Neuroscience
Discovery challenges decades-old ideas about brain flexibility
Discovery challenges decades-old ideas about brain flexibility A new study challenges decades-old assumptions about brain flexibility by revealing that the brain uses distinct transmission sites to achieve different types of plasticity. The research, published in Science Advances, found that spontaneous and evoked transmissions use separate synaptic transmission sites, each with its own developmental timeline and […]
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Binge drinking brake found in mouse brains, offering future path to treating alcohol abuse – new research
Binge drinking brake found in mouse brains, offering future path to treating alcohol abuse – new research Researchers have identified a small cluster of neurons in the medial orbitofrontal cortex that play a key role in suppressing binge drinking behavior. The discovery was made using a genetically modified mouse model that allowed researchers to map […]
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Memories of the good parts of using drugs can keep people hooked − altering the neurons that store them could help treat addiction
Memories of the good parts of using drugs can keep people hooked − altering the neurons that store them could help treat addiction Researchers are exploring how memories of rewards can be altered to help treat addiction. By understanding how reward memories work and interact with each other, scientists can develop more effective treatments for […]
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Brain groove depth tied to better reasoning ability
Brain groove depth tied to better reasoning ability A new study published in The Journal of Neuroscience has found that the depth of small grooves on the surface of the brain is linked to stronger network connectivity and better reasoning ability. The researchers, led by Silvia Bunge and Kevin Weiner from UC Berkeley, discovered that […]
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Temporary anxiety can hamper learning
Temporary anxiety can hamper learning A recent study published in Nature Science of Learning found that temporary anxiety can significantly impact learning and spatial memory. The researchers used a virtual reality game to test participants’ ability to distinguish between safe and dangerous areas, and found that those who learned to do so showed better spatial […]
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How does your brain create new memories? Neuroscientists discover ‘rules’ for how neurons encode new information
How does your brain create new memories? Neuroscientists discover ‘rules’ for how neurons encode new information Researchers have identified “rules” for how neurons encode new information in the brain, revealing that different groups of synapses on a neuron follow different learning rules. The traditional Hebbian rule, where neurons that consistently fire together wire together, does […]
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Your time in high school affects your Alzheimer’s risk
Your time in high school affects your Alzheimer’s risk A new study reveals that high school contexts, opportunities, and outcomes play a significant role in shaping midlife cognition, even among individuals with the same completed degrees. The quality of one’s high school experience, not just degree attainment, affects brain health decades later, according to lead […]
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How does electrical brain stimulation ease post-stroke symptoms?
How does electrical brain stimulation ease post-stroke symptoms? A pilot study investigated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on post-stroke patients, particularly those with aphasia, a language disorder resulting from a stroke injury. The study found that participants who received real tDCS showed significantly larger pupil dilation, which could indicate improved attention, but […]
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Mice mistakes reveal surprises about learning
Mice mistakes reveal surprises about learning By revealing for the first time what happens in the brain when an animal makes a mistake, researchers are shedding light on the holy grail of neuroscience: the mechanics of how we learn. The team pinpointed the exact moment mice learned a new skill by observing the activity of […]
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Pupils shed light on the brain during sleep
Pupils shed light on the brain during sleep For the first time, researchers have been able to observe how the pupils react during sleep over a period of several hours. A look under the eyelids showed them that more happens in the brain during sleep than was previously assumed. Our eyes are typically closed when […]
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