Articles tagged with Behavioral Neuroscience
Researchers discovered a 'circadian circuit' in which clock neurons send signals to the central brain areas that regulate activity and sleep. This mechanism allows time information to be transmitted through the brain.
Research reveals that dopamine regulates both rewarding and aversive behaviors in mice, enabling them to learn and remember to avoid negative situations. The study's findings have implications for understanding post-traumatic stress syndrome.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered how bats determine what's worth paying attention to, finding that their brains selectively respond to certain sounds. This discovery has implications for understanding how humans focus attention and process sensory information.
Two NYU faculty, Marc Gershow and Katherine Nagel, have been awarded Sloan Foundation research fellowships. The fellowships provide $55,000 over two years to support their research in fields such as neuroscience and physics.
Researchers studied 23 active cocaine users and found they exhibited an impaired ability to adjust their behavior and were less fulfilled once they achieved their desired reward. This disconnect between craving for a drug and regulating behavior may be key to breaking the cycle of addiction.
Researchers found structural differences in brain connectivity match behavioral differences between men and women, with stronger motor skills linked to male performance and social cognition skills linked to female strengths. The study provides new insights into sex differences in the brain and behavior, potentially advancing treatment ...
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have found a potential treatment for depressive-like symptoms in alcoholics using ketamine and an endocannabinoid system booster. The study, published in Neuropsychopharmacology, validates a mouse model of alcoholism and shows promise for developing novel treatments for mood disorders.
Cognitive neuroscientist Rosie Cowell is using a five-year grant to develop and test a theory of memory interaction with fine-grained visual perception. She will use computational modeling and memory experiments to investigate how the medial temporal lobe affects both memory and visual perception.
New research by Duke University scientists suggests that habits like sugar addiction manifest in the brain's basal ganglia circuitry, leading to a 'go' signal that primes cravings. The study found that mice with formed habits had altered brain activity patterns, including a change in timing between go and stop signals.
A study by McMaster University found that teenagers with food allergies are more likely to have depression, anxiety, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared to their peers without allergies. Mothers of teens with food allergies are also more likely to report these emotional and behavioral problems.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia found that adding flashing lights and music to a 'rat casino' model led to problem gambling behavior in rats. Blocking a specific dopamine receptor corrected this behavior, suggesting a common biological cause for risky decision-making across vices.
David Freedman, a neuroscientist from the University of Chicago Medical Center, has been awarded the 2016 Troland Research Award for his groundbreaking research on how the brain learns and recognizes visual categories. His work reveals that individual neurons in the parietal and frontal cortices can encode information about categories.
The brain initially represents and decides between competing action options by planning multiple movements simultaneously. Researchers found that participants planned a movement for each potential target and executed these movements simultaneously when the target was uncertain.
A new study found that conveying emotions affects brain's creativity network, with 'happy' and 'sad' music evoking different neural patterns. The research suggests emotion plays a crucial role in creative states, with varying degrees of activation in brain regions.
Scientists recorded 3-D footage of neural activity in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a worm species with a nervous system containing just 302 neurons. The study revealed surprising correlations between neural activity and behavior, including turning movements.
Harvard Medical School scientists developed a computational technique to analyze mouse movements, organizing them into distinct pose sequences with their own syllables and grammar. This breakthrough solves the problem of objectively studying complex animal behavior without human observers.
The UCLA-developed FOCUS program significantly improved the ability of military families to cope with deployment-related stresses and combat injuries. The eight-week program reduced anxiety and depression by half and improved family dynamics, particularly in areas such as communication and problem-solving skills.
Scientists developed implantable probes with tiny LEDs that can control and record individual neurons, shedding light on neural communication. The new technology could lead to breakthroughs in understanding and treating neurological diseases like Alzheimer's, which affects hundreds of millions worldwide.
A new study found reduced grey matter volume in key brain areas of youths with behavioral problems, including the amygdala, insula, and prefrontal cortex. These regions are crucial for decision-making, empathic responses, and emotion regulation.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry reports the successful reduction of fear in spider-fearful participants following a 2-minute exposure combined with a single dose of propranolol. The treatment resulted in drastically reduced avoidance behavior and increased approach behavior, with effects persisting for one year.
