Articles tagged with Behavioral Neuroscience
Researchers found that chronic exposure to cortisol, a human stress hormone, contributes to symptoms of depression and anxiety in mice. Mice given chronic doses took longer to emerge from a dark compartment into a brightly lit environment, indicating increased fearfulness.
Researchers found that fish raised with environmental features, such as small stones, had larger brains and a more developed cerebellum than those without. The study's findings could impact the design of hatcheries for breeding fish to restock wild populations.
A study of 76 adolescent hamsters found that anabolic steroid use led to increased aggression, lasting up to two years and affecting brain chemistry. The research suggests that humans may experience similar long-term behavioral problems if they abuse steroids during adolescence.
A recent study examined the impact of the 1988 Spitak earthquake on adolescents in Armenia and found that psychotherapy provided sustained benefits even 1.5 years post-disaster. Untreated adolescents had higher levels of PTSD and depressive symptoms, while treated adolescents saw significant improvements in their conditions.
Marder's research on central pattern generators has led to breakthroughs in understanding neural circuit stability and its implications for diseases like mental illness, epilepsy, and chronic pain. Her work with crustaceans has expanded the field of neuroscience beyond mammals.
A new joint neuroscience doctoral training program will be established at New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rutgers-Newark and UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. The program aims to bring together interdisciplinary approaches to study nerve and brain function, with a focus on addressing complex challenges in the neurosciences.
Research reveals that the number of serotonin receptors in the subgenual prefrontal cortex affects the amygdala's emotional state, influencing behavior in stressful situations. Higher levels of these receptors can reduce rational 'discussion' and lead to increased amygdala activity.
A study of premature babies born at 26 weeks gestation found that certain aspects of brain development were compromised compared to full-term infants. The brains of premature babies showed delayed growth and changes after birth, indicating that early stimulation may hinder normal brain maturation.
Studies on laboratory rats reveal that mixing stress, deprivation, and tempting foods leads to overeating. The brain's opioid system plays a key role in regulating food intake, especially when food is highly palatable. This knowledge may help non-stressed individuals avoid overeating and improve their health.
Researchers at UCLA found that reflecting on personal values can significantly lower cortisol levels after stressful events, providing a potential new method to combat stress. The study involved 80 undergraduates who underwent stressful tasks, with those reflecting on meaningful values showing reduced cortisol responses.
Three finalists, Pingxi Xu, Justin Blau, Paul Frankland, and Johanna Montgomery, have made significant contributions to understanding insect behavior through pheromone signaling. Their research has the potential to develop sustainable methods of pest control and improve human health by preventing disease.
Researchers found that brain regions beyond the injury site play a critical role in understanding behavioral deficits and assessing options for acceleration of recovery from stroke-related spatial neglect. Functional magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed activity changes in distant brain areas correlated with impairment severity.
Dr. Harris-Warrick's lab will explore flexible movements in crustaceans using dopamine and serotonin modulators, shedding light on motor circuit flexibility and homeostasis. The award honors the late Sen. Jacob K. Javits' advocacy for neurological disorder research.
Researchers found that rats bred to prefer alcohol showed more anxiety-like behaviors and drank more alcohol. Reduced anxiety was associated with increased CREB function, suggesting a potential target for therapy.
Researchers found lower mu-opioid receptor binding in the left insular cortex of women with bulimia, inversely correlated with fasting behavior. This study suggests that medications targeting brain opioid receptors may help treat bulimia, a serious eating disorder marked by destructive patterns of dieting and vomiting.
Researchers found that parasitic fly larvae alter tiger moth caterpillar taste organs, favoring toxic plants containing protective chemicals. This change in behavior helps caterpillars escape parasites and survive.
Researchers found that G-protein-coupled receptors involved in detecting odors do not amplify signals like those in the eye, contradicting previous claims. Instead, cells can bind to multiple receptors or express the same receptor to enhance sensitivity.
A study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society reveals that in specific situations, unrelated African cichlid fish helpers must contribute more to their group to gain access and benefits. By analyzing genetic relatedness and behavioral observations, researchers found that under certain ecological conditions, non-relatives ta...
Researchers found that genetically engineered flies with turned-off dopamine cells or those receiving dopamine inhibitors display converse behavioral effects to normal flies on methamphetamine. The study suggests dopamine plays a crucial role in modulating neuronal activity and assigning saliency to sensory stimuli.
