Articles tagged with Dopamine
A study published in Social Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience found that a specific genetic variant, COMT-Val, is associated with an increased willingness to donate. Participants with this variant donated twice as much money to charity compared to those with the other variant, COMT-Met.
Researchers at Concordia University have discovered how the brain chemical dopamine regulates daily sleeping and eating patterns by altering PER2 protein activity. The study, published in Journal of Neuroscience, may have implications for individuals with Parkinson's disease who experience disrupted 24-hour rhythms.
Scientists found significant brain changes in response to drinking among dopamine receptor-deficient mice, suggesting genetic influence on alcohol's effects. This study supports the idea that genetic screening could help individuals understand risks associated with alcohol consumption.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that anorexia nervosa can cause significant damage to the retina and optic nerve, leading to impaired vision. The condition was associated with thinner maculae and reduced dopamine activity, which may be related to the initial stages of progressive blindness.
A new study reveals that men are up to twice as likely to develop alcoholism as women, with increased dopamine release in the brain contributing to this difference. The study found that men had greater dopamine release than women after consuming an alcoholic drink, which may contribute to the initial reinforcing properties of alcohol a...
Researchers at NRL have discovered the nature of interactions between water-soluble semi-conductor quantum dots and dopamine, revealing a new way to detect changes in solution pH. The nano-scale sensor can visualize pH changes inside cells.
A study found a group of genetic mutations that predict sensation seeking behavior, linking it to dopamine levels. The research used a new technique to analyze genes in the dopamine system, identifying 12 potentially important SNPs that explained about 4% of the difference between individuals' sensation-seeking scores.
A University of Alberta research team has found a mechanism underlying both addiction and obesity, which could lead to new treatments for these diseases. The study revealed that dopamine plays a key role in the formation of spatial memories in the brain, and its release is associated with feelings of reward.
A new study found lower glutamate levels in the hippocampus associated with increased dopamine activity, suggesting a risk marker for later psychotic disorders. The abnormal relationship between glutamatergic and dopaminergic systems may support early treatment of psychosis.
Researchers have identified a mechanism by which disulfiram, a decades-old treatment for alcoholism, prevents cocaine relapse. A newer drug, nepicastat, works through the same mechanism and shows promise in treating cocaine addiction.
Researchers at Florida State University have developed a mathematical model to study prolactin secretion from the pituitary gland, which could lead to new treatments for disorders such as infertility. The study found that oxytocin stimulates prolactin secretion and that dopamine inhibits it.
Individuals with Parkinson's disease who were told they had a higher chance of receiving an active drug showed a stronger neurochemical response to placebo. The expectation of symptom improvement is associated with the release of dopamine in patients with Parkinson's disease and can affect motor performance.
A recent study published in Psychological Science suggests that genetics may play a role in how sensitive we are to social drinking cues. Volunteers with a specific variant of the dopamine D4 receptor gene were found to drink more when others consumed three or four drinks, but not when they only consumed one.
A high-fat diet is associated with reduced dopamine release and reuptake in the striatum of rats. This change in brain neurochemistry affects motivation and willingness to work for food reward, mirroring effects seen in humans with obesity.
A recent brain study published in the Journal of Neuroscience has found that increased levels of dopamine in the brain make individuals more likely to choose instant gratification over longer-term rewards. This is linked to conditions such as ADHD, where high dopamine levels contribute to impulsive behavior.
A new test of sense of smell may help diagnose and treat early-stage Parkinson's disease. The research used transgenic mice with high levels of human alpha-synuclein, a protein linked to PD, to develop a model for studying the disease's effects on dopamine regulation.
A genetic variant of a brain receptor influences dopamine release in response to alcohol, which may contribute to individual differences in alcohol use disorders. This finding aids the development of personalized medications for alcohol problems and explains why some individuals experience enhanced pleasurable effects from alcohol.
A study at Karolinska Institutet found that the dopamine system of healthy, highly creative people is similar to that of people with schizophrenia. High creative skills are also linked to a higher risk of certain mental illnesses. The study suggests a possible mechanism behind creativity and mental health.
Research suggests that individuals taking dopamine agonist medications for Parkinson's disease are at a higher risk of developing compulsive behaviors. The DOMINION Study, which analyzed data from 3,090 patients, found that dopamine agonists were associated with an increased odds of having an impulse control disorder.
