Knowing Neurons
Knowing Neurons

Dopamine

An artistic take on the "monkey-to-man" cartoon, depicting the final result as a larger human near fast food with a red warning sign around it. Illustrated by McCall Sarrett.
Big IdeasBrain BasicsBrain DevelopmentCulture
Marco Travaglio , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Brain, Healthy Fats, and the Importance of Fitting Into Your Genes

Our brains are extremely rich in fat. Indeed, about two thirds of the human brain is composed of fat, 35% of which consists of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. What are… Read More
Image of synaptic cleft in the background with a large cupcake on the right, topped with sprinkles in the shape of pills. Illustrated by McCall Sarrett.
CultureBig IdeasNeurological and Psychiatric DisordersSensation and Perception
Shaun Khoo , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Are Foods Addictive or Just Delicious?

We are surrounded by an abundance of delicious food. Throughout the developed world, cooking shows saturate our televisions and streaming video feeds advertise greasy burgers and decadent chocolates. Our addiction… Read More
Neurological and Psychiatric DisordersNeuro News
Marco Travaglio , , , , , , , , ,

Main Bout: New Hopes in the Fight Against Parkinson’s Disease

Following his Olympic victory in 1960, Muhammad Ali earned the World-Heavyweight-Champion title in 1964 in one of the most celebrated upsets in boxing history. The much-anticipated fight opened with the… Read More
Neurological and Psychiatric DisordersDid You Know?Movement
Kayleen Schreiber , , , , , , , , ,

Bite-size science: Cell replacement therapy for Parkinson’s Disease

In Parkinson’s Disease, specific cells in the brain die. Over time, this makes basic movements like walking and reaching for a cup impossible. Researchers are racing to find effective treatments.… Read More
Neurological and Psychiatric DisordersBrain BasicsBrain DevelopmentSensation and Perception
Joel Frohlich , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Schizophrenia in a Vial? The Story of Ketamine

Note: Ketamine is a controlled substance in the US and many other countries. Do not use ketamine illicitly. [dropcap]I[/dropcap]magine an injection that briefly gives you schizophrenia. Now imagine that this… Read More
Neuroscience TechnologiesNeurological and Psychiatric Disorders
Brainfacts.org , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Past and Promise of Deep Brain Stimulation

In the early 1980s, a few batches of contaminated synthetic heroin triggered severe Parkinson’s disease symptoms among the drug addicts who used it. The tragedy would lead to a new… Read More
Brain DevelopmentLearning and Memory
Jacob Umans , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How Humans Speak and Mice Learn: The Widespread Effects of FOXP2

[dropcap]F[/dropcap]rom bird songs to frog ribbits, animals engage in countless forms of vocalization. However, no other species in the animal kingdom matches humans in complexity of language. The versatility of… Read More
Did You Know?Neuroscience TechnologiesSensation and Perception
Kate Fehlhaber , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hacking your Brain with Smart Drugs

What if you could take a pill to enhance your cognitive abilities?  What if this pill could help you ace a test, get more work done efficiently, and truly multitask? … Read More
InterviewsBig IdeasBrain BasicsPhilosophy
Joel Frohlich , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Does Free Will Exist?

It’s a lazy Sunday afternoon. Professor Freeman is enjoying the Southern California weather on Professor Domino’s patio. Domino: Will it be Coke or Pepsi, Dr. Freeman? Freeman: That’s an easy… Read More
Brain Cigarette Knowing Neurons
Neuro NewsMovement
knowingneurons , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Strange Relationship between Nicotine and Parkinson’s Disease

According to the World Health Organization, smoking is responsible for approximately 6 million deaths in the world every year or one fatality every six seconds.  71% of all lung cancers… Read More
Did You Know?Sensation and Perception
Jenn Tribble , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Tale of Monogamy and Dopamine

In a recent hack, private information from nearly 30 million users was leaked from Ashley Madison, a “dating” website intended to facilitate extramarital affairs.  The sheer number of Ashley Madison… Read More
AgingMovementNeuro NewsNeurological and Psychiatric Disorders
Anita , , , , , , , , , , ,

Treating the diseased brain with artificial stimulation

We often fail to appreciate the small and precise functions of our motor system. How effortless and smooth our movements are when getting up from a chair! How quick and… Read More
MovementNeurological and Psychiatric Disorders
Jillian L. Shaw , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Unusual Suspects

More than a decade has passed since President Clinton first announced that the human genome project was successfully completed: We are here to celebrate the completion of the first survey… Read More