Articles tagged with Behavioral Neuroscience
A Cornell University study has identified genes in the brain that regulate social behaviors in fish, including reproduction, parental care, and aggression. The research found that these genes are expressed during flexible social behaviors, which is crucial for survival and reproduction.
Researchers at RIKEN Brain Science Institute identify a neuronal pathway that enables zebrafish to avoid carbon dioxide. The team found that the trigeminal sensory neurons and the habenula play critical roles in detecting carbon dioxide. These findings shed light on the neurobiology behind avoidance behaviors in animals.
A new study published in eNeuro found that a drug currently being evaluated for depression and suicidal tendencies also alleviates anxiety, fearful behaviors, and memory deficits in rats exposed to blast injuries. The drug, BCI-838, promotes the generation of new brain cells in the hippocampus.
A new Honeycomb Maze design offers a significant improvement over current spatial navigation tests, allowing for systematic analysis of animal decisions. The novel test replicates the advantages of the Morris Water Maze while providing a simple measure of success, demonstrating consistency and reproducibility in control animals.
A study found that prebiotics in infant formula can enhance memory and exploratory behavior in piglets, suggesting a potential link between gut health and brain development. The researchers also discovered changes in volatile fatty acid concentrations and serotonin levels in the brains of pigs fed with prebiotic supplements.
A team of researchers has devised a decoy molecule to disrupt the inception and persistence of pain memories. The RNA-based medicine reduces pain-associated behaviors by blocking the creation of pain-signaling proteins.
Scientists have discovered that a gene crucial for learning, called Arc, can send its genetic material from one neuron to another by employing a strategy commonly used by viruses. This new process may allow the toxic proteins responsible for Alzheimer's disease to spread through the brain.
A study on rats exposed to chronic stress found that cognitive behavioral therapy increases activity in the medial prefrontal cortex, a brain region linked to improved treatment outcomes. The research provides insight into how behavioral therapy can be targeted to improve its effectiveness.
Researchers found zebrafish larvae use 13 different patterns of movement combined in sequences to respond to situations, revealing the 'Lego pieces' of complex behaviors. The study's objective computational method revealed novel features of behavior that are not obvious from human observation.
Researchers at Tufts University have developed a novel preclinical model of postpartum depression, showing the involvement of the HPA axis and specific protein KCC2 in inducing disorder. The study provides empirical evidence that dysregulation of the HPA axis and KCC2 can lead to behaviors mimicking postpartum depression.
Research reveals that brain lesions affecting a specific network involved in moral decision-making are more common among individuals exhibiting criminal behavior. This finding highlights the potential link between brain dysfunction and crime, but also emphasizes that genetic, environmental, and social factors play important roles.
Researchers found a strong bond with family, religion, and land; positivity, work ethic, stubbornness, and self-confidence as common traits. Participants displayed better mental health than younger family members, despite poorer physical health.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that stopping a planned behavior requires fast choreography between brain areas, including the prefrontal cortex and pre-motor cortex. They also identified the importance of timing in making successful changes to plans.
A new study reveals that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may correct behavioral and physical deficits associated with Alzheimer's disease. The treatment reduced plaque pathology by 40% and neuroinflammation by about 40%, improving the condition of mice with the disease.
Researchers found a complicated pattern of neural activity during different time intervals, with neurons adjusting their activity depending on the required interval. The brain doesn't change the trajectory when the interval changes, it just changes the speed at which it goes from the initial state to the final state.
Researchers found that fasudil, a drug that inhibits Rho kinase, promotes goal-directed behavior in mice by pruning dendritic spines, a process involved in learning new behaviors. The treatment showed promise in reducing cocaine self-administration and could be an effective adjunct to cognitive behavioral therapy for treating drug abuse.
New research suggests that stressed newborns may not display typical pain behavior despite increased brain activity in response to pain. The study found a disconnect between brain wave patterns and behavioral responses in stressed babies, highlighting the need for alternative methods to assess infant pain.
A new rat model of drug addiction, requiring daily puzzle-solving for cocaine reward, still produced substance use disorder symptoms. In contrast to traditional models, the rats relied on flexible problem-solving to maintain their addiction, contradicting the widely-held view that habit is necessary.
A special issue in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry explores the intersection of neuroscience and law, highlighting key areas such as addiction, dementia, chronic pain, and behavioral genetics. The research has significant implications for legal proceedings and mental health treatment.
