Articles tagged with Behavioral Neuroscience
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara discovered that the orbitofrontal cortex and hippocampus collaborate to understand context-dependent stimuli. Rats learned to associate auditory cues with rewards in specific contexts, demonstrating the brain's ability to adapt and learn from experience.
A study of over 6,000 adolescents found that those with symptoms of gaming addiction showed lower brain activity in the decision-making and reward processing region. This suggests a link between reduced sensitivity to rewards and problematic gaming behaviors.
A new brain mapping technique has revealed fresh insights into how higher-order functions like language, thought, and attention are organised. Researchers used data from fMRI scans to create accurate models of brain activity and interactions between regions.
A team of researchers has created the first complete map of the brain's circadian clock in the fly Drosophila, revealing at least 240 neurons involved in regulating daily rhythms. This detailed mapping provides a foundation for exploring circadian dysregulation linked to health conditions such as sleep disorders and metabolic diseases.
Dr. Debra Bangasser has received the Daniel H. Efron Research Award for her contributions to understanding stress response mechanisms and sex differences in brain function. Her research aims to improve women's health and treatment outcomes for psychiatric disorders.
Researchers found that increasing levels of the naturally occurring endocannabinoid 2-AG can counteract the rewarding properties of opioids, reducing addiction-like behaviors in mice. The study suggests a potential new therapeutic strategy to alleviate pain while minimizing opioid addiction risk.
Researchers developed a wireless power transfer system for electrophysiological recording in freely moving laboratory mice. The system provides a robust platform for real-time neuronal activity monitoring and offers significant potential for advancing neuroscience research.
A machine learning tool has identified subtle behavioral changes in mice with early stages of Alzheimer's disease. The tool, called VAME, analyzed video footage and pinpointed disorganized behavior that may be associated with memory and attention deficits. Researchers hope to adapt this technology for human diagnosis and treatment.
Leila Nabulsi is expanding her research program to pinpoint brain pathways affected by bipolar disorder. She will leverage the ENIGMA consortium and advanced statistical methods to build a database of brain changes, potentially improving diagnosis and treatment.
A recent study from Stanford University reveals that dopamine and serotonin work together, but also in opposition, to shape behavior. Researchers found that dopamine signals increase with reward prediction while serotonin signals decrease, but only when both systems are active can animals learn to link cues with rewards.
Iain Couzin, a pioneer in collective behaviour research, has been honoured on the prestigious Global Highly Cited Researchers list by Clarivate Analytics. His work seeks to uncover core principles behind collective behaviour in nature, using cutting-edge technologies such as virtual reality and imaging hangars.
Researchers at the Salk Institute identified a specific brain circuit responsible for slowing anxious breathing, connecting the frontal cortex to the brainstem. This discovery may offer a scientific explanation for the beneficial effects of practices like yoga and mindfulness on alleviating negative emotions and could lead to the devel...
Researchers develop counterillumination technology to trick great white sharks' visual systems, making them less likely to attack humans. By using LED lights in specific patterns and brightness, the device disrupts the shark's silhouette, reducing the risk of bites.
Researchers at Tufts University and Vanderbilt University developed a biomarker to detect inflexible thinking in schizophrenia. The study found that people with schizophrenia generate unique neural patterns when making decisions based on conflicting information.
Researchers discovered brain cells that map an animal's position in behavioural coordinates, helping understand how the brain generates complex behaviors. The findings may be useful in understanding psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia.
The partnership aims to create, study, and implement digital health solutions to address mental and behavioral health conditions. Researchers will use ecological momentary assessment and digital sensors on a patient's mobile phone to monitor cognitive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
A new study by Thomas Jefferson University neuroscientist Jay Schneider suggests that high-quality maternal care and an enriched environment can reduce the toxic effects of lead exposure in rats. The findings provide hope for families with lead-poisoned children, particularly those from lower socioeconomic status.
A team of scientists at the University of Pennsylvania discovered a novel courtship behavior in female Drosophila santomea fruit flies, where they spread their wings to signal receptivity. This finding suggests that neural circuits can be reused and adapted to drive new behaviors, offering insights into the evolution of social communic...
Researchers at UCLA Health found an association between childhood attention problems and increased psychosis risk, with genetic variants acting as a middleman. The study used data from over 10,000 children to explore the relationship between attention span variability and psychotic-like symptoms.
