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Dysregulation of the central amygdala is thought to underlie aberrant choice in alcohol use disorder, but the role of central amygdala neural activity during reward choice and consumption is unclear. We recorded central amygdala neurons in male rats as they consumed alcohol or sucrose. We observed activity changes at the time of reward approach, as well as lick-entrained activity during ongoing consumption of both rewards. In choice scenarios where rats could drink sucrose, alcohol, or quinine-adulterated alcohol with or without central amygdala optogenetic stimulation, rats drank more of stimulation-paired options when the two bottles contained identical options. Given a choice among different options, central amygdala stimulation usually enhanced consumption of stimulation-paired rewards. However, optogenetic stimulation during consumption of the less-preferred option, alcohol, was unable to enhance alcohol intake while sucrose was available. These findings indicate that the central amygdala contributes to refining motivated pursuit toward the preferred available option.

Binding events that occur at different times are essential for memory formation. In trace fear conditioning, animals associate a tone and footshock despite no temporal overlap. The hippocampus is thought to mediate this learning by maintaining a memory of the tone until shock occurrence, however, evidence for sustained hippocampal tone representations is lacking. Here, we demonstrate a retrospective role for the hippocampus in trace fear conditioning. Bulk calcium imaging revealed sustained increases in CA1 activity after footshock that were not observed after tone termination. Optogenetic silencing of CA1 immediately after footshock impaired subsequent memory. Additionally, footshock increased the number of sharp-wave ripples compared to baseline during conditioning. Therefore, post-shock hippocampal activity likely supports learning by reactivating and linking latent tone and shock representations. These findings highlight an underappreciated function of post-trial hippocampal activity in enabling retroactive temporal associations during new learning, as opposed to persistent maintenance of stimulus representations.

Humans make irrational decisions in the presence of irrelevant distractor options. There is little consensus on whether decision making is facilitated or impaired by the presence of a highly rewarding distractor, or whether the distractor effect operates at the level of options’ component attributes rather than at the level of their overall value. To reconcile different claims, we argue that it is important to consider the diversity of people’s styles of decision making and whether choice attributes are combined in an additive or multiplicative way. Employing a multi-laboratory dataset investigating the same experimental paradigm, we demonstrated that people used a mix of both approaches and the extent to which approach was used varied across individuals. Critically, we iden- tified that this variability was correlated with the distractor effect during decision making. Individuals who tended to use a multiplicative approach to compute value, showed a positive distractor effect. In contrast, a negative distractor effect (divisive normalisation) was prominent in individuals tending towards an additive approach. Findings suggest that the distractor effect is related to how value is constructed, which in turn may be influenced by task and subject specificities. This concurs with recent behavioural and neuroscience findings that multiple distractor effects co-exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces a special issue on body representation and body transformations in neuropsychology and embodied neuroscience. It discusses the concept of body representations and their plasticity, exploring how factors such as aging, weight changes, technology, and social interactions influence them. The special issue includes papers on various aspects of body representation, including historical reviews, virtual reality assessments, and the impact of pain on body representation. The text emphasizes the need for an interdisciplinary approach to studying body representation and highlights the relevance of this research in understanding the complex interactions between the brain, body, and environment. It also introduces the concept of predictive processing and Bayesian inference as frameworks for understanding how the brain represents and updates internal models of the body. The document is a list of references to scientific articles and studies related to body schema and body image, covering a wide range of topics in this field. [Extracted from the article]

