Articles tagged with Amygdala
A neural circuit in the amygdala processes pain-related signals to set emotional memory strength and expectation levels. Disrupting this circuit can lead to hyper-emotional memories, such as those experienced by individuals with PTSD. The study suggests that similar circuits may perturb expectations in anxious people.
Research at University College London reveals that small lies desensitize our brains to associated negative emotions and may encourage us to tell larger lies. The study found that the brain's response to lying declines with each lie, predicting bigger lies in the future.
Researchers at Uppsala University have shown that disrupting fear-memories can improve exposure therapy for arachnophobia. This method, known as reconsolidation disruption, makes the memory unstable and then saves it in a weakened form.
Researchers at UC Davis used DREADDs technology to temporarily turn off the amygdala, a key region for emotions, and found changes in activity across the entire brain. This study suggests that altered brain connectivity may be used to determine pathology sites in complex disorders like schizophrenia and autism.
A study found that parvalbumin-interneurons in the amygdala regulate emotional reactivity by suppressing surrounding neurons. This inhibitory plasticity is a normal consequence of memory encoding, but dysregulation may lead to hyperexcitability and pathological fear expression.
Researchers have found that the human amygdala can detect threats in the visual environment at extremely fast time scales, even before receiving precise visual input from the neocortex. This discovery has implications for our understanding of pathologies such as phobias and anxiety, where the amygdala plays a key role.
Chronic stress alters the architecture of the brain's amygdala, leading to anxiety and depressive disorders. An experimental new drug may prevent this damage by increasing resilience in mice at risk for developing these conditions.
A new study from RIKEN Brain Science Institute reveals that the brain processes ambiguous associations, like those between odors and food or sounds and predators. Researchers found that the amygdala stores both memories and uncertainty in neural circuits.
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill have identified a brain circuit controlling binge drinking, connecting two regions with corticotropin-releasing factor. Inhibiting this circuit in mice protects against binge alcohol drinking.
A new study from MIT reveals how two populations of neurons in the amygdala form parallel channels that carry information about pleasant or unpleasant events. The findings suggest that to fully understand how the brain processes emotions, neuroscientists will have to delve deeper into more specific populations.
A Russian-US research team found that aggressive behavior leads to new nerve cells being generated in the brain, specifically in the hippocampus. This discovery could help understand aggression and its link to autism and other disorders.
Researchers found that children raised in poverty have weaker connections between the hippocampus, amygdala, and other brain areas, increasing their risk of depression. The study highlights the importance of early intervention to foster positive brain development and reduce adverse outcomes.
A study by Michael Platt at the University of Pennsylvania found that the amygdala influences positive social functions like kindness and charitable giving in humans. Rhesus macaques showed a neural response to recipient rewards, which was correlated with prosocial behavior.
Researchers at the Center for BrainHealth have identified a potential brain-based biomarker for depressive symptoms in individuals with traumatic brain injury. They found that those with TBI and depression exhibit increased brain connectivity between multiple regions, including the amygdala, which is responsible for emotional processin...
A study by University of Iowa researchers has identified areas of the brain controlled by breathing, providing an important insight into SUDEP. Breathing loss was recorded when the amygdala was stimulated in human subjects, even if they were aware and awake.
A new study suggests that brain activity can predict how likely young adults are to develop problem drinking or engage in risky sexual behavior. The research found that imbalance in the function of typically complementary brain areas, such as the ventral striatum and amygdala, is associated with increased risk.
A study found that young children's aversion to opposite-sex peers (the 'cooties' effect) is encoded in the amygdala. As children enter puberty, interest in opposite-sex peers blooms anew, with some becoming infatuated with a member of the opposite sex.
Researchers found a correlation between brain's response to angry or fearful faces and mental health symptoms after stressful events. Higher amygdala activity predicts greater symptoms of depression and anxiety in response to stress.
A new study from Duke University has found that a brain marker can predict who will develop depression and anxiety years after a stressful event. By measuring the activity of the amygdala, researchers were able to identify individuals who were at higher risk for developing mental illness.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute found that a brain region called the lateral horn can categorize odors as good or bad and weak or strong. This ability is similar to the function of the amygdala in vertebrates, which evaluates sensory impressions and dangers.
