Articles tagged with Behavioral Neuroscience
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.
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 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.
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.
A workplace mindfulness-based intervention reduced stress levels of ICU nurses by 40%, according to a new Ohio State study. The 8-week program included mindfulness, gentle stretching, yoga, meditation and music, and significantly decreased salivary alpha-amylase levels, a biomarker of sympathetic nervous system activation.
A recent study found that losses had a measured impact two to three times greater than gains on behavior, leading researchers to suggest using negative feedback as an effective teaching strategy. This approach may help students avoid making the same mistake again and could provide insights into learning behaviors.
A study published in Brain Imaging and Behavior found that brain activity responding to high-calorie food images is lower at night compared to daytime. Researchers used MRI to measure neural responses to food images during morning and evening sessions, revealing a dip in reward-related brain reactivity in the evening.
Researchers have identified two brain circuits that play a crucial role in encoding positive and negative learned associations in mice. The study found that one circuit promotes reward-driven behaviors, while the other drives avoidance behavior.
Scientists have discovered that uncertainty in causal relationships is the main factor in determining one-shot learning. The ventrolateral prefrontal cortex evaluates such uncertainty and activates one-shot learning when needed. This finding could lead to new approaches for helping people learn more efficiently.
A team of biomedical engineers at Washington University in St. Louis used locusts to study the brain's processing of information from its senses. They found that when two puffs of a similar odor were given one after the other, the spiking neural activity generated by the first encountered odor interfered with processing the second odor.
Researchers at McGill and Concordia universities have discovered a mechanism that explains how light regulates protein synthesis in the brain, affecting the function of the circadian clock. The study found that phosphorylation of key proteins plays a pivotal role in resetting the body's internal clock.
Researchers present key factors contributing to suicidal risk and new assessment and treatment approaches for adolescents. Studies investigate predictors of acute risk, relationship between suicide attempts and impulsive-aggressive responsiveness.
Researchers found that rats' behavior changed according to waiting times, mimicking human actions. The neural basis was linked to the striatum, where neurons encoded time as a position within an interval, not absolute units.
Researchers at TSRI find that nicotine exposure promotes alcohol dependence in rat models, with those exposed to both nicotine and alcohol showing rapid escalation of drinking behavior and compulsive consumption.
A genetic mutation associated with an increased risk of developing eating disorders in humans has been found to cause obsessive-compulsive-like behaviors and social impairments in mice. The study identified estrogen-related receptor alpha as a contributing gene to the risk of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
Researchers found that combining mental practice with physical therapy significantly improves sensation and motor function scores in stroke survivors. The treatment helps regain motor behaviors by recruiting new neurons and compensating for damaged brain cells.
Researchers using brain-controlled prosthetics can gain real-time feedback on neural activity, allowing for the study of how the brain encodes information and changes with learning. This technology holds promise for developing new treatments for epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological disorders.
HongKun Zhang will use the $100,000 award to work with colleagues in France and St. Louis on a mathematical conjecture arising in statistical mechanics. Her research aims to improve conceptual understanding of physical systems and predict their behavior.
Researchers found that adolescent binge-drinking can alter brain development and lead to increased anxiety-like behaviors and a preference for alcohol in adulthood. Epigenetic changes, which affect how genes are expressed, play a key role in these effects.
A new study by University of Maryland researchers reveals that the brain's 'gender' may be more flexible than previously thought. The study found that a specific enzyme plays a key role in masculinization, allowing certain genes to be 'unsilenced'. This process can even occur after the window for brain sexual differentiation has closed.
A new study published in Sexual Medicine found that men who watch more pornography are more aroused when viewing erotic stimuli. The researchers analyzed data from 280 male volunteers and concluded that there is no relationship between porn consumption and erectile dysfunction.
Researchers found that students with lower amounts of a particular pattern of brain waves called sleep spindles were more at risk for developing insomnia after stressful events. The study suggests that measuring spindle activity may help identify people at risk before the condition materializes.