Global initiatives to consider sex as a biological variable (SABV) in experimental design arrived during a period of exciting technological innovation for the field of behavioral neuroscience. The field's historical reliance on male rodents has resulted in standard paradigms that are both overly simple and focused on male-biased behaviors, risking inaccurate interpretations when females are used. Reports of experimental effects in males but not females are becoming common, and the examination of additional metrics that better tap into female-biased behaviors may be required to improve experimental rigor. Experiments that appear to 'fail' in females can also be followed up with investigations into female-specific mechanisms that may suppress effects normally observed in males. New machine learning approaches offer a promising means by which the sophistication of behavioral assays can catch up to that of our tools, allowing unbiased evaluation of behavior in both sexes. The field of rodent behavioral neuroscience is undergoing two major sea changes: an ever-growing technological revolution, and worldwide calls to consider sex as a biological variable (SABV) in experimental design. Both have enormous potential to improve the precision and rigor with which the brain can be studied, but the convergence of these shifts in scientific practice has exposed critical limitations in classic and widely used behavioral paradigms. While our tools have advanced, our behavioral metrics – mostly developed in males and often allowing for only binary outcomes – have not. This opinion article explores how this disconnect has presented challenges for the accurate depiction and interpretation of sex differences in brain function, arguing for the expansion of current behavioral constructs to better account for behavioral diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the relationship between developmental trauma and violence, arguing that trauma is often overlooked in discussions about violence and mental illness. The authors conducted a literature review and found that early exposure to trauma is a significant risk factor for psychiatric disorders and violence. They propose the reintroduction of developmental trauma disorder (DTD) to better understand the unique implications of childhood trauma. The article emphasizes the need for trauma-informed care and the development of tailored service models for at-risk individuals. It also highlights the potential misdiagnosis of developmental trauma as other conditions and the long-lasting effects it can have on children. The article suggests trauma-informed care, peer support, and digital mental health interventions as potential treatment practices. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis and individualized treatment strategies for developmental trauma. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a compilation of scientific articles that explore the historical treatment of rodents in scientific research and the growing recognition of their cognitive abilities and welfare. It emphasizes the importance of considering animal suffering and the need for animal-friendly methods in rodent behavioral testing. The articles discuss various approaches and technologies, such as mirror-based tests and automated monitoring systems, that prioritize animal welfare while providing valid results. The research presented in these articles sheds light on the complex behaviors and capabilities of rodents, highlighting their similarities to humans and the potential for further study in this field. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides a comprehensive overview of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) from both a psycholinguistic and neuroscientific perspective. It explores the distinct communication patterns associated with different subtypes of NPD and identifies specific brain regions and functional abnormalities associated with the disorder. The integration of psycholinguistic and neuroscientific findings can improve diagnosis and treatment for individuals with NPD by addressing cognitive distortions and emotional dysregulation. The article acknowledges the need for further research to refine diagnostic criteria and deepen our understanding of the disorder. Additionally, a list of references is provided, offering a valuable resource for further research on NPD. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the historical treatment of rodents in scientific research and the need for improved methods that prioritize animal welfare. It highlights the growing recognition of rodents' cognitive abilities and challenges the notion that their welfare is less important due to their perceived inferiority. The article introduces a collection of contributions from researchers around the world that explore various approaches to animal-friendly behavioral testing for rodents. It discusses the importance of designing behavioral tests that consider the specific characteristics of different animal species and prioritize animal welfare. The text also highlights the contributions of various researchers in developing animal-friendly behavioral tests, including the use of mirror-based tests, infrared thermography, robotic animals, and automated home-cage monitoring systems. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for further development and exploration of new approaches in animal-friendly behavioral testing. This document is a list of references from various scientific articles related to animal behavior, specifically focusing on rodents such as mice and rats. The articles cover a range of topics including empathy, social behavior, cognitive abilities, and experimental methods for studying animal behavior. [Extracted from the article]

The zebrafish visual system has become a paradigmatic preparation for behavioral and systems neuroscience. Around 40 types of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) serve as matched filters for stimulus features, including light, optic flow, prey, and objects on a collision course. RGCs distribute their signals via axon collaterals to 12 retinorecipient areas in forebrain and midbrain. The major visuomotor hub, the optic tectum, harbors nine RGC input layers that combine information on multiple features. The retinotopic map in the tectum is locally adapted to visual scene statistics and visual subfield–specific behavioral demands. Tectal projections to premotor centers are topographically organized according to behavioral commands. The known connectivity in more than 20 processing streams allows us to dissect the cellular basis of elementary perceptual and cognitive functions. Visually evoked responses, such as prey capture or loom avoidance, are controlled by dedicated multistation pathways that—at least in the larva—resemble labeled lines. This architecture serves the neuronal code's purpose of driving adaptive behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peter Driscoll, a respected scientist in the field of behavior genetics, passed away in 2024. He was known for his research on the effects of nicotine and cigarette smoke on rats, as well as his work with the Roman rats. Driscoll made significant contributions to the field through his publications and played a role in raising awareness about the importance of genetic factors in neuroscience research. He was also known for his generosity and dedication to helping others succeed in their research. This text serves as a tribute to Driscoll, highlighting his impact on the field and his personal qualities. [Extracted from the article]

