Articles tagged with Behavioral Neuroscience
Researchers discovered a genetic mutation in zebrafish that causes chronic stress and depression-like behavior. Adding an antidepressant restored normal behavior, suggesting a link between cortisol regulation and affective disorders.
A University of Pittsburgh study found that diets lacking omega-3 fatty acids can worsen effects over consecutive generations, particularly affecting teens. Adolescents with omega-3 deficiencies showed increased anxiety and hyperactivity, impaired learning and memory, and problem-solving abilities.
Dr. David Foster, an assistant professor of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, has been awarded the 2013 Freedman Prize Honorable Mention for his exceptional basic research on the neural basis of memory. His work combines advanced electrophysiological, computational, and behavioral approaches to investigate th...
UCLA researchers measure brain responses to sexual images in hypersexual individuals, finding that brain response is tied only to level of sexual desire, not severity of hypersexuality. This challenges existing theories of sex 'addiction', suggesting it may be a cluster of problems rather than an addiction.
A large study led by researchers at the University of New South Wales found that oxytocin nasal spray did not improve symptoms of children with autism. The study suggests caution in recommending oxytocin as a general treatment for young people with autism, possibly due to impaired oxytocin receptor systems.
Researchers used fMRI to investigate the neural origins of hot flashes in postmenopausal women. They found that activity in brain regions like the brain stem and insula rises before and after the hot flash, respectively. The study provides novel insights into the complex brain mechanisms underlying this common menopause symptom.
A UCLA study shows that a four-week program teaching yoga-based breathing practices can significantly reduce impulsive behavior in adolescents, leading to improved emotional regulation and decision-making skills. The program was found to be effective in reducing impulsive acts such as drug abuse, risky sexual behaviors, and violence.
A new rat brain study reveals that sensory information travels to two places at once: the thalamus and deeper cerebral cortex layers. Signals are relayed from the thalamus to both layer 4 and 5 simultaneously, contradicting decades of dogma.
Researchers at the University of Zurich found that brain areas communicate differently based on the task to be solved, with specific neurons activated for distinct tasks, and this can help develop therapies for impaired cognitive abilities in patients with Alzheimer's disease, Autism, and Schizophrenia.
A study published by Max-Planck-Gesellschaft found that hunger modifies brain pathways and behavior, causing hungry individuals to take more risks. In fruit flies, a specific nerve cell transports carbon dioxide information to the mushroom body, triggering flight responses in hungry but not fed animals.
A solitary mutation in the SYNGAP1 gene can destroy critical 'windows' of early brain development, leading to behavioral and intellectual problems. This research sheds light on the early development of neural circuits in the cortex.
A team of neuroscientists mapped brain-cell activity in fruit flies to understand smell recognition. They found that a small number of neurons are required to distinguish between different odors, suggesting the importance of sparseness in signal transmission.
A new NIH grant will support research at UC Irvine's Conte Center on Brain Programming in Mental Disorders, exploring how maternal signals and care before and after birth influence adolescent cognitive and emotional problems. The study aims to identify children vulnerable to mental health disorders and develop effective treatments.
Eve Marder's groundbreaking discoveries have fundamentally changed our understanding of how neural circuits operate and produce behavior. Her research on the stomatogastric ganglion has broad implications for studying neurological diseases like schizophrenia, depression, and chronic pain.
Researchers at MIT have made significant progress in understanding the neural mechanisms of compulsive behavior by activating a specific brain circuit that controls compulsive behavior. By using optogenetics, they were able to block compulsive behavior in mice and demonstrate potential new approaches for treating diseases such as OCD.
A team of Indiana University neuroscientists has identified GLT1, a protein clearing glutamate from the brain, as critical to cocaine craving. The researchers found ceftriaxone, an antibiotic, increases GLT1 production and decreases craving in rats withdrawing from cocaine. This combination may lead to new treatments for addiction.
A nationwide poll of over 18,500 adults found that healthy behaviors like exercise and a balanced diet are associated with better self-perceived memory abilities. Those who engaged in more than three healthy behaviors were 111% less likely to report memory problems.
Researchers developed a new model that integrates both historical and psychological perspectives on art appreciation. This approach acknowledges the importance of artistic understanding in assessing value and meaning, and can be applied to various forms of art.
Researchers from CSHL have identified key circuit elements that contribute to 'stay or go' decisions in the anterior cingulate cortex. The activity of specific inhibitory neurons, SOM and PV neurons, correlates with start and end of foraging behavior in mice.
