A previously undetected pathway in the mouse brain bypasses the visual cortex to directly activate contagious itch.

Before their own central clocks develop, the brains of fetal rats detect their mother’s metabolic cycle to help regulate the expression of certain genes.

A study in mice finds that for certain genes, one parent’s allele can dominate expression and shape behavior—and which parent’s allele does so varies throughout the body.

Two independent teams identify neuron populations in the mouse brain that regulate the physiological changes associated with torpor.

Altering DNA methylation in a particular area of the hypothalamus halved the animals’ voluntary exercise as adults.

Directly activating a heat sensor also sensitive to capsaicin in chili peppers in the hypothalamus had the same effect as exercise.

Brain studies have yielded a mixed picture of the neural similarities and differences between people of different genders.

Once implanted into animals’ brains, neural stem cells that secrete microRNA-containing vesicles seem to contribute to an anti-aging effect.

Once it’s cleaved, the protein precursor pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gives rise to hormones involved in appetite, arousal, pleasure, and more.

Inducing activity in the zona incerta region of the brain prompts mice to gorge themselves.

A second patient taking an experimental medication to treat Prader-Willi Syndrome has died of blood clots.

Stressed male mice can pass on an abnormal stress response to their offspring via microRNAs found in sperm, a study shows.

Cannabinoids cause appetite-suppressing neurons to produce an appetite-stimulating hormone in mice.

Insulin and leptin act on specialized neurons in the mouse hypothalamus to promote conversion of white to beige fat.

A network of neurons in the hypothalamus can turn feeding behavior on or off with the flip of an optogenetic switch in mice.  

Researchers find that photoreceptors expressed in zebrafish hypothalamus contribute to light-dependent behavior.

Hormones in the brain control sex-specific behaviors by activating individual genetic programs.