Researchers discovered that neurons in the amygdala, responsible for processing fearful experiences, lose their ability to discriminate between safe and dangerous stimuli when an individual exhibits generalized fear. This loss of discrimination leads to a state of hyperarousal and intense anxiety.
The study reveals that the hippocampus can freely associate with either positive or negative emotions, while the amygdala is hard-wired for specific experiences. This flexibility may help explain the success of behavioral therapy for phobias and PTSD, and suggests novel treatments for depression and other disorders.
Scientists alter emotional associations of specific memories by manipulating connections between the hippocampus and amygdala, finding that changing the emotional valence can transform a negative memory into a positive one. The research demonstrates potential for treating depression and anxiety.
Researchers at Yerkes National Primate Research Center discovered that the amygdala has an inhibitory effect on stress hormones during early development, contrary to adult responses. Monkeys with neonatal amygdala damage show increased cortisol levels and elevated CRF, yet exhibit reduced fear and aggression.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that small DNA modifications can affect the brain's threat response. The study focused on the serotonin transporter gene and found a strong link between methylation levels and amygdala reactivity, which may contribute to stress-related disorders.
A new brain imaging study identified the neural mechanisms underlying judgment of punishment for harm caused intentionally or unintentionally. The study found that graphic language influences punishment, but only when harm is intentional, while unintentional harm has no effect on punishment level.
Scientists have identified a specific electrical pattern in the brains of genetically identical mice that predicts how well individual animals will fare in stressful situations. This finding may help prevent mental illnesses linked with stress, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
Researchers found that adolescents who showed a higher reaction in their amygdala while viewing negative images were more likely to develop PTSD symptoms after the Boston Marathon bombing. The study's findings suggest that brain activity before a traumatic event can predict a person's response to it.
Researchers found that some brain cells in the amygdala respond to judgments based on a viewer's subjective opinions rather than true emotion expressed. This discovery may provide insight into anxiety and unprovoked fear.
Researchers found that early life stress can alter brain structures involved in learning, memory, and emotion processing. Children who experienced physical abuse or neglect had smaller amygdalas and hippocampal volumes, linked to behavioral problems and cumulative life stress.
Researchers found psilocybin inhibits amygdala activity, weakening negative stimuli processing and correlating with enhanced positive mood. This mechanism may lead to novel treatments for depression and anxiety disorders.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have discovered that a small region within the amygdala in bats is responsible for producing emotional calls and sounds. This finding may lead to new treatments for malfunctions in emotional responses, such as pathological aggression.
Researchers found that maternal depression was associated with reduced structural connectivity in the right amygdala of newborns. This abnormal microstructure may contribute to a child's vulnerability to mental illness. The study suggests early intervention targeting maternal depression during pregnancy could reduce this risk.
Research finds that children whose bond with mother was disrupted early in life show similar responses to adoptive mother and strangers in the amygdala, indicating potential long-term effects on social interaction. Longitudinal study of 67 youths aged 4-17 reveals reduced amygdala differentiation and increased indiscriminate friendliness.
Researchers at Stanford University found that a larger amygdala and stronger connections with other brain regions are linked to higher anxiety levels in young children. The study provides new insights into the developmental origins of anxiety and could aid in early identification and treatment.
Researchers recorded individual nerve cells in the amygdala of patients with high-functioning autism and found a specific type of neuron responding abnormally to the mouth region. The study provides new insights into mechanisms underlying autism symptoms and opens the door for further studies.
Researchers found specific neurons in the amygdala of autistic individuals respond differently to faces, with reduced processing of the eye region compared to control-group individuals. These neurons also responded more strongly to mouths than eyes, shedding light on abnormal face processing in autism.
A University of Michigan researcher is using neurogenetics and behavioral studies to understand the development and treatment of antisocial behavior in boys. The study found that environment, including social support, moderates the link between over-reactive amygdala responses and anxious behavior.
Researchers at Tufts University found that exposure therapy remodels inhibitory junctions in the amygdala, allowing fear responses to be alleviated. The study may aid in developing more effective treatments for anxiety disorders.
Research suggests brain activity and hormone fluctuations play crucial roles in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Women with PMDD exhibit hyper-responsive amygdala activation in response to emotional stimuli, particularly low progesterone levels. The study aims to develop new treatment strategies for affected women.