Quantification of behavior is critical in diverse applications from neuroscience, veterinary medicine to animal conservation. A common key step for behavioral analysis is first extracting relevant keypoints on animals, known as pose estimation. However, reliable inference of poses currently requires domain knowledge and manual labeling effort to build supervised models. We present SuperAnimal, a method to develop unified foundation models that can be used on over 45 species, without additional manual labels. These models show excellent performance across six pose estimation benchmarks. We demonstrate how to fine-tune the models (if needed) on differently labeled data and provide tooling for unsupervised video adaptation to boost performance and decrease jitter across frames. If fine-tuned, SuperAnimal models are 10–100× more data efficient than prior transfer-learning-based approaches. We illustrate the utility of our models in behavioral classification and kinematic analysis. Collectively, we present a data-efficient solution for animal pose estimation. Quantifying animal behavior is crucial in various fields such as neuroscience and ecology, yet we lack data-efficient methods to perform behavioral quantification. Here, the authors provide new unified models across 45+ species without manual labeling, thus enhancing analysis in behavioral studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews the literature and presents theoretical research examining psychotherapy in the context of modern neuroscientific concepts. It is proposed that changes in the mentalization and empathy neural networks should be interpreted as cerebral correlates of psychotherapeutic processes. Hypotheses regarding possible mechanisms leading to changes in the connectivity of neural networks after psychotherapy are put forward: strengthening of the role of the prefrontal system in regulating the level of arousal, oxytocin-mediated modulation of the attachment system, and optimization of predictive coding of interpersonal perception, including the pathway for processing prediction errors. The propositions put forward are based on research in social, affective, cognitive, and behavioral neuroscience, scientific work in the field of psychotherapy, and data on the neurophysiological correlates of the effects of psychotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Many species adapt to their environments by accruing relevant knowledge and expertise, which in turn shapes memory formation. Human experts remember items in their field better than novices, but different types of knowledge or exposure influence memory in different ways. By examining both expert knowledge for bird species and ecological data on environmental prevalence, we sought to disentangle the contributions of specific knowledge about individual items from those of conceptual familiarity due to prior exposure. Conceptually oriented memory in experts was highest for identifiable species. When lacking this specific knowledge, however, experts tended to mistakenly remember studying environmentally common vs. environmentally uncommon species, with no comparable effect in novices. Perceptually oriented memory showed a smaller expertise advantage and less influence from species-level knowledge. Thus, expert memory benefits more from conceptual abstraction but is shaped by multiple types of experience—specific knowledge and prior exposure—revealing a complex relationship between semantic and episodic memory signals.

Objective: Exposure to 60% high fat diet (HFD) leads to a robust consummatory preference over well-balanced chow standard diet (SD) when mice are presented with a choice. This passive HFD-induced SD devaluation following HFD challenge and withdrawal is highlighted by the significant reduction in SD food intake even in states of caloric deprivation. The elements of HFD that lead to this SD depreciation remains unclear. Possibly important factors include the amount and type of fat contained in a diet as well as past eating experiences dependent on sensory properties including taste and post ingestive feedback. We aimed to explore the role of these components to HFD-induced SD devaluation. Methods: Wildtype mice were longitudinally presented discrete HFDs in conjunction with SD and feeding and metabolic parameters were analyzed. A separate cohort of animals were assessed for acute HFD preference in 3 conditions: 1) ad libitum fed (sated), 2) overnight fasted (physiologically hungry), and 3) ad libitum fed (artificially hungry), elicited through chemogenetic Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neuron activation. Population dynamics of AgRP neurons were recorded to distinct inaccessible and accessible diets both before and after consummatory experience. Transient receptor potential channel type M5 (TRPM5) knockout mice were used to investigate the role of fat taste perception and preference to HFD-induced SD devaluation. The clinically approved lipase inhibitor orlistat was used to test the contribution of fat absorption to HFD-induced SD devaluation. Results: HFD-induced SD devaluation is dependent on fat content, composition, and preference. This effect scaled both in strength and latency with higher percentages of animal fat. 60% HFD was preferred and almost exclusively consumed in preference to other diets across hours and days, but this was not as evident upon initial introduction over seconds and minutes, suggesting ingestive experience is critical. Optical fiber photometry recordings of AgRP activity supported this notion as neuronal suppression by the different diets was contingent on prior intake. While taste transduced via TRPM5 influenced HFD-evoked weight gain, it failed to impact either HFD preference or HFD-induced SD devaluation. Perturbation of post ingestive feedback through orlistat-mediated diminishment of fat absorption prevented HFD-evoked weight gain and abolished HFD-induced SD devaluation. Conclusions: Post ingestive feedback via fat digestion is vital for expression of HFD-induced SD devaluation.

