Articles tagged with Neurotransmitters
A team of researchers has discovered that controlling morphine's effects in a specific group of neurons can prevent the formation of rewarding associations with opioids. This study challenges previous conclusions and suggests that dopamine elevation can be separated from learned drug preference.
Researchers developed a computer model of the human cortex linking microscopic chemistry to brain-wide patterns of activity. The model found that regional differences in receptor density improve coordination between brain regions and information flow.
Researchers identified a critical biological difference in glioblastoma development between male and female laboratory models, pinpointing an immune pathway fueled by GABA in females. Blocking this signal improves outcomes in women, but not men.
A study by Brown University researchers found that serotonin helps reduce belief stickiness, making it easier to update beliefs and adapt to changes. This discovery holds implications for understanding and treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
A recent NIH-funded study reveals that oral small-molecule GLP-1 drugs can suppress eating for pleasure and reduce cravings by targeting a deeper brain region, potentially treating other dysfunctions in reward processing. The findings provide insight into the neural mechanisms underlying the effects of these medications.
Genomic Press launches Brain Health, a new peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the science of lifelong brain resilience, featuring research on glial plasticity and recovery from depression. The inaugural issue explores the intersection of fields including cognitive reserve, sleep, aging biology, nutritional psychiatry, and social sciences.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found a link between elevated serotonin levels and tinnitus behavioral symptoms. The research suggests that clinicians should recognize and validate patient reports of medication-associated increases in tinnitus when prescribing antidepressants like SSRIs.
Researchers at Brown University identified a pair of neurons that integrate sweet and bitter signals to decide whether something is safe to eat, a process not previously clear to scientists. The newly discovered mechanism illustrates the impressive level of computation that a single neuron can do.
Researchers discovered that acetylcholine can directly trigger the release of serotonin in the brain, promoting coordinated chemical signaling. This finding suggests that brain disorders may involve the internal coordination system being pushed into overdrive, leading to pathological increases in serotonin levels.
Researchers have identified a distinct gene expression program associated with neurotransmission in the living human brain. The study combines molecular data with real-time physiological recordings, revealing a coordinated set of genes whose activity tracks with neuronal signaling.
A new study reveals that astrocytes regulate inhibitory signaling in the cerebellum during development, enabling the emergence of flexible and precise motor coordination. In contrast, younger animals rely on neuron-derived tonic inhibition, which is replaced by astrocyte-derived tonic inhibition in late adolescence.
A new study reveals that astrocytes actively participate in motor-learning circuit rewiring by eliminating synapses in the striatum. The research identifies MEGF10 as a key molecular mediator of this process, which is regulated by dopamine signaling and neural activity.
Researchers review schizophrenia mechanisms, including neurotransmitter dysregulation and immune dysfunction, to develop next-generation therapies. Promising treatments include TAAR1 agonists, muscarinic modulators, NMDA receptor enhancers, and probiotics targeting the gut-brain axis.
A new study by researchers from the University of Southern Denmark has found no evidence of naturally occurring DMT in the adult rat brain, even when its breakdown was inhibited. The study used highly sensitive methods to detect trace substances and examined whether administered DMT could be stored in serotonin neurons.
Scientists have identified specific patterns of brain chemical activity in honey bees that predict how quickly individual bees learn new associations. The findings may help explain why humans learn at different speeds and provide implications for understanding brain disorders.
Researchers developed a new tool to track changes in the synaptic proteome over time, correlating changes to synaptic dysregulation and synapse loss. The results suggest that toxic tau oligomers impact postsynaptic structures first, leading to a dynamic cascade of events that contribute to neurodegeneration.
Studies exploring the role of histamine H3R receptor in the brain found that specific amino acid mutations can increase constitutive activity while compromising stability. The research provides a foundation for a better understanding of brain diseases and the design of safer drugs.
Researchers at Flinders University discover a genetic mutation that silences a brain receptor, rendering it unresponsive to both natural trace amines and clinical drug candidates. The C182F variant eliminates receptor signaling and reduces cell surface expression, with profound implications for emerging psychiatric treatments.
Researchers have engineered a protein that can detect the faintest incoming chemical signals of brain cells, allowing for real-time decoding of neural activity. This breakthrough enables scientists to understand the complex cascade of electrical activity underlying learning, memory, and emotion.
