Holly Barker

Holly Barker

Live Science Contributor

Holly Barker is a freelance science journalist based in the U.K. She holds a PhD in clinical neuroscience from King's College London and a BSc degree in biochemistry from the University of Manchester. She has previously written for Spectrum News, The Scientist and Discover.

Articles by: Holly Barker

A woman's feet are shown standing on weighing scales that are placed on a wooden floor. She is wearing black leggings and nothing on her feet.

How does the brain regulate body weight?

By Holly Barker last updated

An almond-shaped structure deep in the brain controls people's feelings of hunger and fullness in an attempt to keep them at a constant body weight. In obesity, its signaling can be disrupted.

illustration shows a synapse (gap between two nerve cells) where chemical messengers from one cross over to the other

How do brain cells send messages?

By Holly Barker published

Brain cells, or neurons, have multiple means of communication, and their chatter may be influenced by the cells around them, research suggests.