Summary: During the induction of the body’s alert state, the sympathetic system modulates sensory modalities and fine-tunes peripheral organs for improved stimulus detection. We explored noradrenaline (NA)’s role in modulating signaling in vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs), responsible for detecting pheromones and other semiochemicals. In current-clamp recordings, NA increased the firing frequency in response to natural stimuli of responsive VSNs and induced spiking activity in previously unresponsive neurons. Current injections into VSNs showed an increase in firing frequency during NA application. Combining transcriptomic analysis, electrophysiology, Ca2+ imaging, and a pharmacological approach, we identified alpha 1 adrenergic receptors as crucial for NA-induced firing frequency increases in VSNs. Immunohistochemistry revealed catecholaminergic fibers in the vomeronasal sensory epithelium, suggesting localized NA release near VSNs. This study unveils NA as a key regulator of VSN signaling, shedding light on the intricate interplay between the sympathetic nervous system and chemosensory processing, advancing our understanding of sensory modulation.

Summary: Representing tangential motion between objects and the skin using tactile displays enables humans to manipulate virtual objects and recognize their surface properties. To design effective tactile stimuli that accurately represent motion, it is important to understand how humans perceive tactile motion based on spatiotemporal features, an area that remains relatively unexplored. This study elucidates the spatiotemporal features that influence the perceived speed of tactile motion represented by a tactile display with discrete stimulation points. The findings show that the average spatial spacing between stimulation points affects the perceived speed, even though the average spatial spacing does not vary with the speed itself, but rather varies with the stimulation point layout of the tactile display. No significant effects from other features were observed on the perceived speed. The results suggest that perceived speed can be controlled by considering the average spatial spacing during tactile stimulus design.

Summary: This research investigates the human-horse bond, aiming to unveil the physiological mechanisms regulating interspecies interactions. We hypothesized observing a physiological synchronization in human-horse dynamics, akin to human interactions. Through time-frequency Granger causality analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) and behavioral data, this study reveals the establishment of bidirectional synchronization in HRV between humans and horses. The coupling directionality is influenced by behavior and familiarity. In exploration scenarios led by horses, bidirectional interactions occur, particularly with familiar individuals. Conversely, during human-led activities such as grooming, physiological connectivity direction varies based on the familiarity level. In addition, the methodology allows in-depth analysis of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system contributions, highlighting their intricate role in the human-horse relationship. Such a physiological coupling estimate, correlated with behavioral data, provides a quantitative tool applicable across contexts and species This holds significant promise for assessing animal-assisted therapies and for applications in sports and various animal-related domains.

Summary: In this study, we investigated whether brain-to-brain coupling patterns could predict performance in a time-estimation task that requires two players to cooperate. The participant pairs were tasked with synchronizing button presses after converging on a shared representation of “short,” “medium,” and “long” time intervals while utilizing feedback to adjust responses. We employed electroencephalogram (EEG)-hyperscanning and focused on post-feedback brain activity. We found that negative feedback led to increased frontal mid-line theta activity across individuals. Moreover, a correlation in post-feedback theta power between players forecasted failed joint action, while an anti-correlation forecasted success. These findings suggest that temporally coupled feedback-related brain activity between two individuals serves as an indicator of redundancy in adjustment of a common goal representation. Additionally, the anti-correlation of this activity reflects cognitive strategic mechanisms that ensure optimal joint action outcomes. Rather than a paired overcompensation, successful cooperation requires flexible strategic agility from both partners.

Summary: Chemical synaptic transmission is modulated to accommodate different activity levels, thus enabling homeostatic scaling in pre- and postsynaptic compartments. In nematodes, cholinergic neurons use neuropeptide signaling to modulate synaptic vesicle content. To explore if this mechanism is conserved in vertebrates, we studied the involvement of neuropeptides in cholinergic transmission at the neuromuscular junction of larval zebrafish. Optogenetic stimulation by photoactivated adenylyl cyclase evoked locomotion. We generated mutants lacking the neuropeptide-processing enzyme carboxypeptidase E (cpe), and the most abundant neuropeptide precursor in motor neurons, tachykinin (tac1). Both mutants showed exaggerated locomotion after photostimulation. Recording excitatory postsynaptic currents demonstrated overall larger amplitudes in the wild type. Exaggerated locomotion in the mutants thus reflected upscaling of postsynaptic excitability. Both mutant muscles expressed more nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on their surface; thus, neuropeptide signaling regulates synaptic transmitter output in zebrafish motor neurons, and muscle cells homeostatically regulate nAChR surface expression, compensating reduced presynaptic input.

Summary: In this study, we investigated serial effects on the perception of auditory vowel stimuli across three experimental setups with different degrees of context variability. Aligning with recent findings in visual perception, our results confirm the existence of two distinct processes in serial dependence: a repulsive sensory effect coupled with an attractive decisional effect. Importantly, our study extends these observations to the auditory domain, demonstrating parallel serial effects in audition. Furthermore, we uncover context variability effects, revealing a linear pattern for the repulsive perceptual effect and a quadratic pattern for the attractive decisional effect. These findings support the presence of adaptive sensory mechanisms underlying the repulsive effects, while higher-level mechanisms appear to govern the attractive decisional effect. The study provides valuable insights into the interplay of attractive and repulsive serial effects in auditory perception and contributes to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms.