Researchers found that door holders who made a high effort were more likely to receive reciprocation, with recipients saying "thank you" more often. The study also showed that small favors can inspire reciprocal acts, but verbal thanking and helping are not inherently correlated.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a technique that allows them to read the mind of a fly by lighting up active conversations between neurons during behaviors or sensory experiences. This can provide valuable insights into the computational processes underlying human brain function.
Researchers develop compound SR1078, which increases expression of genes linked to autism, reducing autistic behavior in mice. Studies with human brain cells also show increased gene expression, offering new hope for treating the underlying disorder.
A new scientific model developed by Michigan State University researchers provides a better understanding of depression and its complex drivers. The model, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, incorporates various biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors that contribute to the illness.
Researchers found that people with CFS are more vulnerable to pattern-related visual stress, a condition that causes discomfort and exhaustion when viewing repetitive striped patterns. This discovery may help in diagnosing the illness, which is difficult due to its similar symptoms to other conditions.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham are exploring the use of car driving simulators to train and test drivers, aiming to reduce road traffic accidents. The research uses a new facility that records eye movements and brain activity while participants drive in both simulated and real-world environments.
Robots develop self-taught behaviors through sensory input and adaptation, mirroring natural sensorimotor development. This concept has implications for understanding early stages of evolution and may lead to new strategies for robotic learning.
Research finds that men who process negative feelings with aggressive music react negatively to the emotion, while females exhibit increased activity in the mPFC. The study suggests long-term effects of music listening styles on brain activity and mental well-being.
Researchers studied female fruit flies' auditory pathways to understand how external stimuli become behavior. They found that longer song segments prompt females to slow down and let males approach, a finding relevant to humans' ability to recognize patterns in the environment.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience has found that individuals with anorexia nervosa exhibit distinct brain activity patterns when making food choices, including increased activation in the dorsal striatum. These findings have significant implications for developing new treatments and understanding disease mechanisms.
Matthew Lovett-Barron received the $2,500 prize for his innovative approach combining pharmacogenetics, neural recordings, and optogenetics to study fear learning and its neural mechanisms. His work has significant implications for understanding panic and anxiety disorders.
William B. Kristan is recognized for his outstanding contributions to neuroscience education and training. He has established the Neurobiology Boot Camp course at UCSD, which provides students with a comprehensive understanding of neuroscience.
Male fruit flies release a specific pheromone, 9-tricosene, that attracts females to lay eggs near food sources. This discovery sheds light on how flies navigate complex environments using odorants, and its potential application in controlling mosquito-borne diseases like malaria.
Ryohei Yasuda, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience Scientific Director, has received a $4.8 million NIH Pioneer Award to support his lab's high-risk, high-reward projects in biochemical signaling and mental disorders like dementia and autism.
Scientists found that specific neurons, required for dopamine production, drive parental care in females while serving a different function in males. Elevating these neuron's activity enhances oxytocin levels and triggers maternal actions in female mice.
A study in mice reveals that specific brain areas control paternal versus infanticidal behavior. The activation patterns of these areas determine whether a male mouse will show caring or aggressive behavior towards newborn pups. This discovery could have implications for understanding societal problems such as child-directed aggression...
A new study by Oxford University researchers found a strong correspondence between positive lifestyle and behavior traits and specific variations in brain connectivity. Those with classically positive lifestyles had different brain connections to those with classically negative ones.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has awarded $13.3 million in NARSAD Young Investigator Grants to 191 promising young scientists working on groundbreaking neurobiological research to identify causes, improve treatments and develop prevention strategies for psychiatric disorders affecting one in four people.
Research led by Duke-NUS scientists has linked abnormal behavior of BDNF and DTNBP1 genes to the underlying cause of schizophrenia. By understanding how these genes interact, researchers have identified potential treatments that could rescue signalling balance in the brain, offering new hope for schizophrenia patients.
Scientists have discovered a new role for basal forebrain neurons in controlling action, enabling rapid stop of planned behaviors. This discovery opens the door to novel approaches for neurological and psychiatric conditions affecting cognitive functions.
