Research on the brain basis of behavior. Covers reward and pleasure signals, attention in children, taste circuitry, and adaptive AI models.
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.
Cichlid fish make strategic decisions about group living arrangements based on social rank and predation risks. Larger, bossier groups are preferred over unfamiliar ones for enhanced protection.
A new UCLA study found that most homeless young people return home after leaving, and factors like maintaining relationships with pro-social peers, staying in school, and parental support play a crucial role. The key to returning home appears to be early intervention before family relationships deteriorate.
Researchers discovered that removing the PKCI/HINT1 gene from mice results in anti-depressant and anxiolytic-like behaviors, suggesting its potential role in mood regulation. The study's findings could lead to the development of new diagnostic or therapeutic agents for depression, bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia.
Researchers at UAB used fMRI to analyze the brain's response to surprising sounds, finding activity in the frontal lobe controls emotional expression. The study aims to develop biological markers using fMRI that can help identify and treat PTSD sufferers.
A new study published in Psychology of Women Quarterly found a significant gender-based pay gap among US faculty members, with women earning an average of 30% less than men. The study analyzed salaries at a large American university and controlled for factors such as education level, experience, and rank.
Researchers found that young animals treated with commonly-prescribed mood, pain, and epilepsy drugs developed behavioral abnormalities in adulthood. The study suggests these drugs may predispose to psychiatric disorders later in life.
Researchers uncover positive effects of exercise on Parkinson's disease, depression, and memory. New tools help identify neural similarities between species, shedding light on human-specific faculties and diseases.
A new research center exploring deep brain stimulation for OCD has been established at the University of Rochester Medical Center, thanks to a $10.5 million award from the National Institute of Mental Health. The center will link over 50 researchers studying how DBS affects people with OCD.
Minocycline has been shown to have a neuroprotective effect on neurons by reducing apoptosis and ameliorating behavioral deficits in animal models after a stroke. This study suggests that minocycline could be a new treatment option for acute ischemic stroke, offering hope for patients who currently have limited treatment options.
A study at UCSF has identified networks of nerve cells controlled by estrogen that influence male territorial behavior, challenging the view of single gender-related behaviors.
Eight fellows have been selected for the prestigious fellowship program, which aims to encourage autism research as their chosen career path. The fellows will work with leading scientists and receive research training opportunities in various areas of autism spectrum disorders.
A Rutgers University research team has identified the mechanism that causes learning and memory formation during sleep. Short transient brain events called sharp wave ripples are responsible for consolidating memory and transferring learned information from the hippocampus to the neocortex, where long-term memories are stored.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that nicotine strengthens neuronal connections in the brain, creating memory associations between environmental cues and smoking behavior. This process is thought to underlie why former smokers often experience strong cravings when exposed to triggers such as bars or meals with friends.
Research suggests that red light can impact alertness at night via pathways other than the circadian system, contradicting previous assumptions about blue light's dominance. The study found that moderate levels of red light increase alertness in individuals, making it a viable alternative to blue light for improving nighttime alertness.
Valentin Dragoi, a neurobiology expert at UT Medical School at Houston, has been awarded a four-year, $1.2 million grant to study the signals of populations of neurons in different regions of the cerebral cortex. The project aims to understand how neuronal networks operate in both normal and dysfunctional states.
Rui Costa's team will study the neural mechanisms underlying goal-directed and habit-based decisions using cutting-edge techniques.
A study mapping brain activity networks in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) patients reveals distinct changes in communication between brain areas. AD patients show more random network organization, while FTLD patients display a more ordered structure, challenging the understanding of these diseases.
A new analysis by Jerome Siegel reveals that sleep's primary function is to regulate behavior and increase efficiency, rather than solely for brain maintenance or longevity. Sleep duration varies across species based on factors such as eating needs, migration requirements, and predator avoidance.
Researchers identified 66 genes involved in relapse, including those related to neuroplasticity and learning. The study used a heroin behavioral incubation model to mimic real-life situations that trigger relapse.
Researchers found a common genetic variation linked to aggression and destructive behavior in adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities. The study suggests that this variation may be associated with increased autism severity in individuals with the gene variant, highlighting the need for further research.