Summary: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern whose neurological/behavioral sequelae remain to be mechanistically explained. Using a mouse model recapitulating an IPV scenario, we evaluated the female brain neuroendocrine alterations produced by a reiterated male-to-female violent interaction (RMFVI). RMFVI prompted anxiety-like behavior in female mice whose hippocampus displayed a marked neuronal loss and hampered neurogenesis, namely reduced BrdU-DCX-positive nuclei and diminished dendritic arborization in the dentate gyrus (DG): effects paralleled by a substantial downregulation of the estrogen receptor β (ERβ). After RMFVI, the DG harbored reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pools and tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) phosphorylation. Accordingly, ERβ knockout (KO) mice had heightened anxiety and curtailed BDNF levels at baseline while dying prematurely during the RMFVI procedure. Strikingly, injecting an ERβ antagonist or agonist into the wild-type (WT) female hippocampus enhanced or reduced anxiety, respectively. Thus, reiterated male-to-female violence jeopardizes hippocampal homeostasis, perturbing the ERβ/BDNF axis and ultimately instigating anxiety and chronic stress.

This article highlights the significance of parent-child interactions in shaping the neurobiological development of children and the mental health of parents. It emphasizes the impact of these interactions on various aspects of child development, such as brain development, emotional regulation, social information processing, and attachment formation. Positive interactions support secure attachment and adaptive stress responses, while negative interactions can disrupt these processes. The article calls for research that integrates social and neurobiological perspectives to enhance our understanding of these early connections and develop interventions that promote the well-being of both parents and children. The document also provides references to research articles and books that delve into the theoretical, methodological, and outcomes aspects of the mother-infant relationship, as well as the social interaction and developmental processes involved. It also touches upon the concept of early childhood trauma as a dynamic developmental process that arises from chronic and repeated experiences. This collection of resources offers valuable insights for researchers and library patrons interested in comprehending the complexities of mother-infant interactions and their impact on early childhood development. [Extracted from the article]

Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) and neurolinguistics have become vital areas of scientific inquiry, focusing on neural mechanisms in language acquisition. While studies have examined brain activity during language learning, there’s a need for validated data on cognitive and functional effects of acquiring new languages, especially Arabic and Hindi. This study addresses this gap by recording and analyzing EEG data related to learning Arabic and Hindi as second languages, comparing linguistic differences during the process. EEG signals were recorded from eight participants (four Indian, four Yemeni) as they learned words in Arabic and Hindi. The data was pre-processed, cleaned, and analyzed to extract language learning-related features. To validate the approach and demonstrate cognitive and functional differences in brain activity during second language acquisition, various machine learning classification models were applied: Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, Decision Tree, Xgboost, and Catboost. The classifiers were trained and tested on the extracted features, achieving the following accuracies: RF 71.62%, SVM 68.41%, DT 64.12%, Xgboost 72.17%, and Catboost 74.56%. These results provide insights into neural mechanisms underlying second language acquisition. By comparing brain activity patterns between Arabic and Hindi, this study contributes to neurolinguistics and offers data that can be used to develop more effective language learning strategies and interventions.

Systems-level memory consolidation, a key concept in memory research, involves the conversion of memories that depend on the hippocampus for their formation into efficient hippocampus-independent forms, presumably encoded by cortico-cortical connections. Yet, little is understood about the nature of consolidated neural codes at the cellular ensemble level. Mice require an intact hippocampus for "virtual" spatial learning and to develop neocortical representations of the corresponding experiences. We find that, whereas a novel virtual environment is neither learned nor represented in superficial cortex following severe damage to hippocampus, pre-operatively learned memories and their corresponding sparse and widespread neural ensemble representations in cortical layers II-III are preserved, a sine qua non of memory consolidation. These findings provide a new window for future study of the cellular mechanisms of memory consolidation.

