Keionna Newton

Abstract While microglia are well known for pruning synapses during neurodevelopment, their role in synapse formation remains understudied. Here we investigate how microglial absence impacts synaptic development in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a region critical for emotional regulation and motivated behaviors. Using genetically modified mice lacking microglia (Csf1rΔFIRE/ΔFIRE), we find blunted excitatory synapse formation in the NAc, particularly during the second and third postnatal weeks.

By Keionna Newton What is depersonalization/derealization disorder? For those with DPDR, life often feels surreal. Depersonalization refers to a sense of profound detachment from one’s sense of self, while derealization refers to feelings of detachment from one’s surroundings (Murphy, 2023). These experiences can occur simultaneously on a spectrum of severity.

By Keionna Newton Dopamine. You’ve probably heard about it before in passing or perhaps you’ve seen it in the headlines. Perhaps you’ve seen people on social media using buzzwords like “dopamine hacking” or “dopamine detoxes”  and heard of promises about how to “optimize your dopamine.” In today’s world of endless information and distractions, dopamine seems to be one of social media’s favorite molecules to talk about, but what is dopamine really?