Researchers at UCLA have found a new explanation for why placebos work, citing genetics as the key factor. Genes that influence brain reward pathways may modulate the response to placebos, particularly in individuals with major depressive disorder.
A team of experts at Columbia University will conduct the largest ever study on suicide and mental health among military personnel, using $50 million in funding. The study aims to identify risk and protective factors for suicide among soldiers and provide a science base for effective interventions.
A new UCLA study examines parents' concerns about development, learning and behavior for young children of Mexican origin, identifying a significant association with family documentation status. The research highlights the need for timely access to primary care and reassurance from pediatric providers to address parental worries.
Researchers used magnetic pulses to stimulate the dorsal premotor cortex, improving skill learning in volunteers. The study found that excitatory stimulation enhanced motor consolidation of new skills.
Researchers pinpointed the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala as the site where fear conditioning is encoded. The study sheds light on how fear memories are formed and may lead to new treatments for anxiety disorders.
The Peter and Patricia Gruber Foundation awards $500,000 to Hall, Rosbash, and Young for their groundbreaking discoveries on the molecular mechanisms controlling circadian rhythms in the nervous system. Their research revealed a transcriptional feedback loop that oscillates during the 24-hour cycle, driving daily behavior.
Researchers used MRI to compare brains of 38 people with dyslexia to a typical brain model, revealing differences in the right cerebellar declive and lentiform nucleus associated with varying language performance. These findings suggest different neuro-cognitive pathologies underlying dyslexia subtypes.
A recent study published by Faculty of 1000 Medicine discovered that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels are higher in women who have recovered from anorexia. This suggests that low BDNF levels may be reversible and could potentially serve as a biomarker for recovery from eating disorders.
Researchers generated a novel kinase-dead mutant mouse of the CaMKII alpha gene that lacks its kinase activity, leading to severe deficits in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and behavioral learning. The findings support the idea that CaMKII alpha kinase activity is essential for memory functions.
Researchers at McMaster University found two types of males in the invasive round goby, including nest-guarding males and sneaker males that parasitize conventional males. This discovery may help scientists understand how to tackle the infestation of Great Lakes watersheds.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is launching a large-scale study to understand common health problems affecting seniors. The two-decade long study will follow 50,000 Canadians and explore biological, medical, psychological, social, and economic factors that impact their health over time.
A Rutgers study found that only 60% of Americans check their homes for recalled food products, and even fewer take action after finding a recall. The study suggests that personalizing communications about food recalls can increase consumer engagement.
Researchers found that dopamine neuron bursting activity is crucial for learning rewarding outcomes. The study suggests that the NMDA receptor plays a key role in regulating burst firing in dopamine neurons.
A new Harvard University study suggests that knowing how much a stranger enjoyed an experience can be more informative than personal experience in predicting future happiness. The research found that people made accurate predictions when asked about their enjoyment of unknown events after learning about the experiences of others.
The study, published in Science, suggests that neurons in the substantia nigra play a central role in reward-based learning. Participants who responded to unexpected financial rewards showed improved performance in probabilistic learning tasks.
Research at Yale University finds stress-related losses of synapses in the hippocampal region precede helpless behavior in depression and PTSD. Rapid-acting antidepressants may restore lost synapses for immediate relief from depressive symptoms.
A Brown University study found that the frontal lobe controls decision-making along a continuum from abstract to concrete, with damage affecting higher-level functions but not lower ones. The research suggests specific areas of the frontal cortex are required for different levels of abstract decision-making.
Study finds GTF2IRD1 contributes to visual-spatial performance while GTF2I plays a role in social behavior, shedding light on complex aspects of human behavior. The research used genetic analysis to identify the genes' effects on cognitive abilities and behavior, providing new insights into Williams syndrome.
A new study demonstrates that near-misses in gambling lead to significant brain activity and increased motivation, shedding light on the allure of gambling. The research found associations between near-miss activation and a subjective measure of gambling propensity.
Researchers at Children's National Medical Center have identified a specific group of precursor cells that develop into the amygdala, a critical brain region for emotional processing. The discovery sheds light on how the amygdala forms during development and could help understand autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.