Research in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience found that challenging situations negatively impact the brain's ability to acquire spatial and sequential context. Participants performed poorly on tests after watching clips of positive, negative, and neutral situations.
A new study has identified a genetic basis for natural variation in aging rates, found to be regulated by a novel neuropeptide coding gene (rgba-1) and its receptor gene npr-28. This discovery provides new insights into the biological regulation of healthy aging.
Researchers have developed Neuropixels probes, thin silicon devices that record the activity of hundreds of neurons in mice and rats. This technology will allow scientists to understand complex neural networks and potentially lead to new treatments for diseases like depression and Alzheimer's.
The new Neuropixels probes enable scientists to monitor neural activity at hundreds of sites within the brain, providing a clearer picture of how different parts work together. Researchers can collect more meaningful data in a single experiment than current technologies allow.
A new study published in Nature Medicine finds that sleep-deprived individuals experience slowed-down neuron activity, affecting their ability to process visual information and respond to tasks. This slowdown can lead to lapses in attention and behavior, posing a risk for drowsy driving and other safety hazards.
University of Geneva researchers found that delayed neuronal migration in the fetus causes behavior disorders comparable to autism. They also discovered that correcting late neuron activity can restore interneuronal connections and prevent behavioral problems.
A study of two related fruit fly species reveals a single gene regulates behavior for attracting a mate, leading to distinct wooing techniques. The research suggests that the same neurons in both species evolved to generate different behaviors due to acquired gene expression.
A new study at Oregon Health & Science University found that brain activity patterns are inherited, with heritable relationships demonstrated within five brain systems. This discovery may lead to personalized and targeted treatment approaches for conditions like ADHD and autism.
A new high-throughput system enables rapid and standardized mouse behavior and physiology studies, reducing experimental animal usage and time requirements. The system aims to facilitate reproducibility and data sharing, addressing issues of varying training protocols and data comparison across labs.
A new Brown University-developed technology called trans-Tango allows scientists to visualize neural connections in fruit flies, revealing previously unmapped gustatory circuits. The technology enables circuit tracing and has the potential to control circuit functions, expanding its applications in neuroscience.
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University have identified the posterior cingulate cortex as a key brain region that motivates behavior change. By stimulating this area, people can become more exploratory and creative, suggesting its role in foraging efficiency and landscape adaptation.
Scientists have discovered that T cell activation leads to a depletion of amino acids in the blood, which in turn affects neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, causing anxiety and fear responses. In mice without PD-1 receptor, they found behavioral changes dominated by anxiety and exacerbated fear responses.
Researchers studied pair-bonded titi monkeys to understand jealousy and its consequences. The study found that male monkeys exhibited increased testosterone and cortisol levels when watching their partners with a stranger, and brain scans revealed heightened activity in areas associated with social exclusion and aggression.
A new low-cost, easy-to-use, and self-made customizable piece of equipment called the ethoscope has been invented to study flies' behavior. Ethoscopes can automatically record fly movements and even manipulate them, saving researchers time and enabling more efficient studies.
Research finds that social experience with a female mouse triggers separate neural populations and aggressive behavior in males, challenging the 'hardwired' hypothesis. The study reveals that even innate behaviors have a degree of plasticity and computation.
A new study by Matthew Wanat found that more dopamine is released when waiting for a reward, highlighting the importance of timing in decision-making. The research could provide valuable insights into understanding drug addiction, which hijacks brain regions where dopamine is released.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that listening without visual cues improves emotion recognition. Researchers conducted five experiments with over 1,800 participants and discovered that voice-only communication yields more accurate results than combined visual and auditory cues.
Research reveals that female brains activate more strongly in response to prosocial behavior compared to male brains, which prioritize reward from selfish actions. Cultural conditioning plays a significant role in shaping these differences, as women are often rewarded for prosocial behavior, leading to stronger neural responses.
A new study suggests that decreased bullying exposure and family problems during childhood and adolescence could help reduce adult mental illness in extremely low birth weight preemies. Early mental health support for these individuals and their parents may also be beneficial.
The NeuBtracker microscope allows for the simultaneous observation of neuronal activity and behavioral responses in zebrafish. This enables researchers to test the effects of substances on both brain activity and behavior, opening up new avenues for drug discovery and metabolic research.
