Internal states that animals experience while they are thirsty, hungry, sleepy or aggressive have been found to be linked with the combined activity of various neuromodulators and neurotransmitters. These chemical messengers can drastically change the excitability and...
Over the course of their lives, animals form associations between sensory stimuli and predicted threats or rewards. These associations can, in turn, shape the behaviors of animals, prompting them to engage in avoidant behaviors (e.g., avoiding specific stimuli and...
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical procedure that entails the implantation of electrodes in specific brain regions, to subsequently stimulate these regions via high frequency electric impulses. This procedure is a highly effective therapeutic intervention...
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, affecting an estimated 300 million people worldwide. While there are currently numerous pharmacological treatments for depression, how different treatments impact the brains of the patients they are administered...
Sensors that can be easily and safely introduced in the brain could have important medical applications and could also contribute to the development of brain-interfacing devices. While significant progress has been made toward the development of these sensors, most...
Animal reproduction is supported by the integration of various external and internal processes. These processes include a combination of perceived sensory cues, behaviors and hormone secretion.
The somatosensory cortex is a region of the mammalian brain known to play a crucial role in the processing of sensory information, including tactile sensations, temperature and pain. While this brain region has been the focus of numerous neuroscience studies, its...
Sleep is among the most fascinating phenomena observed in both humans and animals, known to be characterized by different cycles and types of brain activity. Past neuroscience studies have found that during sleep, groups of neurons in the hippocampus replay past...
Humans can relate to the passage of time differently, experiencing a multitude of thoughts and emotions about their past, present and future. In psychology, these time-related mental representations are collectively referred to as "time perspective."
Synapses are small gaps between neurons through which signals are transmitted. This transmission of signals is what allows neurons to communicate and ultimately produce complex internal processes, such as thoughts and feelings, as well as actions and behaviors.