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Interneurons find their way to the striatum

Interneurons from the medial ganglionic eminence migrate to the striatum through a mechanism involving Eph/ephrins signalling. The study reveals parallel mechanisms of target chemoattraction and off-target chemorepulsion for interneuron migration.

SourceKing's College London·DateJun 10, 2015

How does the brain keep track of time?

Researchers found that rats' behavior changed according to waiting times, mimicking human actions. The neural basis was linked to the striatum, where neurons encoded time as a position within an interval, not absolute units.

SourceJLM&A, SA·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 23, 2015
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Dark neural patches

Scientists at OIST Graduate University found that cell groups in the neostriatum do not communicate with each other and are less interconnected. The discovery has implications for studying diseases like Parkinson's, which affects motor control.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalBrain Structure and Function·DateMar 11, 2015

Scientists map memorable tunes in the rat brain

Researchers used a rat model to map the brain's communication between nerve cells as they learned to make decisions based on specific sounds. The study found that training rats to associate low frequency tones with food strengthened synaptic connections in the striatum, leading to improved performance.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalNature·DateMar 3, 2015

Readying the neural network

Researchers at OIST Graduate University found that extrasynaptic receptors are essential for establishing a plateau in the membrane potential of neurons, allowing them to signal more effectively. Blocking these receptors with memantine reduces the frequency and synchrony of neural activity.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNeuropharmacology·DateNov 16, 2014
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

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The striatum acts as hub for multisensory integration

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet find that the striatum integrates sensory input from touch, vision, and sound to guide movements. The study provides insight into the brain's processing of external input and its role in motor function and disease.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNeuron·DateAug 22, 2014

Choice bias: A quirky byproduct of learning from reward

Researchers discovered a link between credit assignment and choice bias, finding that people value rewards they choose more than equivalent rewards not chosen. The study used computational modeling and behavioral experiments to test the hypothesis, and found evidence supporting the proposed biological mechanism.

SourceBrown University·JournalNeuron·DateJul 24, 2014

Protective effect of α-synuclein knockdown on dopaminergic neurons

Knocking down α-synuclein in a methamphetamine-induced model of Parkinson's disease reduced depression manifestations, increased striatal dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase levels, and decreased reactive oxygen species. This suggests that α-synuclein may exacerbate oxidative stress and apoptosis in dopaminergic neurons.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateJul 14, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Synchronized brain waves enable rapid learning

Neurons in the prefrontal cortex and striatum synchronize their brain waves to form new communication circuits during category-learning, enabling rapid adaptation. This phenomenon likely precedes changes in synapses and underlies the human mind's flexibility.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNeuron·DateJun 12, 2014

Neuron tells stem cells to grow new neurons

Duke researchers discovered a novel neuron population in the adult brain that instructs stem cells to produce new neurons. The finding opens up possibilities for brain repair and regeneration through neural circuits.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJun 2, 2014

Breaking habits before they start

Researchers at MIT found that blocking activity in the infralimbic cortex prevents rats from learning to run a maze on autopilot. The study suggests a new approach to treating disorders of repetitive behavior by targeting this brain region.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNeuron·DateJun 27, 2013
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

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Shedding light on early Parkinson's disease pathology

Researchers found movement deficits and loss of tyrosine-hydroxylase-positive fibers in the striatum, with no significant decrease in nigral dopaminergic neurons. The study suggests that gliosis in the substantia nigra plays a role in introducing dopaminergic deficits.

SourceIOS Press·JournalRestorative Neurology and Neuroscience·DateApr 1, 2013

BUSM study identifies pathology of Huntington's disease

A BUSM study has pinpointed the two main areas of the brain most severely impacted by Huntington's disease, the striatum and outer cortical regions. The research also found significant variation in the extent of cell death across individuals, with some experiencing severe damage while others appear virtually normal.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalNeurology·DateOct 17, 2012
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Brain study reveals the roots of chocolate temptations

A recent brain study found that rats overeat chocolates due to an opium-like chemical in the brain, leading to increased desire and impulse to consume rewards. This discovery provides insight into human binge-eating tendencies and addiction.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 20, 2012

To ditch dessert, feed the brain

A study published by Yale University researchers found that when the brain's glucose levels drop, an area responsible for regulating emotions and impulses loses its ability to resist high-calorie food. This response is particularly pronounced in obese individuals, who exhibit a heightened desire for high-calorie foods.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 19, 2011

Advice vs. experience: Genes predict learning style

Researchers found that genetic variations can predict how persistently people will believe advice, even when it contradicts their experience. The study highlights the role of confirmation bias in decision-making, where people tend to distort experiences to align with pre-existing beliefs.

SourceBrown University·DateApr 19, 2011

Unconscious learning uses old parts of the brain

A new study from Karolinska Institutet finds that the limbic striatum, an evolutionarily old part of the brain, is involved in implicit learning of motor sequences. This discovery sheds light on fundamental learning systems shared with primitive vertebrates and has implications for developing treatments for diseases like Parkinson's.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 6, 2010
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Time-keeping brain neurons discovered

Researchers have identified groups of neurons that precisely keep time in the primate brain, allowing for fine-scale control over actions. The discovery opens doors to investigations into how the brain produces and uses its natural time code.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2009

MIT neuroscientists find neural stopwatch in the brain

Researchers identified populations of neurons coding time with extreme precision in the primate brain's prefrontal cortex and striatum. This fine-scale coverage enables precise timing of actions, such as speaking or driving a car.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 19, 2009

'Dry cleaning effect' explained by forgetful Yale researcher

A Yale researcher suggests that a competition between brain areas can explain why people forget tasks, such as dropping off dry cleaning. This 'dry cleaning effect' involves the interaction between the striatum and hippocampus, which may be relevant to understanding mental illnesses like obsessive-compulsive disorder.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 20, 2008
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Praise equals money?

Researchers found that perceiving a good reputation activates the brain's reward system in a similar manner to monetary rewards. The study used fMRI experiments on 19 people and found robust activation of reward-related brain areas, particularly the striatum.

SourceNational Institute for Physiological Sciences·JournalNeuron·DateApr 23, 2008

Decision-making -- Demonstration of a link between cognition and execution

A team of researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery in the Movement, Adaptation, Cognition Laboratory, revealing an interaction at the cellular level between cognitive information and motor information. This finding provides a fundamental advance in understanding the physiological role of the basal ganglia and has significant imp...

SourceCNRS·JournalNeuroscience·DateFeb 8, 2007

Metabolic disorder underlies Huntington's disease

Research reveals a metabolic defect underlying Huntington's disease, causing temperature dysregulation in brain regions like the striatum. The findings may explain symptoms like weight loss and could lead to new therapeutic avenues.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateOct 19, 2006
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

The human brain responds to receiving rewards 'the old fashioned way'

Researchers used fMRI to study brain activity in response to rewards, finding that reward centers were activated when participants actively received the reward. Active participation was found to be more salient and arousing than passive receipt, highlighting its importance for brain function.

SourceEmory University Health Sciences Center·JournalNeuron·DateMay 12, 2004

Treatable psychiatric symptoms common with degenerative brain disease

A study by Johns Hopkins scientists has found that up to 80% of patients with degenerative brain diseases such as Huntington's disease also suffer from depression, impaired thinking, and changes in personality. The researchers believe that many symptoms can be eased with treatment, improving the quality of life for these patients.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateAug 6, 2002