All articles tagged with #neuroscience
Originally Published 2 days ago — by Nature
Scientists have identified a neural pathway in the brain that acts as a 'motivation brake,' making it difficult to start unpleasant tasks. By suppressing this circuit in macaque monkeys, researchers significantly increased their willingness to initiate tasks despite potential punishment, offering insights into motivation deficits in psychiatric conditions like depression.
Originally Published 4 days ago — by Nature
This study investigates how the neural geometry of learned cues in the prefrontal cortex guides motivated behaviors, utilizing datasets available on GitHub and analyzing neural activity related to cue processing and decision-making in animals.
Originally Published 5 days ago — by ZME Science
A study from Northwestern University found that gut bacteria from different primates can influence mouse brain activity to resemble that of humans and other primates, suggesting microbes play a role in brain evolution and development, and may impact neurodevelopmental disorders.
Originally Published 8 days ago — by SciTechDaily
Scientists have developed a simple, affordable imaging method called computational scattered light imaging (ComSLI) that reveals hidden fiber networks in human tissues at micrometer resolution, applicable to old and preserved samples, and useful for studying tissue structure and neurological diseases.
Originally Published 8 days ago — by SciTechDaily
The article proposes biological computationalism, a new framework suggesting that consciousness arises from the brain's unique hybrid, scale-inseparable, and energy-constrained physical computation, challenging traditional views of cognition and highlighting limitations of current AI models.
Originally Published 11 days ago — by The Debrief
A new study challenges the traditional software metaphor of consciousness, emphasizing that physical processes in the brain, such as energy use and real-time changes, are fundamental to how the brain computes and produces consciousness, suggesting that biological material plays an active role in this process and that building conscious machines may require more than just advanced algorithms.
Originally Published 11 days ago — by PsyPost
2025 was a groundbreaking year in psychology and neuroscience, with studies revealing new insights into brain health, the influence of gut bacteria on social anxiety, the potential of sleep-based memory modification, and the impact of medications and lifestyle on cognitive decline and mental health. Key findings include the role of dormant viruses in Alzheimer's, the cognitive effects of common medications, innovative sleep therapies for emotional memory, and the gut-brain connection in anxiety, alongside practical health tips like optimal coffee timing and genetic influences on caffeine's effects.
Originally Published 13 days ago — by ScienceDaily
Scientists developed a protein called iGluSnFR4 that can detect incoming chemical signals in the brain, specifically glutamate, allowing researchers to observe how neurons process information in real time. This breakthrough enhances understanding of brain functions like learning and memory, and could advance research into neurological disorders and drug development.
Originally Published 13 days ago — by Neuroscience News
Yale researchers found that autistic adults have reduced availability of the mGlu5 glutamate receptor across the brain, supporting the theory that an imbalance in excitatory and inhibitory signaling contributes to autism traits. EEG data correlated with receptor levels suggest a potential accessible diagnostic tool, and targeting mGlu5 could lead to new treatments. The study offers rare molecular insight into autism, with future research planned in children and individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Originally Published 13 days ago — by Neuroscience News
A biologically grounded computational brain model closely mimics animal learning and neural activity, revealing new error-predicting neurons and offering a platform for studying brain disorders and developing neurotherapeutics.
Originally Published 14 days ago — by The Debrief
In 2025, significant advancements in consciousness research included exploring the possibility of universal consciousness before the Big Bang, recognizing consciousness as more widespread and ancient across species, breakthroughs in psychedelic therapy and altered states, progress in competing theories of consciousness, and increased attention to near-death experiences and their psychological impact, marking a shift towards viewing consciousness as a tangible scientific frontier.
Originally Published 15 days ago — by Neuroscience News
Researchers have developed iGluSnFR4, a highly sensitive protein sensor that can detect faint incoming glutamate signals between neurons in real time, enabling a deeper understanding of neural computation, brain communication, and potential insights into neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and autism.
Originally Published 15 days ago — by Yahoo
Recent advances in neuroscience suggest that memory can be manipulated in lab settings, with potential applications for healing mental health issues, though ethical concerns remain about its use in humans.
Originally Published 15 days ago — by Los Angeles Times
Recent advances in neuroscience suggest that manipulating memories could become a therapeutic tool for mental health conditions like PTSD, depression, and dementia, by altering emotional responses and restoring lost memories, although ethical and practical challenges remain for human application.
Originally Published 16 days ago — by SciTechDaily
Research indicates that ADHD is linked to increased creativity, largely due to a tendency for the mind to wander, especially deliberate mind wandering, which may be harnessed for positive outcomes and treatment strategies.