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…
Tag: brain research
Microglia’s Role in Controlling Anxiety and OCD
Summary: A new study reveals how microglia can regulate anxiety and obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder (OCSD) behaviors. Traditionally overlooked in favor of neurons, specific microglia populations were found to both stimulate…
Depression and Urban Deprivation: Unseen Accelerators of Biological Aging
Summary: A new study reveals a possible link between depressive symptoms, living in deprived urban neighborhoods, and accelerated aging. The research utilized DNA methylation-based epigenetic clocks to estimate biological age…
Hitching a Ride: mRNA’s Transport System in Brain Cells Revealed
Summary: Researchers made significant advancements in understanding how mRNA is distributed in brain cells. They discovered that a protein complex called FERRY aids Early Endosomes (EEs) to carry mRNAs to…
Shaping Young Minds: Neurodevelopment Interventions for Psychiatric Disorders
Summary: Researchers explored potential treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and autism that act during critical windows of brain development. They specifically targeted underperforming dopamine neurons, which connect to the…
Youth Alcohol Dependency Could Signal Future Depression Risk
Summary: Adolescents with signs of alcohol dependency are more likely to suffer from depression in their mid-20s. The research, involving 3,902 participants from the ALSPAC study, examined the correlation between…
Untangling the Human Mind: The Interplay Between Cognition and Personality
Summary: Researchers make strides in mapping the complex interplay between human cognition and personality traits. This study synthesized data from over 1,300 studies globally, representing 2 million participants, to examine…
Empathy’s Influence on Drinking Patterns
Summary: A recent study reports a surprising correlation between daily affective empathy and alcohol consumption. The study found that on days when people experienced higher levels of affective empathy (empathy…
Unexpected Role of Immune Autoantibodies in Schizophrenia
Summary: A study reveals a connection between schizophrenia and autoimmune reactions. The researchers identified autoantibodies against the synaptic protein neurexin 1α in about 2% of patients with schizophrenia. These autoantibodies,…
Meditation Diminishes Bias Toward Negative Information
Summary: A new study reveals that daily mindfulness meditation can help reduce individuals’ tendency to avoid negative information. The practice of regular mindfulness meditation allows people to better process uncomfortable…