This article is a commentary on a previous study that proposed that spatial cell types in the brain could be the neural ingredients for the Language of Thought (LoT). The LoT is a theory about how the mind works, suggesting that thoughts are composed of primitive representations stored in a repertoire. The author of this commentary argues against this idea, presenting four main arguments. First, spatial cells show remapping behavior that is inconsistent with the stable repertoire required by the LoT. Second, the linking hypothesis does not address how specific spatial locations, or fillers, are represented in the brain. Third, the compositionality of the LoT is not accounted for in the proposed model. Finally, the author suggests that spatial cell populations do not offer a sufficient system for the LoT and that further mechanisms are necessary. Overall, the author concludes that while spatial cells may play a role in the implementation of the LoT, they are not the neural ingredients themselves. [Extracted from the article]

This opinion article discusses the underdiagnosis and underreporting of emotional dyscontrol in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). It emphasizes the need for standardized assessment tools and the incorporation of emotional dyscontrol assessment in clinical evaluations. The article also highlights the importance of personalized assessment and research to understand the specific domains of social cognition affected in MS and their links to emotional dysregulation. A study mentioned in the article found that a significant number of MS patients had impairments in recognizing facial emotions. The document provides a list of references on various aspects of MS and its impact on emotional and cognitive functioning, including depression, social cognition impairments, and emotion dysregulation. These references are valuable resources for library patrons researching MS and its psychological effects. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the use of infrared thermal imaging (ITI) as a non-invasive method to study parent-infant interactions. ITI can measure changes in cutaneous temperature and capture psychophysiological arousal states during social interactions. The authors discuss the potential of ITI to provide insight into autonomic co-regulation and bio-behavioral synchrony. They also highlight the challenges and considerations in conducting ITI studies. Additionally, the document provides a list of references and citations for scientific papers related to thermal facial imprints, autonomic contagion, mother-infant synchrony, and infant stress regulation. These papers discuss the physiological and developmental aspects of these phenomena and the potential applications of thermal imaging in studying emotions and deception detection. [Extracted from the article]

Behavioral and neuroscience studies in humans and primates have shown that memorability is an intrinsic property of an image that predicts its strength of encoding into and retrieval from memory. While previous work has independently probed when or where this memorability effect may occur in the human brain, a description of its spatiotemporal dynamics is missing. Here, we used representational similarity analysis (RSA) to combine functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with source-estimated magnetoencephalography (MEG) to simultaneously measure when and where the human cortex is sensitive to differences in image memorability. Results reveal that visual perception of High Memorable images, compared to Low Memorable images, recruits a set of regions of interest (ROIs) distributed throughout the ventral visual cortex: a late memorability response (from around 300 ms) in early visual cortex (EVC), inferior temporal cortex, lateral occipital cortex, fusiform gyrus, and banks of the superior temporal sulcus. Image memorability magnitude results are represented after high-level feature processing in visual regions and reflected in classical memory regions in the medial temporal lobe (MTL). Our results present, to our knowledge, the first unified spatiotemporal account of visual memorability effect across the human cortex, further supporting the levels-of-processing theory of perception and memory. How does the processing of images with high and low memorability differ in the brain? This study combines functional magnetic resonance imaging and magnetoencephalography to show that only images with high memorability scores undergo extended processing late in time throughout the ventral visual stream, including early visual cortex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing focus on the computational aspects of psychiatric disorders in humans. This idea also is gaining traction in nonhuman animal studies. Commenting on a new comprehensive overview of the benefits of applying this approach in translational research by Neville et al. (Cognitive Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience 1–14, 2024), we discuss the implications for translational model validity within this framework. We argue that thinking computationally in translational psychiatry calls for a change in the way that we evaluate animal models of human psychiatric processes, with a shift in focus towards symptom-producing computations rather than the symptoms themselves. Further, in line with Neville et al.'s adoption of the reinforcement learning framework to model animal behaviour, we illustrate how this approach can be applied beyond simple decision-making paradigms to model more naturalistic behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our daily experiences unfold continuously, but we remember them as a series of discrete events through a process called event segmentation. Prominent theories of event segmentation suggest that event boundaries in memory are triggered by significant shifts in the external environment, such as a change in one's physical surroundings. In this review, we argue for a fundamental extension of this research field to also encompass internal state changes as playing a key role in structuring event memory. Accordingly, we propose an expanded taxonomy of event boundary-triggering processes, and review behavioral and neuroscience research on internal state changes in three core domains: affective states, goal states, and motivational states. Finally, we evaluate how well current theoretical frameworks can accommodate the unique and interactive contributions of internal states to event memory. We conclude that a theoretical perspective on event memory that integrates both external environment and internal state changes allows for a more complete understanding of how the brain structures experiences, with important implications for future research in cognitive and clinical neuroscience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The differentiation between continuous and discrete actions is key for behavioral neuroscience. Although many studies have characterized eye-hand coordination during discrete (e.g., reaching) and continuous (e.g., pursuit tracking) actions, all these studies were conducted separately, using different setups and participants. In addition, how eye-hand coordination might operate at the frontier between discrete and continuous movements remains unexplored. Here we filled these gaps by means of a task that could elicit different movement dynamics. Twenty-eight participants were asked to simultaneously track with their eyes and a joystick a visual target that followed an unpredictable trajectory and whose position was updated at different rates (from 1.5 to 240 Hz). This procedure allowed us to examine actions ranging from discrete point-to-point movements (low refresh rate) to continuous pursuit (high refresh rate). For comparison, we also tested a manual tracking condition with the eyes fixed and a pure eye tracking condition (hand fixed). The results showed an abrupt transition between discrete and continuous hand movements around 3 Hz contrasting with a smooth trade-off between fixations and smooth pursuit. Nevertheless, hand and eye tracking accuracy remained strongly correlated, with each of these depending on whether the other effector was recruited. Moreover, gaze-cursor distance and lag were smaller when eye and hand performed the task conjointly than separately. Altogether, despite some dissimilarities in eye and hand dynamics when transitioning between discrete and continuous movements, our results emphasize that eye-hand coordination continues to smoothly operate and support the notion of synergies across eye movement types. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: The differentiation between continuous and discrete actions is key for behavioral neuroscience. By using a visuomotor task in which we manipulate the target refresh rate to trigger different movement dynamics, we explored eye-hand coordination all the way from discrete to continuous actions. Despite abrupt changes in hand dynamics, eye-hand coordination continues to operate via a gradual trade-off between fixations and smooth pursuit, an observation confirming the notion of synergies across eye movement types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is increasingly used in neuroscience research. Zebrafish are relatively easy to maintain, and their high fecundity makes them suitable for high-throughput experiments. Their small, transparent embryos and larvae allow for easy microscopic imaging of the developing brain. Zebrafish also share a high degree of genetic similarity with humans, and are amenable to genetic manipulation techniques, such as gene knockdown, knockout, or knock-in, which allows researchers to study the role of specific genes relevant to human brain development, function, and disease. Zebrafish can also serve as a model for behavioral studies, including locomotion, learning, and social interactions. In this review, we present state-of-the-art methods to study the brain function in zebrafish, including genetic tools for labeling single neurons and neuronal circuits, live imaging of neural activity, synaptic dynamics and protein interactions in the zebrafish brain, optogenetic manipulation, and the use of virtual reality technology for behavioral testing. We highlight the potential of zebrafish for neuroscience research, especially regarding brain development, neuronal circuits, and genetic-based disorders and discuss its certain limitations as a model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, examines the continuity and discontinuity of mother-infant interactions in infants born preterm. The study found that discontinuity in interactions was associated with better outcomes, but was less likely in preterm infants. Maternal sensitivity and infant cooperative behavior were higher in dyads that changed their scores from 3 to 9 months compared to those that maintained the same score. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the impact of prematurity on parent-infant relationships and developmental trajectories. It includes references to sources discussing affect attunement, neurobehavioral and social-emotional development, and social interaction. [Extracted from the article]