Researchers found that alcohol intoxication reduces coupling between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, impairing ability to accurately appraise environment and respond to social signals. This study provides insight into maladaptive behaviors seen in alcohol intoxication, including social disinhibition and aggression.
Researchers at MIT have identified a key brain circuit that controls anxiety levels, providing new insights into the development of effective treatments. The study found that manipulating this circuit can boost or reduce anxiety in mice, suggesting a promising avenue for future research.
A key brain structure that regulates emotions works differently in depressed preschoolers compared to their healthy peers, according to new research. The findings suggest the children's brains may be experiencing an exaggeration of a normal developmental response to emotions.
A new technique developed by Dr. Fred Helmstetter and his research group studies the brain's reaction to anticipated pain, focusing on the amygdala's role in emotional learning and behavior. The study uses a combination of MRI and MEG to map amygdala activity over time, providing new insights into anxiety disorders and psychopathology.
Researchers at UTMB are using gene therapy to target the serotonin 2C receptor in the amygdala to prevent abnormal pain generation and treatment resistance. They aim to develop a permanent solution to neuropathic pain, which affects millions of Americans.
Researchers from UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health discovered a core circuit responsible for the variability in symptoms shown by patients with severe anxiety. The study identified two distinct brain circuits: one shared among all anxious individuals and another specific to particular symptoms.
A team of scientists found that conservatives and liberals use different brain regions when making risky decisions, with 82.9% accuracy in predicting party affiliation.
Researchers have identified multiple brain regions responsible for generating fear and panic, including the amygdala, brainstem, diencephalon, and insular cortex. The findings suggest that an intact amygdala normally inhibits panic, and its absence can lead to anxiety-related conditions.
A new study by Scripps Research Institute scientists confirms a critical role for microRNA-182 in the development of emotional memory in the amygdala. MicroRNA-182 was found to promote local protein synthesis and support synapse-specificity of memories.
Researchers found that stress-related problem drinking is linked to a specific combination of neural circuit functioning, including highly reactive reward circuits and hypo-reactive threat circuits. This imbalance can lead to excessive drinking in response to stress, as the brain struggles with opposing drives for pleasure and fear.
A study found that 8-week meditation training can alter brain function even outside of meditation. Different forms of meditation may have distinct effects on the amygdala, a key structure for emotion processing.
A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison suggests that decreased gene activity may be involved in childhood risk for anxiety and depression. Researchers found that young children with highly anxious temperaments have lower levels of specific genes in the amygdala, which can lead to overactivity and impaired learning about f...
A recent study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that the brain's amygdala and auditory cortex interact when processing negative emotions triggered by unpleasant sounds. The study used fMRI to examine how brains responded to a range of sounds, from knife-on-bottle to soothing water flowing.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute found a connection between the ghrelin peptide and brain cells involved in alcoholism. The study suggests that blocking ghrelin's activity could help dampen or turn off cravings in alcoholics, offering new possibilities for treating addiction.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that BPA exposure early in life causes significant gene expression changes associated with anxiety. A soy-rich diet was shown to mitigate these effects in rats, suggesting a potential protective role for soy in reducing the impact of BPA on mental health.
Researchers found that people see things with greater clarity when they are emotionally arousing and remember them more vividly. This phenomenon, known as 'emotionally enhanced vividness,' is linked to increased activity in the brain's visual cortex and amygdala. Studies used brain imaging measures to confirm these findings.
UTMB professor Volker Neugebauer is conducting a four-year, $1.36 million study on the relationship between pain and brain functions, particularly the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex. The investigation aims to understand how abnormal pain input affects the brain's emotional response and decision-making processes.
A new study from Duke University found that a drug blocking fatty acid amide hydrolase activity reduces fear in mice by increasing endocannabinoids. Human genetic differences related to the same enzyme also influence how well people cope with fear and stress.
Researchers discovered a strong correlation between the amygdala and baseline distrust, which may be based on a person's beliefs about trustworthiness. The parahippocampal gyrus lit up when others' behavior aroused suspicion, acting like an inborn lie detector.
Researchers identified a genetic link between fear and anxiety disorders like PTSD, revealing two distinct types of PTSD symptoms and potential treatments for each. The study suggests that genetic predispositions can affect resilience to traumatic experiences.