Researchers found that newborn dolphins and orcas remain active 24 hours a day in the first month, unlike all other mammals. This allows them to reduce danger from predators, maintain body temperature, and facilitate rapid growth.
A research team at UCLA and Caltech found that individual neurons can recognize specific images, including faces and letter strings of names. The discovery suggests a consistent code for transforming complex visual representations into long-term memories.
A study by Johns Hopkins University suggests that cell phones and driving don't mix because directing attention to listening effectively 'turns down the volume' on visual input. Brain activity recordings show that attention is strictly limited, affecting both auditory and visual tasks.
A study found that damage to the orbital frontal cortex impairs an animal's ability to learn from new cues, leading to slowed neural responses. The researchers discovered a critical role of the OFC in decision-making and learning, with potential implications for treatments of brain injury and trauma.
Researchers at University of Minnesota have made a groundbreaking discovery on how estrogen affects the brain, revealing distinct differences between females and males. The study suggests that estrogen activation of glutamate receptors could explain various non-reproductive behaviors, such as female motor control and pain sensation.
A Canadian study involving 163 families with confirmed child physical abuse or neglect found that regular home visits by public-health nurses did not prevent recurrence of abuse. The study's findings suggest that prevention efforts must be invested in to reduce the risk of recurrence when a child remains in the home.
Researchers use genetically engineered flies to demonstrate controlled neural manipulation, offering a promising approach for studying behavior and potentially treating neurological disorders. The system involves triggering molecular lock-and-key interactions with laser light, enabling precise activation of specific nerve cells.
Researchers at Yale University have developed a method to remotely control fly behavior using laser light, demonstrating a direct link between specific neurons and behaviors. The technique involves genetically engineered 'phototriggers' that respond to light pulses, allowing for non-invasive control of neural activity.
Research by Marino and colleagues reveals that dolphins and primates share similar cognitive abilities despite their distinct brain development patterns. The study, which spans 47 million years, uses magnetic resonance imaging and fossil records to compare the encephalization of cetaceans and humans.
Researchers found that stimulation of the posterior parietal cortex elicits complex, innate behaviors such as aggressive facial patterns and hand-to-mouth movements in primates. This discovery suggests that these behaviors are built-in to primate brains, including humans.
A deeper understanding of behavioral biology is necessary to improve laws, according to Vanderbilt law professor Owen Jones. By integrating life science and social science perspectives on behavior, laws can be more effective in pursuing their goals.
Cornell University researchers have developed multimedia teaching tools for neuroscience, including Koé, a CD-ROM that explores sound, and Fruitfly, which delves into neurogenetics. These interactive tools aim to make complex concepts more engaging and accessible for students of all levels.
Researchers found that combining behavioral enrichment and antioxidant supplementation significantly improved learning abilities in senior dogs. The study suggests similar benefits may be attained in humans due to biological and behavioral parallels between species.
Researchers found that tropical birds are more susceptible to global warming due to their sensitivity to environmental cues, which can disrupt the timing of breeding. The study suggests that changes in rainfall, temperature, or food availability may drive breeding behavior in these birds.
Working memory develops and improves with maturity, allowing voluntary control over behavior. Adults rely on a third brain area for optimal performance, whereas children and adolescents use different regions of the brain. This study informs understanding of thinking processes and may lead to new treatments for psychiatric illnesses.
Researchers have described the pattern of brain evolution in dolphins for the first time, revealing a significant increase in brain size relative to body size over 47 million years. This change is believed to be linked to changes in social ecology and the emergence of echolocation abilities.
A study by Jefferson neuroscientists has discovered that lead exposure early in life can significantly hinder the brain's ability to recover from later injuries. The research used rats with specific brain damage and found that those exposed to lead suffered less recovery, suggesting long-term consequences of lead poisoning.
Research finds that mothers respond better to their own infant cries, exhibiting increased brain activity in various regions. Nurturing behaviors also improve social difficulties in offspring related to poor parenting.
New research reveals distinct brain structure and function differences in adolescents compared to adults, leading to impulsive decision-making and increased risk-taking behavior. Puberty appears to be a critical stage of development, characterized by heightened novelty seeking and exploratory behavior.
A USC study found that the brain processes rhythmic and discrete movements differently, with distinct activity patterns in different brain areas. The research has implications for movement control and rehabilitation, as well as our understanding of music's effect on human movement.
