Research on the brain basis of behavior. Covers reward and pleasure signals, attention in children, taste circuitry, and adaptive AI models.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
A Stanford study found that social forces can override genetically programmed behavior in male mice, triggering territorial rage in various situations. The researchers identified a specific nerve cell cluster that activates when a male mouse is left alone, leading to aggressive displays.
Researchers at University of California San Diego have identified key brain pathways tied to distinct depressive behaviors. The study found that modifying specific neural connections in mice led to improved behavioral changes, providing insight into the interaction between multiple brain areas in depression.
A new study reveals humans are hardwired to lean to the right when kissing, with men more likely to initiate and women receiving a mirrored response to avoid discomfort. The researchers propose that this bias may be linked to differences in hormone levels and neurotransmitters between brain hemispheres.
A team of researchers has created behavior anatomy maps in fruit flies to understand how specific brain circuits generate aggression, wing extension, or grooming behaviors. The data will help neurobiologists assign behaviors to neurons and study brain circuits.
A new study by UCR psychology professor Kelly Huffman found that prenatal ethanol exposure causes abnormalities in the brain and behavior that may be passed on for many generations. The research shows that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to adverse outcomes in future grand- and even great-grandchildren, including reduced bod...
Researchers developed a model to explain human moral behavior in simulated scenarios, showing that machines can adopt human-like moral decision-making. The study has significant implications for self-driving cars and other autonomous systems, sparking debate about the role of morality in machine behavior.
Researchers identified distinct gut microbiota profiles associated with altered brain activity and emotional responses in healthy women. The Bacteroides group showed increased gray matter and hippocampal volume, while the Prevotella group exhibited reduced brain volumes and heightened negative emotions.
Studies in mice with a mutated CHD8 gene reveal cognitive impairment, increased brain volume, and excessive DNA packaging, shedding light on the genetic basis of autism. The findings suggest that CHD8 plays a role in brain development throughout life.
University of Iowa researchers examine the infralimbic cortex, a brain region controlling addictive behavior, and find it can be reprogrammed to ease drug urges. The study suggests silencing this region's neurons during withdrawal periods may prevent relapse, offering potential for new treatments.
Researchers have developed a new technique called Cal-Light to visualize and control neuronal activity. This tool allows for the observation of specific populations of cells implicated in particular behaviors, enabling precise manipulation and dissection of complex neural circuits.
A comprehensive review of rapidly changing data identified four neural-behavioral models associated with PTSD, pinpointing specific circuits in the brain that mediate between chemical changes and behavioral expressions. The study provides detailed tables to help healthcare providers recognize signs and symptoms of PTSD for diagnosis.
In a recent study, researchers found that piglets exhibit differential exploratory behavior when presented with new toys. Females and 4-week-old piglets demonstrated better object recognition skills compared to males and 3-week-olds. The study's results have implications for future research on animal behavior and cognition.
A new study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that adolescent mice fed a poor diet lacking omega-3 fatty acids showed increased anxiety-like behavior and poorer memory performance as adults. The study suggests that adequate nutrition during adolescence is crucial for brain refinement and function.
Georgia State neuroscientists rewired the brain of one species to have the connections of another, finding distinct neural circuits underlying swimming behavior in two closely related sea slugs. The study's results suggest that behaviors can be conserved while their neural basis shifts over evolution.
Researchers at Texas A&M University found that brain damage from stroke can increase an individual's preference for alcohol over water. The study used animal models and suggested that the brain's response to a stroke may play a role in increasing alcohol-seeking behavior.
The visual cortex develops until late 30s or early 40s, contradicting previous expectations that it matures in first few years of life. This discovery extends the timeline by 4.5 years, challenging current understanding of brain function and sensory areas development.
A high-fat diet from childhood may increase sensitivity to dopamine later in adulthood, leading to increased reward-seeking behavior. The study found that male rats exhibited increased locomotor activity and dopamine cell activity after a high-fat diet exposure.
A study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology reveals that tai chi is an effective treatment for insomnia in breast cancer survivors, improving sleep health, depressive symptoms, and fatigue. The slow-moving meditation practice works just as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and better than medication.