Articles tagged with Behavioral Neuroscience
New research from Carnegie Mellon University reveals parents are 52% less likely to develop a cold than non-parents when exposed to a common cold virus. The study found that parenthood has a positive effect on health, with parents experiencing reduced risk of illness regardless of the number of children they have.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that neurons controlling hunger are also linked to cocaine addiction, contradicting the common assumption that food is a type of drug of abuse. The researchers discovered that mice with decreased interest in food showed increased interest in novelty-seeking and cocaine.
Researchers found that neurons follow a simple pattern described by a power law, which explains their tree-like shape and efficient wiring. This pattern is supported by the growth of newborn olfactory neurons in the adult brain.
A BUSM study found that blocking the Sigma-1 receptor reduced binge eating and caused eaters to eat more slowly, suggesting a potential therapeutic treatment target for binge eating disorder. The researchers also observed improved decision-making in experimental subjects.
Researchers propose a new theory that motor cortex neurons generate rhythmic signals to control arm movements, contradicting the long-held assumption of encoding external spatial information. This discovery has broad implications for neuroscience and may explain some of the perplexing aspects of brain activity in motor cortex.
Researchers developed a mathematical model predicting the final size and shape of platelets, which form blood clots. The study provides insights into the forces inside cells that turn into platelets, shedding light on a longstanding puzzle in platelet formation.
A new study by the Max Planck Florida Institute found that changes in sensory experience can cause massive rewiring of the brain's connections, even in older adults. This rewiring involves fibers supplying the primary input to the cerebral cortex, a key area for sensory perception and cognition.
Researchers found that our brains use valence perception to guide decision-making, influencing our choices and behavior. The study's findings can be used to improve consumer marketing decisions and increase user engagement on online platforms.
Researchers used CT images and MRI data to reconstruct Phineas Gage's brain injury, finding widespread white matter damage. This study provides new insight into the neural network connectivity of Gage's brain, shedding light on his reported behavioral changes after the accident.
A new study finds that high resiliency in early adolescence may protect against later alcohol problems and drug use. Resiliency is associated with better working memory performance, which may work through basal ganglia structures of the brain.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania discovered a mechanism involving dopamine that switches fruit fly behavior from diurnal to nocturnal, parallelled by human sundown syndrome. The team found that increased night-time activity is associated with elevated dopamine signaling in flies.
Scientists from Queen Mary University of London found that zebrafish housed individually spent less time on the bottom of their tank, indicating lower stress levels. Individually housed fish also responded to ethanol and had lower cortisol levels compared to group-housed fish.
A study using two-photon microscopy has mapped neuronal activity in the cerebral cortex of mice during learning, revealing that only selected aspects of behavior change neural representation. The research also found that sensory and motor representations are spatially intermingled in the rodent brain.
Researchers found a link between bingeing on fat and cocaine-seeking behavior in rats, indicating that conditions promoting excessive behavior towards one substance can increase the probability of excessive behavior towards another. This study may shed light on the factors that promote substance abuse and addiction.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals the progressive decline of function in cortical circuits due to Alzheimer's disease. Researchers observed correlations between beta-amyloid increases and dysfunctional developments in individual neurons, neuronal circuits, sensory cognition, and behavior.
A Dartmouth study found that functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain scans can predict future weight gain and sexual activity in individuals. By analyzing the brain's response to appetite-driven cues and other triggers, researchers were able to identify correlations between brain activity and real-world behavior.
A study published in Nature Communications found that sAPP-α, a secreted portion of APP, acts as an essential stop-gap mechanism to regulate APP production. Monitoring and correcting low sAPP-α levels or enhancing its association with BACE1 may help prevent or treat Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that flies didn't exhibit expected siestas during the day and instead became active at dawn. The study suggests that flies can react to changing light levels without anticipating them, challenging previous assumptions about genetic determinants of behavior.
A new brain imaging study finds that people with anorexia and obesity have wired brains differently in response to food. The study shows consistent activations of reward areas associated with addiction, but how those areas respond varies between individuals depending on their eating behaviors.
Researchers have found that individuals with specific gene variants are more likely to develop PTSD symptoms after exposure to trauma. The study suggests a genetic link to PTSD, which could lead to new screening methods and targeted treatments.
