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Rewiring the urge to smoke

Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center found that stimulating a specific brain region regulates self-control reduced how much people smoked, with participants showing significant reductions in smoking and cravings after treatment

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of Psychiatric Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 8, 2026

Brain research: Study shows how brain stimulation can influence decisions

A new study by Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg found that brain stimulation can influence decisions, making choices faster with anodal stimulation and slower with cathodal stimulation. The research used transcranial direct current stimulation to activate or inhibit specific brain regions.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalJournal of Cognitive Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2025

HSE University researchers caused people to behave less rationally by suppressing activity in specific parts of the brain

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.

Cortex suppression resolves motivation conflict in favor of prosociality

Researchers suppressed cortical excitability to resolve self-interest vs. prosocial motivations in favor of cooperation, particularly in dictator games. In generosity games, no effect was observed. The study suggests the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex plays a key role in resolving conflicts between self-interest and prosociality.

Brain activity buffers against worsening anxiety

A new study by Duke University researchers found that people at-risk for anxiety were less likely to develop the disorder if they had higher activity in a region of the brain responsible for complex mental operations. Higher functioning dorsolateral prefrontal cortex may buffer against worsening anxiety.

SourceDuke University·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateNov 17, 2017

A 'cingular' strategy for attack and defense

The study found that two specific brain regions, the posterior cingulate cortex and rostral anterior cingulate cortex, are activated when making defensive or offensive strategies. This suggests that intuition plays a key role in rapid strategic decisions, rather than deliberate reasoning.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateApr 20, 2015

The art of mindreading -- empathy or rational inference?

Researchers found that the brain's dorsolateral prefrontal cortex plays a key role in rational inference, but not emotions, in 'mindreading'. The study suggests that certain executive functions like cognitive flexibility may be important for processing what someone else is thinking.

SourceElsevier·JournalCortex·DateMay 4, 2010

Is there a seat of wisdom in the brain?

Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine have reviewed the neurobiology of wisdom, identifying key brain regions involved in its attributes such as empathy, compassion and emotional stability. The study suggests an optimal balance between primitive and pre-frontal cortex brain regions may enhance wisdom.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateApr 6, 2009

New U-M Analysis Of Brain At Work

Researchers found that verbal storage tasks activate left-hemisphere speech areas, while spatial storage tasks activate specific areas of the right cortex. The study provides strong evidence for a more precise understanding of how various regions of the frontal cortex are involved in specific mental activities.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScience·DateMar 11, 1999