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Chemical tool illuminates pathways used by dopamine, opioids and other neuronal signals

Researchers have developed a new tool to better understand how chemicals like dopamine and epinephrine interact with neurons.

Innovative microscopy demystifies metabolism of Alzheimer’s

Using state-of-the-art microscopy techniques, researchers have shed new light on the underlying mechanisms driving Alzheimer’s disease.

In the brain, bursts of beta rhythms implement cognitive control

Bursts of brain rhythms with ‘beta’ frequencies control where and when neurons in the cortex process sensory information and plan responses. Studying these bursts would improve understanding of cognition and clinical disorders, researchers argue in a n…

Exploring brain synchronization patterns during social interactions

Social interactions synchronize brain activity within individuals and between individuals. In a new study, researchers compared brain synchronization between pairs of people with relatively strong social ties (acquaintance pairs) and pairs with almost …

Glial hyper-drive for triggering epileptic seizures

When epileptic patients suffer seizures, their brain is undergoing repetitive and excessive neuronal firing. But what triggers this has stumped scientists for years. Now, researchers have used fluorescence calcium sensors to track astrocytes’ role in e…

When thoughts flow in one direction

Contrary to previous assumptions, nerve cells in the human neocortex are wired differently than in mice. The study found that human neurons communicate in one direction, while in mice, signals tend to flow in loops. This increases the efficiency and ca…

Perfect balance: How the brain fine-tunes its sensitivity

A sensitive perception of the environment is crucial for guiding our behavior. However, an overly sensitive response of the brain’s neural circuits to stimuli can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders such as epilepsy. Researchers now report how neurona…

Scientists uncover 95 regions of the genome linked to PTSD

In posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), intrusive thoughts, changes in mood, and other symptoms after exposure to trauma can greatly impact a person’s quality of life. About 6 percent of people who experience trauma develop the disorder, but scientist…

Paper: To understand cognition–and its dysfunction–neuroscientists must learn its rhythms

Thought emerges and is controlled in the brain via the rhythmically and spatially coordinated activity of millions of neurons, scientists argue in a new article. Understanding cognition and its disorders requires studying it at that level.

Protecting brain cells with cannabinol

Scientists created four cannabis-derived CBN analogs (chemical look-a-likes) with enhanced neuroprotective properties and potential for therapeutic application in neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and traumatic brain injury. Their f…