Scientists have successfully reversed an animal's behavior by altering a single synapse in its neural network. This groundbreaking study provides new insights into the stability of neural circuits and their role in controlling behavior.
Researchers found significant gender differences in the severity of repetitive and restricted behaviors in girls with autism compared to boys. The study also identified distinct brain structure differences between boys and girls with autism, particularly in motor regions.
A study found that repeated exposure to anesthesia during infancy can alter emotional behavior, which persists for at least five months. The research used a rhesus monkey model and found that exposed subjects exhibited anxious behaviors compared to healthy controls.
Researchers found that activation of same brain regions can produce both reward and aversion responses, leading to cancelled effects in patients. This discovery may help develop more targeted treatments for addiction and depression.
Two Stanford University researchers, Maria Barna and Carolyn McBride, received the award for their pioneering work on ribosome processing and mosquito behavior. The Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award recognizes outstanding contributions to genetics research in human and non-mammalian systems.
The larger Pacific striped octopus exhibits unusual hunting tactics, displaying subtle tap-like movements to startle prey. It also displays high levels of sociality, forming groups of up to 40 individuals and engaging in cooperative behaviors such as sharing meals.
The International Dose-Response Society's official journal, Dose-Response, is now published by SAGE, covering experimental findings and non-linear dose-relationships. The journal aims to expand the reach of its research on hormone-like effects in low doses.
Researchers discovered that male wolf spiders can learn to associate visual cues of rival males with female presence, allowing them to adapt their courtship behavior. This complex learning process sheds light on the importance of eavesdropping in animal behavior and its potential applications in understanding human physiology.
Researchers discovered noncanonical genomic imprinting in mice brains, affecting serotonin and dopamine production. The study highlights a targeted form of genetic control that can influence offspring behavior and may contribute to brain disorders like autism.
A new study by David Moorman and Gary Aston-Jones found that neurons in both dorsal and ventral prefrontal cortex work together to control behavior, rather than separate areas controlling 'going' and 'stopping' actions.
Researchers at Rice University deciphered how individual neurons predict behavior in perceptual tests, finding that neurons often share the same information. The study explains a long-standing paradox in neural activity and has implications for understanding neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
A computational model suggests that generosity and selfishness can be both fast and effortless, depending on the person and context. The model indicates that people are happier when mistaken generosity doesn't happen, highlighting the importance of focusing on others' thoughts and experiences.
A new study suggests that brain activity can predict how likely young adults are to develop problem drinking or engage in risky sexual behavior. The research found that imbalance in the function of typically complementary brain areas, such as the ventral striatum and amygdala, is associated with increased risk.
The University of California, Davis has awarded a total of $2 million to five interdisciplinary teams to explore high-impact discoveries in brain science. The funding will enable researchers to conduct preliminary experiments and develop compelling data to support applications for Brain Initiative awards.
Researchers found that female mice are unable to detect male pheromones until they enter the ovulation cycle, where hormones such as progesterone decrease and allow them to sense potential partners. This study highlights the nose's role in making important decisions about behavior influenced by hormonal signals.
Researchers found that rats made prosocial choices 70% of the time, indicating a preference for helping others. The study suggests that biological mechanisms such as positive feelings and social sensitivity may drive prosocial behavior in both humans and rats.
CRG scientists map neural circuitry involved in converting olfactory inputs into navigational behaviors in fruit fly Drosophila larva. Brief excitations of identified neurons trigger changes in orientation, demonstrating the necessity and sufficiency of a couple of neurons to control chemotaxis.
Domestic cats have a unique perception of bitterness in food due to variations in their repertoire of bitter receptors, which differs from that of other mammals. The study found that cat taste receptors were less sensitive to certain bitter compounds compared to human receptors, explaining why cats can be picky eaters.
A new study from the University of Edinburgh found that individuals with high psychological distress were more likely to die from liver disease. The research tracked over 165,000 participants for ten years and controlled for various factors such as alcohol consumption and socioeconomic status.
Researchers found significant similarities between oxytocin and alcohol's behavioral effects, including increased aggression and risk-taking. This study highlights the darker side of oxytocin, which can suppress social inhibitors like fear and anxiety, leading to more impulsive decisions.