Chemical Messenger News and Research

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Serotonin stimulation may improve patience, mice study shows

Just a little longer. It's a common experience: hanging on in the hopes that our patience will pay off in the end.

1 Jun 2018

Sleep deprivation study to pinpoint brain processes causing poor decision-making

Sleep deprivation can take a heavy toll on our ability to make sound decisions, with potentially disastrous outcomes.

17 May 2018

Researchers explain neurophysiological link between breathing and attention

It has long been claimed by Yogis and Buddhists that meditation and ancient breath-focused practices, such as pranayama, strengthen our ability to focus on tasks.

11 May 2018

Study sheds light on biology that guides behavior across different stages of life

Put 50 newborn worms in 50 separate containers, and they'll all start looking for food at roughly the same time. Like members of other species, microscopic C. elegans roundworms tend to act like other individuals their own age.

19 Feb 2018

New molecular research shows how antidepressants work

New molecular research shows how chemically diverse drugs used to treat depression and anxiety disorders interact with the protein that transports serotonin in the brain.

29 Jan 2018

The London Clinic exhibits innovative technology to treat Parkinson’s disease at Arab Health

A pioneering technology that allows patients to control their Parkinson’s disease symptoms using an iPod will be showcased at Arab Health by a renowned UK hospital.

16 Jan 2018

Vanderbilt and Lundbeck collaborate to develop novel approach for treating schizophrenia

Vanderbilt University has signed separate licensing and research collaboration agreements with Lundbeck, a global pharmaceutical company based in Denmark, to develop a novel approach for treating schizophrenia.

9 Jan 2018

Study finds mechanism behind super-sharp night vision for brief time during total eclipse

If you were fortunate enough to witness the recent total solar eclipse in all its glory, you might have noticed something surprising.

7 Sep 2017

Better understanding of serotonin's function in the brain could lead to radical shift in psychiatric care

A better understanding of how a key chemical messenger acts in the brain could lead to a radical shift in psychiatric care, according to a new research paper.

4 Sep 2017

Researchers discover how the injured brain alerts immune system

Johns Hopkins researchers say they have identified a new way that cells in the brain alert the rest of the body to recruit immune cells when the brain is injured. The work was completed in mouse models that mimic infection, stroke or trauma in humans.

18 May 2017

Changes in estrogen can trigger atypical functioning in memory circuit of women with gene variant

Fluctuations in estrogen can trigger atypical functioning in a key brain memory circuit in women with a common version of a gene, NIMH scientists have discovered.

25 Apr 2017

Air pollution may directly affect biology of upper airways to cause chronic sinus problems

Although human population studies have linked air pollution to chronic inflammation of nasal and sinus tissues, direct biological and molecular evidence for cause and effect has been scant.

18 Apr 2017

Study identifies key mediator in learning process

The ability of the brain to respond and adapt to changes is scientifically called brain plasticity. This ability is the basis of all learning processes.

7 Apr 2017

Scientists identify potential link between eating Marmite and brain function

Scientists at the University of York have discovered a potential link between eating Marmite and activity in the brain, through the apparent increase of a chemical messenger associated with healthy brain function.

5 Apr 2017

New probiotic may help combat negative health effects of adrenaline surges

U.S. sailors and Marines face continuous periods of excessive stress in "fight-or-flight" situations, triggering surges of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, often known as an adrenaline rush.

28 Mar 2017

Neuroscientists elucidate how serotonin helps to deal with unfamiliar changing environment

Serotonin, one of the major chemical messengers serving neuronal communication, is usually associated with the direct regulation of affective states and mood in general.

16 Mar 2017

Scientists create synthetic cellular communications system that can respond to pain relief signals

Scientists from Manchester and Bristol have successfully created a synthetic cellular communications system - which has successfully recognised signals involved in pain relief.

From The University of Manchester 7 Mar 2017

TSRI scientists discover how key protein establishes proper vision

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have discovered how a protein called α2δ4 establishes proper vision.

6 Mar 2017

Neuroscientists examine how 'decision uncertainty' signals drive rapid changes in pupil size

Whether it involves stopping at a traffic light or diving into freezing water to save someone from drowning: many of our everyday problems require snap decisions in the face of uncertainty. When making decisions, it has been suggested that neurochemicals rapidly flood the brain and signal how uncertain somebody is about a choice.