The Food Finding Test (FFT) olfactory paradigm without overnight food deprivation examined olfaction in aged (16-months-old) animals. Ethograms of three goal-directed behaviors towards hidden food (sniffing, finding and eating) elicited in male and female 3xTg-AD mice for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their age-matched C57BL/6 wild-type counterparts with normal aging were meticulously analyzed with the support of video recordings. The new FFT protocol elicited longer ethograms than previously reported with the standard deprivation protocol. However, it was sensitive when identifying genotype- and sex-dependent olfactory signatures for the temporal patterns of slow sniffing, finding, and eating in AD and males, but it had a striking consistency in females. The impact of forced social isolation was studied and it was found to exert sex-dependent modifications of the ethogram, mostly in males. Still, in both sexes, a functional derangement was detected since the internal correlations among the behaviors decreased or were lost under isolated conditions. In conclusion, the new paradigm without overnight deprivation was sensitive to sex (males), genotype (AD), and social context (isolation-dependent changes) in its ethogram and functional correlation. At the translational level, it is a warning about the impact of isolation in the advanced stages of the disease, paying notable attention to the male sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (JEAB) has been influential in the development of behavioral science. The journal is known for its rigorous experimental designs and control conditions. The new editor-in-chief aims to continue the tradition of publishing exemplary behavior research. The review process involves recruiting expert editors and ensuring unbiased reviews through double-blind review practices. JEAB welcomes various types of articles, including research articles, theoretical articles, book reviews, and perspectives articles. The journal also encourages scientific rigor and transparency through practices such as effect-size reporting, preregistration of studies, and providing supplementary materials. Overall, JEAB is committed to disseminating science relevant to the behavior of individuals. [Extracted from the article]

