The ability to regulate one's own food intake is essential to the survival of both humans and other animals. This innate ability ensures that the body receives the nutrients it needs to perform daily activities, without significantly exceeding calorie intake, which...
Neuroscience
Brain network model can predict when people will feel surprised
Surprise is a key human emotion that is typically felt when something that we are witnessing or experiencing differs from our expectations. This natural human response to the unexpected has been the focus of numerous psychology studies, which uncovered some of its...
Study gathers new insight into the neural underpinnings of human cooperation
Collaboration and cooperation are key elements of human social interactions, which can contribute to the efficient achievement of shared goals. While many psychology and neuroscience studies have investigated cooperative behaviors among humans, the complex interplay...
Study uncovers psychological profiles associated with mental and brain health in middle-aged and older adults
As humans age, their brain function can progressively decline and they become more vulnerable to developing neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia. Dementia and other progressive neurological conditions can significantly impair their memory, thinking skills and...
Genetically modified mice hint at tau hyperphosphorylation’s early role in neurodegenerative diseases
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein that helps to stabilize the structure of neurons, specifically by supporting microtubules, cylindrical structures that contribute to cell motility, intracellular transport and the maintenance of a cell's shape over time. While...
Dopamine acts on motivation and reinforcement learning via distinct cellular processes, study suggests
Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter known to modulate motivation and reinforcement learning. While the role of dopamine in these reward-related processes is well-established, the cellular and neural circuit-level mechanisms underpinning its involvement in these...
Single-neuron mechanism may bridge gap between working memory and long-term memory
The human working memory (WM) is the cognitive system responsible for the temporary storage and processing of information vital to task completion. In contrast, human long-term memory (LTM) is the system that holds information for prolonged periods of time, organizing...
Study explores association between Tau filaments and extracellular vesicles in Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder associated with a progressive decline in memory and mental abilities, which can significantly hinder people's ability to complete daily tasks. Past studies found that patients diagnosed with AD, as...
Precise map of primate foveolar cortex uncovers intricacies of brain’s visual system
Humans and other primates are innately able to perceive fine details, vibrant colors and focus their attention on specific elements of what they are seeing at a given time. This ability is supported by the foveola, a tiny section of the retina that is densely packed...
Self-esteem influences self-related representations in others’ brains: Observing ‘self-recapitulation’ through MRIs
Different people have distinct and subjective perceptions of their personal worth, broadly referred to as "self-esteem." For decades, neuroscientists and psychologists have tried to pinpoint the neural basis of self-esteem and the neural processes associated with...