Articles tagged with Behavioral Neuroscience
Researchers at Northwestern University developed virtual reality goggles for mice, allowing them to study responses to overhead threats for the first time. The new system enabled more accurate and precise neural circuitry analysis by simulating natural environments, reducing training times compared to traditional VR systems.
A study found that prenatal discrimination and acculturation stress can alter the strength of infant brain circuits, potentially leading to increased risk for mental health disorders. The research suggests a critical role in treating individuals with kindness during pregnancy.
A recent Cornell University study found that wasps which can recognize individual faces tend to have better social interactions and exhibit stronger cognitive abilities than those who cannot recognize individuals. This suggests an evolutionary link between facial recognition and cooperation.
A new study finds that exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) therapy for OCD improves cognitive control by strengthening connections between brain networks. This breakthrough sheds light on the mechanisms underlying EX/RP's effectiveness in treating OCD, paving the way for targeted therapies.
Researchers found that dopamine release in striatum is influenced by effort to gain reward, linking sunk costs to brain chemistry, affecting behavior and decision-making.
A new tool called Facemap uses deep neural networks to relate mouse facial movements to neural activity in the brain. This allows researchers to track and quantify movements and correlate them with brain activity, bringing them one step closer to understanding how the brain uses persistent, widespread signals.
Elea Abisamra's STEM writing program at Virginia Tech has been recognized by the journal Cell for its innovative approach to teaching science through storytelling. The program has already helped 95 kids publish books with over 150 tutors as editors, and plans to expand globally.
Researchers at University College London found that a hunger hormone produced in the gut directly impacts activity of the brain's hippocampus when considering food. The study showed that ghrelin receptors play a crucial role in controlling an animal's instinct to eat, with implications for understanding eating disorders and human health.
Researchers characterized changes in cognitive behaviors, neuronal morphology and gene expression in a tauopathy mouse model. The study found significant decreases in dendritic arborization and synaptic gene upregulation over time.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that AI's deep convolutional neural networks can identify faces but struggle to capture other important information like emotional state and trustworthiness. Brain activity scans revealed a weak correlation between AI's codes and human brain represent...
A Stanford University study found that mice resolve conflicts between hunger and thirst through indirect modulation of behavior. The researchers used advanced recording technology to monitor individual neurons in the mouse brain, predicting the animal's choice before it was presented with options.
Researchers have identified a gene called LHPP that interacts with stress to mediate aspects of treatment-resistant MDD in an animal model. Increased expression of LHPP aggravated depression-like behaviors by dephosphorylating two protein kinases, CaMKIIα and ERK.
Researchers at Ohio State University will investigate the role of microglia cells in chronic inflammation and neuronal dysfunction after TBI, with a focus on preventing long-term consequences. The $7.7 million award aims to develop innovative healthcare solutions for traumatic brain injury survivors.
A research team has developed a new method for mapping brain activity to understand behavior changes in patients with neurological disease. The technique uses CaMPARI images to track brain activity and can be used to study the effects of Alzheimer's disease on brain function.
Researchers found that people with cocaine addiction have weaker signals when receiving rewards, disrupting the brain's ability to learn from experiences. This dysregulation is linked to reduced activity in the ventral striatum and orbitofrontal cortex.
A study by Duke neuroscientists found that curiosity increases people's patience for an answer while making them more eager to hear it. Curiosity also motivated viewers to withhold from hitting the 'spoiler' button and kept watching animated line-drawing videos unfold.
Researchers at Sainsbury Wellcome Centre find frontal and parietal cortex play key role in encoding value of economic choices when faced with uncertainty. The study provides foundation for understanding neurobiology of risky decisions.
Fruit flies use a unique toggle-switch in their brains to switch between solo and mating songs, exchanging information through dialogue. Researchers decoded the tiny brains' behavior using neural imaging and AI, providing insights into complex brain decision-making.
Researchers developed AI tools to analyze speech patterns in people with schizophrenia and found that these patterns can be distinguished from those of healthy individuals. The study uses an AI language model trained on internet text to represent the meaning of words, and it was able to predict the words generated by control participan...
A team of neuroscientists has identified specific neurons in the auditory cortex that only respond to sounds that violate expectations, sending a message that a mistake has been made. These 'prediction-error neurons' may play a vital role in learning how to speak or play musical instruments.
