Depression Tweaks Disappointment Circuit In Brain
Researchers studied the lateral habenula, “an evolutionarily ancient region deep in the brain.” Neurons in this region are activated by unexpected negative events—a reward is not granted, or unexpected punishment occurs. Researchers found that the balance of chemicals in this region controls the processing of negative events. From the article: The region is unusual because it lacks the standard equipment the brain uses to reduce overactivity: opposing sets of neurons that either increase activity by secreting the chemical glutamate or decrease activity by secreting the chemical GABA....