Researchers at Yale University found that Agrp neurons, which control food intake, also initiate repetitive behaviors seen in OCD and anorexia nervosa. These neurons play a crucial role in psychiatric conditions, highlighting the multitasking nature of brain function.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory successfully decoded how rats learned to associate specific sounds with rewards, revealing the neural mechanisms underlying auditory learning. The study provides a key insight into how memories are encoded in the brain and may have implications for understanding other sensory systems.
Researchers at NYU have developed a method to identify functional groupings of neurons based on co-fluctuation of their responses, revealing that prefrontal cortex neurons are organized into spatially contiguous maps.
Researchers found that stimulating frontal lobes with low-level electricity increases mind wandering, which is associated with improved task performance. The study suggests that the frontal lobes play a causal role in mind wandering behavior and may contribute to behavioral outcomes like creativity and mood.
A study of 62 preteen girls found that those who experimented showed stronger connections between the rostrolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior insula/putamen, linked to exploring actions and body state, respectively. This could help identify teens at risk for risky behaviors.
The discovery of newborn neurons in adulthood challenges dogma, but their role in behavior and cognition is unclear. Environmental factors influence the birth of new neurons, which may aid adaptation to changing environments.
A study using a tadpole model reveals parallels between fetal chemical exposure and autism spectrum disorder, highlighting altered neural anatomy and behavior. The research suggests that understanding this connection could lead to discovering mechanisms to prevent neurodevelopmental disorders.
A study in female mice reveals the brain region where hormonal state and social interaction are integrated, providing insights into human attraction and rejection behaviors. The researchers found that neurons dedicated to socio-sexual behavior were active only when females were receptive to males.
Researchers used brain connectivity scans to identify patterns that predict success with behavioral activation talk therapy. Patients with major depressive disorder who had stronger connections between brain regions involved in cognitive control and emotion regulation responded better to the therapy.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine used new deep-brain imaging techniques to link individual neuron activity patterns to specific behaviors in mice. The study found that nearly identical neurons had separate functions, with some activated during searching for food and others during consumption.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have identified the brain's on-off switch for thirst, revealing two types of neurons that drive and suppress the sensation. The study uses optogenetics to activate specific neuron populations in the subfornical organ, leading to increased drinking behavior in mice.
A study published in PNAS found that individuals with prosopagnosia can still recognize human movements, engaging different brain mechanisms. The research team used point-light displays to test patients with brain damage preventing facial recognition, revealing a neural process for comprehending actions independent of the actor.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a genetic link between PTSD and two gene variants, COMT and TPH-2. These variants may contribute to the onset and persistence of the disorder, suggesting that heredity influences a person's risk of developing PTSD. The findings could lead to faster diagnosis and better treatment for survivors.
Recent studies using brain imaging show promise in predicting future behaviors such as reading performance, math skills, criminality, and response to treatment. The technology may help identify individuals at high risk of failure, allowing for early interventions and prevention strategies.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a driver model that can predict steering movements up to 95% accurately. This breakthrough may lead to safer car systems, including anti-skid and fatigue detection systems.
Researchers found that OCD patients were less capable of stopping pedal-pressing habits due to excessive caudate nucleus activity, linking compulsions to the brain's habit system. The study suggests that habits may be behind various psychiatric behaviors, including drug abuse and binge-eating.
Researchers found highly conserved brain centers in insect species that share similarities with vertebrate learning centers, such as the hippocampus. The study suggests a common ancestral origin for these structures, possibly dating back 600 million years.
Research suggests that generosity in children requires a deliberate thought process, unlike automatic moral evaluation. Brain activity studies found that only later reappraisal of moral scenes predicts actual generosity in young children. This insight may help parents foster generosity in kids this holiday season.
A team of neuroscientists has found that our brains use elapsed time as a proxy for task difficulty to calculate how confident we should be when faced with making choices but lacking sufficient evidence. This association helps untangle the different factors that contribute to the decision-making process.
Expectant dads experience prenatal hormone changes, with men showing significant declines in testosterone and estradiol levels. The study suggests that impending fatherhood may trigger hormonal shifts in partners, which could impact postpartum behavior and adjustment.