A study by Duke University psychologists finds that White people tend to see Multiracial faces as Black, while Black people see them as White. Multiracial participants show less bias when forced to choose one race, categorizing faces as White more often than Black.
Researchers found that brain circuits in 'deep-blind' zebrafish are fully functional and can drive normal visual behavior through direct stimulation. This study challenges the long-held assumption that neural development depends on visual experience.
Researchers have created the first-ever map of a single animal's early visual system, reconstructing it from the eyes to neurons in a tiny parasitic wasp. The study reveals complex behaviors such as flight in an insect with just 8,600 cells compared to the human brain's 171 billion.
A single neuron in C. elegans worm uses multiple neurotransmitters to control egg-laying and locomotion, demonstrating the ability to 'borrow' serotonin from other neurons. The study reveals how a single neuron can influence complex behaviors over multiple timescales.
Researchers found that participants preferred 60-70 options from ChatGPT, citing high perceived accuracy and increased intent to purchase. This contradicts traditional choice overload theories, highlighting the impact of personalized recommendations on consumer decision-making.
Researchers studied fruit flies to understand how their brains assign value to rewards, finding that expectations play a crucial role in decision-making. By observing the flies' behavior, the team pinpointed the site in the brain where these value adjustments are made, enabling them to test a theoretical framework on neural circuits.
A new editorial addresses clinician burnout by proposing a unifying systems medicine model that incorporates biological, psychological, environmental, and consciousness factors. The authors suggest that Transcendental Meditation can enhance resilience and prevent burnout-related mind-body conditions.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that specific brain cells in the prefrontal cortex trigger mice to prepare for bed when tired, a behavior likely shared with humans. This hard-wired survival feature suggests that humans should prioritize sleep hygiene to maintain good health.
A new study in rodents reveals that infant cries prompt the release of oxytocin, a brain chemical controlling breast milk, in mothers. The study shows how sound information travels to the brain, triggering the hormone release, which continues for around five minutes.
A recent study found that dopamine release makes decisions faster but tends to be less accurate. Researchers analyzed response times to understand the role of dopamine in decision-making processes, revealing a speed-accuracy trade-off.
The Open Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science (OECS) is a dynamic web reference that will equip readers with essential tools to grapple with the profound implications of cognition and intelligence in today's society. With generous funding from James S. McDonnell Foundation and the Allen Institute for AI, the first set of articles will be ...
A new study suggests that transcranial ultrasound stimulation can be used to change specific types of activity within the brain, paving the way for targeted treatments of mental health conditions. The research found that TUS induced significant changes in GABA concentration and altered communication between brain regions.
A new study uses brain imaging to explore the neural underpinnings of uncertainty processing in OCD, finding that patients struggle with certainty and decision-making, particularly when outcomes are more certain. This understanding may offer new hope for developing therapies targeting uncertainty processing in OCD.
Researchers used a new analytical approach to understand how the brain controls movement and eye stability in zebrafish. By analyzing neuronal activity, they identified two main features that correspond to specific types of movements, including eye rotation and body positioning.
Researchers at UCSF Health found a way to help teens adjust to their natural sleep-cycle rhythms while fulfilling school responsibilities. The Transdiagnostic Sleep and Circadian Intervention showed significant improvements in depression symptoms, especially among night-owl adolescents.
Researchers found that insects like American cockroaches use the mushroom body to encode behavioral decision-making based on sensory information. The study challenges the prevailing view of insect cognition, suggesting a more complex brain function than previously thought.
A new study by University of Rhode Island Professor Jaime Ross found microplastics infiltrate all systems of the body, causing behavioral changes and potentially leading to serious health consequences, including Alzheimer's disease. The researchers discovered microplastics accumulate in every organ, including the brain, and alter immun...
A neglected brain region has been identified as a key player in addiction recovery. The supplementary motor cortex was found to be hyperexcitable in individuals with cocaine use disorders, even after withdrawal periods of 45 days. This discovery may lead to new treatment approaches using transcranial magnetic stimulation.
A team of scientists has developed a rigorous accounting of the neurons in the tiny brain of a humble C. elegans worm, mapping out how its brain cells encode essential behaviors such as movement and feeding. The atlas reveals the underlying logic of how the worm's brain produces a sophisticated repertoire of behaviors, even as environm...
A new study found that high-stress caregivers had higher klotho levels and longer telomeres in specific immune cells, which may provide protection against aging. In contrast, low-stress caregivers showed no significant associations between klotho levels and telomere length.