A randomized trial found that pramipexole significantly improved depressive symptoms and functioning in patients with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease. The study also showed that the antidepressant effect of pramipexole was largely independent of its effect on motor symptoms.
A study from the University of Cambridge found that problem gamblers' brains react more intensely to near misses than casual gamblers. This reaction is linked to increased activity in brain regions associated with reward and learning, and may contribute to addictive behavior.
A new imaging protocol allows scientists to visualize the activity of dopamine receptors in the brain, revealing a 15-20% decrease in receptor density among individuals with addictions. This finding could lead to better understanding of drug addiction and development of more effective treatment strategies.
Researchers found that psychopaths have a hyper-reactive dopamine reward system, linked to violent crime, recidivism, and substance abuse. The study suggests that impulsive traits and heightened attraction to rewards overwhelm concerns about risk, contributing to problematic behaviors.
Researchers found Ritalin enhances learning and focus by increasing brain plasticity and activity of dopamine receptors. The study showed Ritalin improves cognitive abilities in animals by strengthening communication between neurons.
An editorial in NEJM suggests that norepinephrine is a safer option than dopamine for stabilizing blood pressure in shock patients, citing a European clinical trial. The study found no overall difference in death rates between the two treatments, but higher mortality rates in patients with cardiogenic shock treated with dopamine.
Researchers study how parents use feeding to soothe infant distress, exploring its relation to rapid weight gain in infancy and subsequent childhood obesity. The study examines the role of genetics and dopamine in the brain's reward system, potentially linking parent feeding practices to increased energy intake.
A new study found that increased social status and support correlate with higher dopamine D2/D3 receptor density in the brain's striatum. This suggests people with greater social status experience life as more rewarding and stimulating due to more targets for dopamine action.
Research finds that dopamine in the brain stimulates a craving for new experiences, contributing to addictive behaviors like drug abuse and gambling. The study used PET scans to map brain activity, revealing stronger urges among those with more dopamine, suggesting a link between stimulation-seeking behavior and hormonal activity.
Researchers developed a brain-based model to understand how Parkinson's affects learning and attention, highlighting the role of dopamine in non-motor symptoms. The study shows that dopamine medications enhance attentional performance in patients.
Researchers found that ghrelin is protective of dopamine neurons and can slow the development of Parkinson's disease. Ghrelin supplementation in mice showed increased dopamine production and reduced loss compared to controls.
Researchers found that a mutation in a dopamine receptor causes flies to exhibit exaggerated hyperactivity and hypersensitivity to air puffs. The study suggests a link between dopamine regulation and ADHD symptoms, as well as learning disabilities. Flies without the mutation learn to associate an odor with an electric shock quickly.
Scientists at Garvan Institute of Medical Research developed a mathematical model and microscopy method to reveal mechanisms behind dopamine release. The study found that dopamine release is regulated by factors such as the frequency of nerve impulses, making it possible to develop more effective treatments.
A new study from University College London finds that dopamine plays a significant role in shaping human expectations of pleasure, particularly when considering alternative options. The research suggests that dopamine signals the expected pleasure from future events, guiding decision-making.
Researchers found that when people imagine future events, activity in a dopamine-laden part of the brain tracks their estimates of expected pleasure. The study suggests that manipulating dopamine levels can alter people's expectations and choices.
ISU researchers have discovered a compound that neutralizes the cell-killing kinase-C and allows dopamine-producing cells to survive and function. This finding brings hope for a possible cure for Parkinson's disease by targeting the protein responsible for killing these cells.
A brain-imaging study found that ADHD patients have lower-than-normal dopamine markers, which may underlie symptoms of inattention and reduced motivation. This deficit could lead to complications like drug abuse and obesity.
Gilad Barnea will use the funding to develop a method for selectively monitoring the activation of each of the five dopamine receptors in the brain without interference from others. This could lead to more targeted treatments for mental illnesses and diseases such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers found that HPRT gene plays crucial role in regulating transcription factors' expression and development of neurons, supporting a possible link to Lesch Nyhan disease. The study provides first direct experimental support for HPRT's involvement in neurological disorders.
A new study in Cell Metabolism has found that leptin, a hormone produced by fat tissue, influences baseline dopamine levels and our motivation to eat. Leptin-responsive neurons in the brain's lateral hypothalamic area feed into the mesolimbic dopamine system, controlling motivation for food, sex, and other desires.
