Articles tagged with Behavioral Neuroscience
A Scripps Research team has identified a class of drugs that may break the link between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). The findings show that these compounds, which target brain pathways shared by both disorders, can reduce alcohol preference and other behaviors associated with PTSD.
A new study explores how corporal punishment impacts neural systems, linking it to increased anxiety, depression, and altered brain activity. The research found that adolescents who experienced physical punishments showed a larger neural response to error and a blunted response to reward.
A study published in Current Biology found that children exhibit rapid boosts of GABA during visual training, stabilizing new learning and making it more efficient. This discovery suggests that children may acquire new knowledge and skills faster than adults, with implications for teaching and learning strategies.
Researchers have developed a videography-based method to track skeletal kinematics in freely moving rodents, providing insights into animal behavior and brain function. The approach uses an anatomically grounded skeleton model and can be applied to multiple furry species.
Researchers at USC found significant differences in gray matter density between boys and girls with binge eating disorder, suggesting unique brain structures and potentially different treatments. The study underscores the need to include males in future research on eating disorders.
Recent studies have shed light on the biological mechanisms that connect sleep and anxiety, highlighting the importance of sleep in regulating stress responses. Research has shown that inadequate sleep can lead to increased anxiety and stress, while also exacerbating mental distress.
A study published in The EMBO Journal reveals that the anterior cingulate cortex is activated in female mice acquiring maternal behavior through repeated experience with pups. This discovery provides a potential basis for developing therapeutic options for postpartum depression and other conditions disrupting mother-child bonding.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science found that chronic social defeat stress (cSDS) induced mice showed higher intestinal transit ratio and visceral pain-related behaviors, similar to IBS. The study suggests that prolonged psychological stress can cause IBS-like symptoms in mice without intestinal lesions.
Researchers used simulations of zebrafish brain, environment, and spatially-varying swimming behavior to conclude that fish look down to understand their surroundings' motion. This adaptive behavior helps fish avoid being swept away by turbulent water.
Research reveals that common gut bacteria enhance cocaine effects in mice by consuming glycine, leading to behavior abnormalities. Supplementing glycine or using a genetically modified bacteria reduces response to cocaine, demonstrating its role as an addiction mediator.
Dr. Michael Yartsev was selected as the 2022 Peter Gruss Young Investigator Award winner for his groundbreaking research on naturalistic behavior in bats. His work has made a significant impact on the scientific community, inspiring young scientists and promoting cooperation.
A new study by Pitt mathematicians uses math borrowed from neuroscience to describe how swarms of synchronous fireflies coordinate their light show. The researchers found that varying distances between fireflies affects the resulting blinks, producing patterns like ripples or spirals.
Scientists have created an extensive new map of the brain's olfactory circuits, revealing a complex system that processes different aspects of odor information. The map suggests the existence of parallel neural circuits dedicated to assessing smell identity, pleasantness, and origin, offering new insights into olfactory processing.
Researchers found that the brain's defense system is activated during selfless helping behavior, contrary to the long-held idea that empathy drives such actions. The study used fMRI scans to measure brain activity in 49 healthy volunteers who were asked to decide whether to help another person avoid discomfort.
Researchers at HSE University used transcranial magnetic stimulation to suppress brain activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, leading to test subjects making less rational decisions. The study provides insight into the mechanisms behind gaming addiction and offers a potential new approach to understanding risky choice.
A Cornell University researcher is using optical microscopy and other tools to map the brain's neural response to psychedelics. The study aims to develop fast-acting antidepressants and treatments for substance-use disorders and cluster headaches.
A team of researchers has identified specific neurons in the amygdala that drive mice to eat fatty or sugary foods, even when not hungry. Switching off these neurons reduced overeating and protected against obesity, while also boosting physical activity and improving metabolic health.
The study reveals that a genetic mutation can accelerate the body's internal clock, leading to improved adjustment to shift work schedules. The findings have implications for understanding the health consequences of circadian misalignment and developing medical treatments.
A new study published in GigaScience has made available an enormous amount of behavioral data from an animal model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), comprising over 2 years of continuous recording. The data set, which is the culmination of a 15-year study, provides insights into the mechanisms of OCD and potential treatments.
A new system has been developed to deliver ultrasound stimulation to the brain in awake, naturally behaving mice, allowing researchers to evaluate its effects on sleep and working memory. This advance will help scientists test different ultrasound treatment protocols in mouse models of diverse neurological conditions.
