Articles tagged with Behavioral Neuroscience
Researchers found that dim light exposure caused physical changes in the brains of female Siberian hamsters, including a reduced density of dendritic spines in the hippocampus. This is associated with increased depressive-like behaviors and may be linked to melatonin production.
Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) show deficits in both delay and trace eyeblink conditioning, a finding that could aid in assessing and diagnosing FAS. Researchers tested 63 children on delay conditioning and found that 33% met the criteria compared to 79% of control group members.
Karl Deisseroth receives $10,000 HFSP Nakasone Award for his groundbreaking research on optogenetics, a technique that uses light to manipulate neuronal activity.
A Johns Hopkins University study found that hard work can enhance appreciation for food, even low-calorie options. Mice trained to navigate obstacle courses preferred harder-to-obtain snacks more, indicating that effort may change how good food tastes.
Researchers have found that individuals can rapidly and voluntarily control neurons deep in their brains, allowing them to manipulate images on computer screens. The study uses epilepsy patients with electrodes implanted in their brains to record individual neuron activity in response to specific images.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers has revealed that an anti-obesity drug changes the way the brain responds to high-calorie foods in obese individuals. The drug sibutramine reduced activity in two regions of the brain involved in appetite control and eating behaviour, leading to greater weight loss.
Researchers at UTHealth's Center for Neurobehavioral Research on Addiction will use the five-year, $11 million grant to study the behavioral neurobiology of cocaine dependence. The project aims to translate this knowledge into effective pharmacotherapies for the disorder through novel medications and imaging methodologies.
A new study published by the American Psychological Association found that new mothers' brains grew in areas linked to motivation and behavior, particularly in those who showed intense affection for their babies. The researchers suggest that this growth may be due to hormonal changes after birth, which trigger active brain building.
Researchers at Concordia University have discovered how the brain chemical dopamine regulates daily sleeping and eating patterns by altering PER2 protein activity. The study, published in Journal of Neuroscience, may have implications for individuals with Parkinson's disease who experience disrupted 24-hour rhythms.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine propose a new theory that links depression to chronic brain inflammation. According to this theory, depression is an adaptive response to stress and trauma, which can lead to neural remodeling and malfunctions.
A study by Prof. David Eilam and his team found that group members display the same level of anxiety when exposed to a common threat, regardless of individual differences. This result has implications for helping clinicians better treat victims of trauma or terror, such as in the case of the 9/11 attacks.
Researchers analyzed killings and rocket attacks between Israel and Palestine, finding that each side's attacks lead to violent retaliation from the other. This challenges claims of a one-sided conflict, suggesting both Israelis and Palestinians play a role in perpetuating violence.
A new study found that mice subjected to early weaning and maternal separation exhibited long-lasting hyperactivity and anxiety. The researchers hope to use this model to investigate the effects of childhood neglect on human behavior.
Researchers discovered that combining practice with additional sensory stimulation can lead to significant learning gains. This approach may reduce the effort required for learning and improve therapies for children with language learning impairments or adults seeking to enhance perceptual abilities.
Adolescents from Latin American and Asian backgrounds experience more discrimination than peers from European backgrounds. Discrimination impacts their grade-point averages, health, and self-esteem.
A team of Caltech researchers discovered that consumers assign higher values to goods they can physically interact with. In experiments, subjects bid an average of 50% more for tactile experiences than visual or text-based presentations.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that massage alters the immune response in healthy adults, decreasing stress hormones and increasing white blood cell counts. The study, which involved 53 participants, showed significant changes in lymphocyte numbers and percentages.
Parkinson's disease affects brain circuitry that impacts cognitive functions like planning and decision-making. Researchers discovered patients can perform automated tasks better than non-patients, yet struggle to adapt to changing behaviors.
A University of Nevada professor has conducted a six-year study revealing short-range over-connectivity in the outer layer of the brain's cortex in individuals with autism disorders. This finding supports early intervention behavioral therapies and may aid in sculpting out abnormal connections.