Summary: Tactile sensitivity on a limb is reduced during movement. This tactile suppression results presumably from central predictive mechanisms that downregulate sensations caused during voluntary action. Suppression also occurs during passive movements, indicating a role for peripheral mechanisms, questioning the predictive nature of suppression. Yet, predictions existing beyond the motor domain (non-motor predictions) can also modulate tactile suppression. This study aimed to disentangle central motor predictive and peripheral feedback mechanisms while accounting for non-motor predictions. Participants detected tactile stimuli on their limb shortly before it moved in an active or passive manner. Passive movements were either fully (100%) or partially (50%) predictable. We found tactile suppression during both active and passive movements irrespective of whether the passive movements were predictable. Importantly, tactile suppression was stronger in active than passive movements highlighting the specific role of central predictive mechanisms.

Summary: The increased muscular force output required for some behaviors is achieved via amplification of motoneuron output via cholinergic C-bouton synapses. Work in neonatal mouse motoneurons suggested that modulation of currents mediated by post-synaptically clustered KV2.1 channels is crucial to C-bouton amplification. By focusing on more mature motoneurons, we show that conditional knockout of KV2.1 channels minimally affects either excitability or response to exogenously applied muscarine. Similarly, unlike in neonatal motoneurons or cortical pyramidal neurons, pharmacological blockade of KV2 currents has minimal effect on mature motoneuron firing in vitro. Furthermore, in vivo amplification of electromyography activity and high-force task performance was unchanged following KV2.1 knockout. Finally, we show that KV2.2 is also expressed by spinal motoneurons, colocalizing with KV2.1 opposite C-boutons. We suggest that the primary function of KV2 proteins in motoneurons is non-conducting and that KV2.2 can function in this role in the absence of KV2.1.

Summary: Previous research indicates that individuals with Internet gaming disorder (IGD) show impaired inhibitory control and abnormal EEG/ERP patterns. However, it is unclear how those individuals with excessive Internet game use (EUG) but without addiction differ. This study examined inhibitory control, resting EEG, and ERP in EUG gamers compared to non-gamers. Fifteen participants in each group underwent 4-min eyes-closed EEG recordings and a color-word Stroop task. Results showed no significant differences in reaction time, accuracy, or P3 amplitude between EUG gamers and non-gamers. However, EUG gamers exhibited shortened P3 latency, which may suggest enhanced inhibitory control. Additionally, EUG gamers showed reduced theta and alpha band power during the resting state compared to non-gamers. These findings suggest that excessive gaming without addiction may enhance inhibitory control and influence brain activity differently from IGD.

Adolescent risk-taking has been attributed to earlier-developing motivational neurocircuitry that is poorly controlled by immature executive-control neurocircuitry. Functional magnetic resonance imaging findings of increased ventral striatum (VS) recruitment by reward prospects in adolescents compared to adults support this theory. Other studies found blunted VS recruitment by reward-predictive cues in adolescents compared to adults. Task features may explain this discrepancy but have never been systematically explored. Adolescents and adults performed a novel reward task that holds constant the expected value of all rewards but varies whether rewards are dependent on vigilance-intensive responding versus making a lucky choice during a relaxed response window. We examined group by sub-task contrast differences in activation of VS and more motoric regions of striatum in response to anticipatory cues. Reward anticipation in both task conditions activated portions of striatum in both groups. In voxel-wise comparison, adults showed greater anticipatory recruitment of VS in trials involving choice during a relaxed time window, not in the more vigilance-demanding trials as hypothesized. In accord with our hypotheses, however, adults showed greater activation in dorsal striatum and putamen volumes of interest during reward anticipation under vigilance-demanding conditions. Following trial outcome notifications, adolescents showed greater activation of the VS during reward notification but lower activation during loss notification. These data extend findings of cross-sectional age-group differences in incentive-anticipatory recruitment of striatum, by demonstrating in adults relatively greater recruitment of motor effector regions of striatum by attentional and motor demands.

Summary: Our knowledge of the diversity and psychological organization of emotion experiences is based primarily on studies that used a single type of stimulus with an often limited set of rating scales and analyses. Here we take a comprehensive data-driven approach. We surveyed 1,000+ participants on a diverse set of ratings of emotion experiences to a validated set of ca. 150 text narratives, a validated set of ca. 1,000 videos, and over 10,000 personal experiences sampled longitudinally in everyday life, permitting a unique comparison. All three types of emotion experiences were characterized by similar dimensional spaces that included valence and arousal, as well as dimensions related to generalizability. Emotion experiences were distributed along continuous gradients, with no clear clusters even for the so-called basic emotions. Individual differences in personality traits were associated with differences in everyday emotion experiences but not with emotions evoked by narratives or videos.