Researchers at Princeton University found that mice who displayed defensive behaviors after a stressful event were more resilient. They also discovered that activating dopamine while fighting back reinforced resilience, a finding that could potentially inform strategies for building human resilience.
A team from UNIGE and EPFL discovered that too much or too little motivation can blur sensory information and affect decision-making. In a state of hyper-motivation, rodents performed poorly, while moderate motivation led to optimal choice. These results open up new perspectives in learning methods.
New research by Frank Schroeder's team reveals two parallel biosynthetic pathways for serotonin production in C. elegans, challenging the long-held assumption that serotonin is made and quickly broken down. The findings suggest new therapeutic targets for treating anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
Researchers studying fruit flies found that brain neurons adapt to help the flies stay awake despite tiredness in dangerous situations, and fall asleep after an intense day. Time-restricted feeding also improved sleep quality in the flies, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for humans.
A research team has identified a specific cell group in the brain that regulates shifts in the sleep-wake rhythm caused by psychostimulants. The hypothalamic dopamine locus is responsible for modulating circadian rhythms and gates the effect of psychostimulants, leading to increased alertness and activity.
The Keck School of Medicine's Stevens INI has received a nearly $2 million grant to upgrade its storage system, increasing its capacity to handle vast amounts of brain imaging data. This will enable the lab to maximize scientific productivity and fulfill its promise to collaborate with researchers globally.
A study by University of Missouri researchers found that storytelling can help college students make sense of the pandemic and reduce stress. The study involved first-year college students who used stories to express personal growth during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting less stress and more confidence in their schoo...
Dr. Inagaki will receive $2.895 million in funding to study the brain's ability to learn new behaviors and explore its molecular and neuronal activity. He aims to understand diseases and injuries that affect learning and memory.
A new research paper has demonstrated that psychological factors, such as feeling unhappy or being lonely, add up to 1.65 years to one's biological age, significantly impacting overall health and longevity.
Researchers found significantly larger neurons in the brain's memory region of SuperAgers compared to cognitively average peers, individuals with early-stage Alzheimer's disease, and younger individuals. These larger neurons were spared from tau tangles, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, suggesting they may maintain structural integrity.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that brain stimulation combined with a nose spray containing nanoparticles can improve recovery after ischemic stroke. The treatment increased cognitive and motor functions, and weighed more quickly than those treated with TMS alone.
A new genetically based score developed by McGill University researchers can identify children at high risk for impulsive behavior with a high degree of accuracy. The score was created by analyzing the co-expression of genes in key brain regions, providing a novel understanding of the neurobiology of impulsivity.
A team of neuroscientists at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University aim to create an ultra-high resolution molecular atlas of the brain, enabling precise gene delivery to specific cell types. This project has the potential to revolutionize treatment of fatal brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center used fMRI to study how the brain processes complex audiovisual speech. The study found that watching a narrator tell a story activates an extensive network of brain regions involved in sensory processing and cognitive functions associated with comprehension. This finding has pot...
A new study reveals key differences in dopamine disposal machinery between male and female mice with a rare human genetic variant found in boys with ADHD or ASD. Females exhibit unique behavioral changes, such as increased anxiety and novelty recognition issues, while males display reduced social behavior and perseverative traits.
Neuroscientists at Sainsbury Wellcome Centre discovered that individual neurons in the visual cortex of mice are modulated separately by attention and running. The study found that spatial attention and running influence neurons independently, with different dynamics.
Researchers at Eötvös Loránd University identified a novel neural pathway in the brain that processes touch information, which plays a crucial role in social behavior. The thalamo-hypothalamic neural pathway uses PTH2 as a neurotransmitter and facilitates friendly social interactions between rats.
A new study by UC Berkeley neuroscientists simulated food insecurity in juvenile mice, finding lasting changes in learning, decision-making, and dopamine neurons. The stability of the food supply during young age affects cognitive flexibility in adulthood.
A new study by a global team of researchers has revealed subtle alterations in the size of the brain's prefrontal region in young people with mood disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The study suggests that these associations may be absent or more difficult to identify in more diverse samples.
