to behavior. This technique uses a voltage-sensing molecule to record electrical activity on a millisecond timescale, providing more informative measuremen...
Researchers propose novel treatment strategies that can help prevent opioid abuse by identifying vulnerable individuals through advances in brain science. These findings have implications for addressing the opioid epidemic, particularly in understanding the neurological response to opioids.
Researchers aim to develop treatments for behavioral symptoms of chronic stress and depression by understanding and controlling memory. Beier's project explores neuronal plasticity and synaptic protein interactions to engineer molecular reagents for selective modulation of memories.
Lindsay Schwarz, a St. Jude Children's Research Hospital neuroscientist, has won the prestigious NIH Director's New Innovator Award for her groundbreaking research on norepinephrine neurons and neural circuits. The award supports her innovative approaches to developing new molecular tools that target specific cell populations.
A larger sample size failed to support original claims linking genetic variants to altered brain activation during reading and listening. The new findings highlight the complexity of genes and human brain function relationships.
Researchers at Wayne State University and Henry Ford Health System aim to develop a new therapeutic approach to reduce opioid addiction relapse using dual orexin antagonism. The study will investigate the role of sleep disturbance in opioid use disorder and its potential link to treatment cessation.
A new study from King's College London found that depression and binge-drinking are more prevalent among female military partners than comparable women outside the military community. The research suggests that military partners may use binge-drinking as a coping mechanism for the stress and separation caused by deployment.
Researchers identify lateral septum as crucial link between circuits guiding goal-directed movement and motivated behavior. The study shows that the LS directly encodes information about speed and acceleration, enabling it to integrate or optimize performance across environmental signals.
Researchers at UCSF found that tailoring instruction to individual birds' genetic predispositions can improve their learning abilities. In contrast, standardized tutoring programs failed to engage birds from families with different song tempo preferences.
A study published in Heliyon found that early life experiences shape individuals' beliefs about themselves and the world, contributing to chronic obesity and frequent bingeing. Schema therapy model can help address these underlying issues by identifying and changing maladaptive schemas and coping modes.
Rats learn to play a simplified version of hide and seek with humans, exhibiting strategic gameplay and learning to alternate roles. They develop unique vocalizations and show intense activity in the prefrontal cortex during game events.
Research at University at Buffalo finds that heroin exposure sharply reduces drebrin levels in the brain's reward pathway, leading to synaptic rewiring and increased risk of relapse. Restoring drebrin levels can reduce relapse behaviors, providing a potential new treatment avenue.
A key brain circuit has been identified as a critical regulator of reward cue-related behavior in rats. The study found that this circuit reduces the incentive value of food cues by controlling dopamine release, which may help explain why some individuals struggle to resist temptation.
A recent study by Kyoto University found that acute cerebellar inflammation causes 'depression-like' behavior in rats, characterized by decreased motivation and sociability. The research team discovered that microglia activation led to increased neuronal firing, causing the cerebellum to become hyperexcited.
Researchers have linked mammalian behavior to its underlying neural code for the first time, shedding light on how a mammal's brain interprets signals from the eyes. This discovery is relevant to all neuroscientists studying perception and has implications for understanding individual 'words' in the brain.
Research in mice reveals that chronic cocaine use changes gene expression in the hippocampus, leading to epigenetic modifications of the FosB gene. This modification enables the formation of drug associations and contributes to addiction.
New research reveals that human selective breeding has altered dog brain structure and behavior, with breeds exhibiting unique brain networks correlated to specific characteristics.
A meta-analysis of 40 studies reveals that individuals with psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder exhibit heightened impulsivity. The study suggests a continuum between impulsive and self-controlled decision-making across different disorders.
Researchers have developed an implantable optrode array capable of exciting below-surface neurons in large mammal brains. The new device addresses challenges in optical stimulation and neuroscience, enabling studies to link neural activity to specific cognitive functions.
A new study found that adolescents who engage in more fun-seeking behaviors tend to exhibit both risk-taking and prosocial behavior. Researchers also discovered that faster brain development in certain regions is associated with less rebellious behavior.
