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Defeating Fear Depends on Amygdala Suppression
Sukanya Charuchandra | Nov 1, 2018 | 1 min read
Researchers determine the neurological mechanics underpinning a technique to extinguish fearful memories using goal-directed eye movements.
Alzheimer’s Gene Affects Energy Consumption in Mouse Brains
Sukanya Charuchandra | Oct 1, 2018 | 2 min read
One variant limited the brain’s ability to use glucose.
Oxytocin Makes Time Fly
Sukanya Charuchandra | Aug 1, 2018 | 2 min read
Can people’s social skills affect their experience of time?
Book Excerpt from Jane on the Brain
Wendy Jones | Nov 30, 2017 | 5 min read
In chapter 3, “The Sense of Sensibility,” author Wendy Jones uses scenes from one of Jane Austen’s most celebrated novels to illustrate the functioning of the body’s stress response system.
Opinion: Share Your Data
Cameron Craddock, Arno Klein, and Michael P. Milham | Oct 24, 2017 | 4 min read
Our analysis of a collection of open-access datasets quantifies their benefit to the scientific community.
Long-Term Memory Storage Begins Immediately
Kerry Grens | Jun 1, 2017 | 2 min read
In mice, cells in the prefrontal cortex—where memories are maintained long-term—start to encode a fearful experience right from the start.
Birds Possess an Innate Vocal Signature Based on Silent Gaps
Diana Kwon | Mar 1, 2017 | 2 min read
 Zebra finches reared by another species learn to sing their foster parents’ song with rhythms characteristic of their genetic background.
Neural Activity Reflects a Bird’s Perception of How Well It Sings
Catherine Offord | Mar 1, 2017 | 3 min read
Zebra finches dial down dopamine signaling when they hear errors in a song performance.
Infographic: Taking Note of Singing Errors
Catherine Offord | Feb 28, 2017 | 1 min read
Birds' brains respond to distorted songs with changes in dopamine signaling.
Neuron Signaling Persists, Faintly, Even When Key Presynaptic Proteins Are Absent
Ben Andrew Henry | Nov 1, 2016 | 2 min read
Results from experiments in mice revise a long-held hypothesis that certain protein scaffolds are needed for synaptic activity.
Neural Network Found That Helps Control Breathing
Catherine Offord | Nov 1, 2016 | 2 min read
The results suggest that breathing is orchestrated by three—rather than two—excitatory circuits in the medulla.
Another Neural Circuit that Controls Breathing Found
Catherine Offord | Oct 31, 2016 | 1 min read
This third excitatory network helps to regulate postinspiration.
Do Brighter Species’ Brains Emit Redder Light?
Alison F. Takemura | Oct 1, 2016 | 2 min read
Photon emissions in the brain are red-shifted in more-intelligent species, though scientists dispute what that means.
Orchid Bees Use Simple Eyes to Detect Polarized Light
Catherine Offord | Sep 1, 2016 | 3 min read
The second visual field may aid in navigation.
pH Detectors in Lamprey Spinal Cords Control Cell and Locomotor Activity
Alison F. Takemura | Sep 1, 2016 | 2 min read
Neurons in the lamprey spinal cord can sense pH and counteract changes from the body’s optimal range.
Fruit Flies Feel Humidity with Dedicated Receptors
Alison F. Takemura | Sep 1, 2016 | 2 min read
Drosophila antennae let the insects seek out moisture levels they like best.
Animal Magnetism
Catherine Offord | May 1, 2016 | 2 min read
A photosensitive protein behind the retinas of cockroaches plays a role in light-dependent, directional magnetosensitivity.
Out in the Cold
Karen Zusi | Mar 1, 2016 | 2 min read
Serotonin’s long-debated role in sleep promotion is temperature-dependent.
Sleep Circuit
Karen Zusi | Mar 1, 2016 | 2 min read
A web of cell types in one of the brain’s chief wake centers keeps animals up—but also puts them to sleep.
Hormone Hangover
Jyoti Madhusoodanan | Feb 1, 2016 | 2 min read
Medication to prevent prematurity in humans harms cognitive flexibility in rats.
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