Danielle Mor, a neuroscientist at the Medical College of Georgia, has been awarded $2.3 million to study the progression of Parkinson's disease through the use of C. elegans and innovative research approaches. Her goal is to understand how misfolded proteins spread from the gastrointestinal tract to the central nervous system.
A study found that speakers smiled more when listeners smiled more, especially in same-sex conversations. Smile synchronization is essential in creating social bonds and fostering positive feelings.
A longitudinal study tracked one person's brain activity for five months, revealing how daily life affects brain function. The research found that physical activity positively influences brain regions, while subtle shifts in mood and heart rate leave lasting imprints for up to fifteen days.
Researchers discovered two distinct neural mechanisms, 'Walk-OFF' and 'Brake', that control halting behavior in flies. The 'Walk-OFF' mechanism inhibits forward walking by suppressing neurons driving movement, while the 'Brake' mechanism increases leg joint resistance to prevent stepping.
A Dartmouth-led study found that people are more skilled at inferring past events from conversations than predicting future events. This phenomenon is attributed to the asymmetrical nature of human knowledge about their own lives and experiences, which influences how people converse.
A team of scientists has successfully mapped the entire brain of Drosophila melanogaster, a fruit fly, using electron microscopy dataset and connectome analysis. The complete map will help researchers understand how different circuits work together to control behaviors like motor control, courtship, and decision-making.
Researchers successfully activated a specific memory circuit in mice using brain-imaging technology. The study found that stimulating neurons in two areas of the mouse brains reactivated spatial memory and caused the mice to seek shelter.
Researchers found that serotonin release scales with the value of rewards, indicating its role in monitoring reward quality. The study used a new biosensor to measure serotonin levels in mice receiving varied concentrations of evaporated milk as rewards.
Researchers found significant differences in how male and female mice process threats, even with similar behavioral responses. Understanding these sex-based differences is crucial for developing accurate treatment approaches and improving health outcomes.
Researchers found that distinct brain pathways from the orbitofrontal cortex are necessary for experience-based and knowledge-based adaptation. The findings have implications for understanding individual differences in thinking styles and may lead to personalized strategies for improving decision-making skills.
The superior colliculus, a brain region traditionally thought to control eye movements, also plays a crucial role in complex cognitive tasks like visual categorization and decision making. Research from UChicago shows that activity in this region is more involved than previously thought in guiding cognitive processes.
Researchers at Emory University used spiny mice as a laboratory model to study the neural mechanisms of group living in mammals. The study found that neural signaling from the brain's anterior cingulate cortex drives the preference for spiny mice to affiliate with large peer groups.
A new AI algorithm, DPAD, developed by Maryam Shanechi's lab, can dissociate brain patterns related to specific behaviors, improving brain-computer interfaces for paralyzed patients. The algorithm can also discover new patterns in the brain that may be missed by prior methods.
Researchers at UNIL find that observing others cope with trauma increases resilience and prevents pathological states. Serotonin release in the habenula brain structure is identified as the key mechanism, offering new perspectives for understanding depression and treatment.
A study of 500 participants from 11 countries reveals that suboptimal decisions are a universal human trait due to context influences. The researchers identified culture-specific risk preferences, with some nations exhibiting higher or lower risk-taking tendencies.
A new study using manifold learning and signal processing techniques identifies a significant correlation between adolescent brain activity and mental health symptoms. The approach, called exogenous PHATE, combines brain activation data with environmental variables to improve detection of existing symptoms and predict future ones.
A multi-university research team led by University of Virginia engineering professor Gustavo K. Rohde has developed a system that can accurately spot genetic markers of autism in brain images. The system uses generative computer modeling technique called transport-based morphometry, which reveals brain structure patterns that predict v...
Researchers at University of California - San Diego have discovered a link between environmentally induced autism and altered neurotransmitter expression in the brain. The study suggests that manipulating these neurotransmitters early in development can prevent autistic-like behaviors.
A new study from UCSF finds that child-parent psychotherapy can reduce biological age acceleration in children who have experienced trauma. The treatment group showed significantly less age-related change than the comparison group, with potential implications for long-term health outcomes.
Researchers have uncovered new insights into how the brain regulates imitative behavior, a phenomenon that facilitates interaction and social cohesion. The study used advanced brain stimulation technique to pinpoint the causal role of different circuits in facilitating or inhibiting automatic imitation.
Studies in mice reveal that orexin plays a key role in deciding between physical activity and consuming food, particularly when both options are available. By understanding this process, scientists aim to develop strategies to overcome exercise barriers and address the global obesity epidemic.