A new study reveals how the C. elegans worm integrates environmental cues and internal states to guide food-seeking behavior, highlighting a potentially universal mechanism for nervous system integration. The research team found that internal states, such as hunger, can influence the expression of key smell receptors in sensory neurons.
A study found that increased prism adaptation treatment sessions improve spatial neglect symptoms, while more frequent sessions lead to greater rehabilitation gains. The authors recommend starting PAT early for optimal dosing.
Researchers discovered a gene called nervy that helps fruit flies respond to socio-environmental signals to stop fighting. The study's findings have implications for understanding aggression in humans and potentially treating psychiatric disorders like Parkinson's disease.
Researchers discovered an inhibitory neuronal network in the brainstem that generates a synchronous rhythm, retracting mouse whiskers from their protracted positions. The oscillator consists of parvalbumin-expressing vIRt neurons firing bursts only during whisker retraction.
Researchers at George Washington University found that people perceive objects differently based on their prior knowledge and experience, with manipulable objects perceived faster but with less detail, while non-manipulable objects are perceived slower but with higher detail.
A study from MIT neuroscientists has identified a population of neurons in the visual cortex that respond to images of food. The researchers found four previously known populations and a fifth, more surprising population that appears to be selective for food images. This finding may reflect the special importance of food in human culture.
Research shows that exposure to commonly used insecticides can profoundly impair honeybees' visually guided behavior, crucial for flight and survival. The study found that pesticide-exposed bees have impaired optomotor responses, with increased asymmetry in left and right turns.
Research identified distinct brain connections in individuals with misophonia, revealing that it may not be solely linked to oral sensory processing. The study found stronger connections between regions associated with finger movement and sensation, as well as the insula area linked to strong emotions like disgust.
A new study by neuroscientists at MIT's Picower Institute finds that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and motor cortex collaborate to update understanding and behavior when a task requires more steps. The ACC helps M2 adjust to new rules, but reduced activity leads to increased negative outcome encoding cells' activity in M2.
Researchers will design and distribute two new types of miniscopes, enabling deeper brain observations. The devices will be light enough for rodents, unlocking insights into neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
Ben-Gurion University researchers Dr. Moti Salti and Dr. Dafna Bergerbest propose a framework to objectively compare subjective experiences and reveal their neuronal basis. They focus on numerosity as a field where objective criteria can be established, aiming to map individual transfer-functions at both behavioral and neuronal levels.
A large-scale study led by the University of Leicester found that people with a strong sense of fairness cheat less, regardless of winning or losing. The researchers examined the behavior of over 500 participants in lab-based games and discovered that only those with low 'inequality aversion' were more likely to cheat.
A study published in NeuroReport reveals that ultrasound exposure improves depressive behavior in a rat model of depression. OB rats exposed to USV had significantly lower hyperemotionality scores and plasma corticosterone levels than unexposed rats, suggesting potential anti-depressant effects.
Researchers found that the brain's cortex uses principles of calculus to implement a 'stop' signal, allowing for quick and precise decision-making in goal-directed behaviors. The study reveals how the brain integrates learned rules with sensory information to guide actions.
Researchers discovered that communication between two brain regions, parietal cortex and premotor cortex, is co-dependent on instantaneous timescales to represent and maintain working memory. This finding challenges previous understanding of working memory representation in the brain.
A new study finds that racial discrimination affects brain microstructure, increasing the risk for health disorders in Black women. Traumatic experiences lead to changes in brain white matter tracts, which may enhance risk for negative health outcomes.
Researchers found that a higher voice pitch leads to faces being assessed as half a year younger on average. However, the face itself provides crucial information for evaluating attractiveness, femininity, and health, making the voice less influential in these evaluations.
Researchers found that children with autism process brain waves differently when focused on body movements versus colors, highlighting a key challenge in communication.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have identified the key mechanism behind roundworms' precise bowel movements, revealing a synchronized nerve impulse between the brain and gut. The study found that the AVL nerve cell in the head regulates the defecation rhythm by relaying and modulating pacemaker signals from the gut.
Researchers uncover brain area responsible for driving action and suppressing drive in a novel task designed to study active action suppression. The team identified the dorsomedial striatum as the key region promoting action, while the indirect pathway suppresses it, leading to an 'impulsivity switch'.
Researchers discovered that hippocampal place cells represent direction and distance to a goal in addition to current location. A vector field provides signal towards the goal, aiding flexible navigation.