Researchers found that human behavior adapts to varying levels of uncertainty, trading off between input and output. This study demonstrates the existence of input-output trade-offs in human information processing.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found a connection between MeCP2 protein levels and psychostimulant-induced changes in adult mouse brains. The study suggests that MeCP2 may play a role in regulating the rewarding properties of stimulant drugs, which could lead to new treatments for addiction.
A study by Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience found that people's brains respond differently to others' actions based on their perceived intentions. When generous behavior is framed as benefiting the group, participants showed a stronger neural response, indicating a greater liking for the action.
Researchers discovered that specific brain circuits in the basal ganglia signal the start and stop of new actions, a process compromised in Parkinson's and Huntington's patients. Genetic manipulation of these circuits in mice impaired sequence learning, echoing human patients' struggles with movement initiation and termination.
A study by neuroscientists at USC found that volunteers practicing a challenging arm movement with related tasks showed better retention of the skill. The prefrontal cortex was necessary for consolidating the memory, while constant practice focused on a single task did not retain the skill as well.
A new study from the University of Sheffield found that social and psychological factors have a bigger impact on women's sex lives during menopause than previously thought. The research suggests that individual experiences vary greatly, with external factors like relationships and care-giving playing a significant role.
A Concordia University study evaluated the effect of drugs on sexual behavior, finding that many recreational drugs can cause a loss in libido. The study, which reviewed data from over 100 studies, suggests that drugs and sex don't mix well.
A recent study by UCL scientists found that the brain is intrinsically unreliable due to high levels of noise. The researchers proposed a rate code strategy as a possible solution to this problem.
Researchers found that Parkinson's patients with impulsive-compulsive spectrum behaviors have impaired self-control, but normal motivation. They prefer smaller immediate payments over larger delayed ones.
A study has found that genetic mutations in three genes may predispose individuals to suicidal behavior. The research identified a model able to differentiate between people with and without a history of suicide attempts using an algorithm based on SNPs from these genes.
Researchers identified Clock and cycle genes involved in the interaction between feeding and sleep behaviors. The study found that these genes aid in sleep under food deprivation conditions, highlighting the complex role of genetics in behavioral decision-making.
New research from a University of Texas at Austin psychologist identifies biological motivations behind adolescent risk-taking behavior. The study found that teenagers' brains are overactive in the mesolimbic dopamine system, driving them to seek rewards and engage in risky behaviors.
A new investigation reveals that anger provokes profound changes in the state of mind of individuals, as well as psychobiological parameters. Heart rate, arterial tension, and testosterone increase, but cortisol levels decrease. The study also highlights the complexity of emotions, with anger exhibiting unique patterns.
A new study of 9/11 survivors and victims' family members found that on-site psychiatrists can alleviate early trauma symptoms and reduce PTSD. Psychiatrists provided immediate aid to 848 patients in just over two months, with the most common symptoms including sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression.
Mental disorders are likely caused by brain circuit abnormalities, resulting from developmental processes. Genetics play a crucial role in mental illness, with high heritability rates for conditions like autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
A study from the University of Cambridge found that problem gamblers' brains react more intensely to near misses than casual gamblers. This reaction is linked to increased activity in brain regions associated with reward and learning, and may contribute to addictive behavior.
A recent University of Southampton study found that small doses of alcohol can relieve withdrawal symptoms in C. elegans worms, which exhibit similar behaviors to humans. This treatment approach may also worsen dependency, highlighting the need for new ideas in treating alcoholism.
Researchers have discovered a link between stress, anxiety, and metabolic changes that can lead to type 2 diabetes. The study found that increasing the activity of a single gene in the brain causes mice to exhibit anxious behavior and develop symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes.
Scientists have discovered a hidden neuronal circuit in the worm Caenorhabditis elegans that modulates sensory perception under stress. This work suggests that mechanisms coupling hypoxia, serotonin, and neuropeptide signaling also modify behavior in mammals.
The Semel Institute has established a new Integrative Phenotyping Center to study genetic and environmental factors in neuropsychiatric disorders. The center will enable large-scale phenotyping studies, including personality, cognition, and brain activity analysis.
Researchers at Jena University found that verbal stimuli can activate the pain matrix in the brain, activating areas that process pain. The study used functional magnetic resonance tomography (fMRT) to investigate how healthy subjects process words associated with experiencing pain.
