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The rat is a medium-sized rodent from the genus Rattus. Rattus norvegicus (brown rat) is a model vertebrate reared in the laboratory for studying subjects such as genetics, physiology, disease and the effects of drugs.
An updated version of the Waxholm Space atlas of the rat brain includes more detailed annotations of several brain regions, including the cortex, striatopallidal region, midbrain and thalamus, expanding the previous version with 112 new and 57 revised structures.
Functional ultrasound localization microscopy monitors cerebrovascular blood flow by detecting the flow of injected microbubbles, providing access to brain activity at high spatiotemporal resolution.
Grid cells develop in rats soon after they leave the nest. Here, Ulsaker-Janke et al. show that preventing exposure to straight boundaries from birth delays, but does not prevent, grid cell maturation in adult rats.
Social isolation can lead to poor mental and physical health. A new study determines that social isolation increases food and nicotine-seeking during abstinence, but that social housing can reverse these effects.