Dopamine
Cocaine, morphine commandeer neurons normally activated by food, water in mice
Confirming a long-held hypothesis, repeated exposure to the drugs alters neurons in the nucleus accumbens, the brain’s reward center, and curbs an animal’s urge for sustenance.
Cocaine, morphine commandeer neurons normally activated by food, water in mice
Confirming a long-held hypothesis, repeated exposure to the drugs alters neurons in the nucleus accumbens, the brain’s reward center, and curbs an animal’s urge for sustenance.
What happens when a histopathologist teams up with computational modelers?
Answers emerge in my chat with Nicola Palomero-Gallagher, a rare example of someone who connects the brain’s microscopic constituents and macroscopic features.
What happens when a histopathologist teams up with computational modelers?
Answers emerge in my chat with Nicola Palomero-Gallagher, a rare example of someone who connects the brain’s microscopic constituents and macroscopic features.
Mouse study links dopamine in cerebellum to social behavior
The signaling molecule’s social role in the ‘little brain’ involves Purkinje neurons in the Crus I and Crus II regions, a new study reveals.
Mouse study links dopamine in cerebellum to social behavior
The signaling molecule’s social role in the ‘little brain’ involves Purkinje neurons in the Crus I and Crus II regions, a new study reveals.
Poor sleep shifts social circuit in mice
Even temporary bouts of too little non-REM sleep can lead to long-term changes in how the animals respond to certain social situations, new research suggests.
Poor sleep shifts social circuit in mice
Even temporary bouts of too little non-REM sleep can lead to long-term changes in how the animals respond to certain social situations, new research suggests.
Brain circuit makes social interactions rewarding, may be altered in autism
Blocking connections between the amygdala and hypothalamus prevents mice from finding social interactions as rewarding as they would otherwise.
Brain circuit makes social interactions rewarding, may be altered in autism
Blocking connections between the amygdala and hypothalamus prevents mice from finding social interactions as rewarding as they would otherwise.
Dopamine neurons may dampen social behavior in mouse model of autism
Mice missing a copy of the autism-linked gene PTEN show a reduced preference for social interaction, possibly due to atypically large, overconnected dopamine neurons. Easing the overconnection may alleviate this trait.
Dopamine neurons may dampen social behavior in mouse model of autism
Mice missing a copy of the autism-linked gene PTEN show a reduced preference for social interaction, possibly due to atypically large, overconnected dopamine neurons. Easing the overconnection may alleviate this trait.
Two new sensors track chemical signals in brains of living animals
Novel sensors enable researchers to monitor the activity of two signaling chemicals in the brains of living fruit flies and mice.
Two new sensors track chemical signals in brains of living animals
Novel sensors enable researchers to monitor the activity of two signaling chemicals in the brains of living fruit flies and mice.
Skepticism surrounds autism drug given ‘fast track’ for approval
In May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guaranteed an experimental autism drug a speedy review for approval, but some scientists are skeptical of the drug’s potential.
Skepticism surrounds autism drug given ‘fast track’ for approval
In May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guaranteed an experimental autism drug a speedy review for approval, but some scientists are skeptical of the drug’s potential.
Learning shows sex bias in mice with mutation tied to autism
Male mice with a genetic variant tied to autism may have learning difficulties that females with the variant do not.
Learning shows sex bias in mice with mutation tied to autism
Male mice with a genetic variant tied to autism may have learning difficulties that females with the variant do not.
Brain’s reward region may drive social problems in autism
Having too many copies of an autism gene called UBE3A mutes a brain region that may mediate the satisfaction a person derives from social interactions.
Brain’s reward region may drive social problems in autism
Having too many copies of an autism gene called UBE3A mutes a brain region that may mediate the satisfaction a person derives from social interactions.
Explore more from The Transmitter
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.