Researchers at UCI have identified an important aspect of the brain's navigational system, revealing how rodents process and reactivate spatial information. This new knowledge has high accuracy predictions for animal speed and direction.
A SISSA study finds that people of normal weight associate natural foods with their sensory characteristics, while overweight individuals link processed foods to context. The research also highlights differences in brain activity between underweight and overweight participants when consuming the same stimuli.
A novel therapy, Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), has been found helpful in reducing widespread pain and symptoms of fibromyalgia. Patients who received EAET showed significant improvements compared to those receiving education or cognitive behavioral therapy.
A new study found that individuals with higher reward-related ventral striatum activity are less likely to experience depressive symptoms when they have poor quality sleep. This finding may help identify individuals for whom sleep hygiene is more effective or important.
Research suggests that higher reward-related ventral striatum activity may protect against depressive symptoms associated with poor sleep quality. The study found that students with higher VS activity were less likely to report symptoms of depression when experiencing poor sleep quality.
A new method of analyzing subcutaneous fat has been developed to predict which patients will respond well to obesity surgery. The FAT score technique showed a significant association between a patient's fat score and their response to surgery, with severely obese patients having an increased risk of poor weight loss response.
Research reveals that prey use both speed of approach and proximity of predator to calculate best escape route, leading to a more nuanced understanding of self-preservation instincts. The study also sheds light on the neural mechanics that fuel this fundamental behavior in animals, including humans.
A study by Indiana University researchers found that cannabidiol reduces symptoms such as impaired memory in adolescent mice exposed to THC, suggesting a protective effect of CBD against the negative effects of chronic THC use.
A new study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that dancing has a measurable impact on the brain of elderly individuals, reversing age-related decline. Dancing proved more effective than endurance training in improving balance and behavior.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have discovered a link between acid-sensing receptor TDAG8 and panic disorder symptoms. The study found significantly increased levels of TDAG8 in patients with panic disorder, correlating with symptom severity and treatment response.
Researchers develop a virtual reality system that decouples movement from perception in animals, allowing for the study of spatial cognition. The system is used to test various behaviors, including navigation, fear response and collective behavior.
A recent literature review suggests that adolescent risk-taking behavior is not due to a brain development deficit, but rather exploration and learning. The review highlights that most adolescents pass through this period without significant problems, while a smaller subset is at higher risk of unhealthy outcomes.
A mathematical model of embodied consciousness predicts states of consciousness and behavior, analyzing free energy and projective geometry. The model, developed by an international team of experts, has potential industrial applications in robotics, AI, and healthcare.
Research reveals that testosterone plays a crucial role in regulating canary birdsong by targeting specific brain regions involved in singing. The nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) regulates song unit production, while HVC influences syntactical features such as syllable repetition and trill duration.
Ryohei Yasuda, Scientific Director of MPFI, received the 2017 Nakaakira Tsukahara Memorial Prize for his groundbreaking work on synaptic plasticity. His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying neural circuit function and memory formation.
A study of age and crime statistics from Taiwan suggests that cultural factors, such as collectivist societies and parental supervision, may influence the age-crime relationship. The findings challenge the long-held assumption that biology drives teen criminal behavior, instead highlighting the importance of cultural influences.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have identified a critical role of spindle matrix proteins in regulating neural stem cell reactivation and proliferation. This discovery could lead to potential stem cell-based therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders, such as microcephaly and Alzheimer's disease.
The Cornell Neurotechnology NeuroNex Hub will develop new optical imaging tools for noninvasive recording of neural activity in animals, overcoming barriers to deep imaging and whole nervous system visualization. The hub aims to enable biologists to explore complex neuroscience questions, such as animal consciousness.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $17 million to develop innovative tools and partnerships for understanding the brain. The NeuroNex program will bring together researchers across disciplines to tackle the mysteries of the brain, with a focus on advancing theoretical frameworks and computational modeling.
Adults with autism tend to overestimate environmental changeability, reducing prior expectations' influence on behavior. This may contribute to sensory overload and social difficulties.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation recognizes six young researchers for their outstanding work in brain and behavior research, including Jennifer Felger and Ilana Witten. The awards support innovative ideas in neurobiological and psychosocial research to unlock mysteries of mental illness.