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A blue microscopy image of mouse brain cells, with dorsal raphe neurons shown in red.
A Novel Panic Pathway in the Brain
A neural pathway driving panic-like behaviors in mice points to new therapeutic targets.
A Novel Panic Pathway in the Brain
A Novel Panic Pathway in the Brain

A neural pathway driving panic-like behaviors in mice points to new therapeutic targets.

A neural pathway driving panic-like behaviors in mice points to new therapeutic targets.

anxiety

The image shows a brain section of the mouse amygdala. Using fluorescent markers, the expression of synapses is shown in purple, while neurons are shown as red dots and the microRNA miR-483-5p is shown as green dots.
A Brain MicroRNA Curbs Anxiety
Mariella Bodemeier Loayza Careaga, PhD | Aug 1, 2023 | 2 min read
Upregulation of a specific microRNA in the brain lessened anxiety and reduced the expression of stress-related genes in mice. 
White mouse at the edge of a desk
The Heart Can Directly Influence Our Emotions
Natalia Mesa, PhD | Mar 1, 2023 | 4 min read
Researchers find that an increased heart rate can induce anxiety in mice, given the right context.
Image showing the legs of multiple people running in the street. 
Another Reason to Challenge Yourself at the Gym
Alara Tuncer | 4 min read
In a chronic stress model, challenging exercise reduced anxiety by activating a three-neuron loop across brain regions.  
A lithograph of a woman sitting up in bed while a nurse attends to her.
Death by Nostalgia, 1688
Lisa Winter | Feb 1, 2022 | 3 min read
Before its association with a pining for the toys or TV shows of yesteryear, nostalgia was deemed a dangerous psychiatric disorder.
Four pregnant women sitting in chairs
Epigenetic Changes to Placenta Correlate with Maternal Depression
Chloe Tenn | Feb 1, 2022 | 2 min read
An epigenome-wide association study found more than a dozen methylation changes in placental DNA that correlated with expectant mothers’ self-reports of depression and stress during their pregnancy.
A hospital corridor with empty gurney
Severe Symptoms of MIS-C Typically Clear Within Six Months: Study
Catherine Offord | May 26, 2021 | 3 min read
Some children who experience the severe inflammatory condition after COVID-19 may continue to experience milder problems such as muscle weakness or anxiety even after that period, according to a small observational study in the UK.
fear, anxiety, fMRI, study, neural circuits, brain study, neuroscience, amygdala, BNST
Brain Circuitry for Fear and Anxiety Is the Same on fMRI
Amanda Heidt | Sep 21, 2020 | 5 min read
A study in people fails to detect differences in the brain’s response to fear or anxiety, long thought to be controlled by different neural circuits.
Immune Cell and Its Cytokine Control Exploratory Behavior in Mice
Ashley Yeager | Sep 14, 2020 | 5 min read
Gamma delta T cells in the meninges of the brain release a cell signaling molecule that does more than protect mice from microbial pathogens.
Study Probes Brain Activity in Survivors of Paris Terror Attacks
Jef Akst | May 1, 2020 | 5 min read
Those who had developed PTSD appear to be less able to suppress unwanted memories—traumatic or not—suggesting a role for the general ability to control memory recall in the disorder.
Value of Medical Marijuana for Mental Health Questioned
Jef Akst | Oct 29, 2019 | 2 min read
A meta-analysis of more than 80 studies from the past four decades finds weak evidence to support the use of medicinal cannabis to treat anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.
Monkeys Pass on Brain Activity Patterns Linked to Anxiety
Ashley Yeager | Jul 30, 2018 | 2 min read
Humans might also inherit such brain changes, a new study suggests.
Young Brain Cells Silence Old Ones to Quash Anxiety
Ruth Williams | Jun 27, 2018 | 3 min read
In adult mice, neurogenesis increases social confidence by suppressing the activity of mature neurons.
Genes Tied to Intelligence and Neurotic Behavior Identified
Sukanya Charuchandra | Jun 26, 2018 | 1 min read
Researchers found several hundred genes expressed in the human brain are tied to cognition or neuroses.
Image of the Day: Performance Anxiety
Sukanya Charuchandra | Jun 21, 2018 | 1 min read
In the presence of competition, archerfish become more hesitant but accurate shooters.
Decoding the Tripping Brain
Diana Kwon | Sep 1, 2017 | 10+ min read
Scientists are beginning to unravel the mechanisms behind the therapeutic effects of psychedelic drugs.
Psilocybin Decreases Depression and Anxiety in Some Cancer Patients
Ben Andrew Henry | Dec 1, 2016 | 2 min read
In a pair of clinical studies of psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, participants reported positive changes to their moods and outlooks.
Capsule Reviews
Bob Grant | Jul 1, 2015 | 3 min read
Stoned, Anxious, The Deeper Genome, and Testosterone
Like Breeds With Like
Jenny Rood | Apr 6, 2015 | 2 min read
Mice pairs with similar anxiety levels produce offspring more quickly than coupled animals with differing personalities, according to a recent study.
Bouncing Back
Ashley P. Taylor | Feb 1, 2015 | 2 min read
In mice, a transcriptional regulator, β-catenin, activates a microRNA-processing pathway in the nucleus accumbens to promote resilience to social stress.
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