Researchers suggest that food addiction could explain the current global obesity epidemic, with high-fructose corn syrup causing behavioural reactions similar to those produced by cocaine. Dr. Leri's study found shared vulnerability to develop preferences for sweet foods and cocaine in laboratory animals.
New research shows that craving drugs like nicotine can be visualized in specific brain regions, suggesting abnormal interactions between decision-making brain areas could underlie addiction. Dr. Alain Dagher's study found that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex regulates cigarette craving in response to drug cues.
A new study found that a spike in acetylcholine in the right prefrontal cortex activates response to signals, suggesting a potential brain mechanism for switching between behaviors. The findings have implications for treating disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism.
A UCI study found that a low-cost, at-home treatment involving sensory exercises with common household items significantly improved the behaviors and cognitive function of children with autism. After six months of therapy, 42% of children showed significant improvement in behaviors commonly affected by autism.
A new study suggests that environmental enrichment, which involves sensory stimulation and play, can significantly improve behaviors in autistic children. The therapy was found to be effective even for older children up to age 12, whereas traditional treatments are typically most effective at a young age.
Leslie Ungerleider will receive the inaugural Andrew Carnegie Prize in Mind and Brain Sciences for her groundbreaking research on brain functions and their relevance to public health. Her neurobehavioral theory has revolutionized the understanding of human vision, setting high standards for cognitive neuroscience.
Researchers identified key differences in gene expression between rock- and sand-dweller brains during development and used small molecules to manipulate developmental pathways. The study showed that competing molecular signals during brain development generate natural and adaptive differences in the telencephalon earlier than thought,...
Researchers at UC San Diego found that rats adopt a new chemical code when exposed to large changes in day and night cycle, leading to anxiety and depression. The discovery opens up new ways to treat brain disorders like Parkinson's by switching neurotransmitters.
Researchers used DBS to stimulate the nucleus accumbens, a region involved in reward, and found significant reduction in binge-eating behavior in mice. The study suggests that activity in the brain's reward centers drives overeating despite known negative health consequences.
Scientists have identified key motor behaviors and interventions that can help non-verbal autistic children learn to speak. Motor mimicking behavior plays a crucial role in language development, and picture exchange training has shown promising results.
A new study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that deep brain stimulation can curb binge eating in obese animals, leading to weight loss and improved glucose sensitivity. The therapy targets the dopamine type-2 receptor, providing therapeutic relief for obesity-related behaviors.
Researchers found that anti-smoking ads with strong arguments trigger brain activity associated with behavioral change and lead to less nicotine in smokers' urine. The study suggests that ad content is more important than format or special effects for reducing tobacco intake.
The researchers are being honored for their contributions to the discovery and applications of optogenetics, a technology that allows scientists to control brain activity by genetically engineering neurons. Hundreds of labs have started using the technique to manipulate brain activity in experimental animals.
A new study using fMRI brain scans aims to detect memories and identify lies. Researchers have successfully decoded patterns of brain activity associated with recognition, but struggled to determine actual past experiences. The technology's limitations raise questions about its use in legal settings.
Researchers found diverse consequences of opioid use in patients with sickle cell disease, including biological, psychological, social, and spiritual effects. The study used a grounded theory approach to gather data from 21 African-American adults with SCD, revealing divergent effects on relationships, productivity, mood, and outlook.
A study published in Neuron found that rats achieved optimal performance in less than 300 milliseconds, indicating that taking more time doesn't necessarily lead to better decisions. The researchers suggest that, for certain types of decisions, relying on intuition may be the most effective approach.
A study suggests that humans rely on past experiences to predict future outcomes, which can lead to irrational decisions in games of chance. This strategy may contribute to problem gambling behavior and is resistant to current behavioral intervention strategies.
Researchers at Cornell University found that brain activity patterns in the medial prefrontal cortex can accurately identify an individual's thought process about a person. This unique ability allows us to anticipate behavior and navigate social interactions with greater ease.
Researchers successfully transmitted tactile and motor information between rat brains, enabling behavioral puzzle-solving. The brain-to-brain interface allowed for two-way communication, with the decoder rat achieving a success rate of about 70 percent.
Researchers created a novel low-power device that enables the recording of complex neural signals in freely moving subjects for over 16 months. The device, which transmits data wirelessly, has the potential to revolutionize brain-computer interfaces and help people with severe paralysis control devices with their thoughts.
Researchers found that adding simple movements to mental rehearsal improved performance by 45% for high jumpers, compared to 35% with internal visual imagery. Dynamic imagery also shortened the number of jumps required.
