Dopamine
Recent articles
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
![Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-ketamine-receptor-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
Cocaine, morphine commandeer neurons normally activated by food, water in mice
Confirming a long-held hypothesis, repeated exposure to the drugs alters neurons in the nucleus accumbens, the brain’s reward center, and curbs an animal’s urge for sustenance.
![A diagram of green neurnons](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Green-neuron-art-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cocaine, morphine commandeer neurons normally activated by food, water in mice
Confirming a long-held hypothesis, repeated exposure to the drugs alters neurons in the nucleus accumbens, the brain’s reward center, and curbs an animal’s urge for sustenance.
What happens when a histopathologist teams up with computational modelers?
Answers emerge in my chat with Nicola Palomero-Gallagher, a rare example of someone who connects the brain’s microscopic constituents and macroscopic features.
![Research images of the human motor cortex](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1200-shine-connector-hub-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
What happens when a histopathologist teams up with computational modelers?
Answers emerge in my chat with Nicola Palomero-Gallagher, a rare example of someone who connects the brain’s microscopic constituents and macroscopic features.
Mouse study links dopamine in cerebellum to social behavior
The signaling molecule’s social role in the ‘little brain’ involves Purkinje neurons in the Crus I and Crus II regions, a new study reveals.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dopamine844.jpg)
Mouse study links dopamine in cerebellum to social behavior
The signaling molecule’s social role in the ‘little brain’ involves Purkinje neurons in the Crus I and Crus II regions, a new study reveals.
Poor sleep shifts social circuit in mice
Even temporary bouts of too little non-REM sleep can lead to long-term changes in how the animals respond to certain social situations, new research suggests.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/adolescent-sleep-autism-844.jpg)
Poor sleep shifts social circuit in mice
Even temporary bouts of too little non-REM sleep can lead to long-term changes in how the animals respond to certain social situations, new research suggests.
Brain circuit makes social interactions rewarding, may be altered in autism
Blocking connections between the amygdala and hypothalamus prevents mice from finding social interactions as rewarding as they would otherwise.
![Brain scan showing communication from amygdala to hypothalamus about social reward.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/20210430-AmydalaHypothalamus-844.jpg)
Brain circuit makes social interactions rewarding, may be altered in autism
Blocking connections between the amygdala and hypothalamus prevents mice from finding social interactions as rewarding as they would otherwise.
Dopamine neurons may dampen social behavior in mouse model of autism
Mice missing a copy of the autism-linked gene PTEN show a reduced preference for social interaction, possibly due to atypically large, overconnected dopamine neurons. Easing the overconnection may alleviate this trait.
![dopamine neurons in mice show up green in an area of the brain associated with social reward.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dopamine-844.jpg)
Dopamine neurons may dampen social behavior in mouse model of autism
Mice missing a copy of the autism-linked gene PTEN show a reduced preference for social interaction, possibly due to atypically large, overconnected dopamine neurons. Easing the overconnection may alleviate this trait.
Two new sensors track chemical signals in brains of living animals
Novel sensors enable researchers to monitor the activity of two signaling chemicals in the brains of living fruit flies and mice.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/20180831-FlourescentSensorCrop.png)
Two new sensors track chemical signals in brains of living animals
Novel sensors enable researchers to monitor the activity of two signaling chemicals in the brains of living fruit flies and mice.
Skepticism surrounds autism drug given ‘fast track’ for approval
In May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guaranteed an experimental autism drug a speedy review for approval, but some scientists are skeptical of the drug’s potential.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/20180717-YAMO-844.jpg)
Skepticism surrounds autism drug given ‘fast track’ for approval
In May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guaranteed an experimental autism drug a speedy review for approval, but some scientists are skeptical of the drug’s potential.
Learning shows sex bias in mice with mutation tied to autism
Male mice with a genetic variant tied to autism may have learning difficulties that females with the variant do not.
![black mice exiting hole](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/16pmousev2844.jpg)
Learning shows sex bias in mice with mutation tied to autism
Male mice with a genetic variant tied to autism may have learning difficulties that females with the variant do not.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200_coughingmice-1024x720.webp)
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
![Capitol building](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/capitolhill-1200-1024x692.webp)
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
X-chromosome genes; neurobiology of infant crying; MCHAT in preemies
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 2 September.
![Research image of astrocytes and microglia in mouse brains.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1200-spotted-20240903-1024x683.webp)
X-chromosome genes; neurobiology of infant crying; MCHAT in preemies
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 2 September.