Dopamine News and Research

Latest Dopamine News and Research

Researchers unlock new paths toward treating stress-related psychiatric disorders

In a comprehensive Genomic Psychiatry review article published today, researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center have synthesized decades of research on stress hormone systems in primate brains, potentially unlocking new paths toward treating stress-related psychiatric disorders.

13 May 2025

Mice study sheds light on the mechanisms underlying sex differences in psychiatric conditions

Conditions such as Tourette syndrome (TS), schizophrenia, and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have sex differences with unknown mechanisms.

12 May 2025

New brain imaging method shows promise for early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease

An international team, led by researchers at the Champalimaud Foundation (CF), has shown – for the first time in a realistic way – that it may be possible to diagnose Parkinson's disease (PD) years before it becomes untreatable, by scanning people's brains with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

8 May 2025

New research maps neural overlap in insomnia, depression, and anxiety

New research from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience maps the similarities and differences between the three most common brain disorders.

3 May 2025

Dopamine circuit helps the brain unlearn fear

Dangers come but dangers also go and when they do, the brain has an "all-clear" signal that teaches it to extinguish its fear.

28 Apr 2025

Promising results seen in atypical trigeminal neuralgia with combined surgical approach

Atypical trigeminal neuralgia (ATN) is a chronic pain condition characterized by persistent facial pain that does not respond well to conventional medical treatments, often leading to significant impairment in quality of life.

25 Apr 2025

Researchers discover brain pathway to ease nicotine withdrawal

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 22% of the global population smokes, with more than 9 million smoking-related deaths reported annually.

25 Apr 2025

New biomarker offers hope for early Parkinson’s diagnosis

A misfolded protein facilitates reliable diagnosis even in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease in body fluids.

25 Apr 2025

New insights show why dopamine detox trend is overly simplistic

Dopamine is the brain's motivational spark, driving us to chase what feels good, say scrolling another reel on social media, and steer clear of what doesn't, like touching a hot stove.

22 Apr 2025

iPS cell transplants show early promise for treating Parkinson's disease safely

In a first-of-its-kind human trial, researchers transplanted iPS-cell-derived dopaminergic progenitors into patients with Parkinson’s disease and observed promising motor improvements with no serious safety concerns over 24 months. The therapy showed increased dopamine synthesis without tumor formation or graft-induced dyskinesia.

21 Apr 2025

Scientists track liquid to solid shift in brain disease proteins

An international research collaboration led by Rutgers University-New Brunswick scientists that examined microscopic blobs of protein found in human cells has discovered that some morph from an almost honey-like substance to a hard candy-like solid.

18 Apr 2025

GLP1 agonists linked to depression risk in new genetic study

A groundbreaking study published in the journal Current Neuropharmacology highlights a concerning potential link between Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP1) receptor agonists-widely used in blockbuster drugs like Ozempic-and the risk of depression and suicidal ideation (SI).

17 Apr 2025

Stem cell therapy shows promise for treating advanced Parkinson's disease

A stem cell–based therapy initially developed at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) may lead to a new treatment for advanced Parkinson's disease, according to results from a phase 1 clinical trial reported in Nature.

16 Apr 2025

Can gut microbes help prevent Alzheimer’s?

A comprehensive review explores how gut microbiota diversity and fitness influence Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk through neuroinflammation, amyloid and tau pathology, and blood-brain barrier dysfunction. It highlights the therapeutic potential of probiotics, dietary interventions, and omics technologies in restoring microbial balance and preventing neurodegeneration.

13 Apr 2025

Apathy and lack of motivation are symptoms of cancer cachexia, research suggests

Cancer ravages both body and mind. If you've ever lost loved ones to the disease, you might recognize the physical and emotional changes cancer patients often endure during their final months.

10 Apr 2025

Researchers explore drug repurposing strategy for Parkinson's disease

Despite significant advances in Parkinson's disease (PD) treatment, it remains incurable, with limited therapeutic options.

10 Apr 2025

Study reveals brain circuit behind apathy in advanced cancer

The fatigue and lack of motivation that many cancer patients experience near the end of life have been seen as the unavoidable consequences of their declining physical health and extreme weight loss.

10 Apr 2025

Can psychedelics break compulsive eating habits in obesity?

A review by Oxford researchers explores how psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD may help disrupt compulsive eating behaviors in subsets of obese individuals. The paper outlines proposed neurobiological, epigenetic, and gut-brain mechanisms while emphasizing the need for human trials.

10 Apr 2025

Cannabis users have elevated dopamine levels associated with psychosis

A McGill University-led study found that people with cannabis use disorder (CUD) had elevated dopamine levels in a brain region associated with psychosis.

9 Apr 2025

Study uncovers conserved development and evolutionary innovations in the human hypothalamus

In a new study published in Developmental Cell on April 8, a research team led by Prof. WU Qingfeng at the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has demonstrated the conserved cellular development and evolutionary innovations in the developing human hypothalamus.

9 Apr 2025