Researchers discovered the genetic basis of biological rhythms controlling sleep, wakefulness and hormone levels. Their work has potential to improve treatments for diseases controlled by circadian cycles.
Researchers have found that both humans and rats make more accurate decisions when presented with combined multisensory information, suggesting a statistically optimal combination of sensory stimuli. This discovery could provide insights into how the brain processes multisensory information in individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Researchers at the Neuroscience Institute of Alicante have discovered that manipulating CB2 receptors can reduce impulsive behavior in mice with high impulsivity levels. The study suggests that future clinical trials could utilize drugs selectively targeting CB2 to modulate impulsivity without psychoactive effects.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to test whether neurons communicate individually or as groups. The method filters signals to determine if neurons collaborate flexibly within milliseconds. This breakthrough has the potential to reveal dynamic cell assemblies involved in planning and controlling behavior.
A new study by UCLA scientists has discovered that over 2,000 genes in the brain of zebra finches are significantly linked to singing. These genes, which include FoxP2 and reelin, may also play a critical role in human speech and speech disorders such as stuttering and autism.
A study suggests deleting a protein that regulates nerve cell growth can increase new nerve cells and speed up antidepressant effects, potentially offering a novel therapeutic approach for depression. The research found that mice without this protein showed improved symptoms of depression and anxiety even without medication.
Researchers found that wine experts were more sensitive to bitter tastes than non-experts, suggesting their ability to discern small differences in wine may be innate. This could mean that expert recommendations are too subtle for average consumers to sense.
A gluten-free, casein-free diet has been found to be effective in improving ASD behaviors, physiological symptoms, and social behaviors for some children with gastrointestinal symptoms and allergy symptoms. Parents who eliminated all gluten and casein from their children's diets reported significant improvements in their child's behavior.
Researchers at UCLA find hyperconnectivity in depressed brains, suggesting a malfunction in regulating brain networks. This dysregulation may explain multiple symptoms of depression, including anxiety and memory issues.
Three NYU faculty, Robert Froemke, Pierre Germain, and Virgiliu Midrigan, have been awarded Sloan Foundation fellowships to support their groundbreaking research in neuroplasticity, nonlinear dispersive equations, and economics. The two-year $50,000 awards aim to foster the next generation of scientific leaders and advance their work.
A new study found that a microRNA named miR-279 acts through the JAK/STAT pathway to regulate locomotor activity rhythms, maintaining normal patterns of wakefulness and sleep. The researchers identified a protein called Upd as a target of miR-279, which displays daily oscillations in its secretion.
Researchers found increased brain cell activity in adolescent rats in an unusual area called the dorsal striatum, associated with habit formation and decision-making. This suggests that adolescents may be more susceptible to developing disorders like addiction and depression due to their unique brain response to reward.
Contrary to common belief, facial expressions may not be automatic indicators of emotions. Researcher Lisa Feldman Barrett argues that expressions are not biologically basic and cannot be recognized universally. This challenges the traditional view that certain emotional expressions evolved for specific functions.
Experts discuss how advances in neuroscience affect the judicial system, from challenging legal policies to aiding in diagnoses of psychological conditions. Brain maturity is a critical issue in assessing teenage crimes, while addiction affects sentencing decisions.
A new study by University of Chicago neuroscientists finds that rats exhibit empathy-driven helping behavior in a laboratory setting. The rats free their cagemates from restraint, even when given the option to eat chocolate instead. This observation suggests that empathy is not unique to humans and may be an evolutionary adaptation.
Researchers at the Max Planck Florida Institute created the first realistic 3D reconstruction of a thalamocortical column in the rodent brain. This achievement marks a significant milestone toward developing a complete computer model of the brain, which may lead to a deeper understanding of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum found that beta blockers can prevent the negative effects of stress on goal-directed behavior. Stress affects habit formation and routine behavior, but not when norepinephrine is blocked by beta blockers.
Flies sense glycerol, a sweet-tasting compound made during fermentation, which signals high nutritive value. Researchers found that a receptor called Gr64e plays a crucial role in signaling a good taste for beer.
Research identifies regions and functions of the brain involved in risk-taking decisions, shedding light on mechanisms driving economic behavior. The findings have potential applications for treating brain disorders characterized by poor decision-making.
Research demonstrates that life experiences can be transmitted from one generation to the next through epigenetics, affecting brain plasticity and behavior. This new knowledge has implications for understanding the cognitive benefits of motherhood and how environmental factors influence brain development in offspring.