Researchers suggest that hormone levels interact with stress and memory systems to affect cognitive performance. The study used a water maze task, dividing female rats into groups based on their hormone levels and exposure to warm or cold water temperatures.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered that a spike in hormone levels can induce changes in female fish's hearing sensitivity, allowing them to detect higher frequencies. This neural plasticity may affect all vertebrates and could have implications for human hearing loss.
Researchers found that despite conflicting visual and tactile inputs, the brain keeps them separate, leading to 'cognitive dissonance.' The study used a visual illusion to trick subjects into perceiving motion in one direction or another. Brain activity scans revealed the middle temporal visual center responding to both visual and tact...
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago discovered a gene, CREB, that regulates brain function during development and learning. Mice with only one copy of the CREB gene exhibited increased anxiety-like behaviors and consumed more alcohol than normal littermates.
A recent study found that secretin alters amygdala responsiveness to affective stimuli, providing a potential treatment avenue for conditions like schizophrenia, depression, and autism. The ability to detect and measure secretin's effects in the brain has important implications for studying both brain and behavioral effects.
Researchers at UCLA have made a groundbreaking discovery about the biology of fear, finding that yohimbine accelerates the process of overcoming conditioned fear in mice. By enhancing the effects of natural adrenaline release, yohimbine allows mice to overcome their fear four times faster than those treated with vehicle or propanolol.
A recent study found that male and female brains react uniquely to sexual cues, with males showing higher activation in the amygdala. This discovery may have implications for understanding human behavior and developing treatments for sexual dysfunctions.
The study found that psychopaths have abnormal wiring in the hippocampus and corpus callosum, leading to impulsiveness, lack of emotions, and social disconnectedness. This suggests a neuro-developmental root for psychopathy, with faulty brain development causing structural abnormalities.
Researchers found adolescents exhibit lower activation in brain regions motivating behavior toward rewards, but similar responses to obtaining gains. The study resolves debates about adolescent reward processing and may explain why many young people struggle with long-term goals.
Researchers found that cognitive behavioral therapy targets limbic and cortical regions in a distinct pattern from drug therapy, which changes chemical balance in the brain. The study suggests that brain scans may one day help doctors determine the most effective treatment for patients with depression.
Researchers found that a compound blocking NPY activity delays alcohol self-administration and reduces rewarding effects of alcohol in mice. This study suggests L-152,804 has potential as a treatment for alcoholism.
Female wolf spiders exhibit social recognition and memory, favoring familiar male phenotypes for mating. This behavior is linked to their experience during the pre-adult stage, with cannibalization rates among unfamiliar males being higher.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that rats can rapidly and accurately discriminate odors with just one sniff. The study, led by Zach Mainen, reveals vital new information about how the human brain processes information and guides behavior, suggesting that smell is a fast sense rather than a slow one.
Researchers found neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) respond to discrepancies between intentions and actual events, indicating that the brain monitors the consequences of actions. The study used detailed studies measuring neural activity in macaque monkeys performing tasks requiring self-control.
A study published in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that creative individuals have low levels of latent inhibition, a process that filters out irrelevant information. This allows them to remain open to new possibilities, potentially leading to original thinking and creative accomplishment.
A study found that exercise increases BDNF and neurogenesis in mice, but high levels of these chemicals don't necessarily improve learning. In fact, high-running mice perform poorly in maze tests, suggesting a potential 'tipping point' where too much exercise becomes detrimental.
Researchers found that fetal exposure to Ecstasy causes changes in brain chemistry and behavior in rats. The study, which mimicked the first trimester of human pregnancy, revealed a 502% increase in dopamine neuron fibers in the frontal cortex of Ecstasy-exposed rats.
A Cornell University study reveals that Pavlovian sexual conditioning, a process where external cues trigger anticipation of mating, significantly improves reproductive success in Japanese quail. The researchers found that breeding animals in familiar environments led to twice as many fertilized eggs compared to unfamiliar ones.
A study of 978 heterosexual residents found that physical attractiveness is not a primary factor in long-term relationships, while fidelity and good parenting qualities are highly valued. The researchers suggest that humans have evolved to play a sophisticated mating game, with similar characteristics being preferred in partners.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine reveal the crucial last step involved in long term depression, a process thought to underlie learning and memory. By blocking this step, they created a mouse with weakened connections that didn't affect behavior, paving the way for studying GluR2's role in motor skills.
Studies link serotonin deficiency to aggressive behavior, while environment and genetics also play a role. Researchers explore potential therapies, such as Prozac and Dilantin, to address underlying causes.