Researchers at UC San Diego found that glutamate binding to NMDA receptors causes conformational changes leading to weakened synapses and impaired brain function. Beta amyloid peptide also weakens synapses by causing similar conformational changes.
Nicole Calakos studies synaptic defects in the basal ganglia that underlie compulsive behavior, including Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases. Mice with overactive metabotropic glutamate receptors exhibit impaired synaptic plasticity, leading to obsessive-like behaviors.
Researchers discovered a genetic mutation in CELF6 that disrupts serotonin signaling and leads to common autism behaviors like communication difficulties and resistance to change. The findings provide new insights into the biological pathways underlying autism.
A new study from the Scripps Research Institute found that a complex set of overlapping neuronal circuits in fruit flies drives temperature preferences. The research used imaging techniques to visualize neuron activity and showed that dopaminergic neurons process multiple inputs to generate outputs, influencing behavior.
New research reveals insulin's role in reducing desire for food after eating, impacting environmental triggers of overeating. The study found that insulin affects the ventral tegmental area, a region linked to reward-seeking behavior and addictive behaviors.
EPFL researchers find correlation between childhood psychological trauma and neurological changes similar to those found in violent humans. The study demonstrates that traumatic experiences in pre-adolescent rats lead to altered brain function, including reduced orbitofrontal cortex activation and increased aggression.
A study found that older brains struggle to filter out unnecessary information, leading to reduced learning and memory capabilities. The researchers discovered a link between the NMDA receptor and long-term depression, which is essential for sculpting memories and eliminating unnecessary information.
Research at George Washington University reveals that genetic lesions associated with autism disrupt cellular mechanisms for interneuron development. LaMantia found that the Cxcr4 cytokine receptor plays a crucial role in regulating interneuron migration.
A new study comparing neural responses of birds and humans to music suggests that both share a neural reward system, with females in the breeding state responding similarly to human music. Male birds also exhibit an amygdala response to discordant sounds.
A study published in Nature reveals that normalizing excessive protein synthesis in the brain can partially remedy autistic-like behaviors in laboratory mice. The researchers found that reducing protein production reversed behaviors such as repetitive actions and improved social interaction.
A new study found that even small strokes can harm neural tissue and alter behavior in rats. Blocking tiny blood vessels in the brain can lead to micro-lesions reminiscent of those seen in dementia patients. The FDA-approved drug memantine showed promise in mitigating these effects.
A group of parasites hijack their victims' nervous systems, reducing them to helpless zombies. These manipulators can have a significant impact on ecology, physiology, and evolution, orchestrating the behaviour of vertebrates and invertebrates.
Scientists have identified a 500 million-year-old genetic mutation that enabled complex thinking in humans and other mammals. This 'accident' provided the ability to learn and adapt, which is now associated with both intelligent behavior and brain diseases.
A new study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine has identified the orbitofrontal cortex as a critical brain area involved in value-guided behavior, decision-making, and learning. The research suggests that damage to this area can lead to decreased ability to use prior experience to make good decisions.
Researchers identified groups of neurons that encode specific behavioral rules by oscillating in synchrony with each other. The study found that the nature of conscious thought may be rhythmic, and that disruptions in brain waves could contribute to neurological disorders such as schizophrenia.
Classic studies on obedience and conformity have been revisited to show that people do not blindly conform but actively identify with and believe in the authority's actions. The authors' own prison experiment found that participants only acted in terms of group membership and empowered themselves to resist their assigned position.
Researchers found that brain activity oscillates in sync with sounds we hear, influencing our ability to detect fleeting gaps in music. The study's findings suggest that the brain uses rhythmic fluctuations to prepare for important incoming information, potentially aiding individuals with hearing loss or stuttering.
The University of Granada and the Michael J. Fox Foundation have developed advanced imaging techniques to diagnose Parkinson's disease, improving accuracy and reducing reliance on expert analysis. The new methods utilize machine learning algorithms to analyze brain function and image data, demonstrating promising results in diagnosis.
A new study from MIT neuroscientists has found that the brain's prefrontal cortex has a small region responsible for controlling which habits are switched on at a given time. The researchers used optogenetics to inhibit this region, allowing them to break and form new habits in rats.
A new study suggests that moderate drinking can decrease brain cell production by up to 40% in adults, leading to potential harm on learning and memory. Researchers found that rats exposed to low levels of alcohol showed reduced nerve cells in the hippocampus, a crucial area for new learning.