Studies explore the influence of changes in brain structure, function, or both on human behavior and learning. Research findings may lead to effective interventions and treatments for brain diseases and conditions affecting memory.
A new study by UCLA researchers shows that a specialized mental health intervention for suicidal youth can significantly improve follow-up treatment rates. The intervention, which involves a family-based crisis-therapy session and telephone support, resulted in higher rates of follow-up treatment compared to standard ED treatment.
Researchers at Wayne State University are developing a computer-delivered intervention to screen for and reduce alcohol use among pregnant women, with the goal of improving fetal health outcomes. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of handheld mobile devices and anonymous self-interview formats in identifying at-risk drinkers.
A multidisciplinary group of researchers found that a glazed stare is accompanied by measurable changes in eye behavior, indicating the existence of a conscious state. This discovery challenges the long-standing debate about the existence of a hypnotic state.
Future-Directed Therapy has been shown to significantly improve depression and anxiety symptoms in patients by teaching them skills to think positively about the future. The new treatment approach focuses on helping individuals set goals, problem-solve, and plan for future events, leading to improved overall quality of life.
Research published in BMC reveals that musical aptitude is intrinsically related to reading ability, with children who excel in music also showing improved literacy skills. The study found a correlation between neural responses to rhythmic sounds and reading ability, suggesting a common cognitive mechanism underlying both skills.
A new study from CAMH found a specific gene linked to suicidal behaviour, particularly in those with the methionine variation of the gene
Neural signals related to reinforcement and punishment are widely distributed throughout the entire human brain, challenging previous notions of specialized brain structures. The study's findings suggest that both positive and negative outcomes directly influence neural processing, with adaptive value for optimizing cognitive processes.
A structural variation in the paracingulate sulcus (PCS) may explain why some people are better at distinguishing real events from imagined ones. Adults with an absent PCS were significantly less accurate on memory tasks, despite their own confidence in their memory abilities.
Researchers developed a tracking system to monitor worm behavior and brain activity, revealing that certain neurons remain active as the worm moves. The study provides a new window for exploring links between brain and behavior, genetic mutations, and mental illness in humans.
Researchers have found that distinct gene regulatory networks in the honey bee brain contribute to specific behaviors, such as foraging and aggression. The study confirmed a close relationship between changes in gene expression and behavior, highlighting the importance of understanding the regulation of brain gene expression.
Researchers found that ritualistic behavior is not only human but also animal behavior, developed to induce calm and manage stress. In both humans and animals, repetitive behavior serves as a way to feel in control of unpredictable situations.
The study found that brain patterns from objects can be used to decipher scene patterns, providing a new insight into how the brain processes surroundings. This discovery could lead to improved treatment strategies for patients with brain injuries affecting scene recognition.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that differences in when movement neurons begin accumulating information from sensory neurons explain adjustments in response times. This discovery forces a major modification to existing cognitive models of impulse control, shedding new light on how the brain controls basic impulses.
The MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Law and Neuroscience, led by Vanderbilt professor Owen Jones, aims to make neuroscience accessible in America's courtrooms. The network explores effects of modern neuroscience on criminal law, including assessing mental states, capacity, and evidence.
Research on pet ownership has produced conflicting results, with some studies suggesting positive health outcomes but others finding none. Herzog argues that methodological problems and lack of rigorous study design contribute to these inconsistencies.
New research reveals how C. elegans nematodes suppress exploratory head movements to evade predacious fungi, increasing survival chances. The study suggests a biological and ecological link between genes, molecules, neural circuits, and behavior.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that addictive drugs may hijack the same nerve cells and connections as salt appetite in the brain. This could explain why addiction treatment with abstinence is so difficult, and offers new approaches to addiction research.
Gray's research focuses on cognitive strategies and decision-making under uncertainty. He will spend six months at the Max Planck Institute Center for Adaptive Behavior and Cognition (ABC) in Berlin to advance his work on heuristics and cognitive control.
Researchers M. Ali Bangash and Mehreen Kouser published novel findings in the journal Cell on SHANK3 gene mutations and their impact on brain functioning in a mouse model of autism. Their work sheds light on the genetic causes of autism, specifically highlighting the role of this autism-associated gene in neuronal communication.