A mouse study by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology researchers has found that acetylcholine release is essential for breaking habits and enabling new choices to be made. The study's findings may help understand diseases such as Parkinson's disease, addiction, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Researchers at King's College London discovered that dopamine-releasing neurons in the olfactory bulb have distinct structures and transmit signals in different ways. Two subtypes were found to behave like 'standard' neurons or locally acting cells, influencing smell processing differently.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown sodium-binding site on GlyT2, which supplies the energetic drive required for glycine transport. The study also uncovered a distinctive allosteric binding pocket for lipid-based inhibitors, providing a foundation for rational design of improved analgesics.
A large Korean cohort study reveals a link between restless legs syndrome and Parkinson's disease, highlighting opportunities for early detection. Dopamine-agonist therapy may reduce the risk of developing PD in RLS patients, according to the study's findings.
Researchers discovered that pancreatic tumors form pseudosynapses, exploiting the body's nervous system to drive tumor growth. Calcium waves triggered by glutamate binding promote metastasis and cancer progression.
A new study found that people with generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder have lower levels of choline in their brains. Choline is vital for cell membranes and brain functions like memory, mood regulation, and muscle control.
A new study from Texas Biomedical Research Institute found that low-dose THC significantly reduced side effects and inflammation caused by HIV and antiretroviral therapy. The treatment also increased serotonin levels, lowered cholesterol and toxic bile acids, and improved cardiovascular health.
Research synthesizes current evidence on psychedelic therapy's potential to fundamentally alter treatment paradigms for depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Chronic stress contributes significantly to psychiatric illness worldwide, leaving traditional treatments with residual symptoms or side effects.
Researchers identify abnormal sugar modifications linked to depressive behaviors, offering potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Chronic stress disrupts sugar chains in the prefrontal cortex, triggering depression.
A team of researchers at the University of Cologne has made a groundbreaking discovery about the molecular basis of inhibitory synapse formation. They found that gephyrin filaments play a crucial role in forming post-synapses, which are essential for billions of synapses in the brain. This study has significant implications for underst...
Researchers found that an astrocytic 'brake' mechanism, fueled by the neurotransmitter GABA, blocks spinal cord repair after injury. Inhibiting this pathway with the MAOB inhibitor KDS2010 enables recovery of spinal cord function in animal models.
A team developed a metal-organic framework (MOF) neuron that perceives dopamine, a key neurotransmitter in the brain. The device demonstrated synaptic plasticity, integrate-and-fire dynamics, and spike tuning, mirroring biological neurons' behavior.
Research uncovers how glutamate regulates pediatric brain tumor growth, suggesting novel approaches to treating these cancers. Inhibiting glutamate receptors has been shown to reduce human pediatric brain tumor growth in mice.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham identified seven metabolites in the blood associated with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), a condition linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. The study also found that dietary changes or supplements may help reduce EDS risk.
Dr. Camilo de la Fuente-Sandoval has developed a groundbreaking approach to schizophrenia treatment prediction using neuroimaging and comprehensive clinical care. His team's research reveals elevated glutamate levels in the associative striatum that normalize with effective antipsychotic treatment.
Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science have discovered that excessive GABA produced by astrocytes impairs fear extinction in PTSD. A new brain-permeable drug called KDS2010 has reversed PTSD-like symptoms in mice, providing a promising therapeutic approach.
Researchers found that astrocytes maintain optimal levels of GABA to enable neural groups to process visual information efficiently. Knocking out Gat3 in mice impaired neuron coordination and reduced ensemble activity, highlighting the importance of astrocytic regulation.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University are using a genetically tractable model organism, C. elegans, to dissect the cellular pathways impacted by amphetamines. The study aims to identify novel regulators of dopamine release and genes that mediate amphetamine's effects independently of traditional dopamine mechanisms.
Scientists have discovered the structure and shape of key receptors in the cerebellum, a region critical for movement, balance, and cognition. This finding could lead to the development of therapies to repair damaged synapses and improve brain function.
Researchers found that brain's dopamine neurons encode a map of possible future rewards across time and magnitude, guiding adaptive behavior in uncertain environments. This biological insight aligns with recent advances in AI, particularly distributional RL algorithms, which learn from reward distributions rather than averages.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University have discovered a potentially safer treatment for multiple disorders linked to altered dopamine signaling by blocking the kappa opioid receptor. The study found that this approach can correct behavioral deficits and normalize dopamine availability.
