Tag: brain circuits

Early-life stress can disrupt maturation of brain’s reward circuits, promoting disorders

sarah JonasResearch Results

Irvine, Calif., Feb. 27, 2023 — A new brain connection discovered by University of California, Irvine researchers can explain how early-life stress and adversity trigger disrupted operation of the brain’s reward circuit, offering a new therapeutic target for treating mental illness. Impaired function of this circuit is thought to underlie several major disorders, such as depression, substance abuse and excessive risk-taking.

Human Cocaine and Heroin Addiction Is Found Tied to Impairments in Specific Brain Circuit Initially Implicated in Animals

sarah JonasResearch Results

Study results suggest the pre-frontal cortex-habenula circuit is potentially amenable for targeted interventions and prevention.