Summary: Scientists discovered that rats intensify their memories of negative experiences in familiar places by repetitively replaying them. This mental map, generated by specific neurons known as place cells, can…
Category: Memory
Learning Capabilities Persist in Dementia Patients
Summary: Dementia patients can still learn new skills, challenging common misconceptions about the disease. The researcher exposed dementia sufferers to tablet computers for the first time and, despite memory decline,…
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…