MentalHealthDaily

Nucleus Accumbens-to-Ventral Pallidum Pathway Regulates Social Play in Rats

by GLOOM

MHD featured image for nucleus accumbens to ventral pallidum social-play circuitry.

A 2026 juvenile rat study found that inactivating the ventral pallidum or stimulating nucleus accumbens GABA terminals in the ventral pallidum reduced social play behavior in both sexes, pointing to a specific reward-circuit pathway required for normal play expression.1 Research Highlights VP inactivation reduced play: bilateral muscimol infusion into the ventral pallidum reduced juvenile social …

Genetic Risk for Low Vitamin D Linked to Lower Social Motivation in First-Episode Psychosis (2024 Study)

by GLOOM

Recent research reveals a notable association between vitamin D levels and the severity of negative symptoms in individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP). A new study explored the genetic predisposition towards lower vitamin D levels and its impact on symptom severity in schizophrenia and related disorders. Highlights: Vitamin D & Psychosis Connection: Lower levels of vitamin …