A drug that countered effects of a traumatizing mother

July 21, 2019March 21, 2020 gettingwell4 2-3 stars Required further work, Acetylcholine, Amygdala, Brain development, Cerebrum, Cortisol, Dopamine, Epigenetics, Hippocampus, Hypothalamus, Limbic system, Memory, Neurochemicals, Oxytocin, Stress, Telomeres Brain neurons, Control group, DNA methylation, Embryo development, Genetic factors, Infants, Inherited disease, Neural plasticity, Prefrontal cortex, Psychotropic medication, Unconscious feelings, Unconscious memories

This 2019 US rodent study concerned transmitting poor maternal care to the next generation: “The quality of parental care received during development profoundly influences an individual’s phenotype, including that of maternal behavior. Infant experiences with a caregiver have lifelong behavioral consequences. Maternal behavior is a complex behavior requiring the recruitment of multiple brain regions including … Continue reading A drug that countered effects of a traumatizing mother

Addictive behavior and epigenetic DNA methylation

June 28, 2018July 21, 2018 gettingwell4 4-5 stars Advanced knowledge, Amygdala, Cerebrum, Dopamine, Epigenetics, Immune system, Limbic system, Neurochemicals Brain neurons, Control group, DNA methylation, Levels of consciousness, Prefrontal cortex, Unconscious feelings, Unconscious memories

This 2018 McGill paper reviewed findings from animal and human studies on the relationships between drug-seeking behavior and epigenetic DNA methylation: “Although there is an increasing line of evidence from preclinical models of addiction, there are only a few human studies that systematically assessed DNA methylation in addiction. Most of the studies were done on … Continue reading Addictive behavior and epigenetic DNA methylation

An inhibitory gene that affects alcohol binge behavior

June 7, 2015June 28, 2018 gettingwell4 2-3 stars Required further work, Beliefs, Cerebrum, Dopamine, Limbic system, Lower brain, Neurochemicals, Thalamus Brain neurons, Control group, Genetic factors, Prefrontal cortex

This 2015 La Jolla rodent study found that an inhibitory gene affected alcohol binging behavior: “Our study reveals the behavioral impact of this cellular effect, whereby the level of GIRK3 [the gene] expression in the VTA [ventral tegmental area] tunes ethanol intake under binge-type conditions: the more GIRK3, the less ethanol drinking.” GIRK3-silenced mice still … Continue reading An inhibitory gene that affects alcohol binge behavior

Flooding the hypothalamus with neurochemicals affects reward-seeking, motivated, and depressive behavior

February 20, 2015June 28, 2018 gettingwell4 4-5 stars Advanced knowledge, Hypothalamus, Limbic system, Lower brain, Neurochemicals

This 2014 rodent study showed the opposing effects of neurochemicals orexin (excitator) and dynorphin (inhibitor) in the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus plays a role in behaviors such as addiction and impulsiveness. Food and cocaine self-administration were the main techniques used. Flooding the hypothalamus with orexin produced reward-seeking and motivated behavior. That was greatly reduced when dynorphin levels … Continue reading Flooding the hypothalamus with neurochemicals affects reward-seeking, motivated, and depressive behavior