Caregivers of people with dementia experience significant sleep loss, estimated at 2.5-3.5 hours per week, affecting both their mental and physical health. Simple interventions such as morning sunlight, regular bedtime routines, and moderate exercise can improve caregivers' sleep quality.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute have developed a new way to classify brain cells based on electrical signals. By analyzing data from nearly 2,500 neurons, they identified four distinct classes of cells with different properties and functions in various regions of the brain.
Researchers at McMaster University found that extreme weather events like hurricanes can drive the evolution of more aggressive spiders in storm-prone regions. Colonies with more aggressive foraging responses produce more egg cases and have more spiderlings survive into early winter after tropical cyclones.
A team of researchers has created the first comprehensive map of the behavior of Kv channels, a crucial step towards developing improved models for ion channel research. The dataset, known as Channelpedia, provides access to over 9,000 cell recordings and will enable scientists to develop more accurate drug discovery models.
Researchers found that males with similar personalities are more likely to form strong social bonds and cooperate in critical situations. The study suggests that personality homophily provides an evolutionary advantage by facilitating communication and coordination among friends.
Researchers use machine learning to analyze mouse behavior while foraging for food, identifying 71 reproduceable behavioral sequences as the underlying building blocks for more complex behavior patterns. The study reveals genetic influence over behavior and provides a new approach to understanding complex behaviors in humans.
A new computer tool can reveal valuable insights into rodents' communication patterns and is more reliable than existing methods. The system analyses audio recordings of ultrasonic vocalisations to determine different types of sounds, standardizing interpretations for direct comparisons.
New research provides a more accurate way to measure pain in mice using slow-motion video and artificial intelligence. The 'mouse pain scale' assesses the degree of pain, increasing confidence in therapeutic effectiveness in humans.
A new study by Western University demonstrates that fear of predators can leave long-lasting traces in the neural circuitry of wild animals and induce enduringly fearful behaviour. The findings support the notion that PTSD is not unnatural and have important implications for biomedical researchers, mental health clinicians, and ecologi...
Research found that mice exposed to low-dose radiation for six months experienced impaired cellular signaling, leading to learning and memory problems and increased anxiety behaviors. The study highlights the need for safety measures to protect astronauts' brains during deep space missions.
Researchers have developed a soft neural implant capable of delivering multiple drugs and color lights, which can help speed up the discovery of brain diseases. The device uses replaceable drug cartridges and powerful Bluetooth low-energy technology to target specific neurons for prolonged periods.
Researchers blocked dopamine receptors in rats to reduce cocaine-seeking behavior, with varying longevity. The study reveals the unique roles of the basolateral and central amygdala in cocaine reward behaviors.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers discovered that anemonefish undergo male-to-female sex changes first in their brains before gonads are affected. The transition occurs independently of the gonads and can take months or years to complete.
Scientists have identified a previously unknown pathway connecting the hypothalamus and midbrain that drives defensive behaviors in mice. Further research on this pathway could increase understanding of anxiety disorders.
Scientists have discovered that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes use both vision and smell to track their victims, with CO2 affecting the responses of neurons in visual centers. This finding has significant implications for understanding mosquito-borne diseases and developing effective control measures.
Researchers at The City College of New York used a mathematical model to study how the brain transitions from consciousness to unconscious behavior. They found that the subliminal state is the most robust part of the conscious network, indicating that it represents the core of the brain's processing system.
A comprehensive report finds that facial movements are inexact gauges of emotions and behaviors, challenging current technology's reliance on these signals. The study proposes a new model for studying complex emotional responses by measuring multiple indicators beyond facial cues.
Researchers developed an AI technology called STEFTR to estimate animal behavioral states and extract features from trajectories. The method achieved over 90% accuracy using only tens of animal trajectories, revealing experience-dependent changes in specific behaviors.
Research in mice suggests that defective potassium channels involved in pain detection can cause headaches and may be a target for future migraine treatments. The study found that the channels, specifically TRESK, regulate pain in facial sensory neurons, making them a promising area of focus for headache research.
Researchers found that food activates the vagus nerve to stimulate hunger neurons, while alcohol suppresses their activity directly through the bloodstream. This divergence in neural pathways helps explain why food and alcohol have distinct effects on behavior and motivation.
Researchers at Stanford University found that lovebirds can navigate through extreme crosswinds in both bright and dark environments, challenging long-held assumptions about bird navigation. By stabilizing their gaze and twisting their necks, the birds actively control their flight towards a light beacon.