Brain cells can be broadly divided into two categories: inhibitory and excitatory neurons. Excitatory neurons are cells that support the generation of electrical impulses in postsynaptic neurons, thus prompting the activation of cells in specific brain regions....
MEDICALXPRESS
Study suggests that stevia is the most brain-compatible sugar substitute
Given the known risks of consuming high amounts of sugar, today many people are looking for alternative sweeteners that produce a similar taste without prompting significant weight gain and causing other health issues. While research suggests that the brain can tell...
Study suggests that living near green spaces reduces the risk of depression and anxiety
Over the past decades, a growing number of people have migrated to urban areas, while the size and population of rural areas have drastically declined. While parks and other green spaces are often viewed as beneficial for the well-being of those living in cities and...
How myeloid cell replacement could help treat autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) are disorders of the immune system associated in this case with demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS). The term demyelination describes damage to the layer covering nerve fibers in the brain and spinal...
Study reveals the strong impact of layer 6b neurons on cortical activity
Layer 6b, the deepest layer of the mammalian brain's cortex, has recently been the focus of numerous neuroscience studies. Despite the interesting findings gathered in recent years, the role of this deep cortical layer remains poorly understood.
Study finds that dopamine projections to the amygdala contribute to encoding identity-specific reward memories
Over the course of their lives, humans build subjective internal models outlining the associations between specific environmental stimuli and rewards that could be gained from interacting with them. These experience-based models allow them to infer what benefits they...
Exploring how oxytocin interacts with testosterone while humans play a game modeling intergroup conflict
Over the past decades, numerous studies have investigated the neural and cognitive processes underpinning intergroup conflict, as this could help to explain what fuels belligerent behavior, political clashes, and wars. While these works gathered some interesting...
Exploring the factors that influence people’s ability to detect lies online
The internet has given rise to new forms of deceit and misinformation, including phishing attacks, romance scams and fake news. While many psychological studies have investigated the factors that influence people's ability to tell if others are lying in person, lie...
Reorganization of prefrontal cortex circuitry during adolescence enables cognitive maturation of mice
Neuroscientists have been trying for decades to understand how the brains of humans and other animals develop throughout the lifespan. While their work has gathered much insight into brain maturation and development, many questions remain unanswered.
The realization of aqueous flow batteries with mild pH decoupling
Technologies that can store the energy produced by photovoltaics and wind turbines could play a key role in the decarbonization of the energy sector. The operation of both solar cells and wind turbines relies on suitable weather conditions, and grid-scale energy...