A Penn State-led research team discovered that somatostatin signaling acts to dampen communication among cell types in the prefrontal cortex, promoting exploratory and risk-taking-like behavior. The findings suggest that somatostatin fine-tunes circuits to promote certain behaviors, including decision making.
Researchers used machine learning algorithms to analyze brain imaging data and identify changes associated with autism spectrum disorder. The study found that the methodology could determine ASD diagnosis with above 95% accuracy, highlighting potential for improved diagnostic methods.
Researchers have discovered that gene therapy may prevent relapse in patients with serious alcohol addiction by altering dopamine function in the brain's mesolimbic reward pathway. The treatment involves sustained release of glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in a specific region of the brain.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that working in a shared space while performing craft activities boosts parasympathetic activity, leading to relaxation. The parallel group condition showed higher parasympathetic activity compared to the individual alone condition.
A study published in Neuron found that a structure in rat brains called the periaqueductal gray is essential for play and laughter. The researchers used tickling to simulate playful environments and measured brain activity, finding strong neural responses to both tickling and playing.
A Nagoya University research team discovered two distinct thermosensory pathways in the brain that transmit temperature information to different areas of the forebrain. Blocking one pathway was found to impair a rat's ability to avoid heat, while blocking another impaired its ability to avoid cold.
In a new study, Salk Institute scientists discovered that dopamine regulates anxious worm behavior in the presence of nipping predators. The findings illuminate how this dopamine-regulated brain pathway may be related to anxiety and could provide insight into human conditions like PTSD.
A team of researchers from Kyoto University and international institutions has developed a mathematical solution to the temporal asymmetry of nonequilibrium disordered Ising networks. This breakthrough offers insights into the behavior of biological systems, machine learning, and AI tools.
Scientists found that drinking coffee increases connectivity in higher visual networks and executive control regions of the brain, leading to improved alertness and cognitive performance. In contrast, taking only caffeine did not replicate these effects, suggesting that the experience of drinking coffee plays a crucial role.
Cuttlefish use a highly flexible and dynamic system to change color and texture, with the ability to display a rich variety of skin patterns and adapt to both natural and artificial backgrounds. The study found that cuttlefish continuously receive feedback about their skin pattern and adjust it in real-time.
Researchers discovered that octopuses transition between quiet and active stages of sleep, with the latter resembling neural activity seen when awake. This active stage may be essential for octopus function and potentially related to dreaming.
A recent study by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has unveiled crucial insights into the brain's ability to regulate fentanyl consumption. The research discovered that claustral neurons can modulate fentanyl intake, suggesting a potential target for intervention in fentanyl addiction.
A study by University of Alabama at Birmingham researcher Minae Niwa found that adolescent psychosocial stress, combined with pregnancy and delivery, causes hypofunction of a key neural circuit. This altered circuitry leads to abnormal social behavior in postpartum women, including reduced interaction time with familiar mice.
Higher testosterone levels during adolescence enhance emotion control, but decrease in young adulthood; the study suggests a shift in testosterone's role across developmental periods. The findings may be related to mood disorders that arise during adolescence.
Researchers used fMRI to analyze brain activity in response to restaurant menu photos, finding a correlation between neural activity and dish sales. The study suggests restaurants can design menus based on predicted consumer preferences.
A study published in Brain and Behavior found that humor therapy reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in participants from various countries. The analysis included 2,964 participants and nine different countries, suggesting that humor therapy may be a feasible complementary alternative for clinicians, nurses, and patients.
Researchers found that bumblebees use both vision and smell to navigate, with scent marks playing a crucial role in pinpointing the nest entrance in visually ambiguous situations. In experiments, bumblebees overwhelmingly focused on locations suggested by scent marks when visual landmarks were conflicting.
A study published in Cell Press reveals that ants have a dedicated brain region that processes alarm pheromones, triggering panic responses and colony-wide behavior changes. Researchers used GCaMP to scan the brain activity of clonal raider ants exposed to danger signals, finding a specific section lit up in response.
A University of Ottawa team has discovered a vital role for the VGLUT3 transporter protein in modulating the development of Huntington's disease. The study shows that blocking glutamate release through this protein can lead to an amelioration of the disease progression, offering new hope for potential treatment approaches.
A new study in mice reveals that a middle-brain region controls aggression towards young animals, while another region promotes maternal behavior. The findings suggest that the brain mechanism behind infanticide by women may be similar to that in males.