Behavioral studies are a crucial tool in understanding brain function, allowing experimenters to link the architecture and activity patterns of neural circuits to perception. In the most popular mammalian experimental model - the mouse - a wide array of behavioral techniques have been developed over... click to read more

In her memoir The Scar: A Personal History of Depression and Recovery, author Mary Cregan reflects on a conversation with a psychiatrist, hours after an attempt on her own life: "Thinking of myself in this interview brings to mind an image: a miner, at the... click to read more

In everyday life, actions are not only directed toward objects we see but also toward objects we already hold in one hand. For instance, even without vision, we can easily grasp the lid of a marmalade jar, open up a bottle or fill a candy... click to read more

Sometimes referred to as the happiness chemical, serotonin has a huge role to play in the proper functioning of our bodies. Any imbalance in serotonin levels can lead to all sorts of issues, ranging from intestinal problems to mood changes and depression. In the brain,... click to read more

We now know that a good night's sleep is essential for maintaining optimal brain functioning and health. Many will have experienced the acute detrimental effects of "pulling an all-nighter" on attention and performance, which are usually quickly remedied by sleep. Chronically curtailed or disrupted sleep... click to read more