A new technique using focused sound waves and microbubbles has shown great promise in treating debilitating brain lesions called cerebral cavernous malformations. The approach has halted the growth of lesions almost entirely, offering a potential paradigm shift in treatment.
A comprehensive review article synthesizes decades of research on stress hormone systems in primate brains, revealing key differences between rodents and primates. The findings highlight the importance of considering anatomical differences when developing treatments for stress-related psychiatric disorders.
A University of Ottawa-led study reveals that serotonin neurons are connected and interact with each other, controlling serotonin release in specific regions of the brain. This complex system has implications for understanding decision-making and developing targeted therapeutics for mood disorders.
A study found that intermittent fasting increases sex drive in male mice by lowering serotonin levels, which is linked to tryptophan deficiency. The researchers suggest that similar mechanisms may exist in humans and view fasting as a potential approach for treating low libido.
Researchers discovered that dopamine levels in a specific brain region are closely linked to male sexual behavior transitions. The study found rhythmic dopamine input during intromission was regulated by acetylcholine innervation, directly triggering ejaculation.
Researchers found that early life stress impairs the neural circuit responsible for emotional decisions in mice, leading to socially avoidant behaviors. The study suggests that dysfunctional dopamine signaling in the midbrain may contribute to antisocial behaviors associated with childhood neglect or related forms of abuse.
Researchers found that specific brain signals and groups of brain cells are involved in alcohol-induced insomnia, which could lead to targeted treatments for sleep loss. The study suggests that targeting specific brain cells may help people recover from alcohol use disorder.
Research at Turku PET Centre found elevated opioid neurotransmitter activity in anorexia patients' brains, linked to increased appetite regulation and emotional symptoms. The study suggests changes in brain function may explain the emotional symptoms and mood changes associated with anorexia nervosa.
The Advanced Research + Invention Agency has awarded $84.2 million to Rice researchers to explore and unlock new methods for interfacing with the human brain at the circuit level. The project involves developing a distributed network of minimally invasive implants to stimulate neural circuits with cell-type precision.
Researchers have constructed a comprehensive map of synaptic connections between clock neurons in Drosophila, identifying novel neurons and connections that influence feeding, mating, and sleep behaviors. The study also reveals the role of light input pathways and neurotransmitters in regulating clock neuron function.
Salk researchers created tools to study neuropeptides, finding they control the brain's fear response in mice. Neuropeptides are released during a mild stimulus, triggering fear behaviors, which can be reduced by silencing their release.
Researchers discovered underlying sex differences in molecular pathways driving reward-related behaviors, which could lead to more effective treatments for mental health disorders. The study found that females use a different channel for calcium ions and an estrogen receptor to strengthen connections between brain regions.
Researchers used advanced imaging technology to reveal the atomic structure of an enzyme that neurons use to communicate. The study provides new insights into synaptic function and may lead to therapeutic targets for epilepsy and other neurological conditions.
A high school student, Michelle Du, helped develop a novel method to predict neurotransmitters from insect connectomes using neural networks. The method has been used in various neuroscience studies and provides valuable insights into brain circuit function.
Researchers investigate how early-stage Alzheimer's disease affects memory formation by examining synaptic connections and amyloid beta. The study aims to understand the role of NMDA receptors in synaptic plasticity and how they might be hijacked by amyloid beta, leading to memory dysfunction.
Researchers found that bullied adolescents have lower levels of glutamate in the brain's anterior cingulate cortex region, which regulates emotions and decision-making. This imbalance is linked to higher levels of subclinical psychotic experiences in early adolescence.
Researchers are exploring new ways to fight metastasis, including the use of bacteria to activate a defensive response against cancer. Stress and changes in circadian rhythms have also been linked to metastasis, suggesting that these factors may be targets for prevention or treatment.
A recent study published in Geroscience found that trigonelline, a plant alkaloid in coffee, significantly improved spatial learning and memory performance in senescence-accelerated mice. The researchers also identified the underlying molecular mechanisms, including reduced neuroinflammation and increased neurotransmitter release.
Sahmyook University researchers discovered a correlation between methamphetamine-induced behavior and the expression of specific genes in mice models lacking Period 2 gene. They identified 19 genes that were activated only in response to repeated doses of methamphetamine.
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.