A study published in Current Biology found that bouncing is the primary movement facilitating synchronization in dance, occurring independently of music and partner movements. Researchers identified two modes of synchrony: music-driven and partner-driven, with bouncing acting as a supramodal rhythm regulator.
Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis have found that altering GABA receptor density affects circadian rhythm amplitude and synchrony among SCN cells. Reducing or mutating these receptors decreased the mice's daytime wheel-running and reduced nocturnal activity.
The UNLV study found that brain activity patterns change with the number of experiences, not time, and that increasing speed affects perception. The research suggests that our brains register a 'vibe' about time, making it faster when we're having fun or doing tasks efficiently.
Studies in glassfish reveal that vision plays a crucial role in coordinated schooling behavior, with maturity also essential for developing this ability. Researchers discovered that older fish can distinguish between movement patterns of their social partners, allowing them to align their bodies and swim together effectively.
Researchers used advanced brain imaging techniques to identify key regions and networks involved in creative thinking. The Default Mode Network (DMN) was found to play a crucial role, with activity originating from the DMN before being evaluated by other brain regions.
A study published in Nature Mental Health found associations between prenatal cannabis exposure and potential mental health conditions in childhood and adolescence. Researchers identified potential biological mechanisms, including reductions in neuroinflammation, that could explain this association.
A study published in Gut reveals that specific bacteria in the gut are involved in compulsive eating and obesity, with a beneficial bacterium called Blautia showing protective effects. The research also highlights the role of microRNAs in food addiction and suggests potential new treatments involving beneficial bacteria and dietary sup...
Neuroscientists have identified a region of the brain that regulates escape behavior in mice, revealing its role in anxiety and PTSD. The study found that inhibitory neurons can be turned up or down to control sensitivity to threats.
Research on mouse models reveals that CBD and metformin can alleviate repetitive behaviour, impaired speech, and learning impairments associated with these genetic conditions. The study also explores the potential for broader use of these treatments in autism spectrum disorder-related conditions.
Research on mice exposes to cannabidiol during gestation shows altered behaviors and brain changes, affecting nerve cells involved in processing emotions. The study suggests a public health priority to understand CBD's impact on developing nervous systems.
A new study on learning has provided insights into the balance between habitual and goal-directed behaviors, with implications for AI development. The research suggests that a balance between these two types of behavior is necessary for efficient and adaptable decision-making in AI systems.
Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences found that brains display unique neural activity when experiencing bittersweetness, a common yet understudied phenomenon. They discovered that mixed emotions hold steady over time, unlike ping-ponging between negative and positive feelings.
A study by Kalliopi Ioumpa and Selene Gallo investigated pro-social behaviour in self-reported mirror-pain synaesthetes, finding they donated significantly more money to alleviate others' pain. Mirror-pain synaesthetes activated their secondary somatosensory cortex more when witnessing others' pain, indicating a higher motivation to help.
Researchers created a virtual rodent with an artificial brain that can move like a real rodent, simulating complex behaviors using biomechanical data from real rats. The model uses deep reinforcement learning and AI to predict neural activity across behaviors.
A new study led by UCSF found that COVID-19 vaccine side effects like headache and tiredness indicate a strong immune response. Those with more symptoms had nearly double the antibody levels of those without, suggesting the vaccine is effective in preventing infection.
A single episode of intense exercise reduces subsequent physical activity and body temperature in mice, leading to weight gain. The study highlights the importance of considering not only calories burned during exercise but also subsequent activity levels and circadian rhythm for effective weight loss.
Researchers at OIST used a novel technique to study how activating the brain's serotonin center affects awake animals. They found that serotonin from the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) activates brain areas influencing behavior and motivation, including the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia.
Researchers used C. elegans to investigate the underlying mechanisms of embryonal exposure to addictive doses of amphetamine, discovering epigenetic modifications that alter gene and protein expression. This leads to increased susceptibility to amphetamine-induced behaviors in adult animals.
A new AI tool called SUBTLE has been developed for advanced animal behavior analysis. It classifies and analyzes behavior through AI learning based on 3D movement information, reducing time-series data into two dimensions for embedding.
A new Research Training Group will investigate the evolution of nuclear genomes in organisms using different forms of reproduction, including asexual and sexual reproduction. The group aims to better understand the dominance of sexual reproduction in nature through empirical analysis of changing and evolving genomes.