Researchers discovered that rewarding correct decisions can enhance brain function in the cortex and improve learning. Targeted manipulation of dopamine levels may lead to new possibilities in treating patients after a stroke or improving cognitive abilities.
Researchers found that three genes affect dopamine function in the brain, predicting approach and avoidance behaviors, as well as exploratory decision-making. These findings may help shape future treatments for conditions like Parkinson's disease.
Research demonstrates single neurons process future rewards, including information about upcoming gains, and prefer advance info over suspense. This finding suggests a revised theory of reward is needed, incorporating information seeking as a cognitive reward.
Researchers found that Parkinson's patients exhibit a selective impairment in learning from reward, but not from negative outcomes. Treatment with dopamine agonists improves learning from positive outcomes, but impairs learning from negative outcomes.
A genetically engineered mouse reproduces many of the non-motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease, including digestive problems and loss of sense of smell. The mice have delayed emptying of the stomach, fall asleep more quickly, and display signs of depression in tests.
Research suggests that estrogens acting through their receptors affect the dopamine transporter, which may explain trends in timing of women's susceptibility to these diseases. Estrogen levels vary significantly at different life stages, and women are more likely to experience neurological disease onset or exacerbation during these times.
Researchers find cocaine activates dopamine release in striatum, associated with increased addiction risk; potential target for treatment against addiction
Parkinson's disease is characterized by selective loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra, with elevated cytosolic dopamine and calcium levels contributing to cell death. Genetic and environmental 'hits' are required for PD pathology, suggesting multiple therapeutic targets should be considered
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center found that dopamine, a calcium channel, and alpha-synuclein act together to kill brain cells in Parkinson's disease. The discovery gives hope for saving neurons and stopping the progression of the disease by targeting just one of the three factors.
Researchers found that precisely tuning oscillation frequencies of certain neurons can affect how the brain processes information and implements feelings of reward. The study suggests that parvalbumin neurons play a crucial role in generating gamma brain waves, which enhance information flow among different cell types.
A study found that microRNA miR-504 regulates the expression of the dopamine D1 receptor gene, increasing the risk of nicotine dependence. The research suggests a potential link between smoking risk genes and neurobiology of addiction.
A new study at the Mayo Clinic found that one in six patients taking therapeutic doses of dopamine agonist medications for Parkinson's disease developed new-onset compulsive gambling or hypersexuality. Researchers analyzed medical records of patients and found no such cases in those taking low doses or other treatments.
A new study found that men and women with a BMI score over 30 were nearly one-and-a-half times more likely to have RLS than those who were not obese. Additionally, people with the top 20% of waist circumference were more than one-and-a-half times more likely to have RLS than those in the bottom 20%
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.
Researchers found that dopamine causes certain brain cells to become more flexible and changes brain-cell circuitry to process important information differently than mundane information. This can help improve learning, particularly in remembering salient events.
Researchers at UCI found that blocking melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) in the brain's pleasure center limits cocaine cravings. MCH works with dopamine to create an addictive response to cocaine use. By targeting MCH, new treatments may help break addiction to cocaine and possibly other drugs.
A study found that modafinil increases dopamine levels in the brain and blocks dopamine transporters, raising concerns about its potential for abuse. The drug's effects on dopamine may be linked to its therapeutic actions.
Patients with early Parkinson's disease show similar overall levels of disability after six years of levodopa or dopamine agonist treatment. Persistent differences are seen in motor symptoms, fluid build-up, and sleepiness.
Researchers at McGill University found that Parkinson's patients who develop addictions have elevated dopamine levels, promoting addictive behaviours. Adjusting medication dosage resolved symptoms, suggesting hereditary factors contribute to addiction vulnerability.
Researchers have identified a way for the brain to compensate for problems with neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, opening up new treatment options for addiction, depression, Parkinson's disease, and schizophrenia. The discovery was made using fruit flies with a genetic mutation that disrupted monoamine neurotransmitter rel...
Researchers found that individuals with a higher novelty-seeking personality trait have decreased dopamine autoreceptor availability, making them more responsive to novel and rewarding experiences. This may contribute to the development of drug abuse and other unsafe behaviors.