Researchers taught goldfish to associate a light flash with a shock, inducing fear. However, fish injected with lidocaine in the cerebellum showed no fear and returned to normal behavior after the anesthesia wore off. This study suggests that understanding brain processes related to fear may lead to human phobia cures.
Researchers discover the 'doublesex' gene plays a crucial role in shaping fruit fly brain architecture and behavior, leading to distinct male and female neural circuits. The study sheds light on sex determination and coordination of sex-specific physiology in fruit flies.
Researchers at Caltech and UCSD discovered a way to induce natural reproductive behavior in medicinal leeches by injecting a specific hormone, hirudotocin. The hormone mimics the action of human hormones vasopressin and oxytocin in regulating mating behavior.
Researchers at UC Davis have found a strong association between cognitive deficits and decreased levels of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in patients with schizophrenia. The study suggests that targeting the GABA system may help address cognitive decline in the disorder.
New research from Vanderbilt University reveals that our brains coordinate goal-directed and stimulus-driven attention when surprised. The inferior frontal junction plays a primary role in coordinating these two forms of attention, which may limit our conscious perception during unexpected events.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry suggests that the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) is a brain region that helps people control their emotional reactions to negative facial expressions from their romantic partners. The LPFC activity was found to predict self-regulation after an interpersonal conflict in daily life.
A new study found that increased activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) among adults with alcohol dependence may indicate less control over drinking behavior. The ACC's role in regulating emotions and decision-making could be critical in understanding the development of addiction.
Research by Adam Waytz et al. reveals that anthropomorphism gives non-human entities moral care, while dehumanization is linked to social connection. The study highlights the complexities of identifying humans in a psychological sense.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that a gene mutation in mice leads to learning problems and obsessive behaviors. The study suggests a potential way to treat repetitive behaviors in humans using a specific drug targeting nerve function abnormalities.
Researchers found that adolescent brains are more sensitive to internal and environmental factors, leading to compulsive behavior. The study suggests that teenage impulsiveness and psychological disorders may stem from this susceptibility.
A study found that stressed mice seek chocolate despite painful consequences, mirroring human compulsive eating behavior. Researchers trained mice with a history of hunger to overcome their fear of certain foods.
A study found that prenatal alcohol exposure can alter the brain's developing pain regulatory system, causing a blunted response to painful events in newborns. Infants exposed to heavy prenatal alcohol had decreased physiological responses and lower stress hormone cortisol levels compared to those with little or no exposure.
A new zebrafish behavior monitoring system has been developed to capture on video and barcode the behavioral responses of fish to chemicals, allowing for rapid identification of new compounds. The system has already identified new chemicals affecting fish behavior and holds promise for treating nervous system disorders.
Researchers found anti-inflammatory agents that increase wakefulness during the day and affect normal sleep/wake cycles. The study suggests a shared neurochemistry between zebrafish and mammals, paving the way for new compounds to regulate sleep and wakefulness in humans.
A new study predicts that the H1N1 virus can spread quickly on planes, particularly in crowded economy classes. Researchers used mathematical modeling to estimate potential infections during long-haul flights and found that two to five infections could occur on a five-hour flight.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have defined a uniform method to interpret Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), combining emotional-social behavior and four additional domains: memory, perception, and motor behavior. This approach links ASD with other conditions like ADHD.
Researchers suggest that compulsive eating may be a legitimate addiction, sparking a new perspective on weight management. The concept of food addiction shares similarities with other addictive behaviors, including tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.
A new study finds that alcoholics can improve their postural sway with prolonged sobriety, but the improvement may not fully erase the problem of instability. Researchers found that stabilizing factors such as turning on a light or walking with feet apart can help improve standing stability in sober alcoholics.
Researchers at Tufts University discovered that maternal behavior can stimulate new neuron creation in the brains of adult female rats who have never given birth. The study found increased numbers of new neurons in the subventricular region of the brain in these rats, which exhibited maternal behavior when exposed to foster pups.
A study published in Cortex found that synaesthetes can exhibit automatic color experiences when presented with numbers or patterns, regardless of their conscious awareness. The research suggests that learning may contribute to the development of these associations.