Summary: Researchers have developed a new kind of artificial neuron—called infomorphic neurons—that can independently learn and self-organize with nearby neurons, mimicking the decentralized learning of biological brains. Inspired by pyramidal cells in the cerebral cortex, these neurons process local signals to adapt and specialize in tasks without external control.Each infomorphic...

Summary: New research uncovers how dopamine in the ventral shell of the nucleus accumbens (vsNAc) governs the sexual behavior sequence in male mice, from sniffing to ejaculation. Using fiber photometry, scientists identified rhythmic dopamine activity during intromission that aligns with movement patterns and is regulated by acetylcholine inputs.Crucially, the final...

Summary: For the first time, researchers have directly observed dopamine release in the human brain during moments of cognitive flexibility. Using PET imaging, they found that dopamine levels spike in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex when people switch between tasks — and the more dopamine released, the more efficiently they adapted.This...

Summary: A large study of over 14,000 Norwegian veterans reveals that taking a life in combat doesn’t automatically damage a soldier’s mental health—context matters. Veterans from Afghanistan, where combat was expected and rules of engagement were clear, showed no long-term psychological harm from killing.In contrast, Lebanon peacekeeping veterans who had...

Summary: A new study reveals that long-term high-fat diets reduce pleasure from eating by lowering neurotensin, a brain peptide that boosts dopamine response. This loss of reward dampens the desire for high-calorie foods, potentially worsening obesity by promoting habitual, joyless eating.In mice, restoring neurotensin levels reversed this effect, improving weight...

Sumary: A new study reveals that young mothers who feel emotionally connected to their unborn babies are more likely to form healthy, positive relationships with their children later. Researchers tracked 160 racially diverse, low-income mothers from pregnancy to their child’s toddler years, showing that prenatal bonding plays a key role...

Summary: New research reveals that Type 2 diabetes may impair the brain’s reward and memory processing in ways that mirror early Alzheimer’s disease. The study focuses on the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a brain region responsible for motivation and emotional regulation, and its interaction with the hippocampus.In diabetic rodent models,...

Summary: The brain constantly evaluates whether stimuli are positive or negative, prompting approach or avoidance behaviors that are essential for survival. A new study reveals that two neuron types in the nucleus accumbens—D1 and D2 neurons—respond together to both rewarding and aversive stimuli, but in distinct ways.Using real-time imaging in...

Summary: New research finds that nearly any form of exercise can enhance brain function and memory across the lifespan. This large-scale umbrella review analyzed data from over 258,000 participants and found that low- to moderate-intensity activities like yoga, Tai Chi, and even exergames significantly benefit cognition.Children and teens saw the...

Summary: Pregnancy and lactation trigger major physiological changes, including shifts in body temperature and environmental preferences. Researchers have now discovered that postpartum female mice develop a long-term preference for cooler environments, driven by brain changes.These changes involve a specific group of neurons in the preoptic area (POA) that express estrogen...