Summary: New research links childhood adversity with later attention deficits, sleep disruptions, and specific dopamine imbalances in the brain. Focusing on critical developmental windows, scientists found that disrupted care early…
Category: dopamine
Unexpected Sounds Boost Dopamine, Leading to Riskier Decisions
Summary: A new study shows that unexpected sounds can cause dopamine bursts in the brain, which may lead to riskier decision-making. Researchers found that participants were 4% more likely to…
Love’s Chemistry: How Dopamine Shapes Bonds and Breakups
Summary: Researchers uncover how dopamine, a key neurotransmitter, varies in response to social interactions, distinguishing between intimate and casual relationships. Their research, conducted on prairie voles, sheds light on the…
Sleepless Nights: The Brain’s Surprising Reaction to All-Nighters
Summary: unveiled the science behind the buoyant mood many feel after acute sleep deprivation, like pulling an all-nighter. The study in mice showed that not only does dopamine release rise…
Neuro-Insights of the Week From Neuroscience News, October 1, 2023
Summary: This week in neuroscience presents several groundbreaking insights. “Game of Thrones” enthusiasts, when lonely, show neurological patterns that equate their favorite characters to real-life friends. Researchers have identified a…
Study Challenges Longstanding Beliefs About Action of Antipsychotic Medications
Summary: Researchers uncovered a pivotal detail that could revolutionize schizophrenia treatment. Contrary to longstanding belief, antipsychotic drugs that mitigate overactive dopamine, a hallmark of schizophrenia, interact primarily with a different…
Dopamine Plays Double Duty in Learning and Motivation
Summary: A novel study suggests that dopamine, a neurotransmitter, plays dual roles in learning and motivation. In the study, male rats underwent Pavlovian or operant conditioning while their dopamine release…