Researchers found that physical and mental exercise improves learning ability and reduces disease risk in mice, with the effect being passed on to the next generation through epigenetic inheritance. The study identified two microRNA molecules, miRNA212 and miRNA132, as responsible for this inherited learning capacity.
Researchers at DZNE found unstable activity in a key spatial navigation area of older adults' brains, leading to navigational difficulties. This may open up new ways for detecting Alzheimer's disease and designing therapies against age-related cognitive decline.
Researchers found that the offspring of elderly mouse-fathers had a shorter lifespan and featured exacerbation of histopathological and molecular aging traits. Epigenetic changes in paternal sperm and offspring were also observed, suggesting intergenerational influences on aging processes.
A new study reveals that inflammatory mechanisms in the brain drive Alzheimer's disease progression. The research found a molecular complex of the immune system promotes aberrant aggregation of proteins, including Amyloid-beta, which accumulates in the brain and harms neurons.
The compound anle138b was shown to close harmful openings in the membrane of nerve cells and induce conformational changes that modify pore conductivity. Treatment with anle138b normalized brain activity and improved learning ability in mice affected by Alzheimer's disease, regardless of when treatment started.
Researchers have developed a novel laboratory model that replicates key hallmarks of pediatric high-grade glioma, a devastating illness and leading cause of death in children. Mutations in histone 3.3 are believed to play a pivotal role in its development, with the new model supporting the concept that cancer starts in utero.
A laboratory study found that a diet rich in folic acid and vitamins can impair the cognitive skills of offspring mice. The findings suggest that epigenetic changes in the paternal genome can be transferred to the next generation, potentially affecting human health.
A study by German researchers suggests that activating the PERK protein may alleviate symptoms of progressive supranuclear palsy. The protein helps eliminate abnormal tau molecules, which are also found in other neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
A laboratory study found that alpha-synuclein, a protein involved in Parkinson's disease, can travel from the brain to the stomach via specific nerve pathways. The protein was detected in gastric nerve terminals six months after its initial midbrain expression.
Researchers at DZNE discovered that astrocytes potentiate harmful electrical discharges after a stroke, leading to increased brain damage. Modulating astrocyte calcium metabolism may be a potential starting point for treating stroke in humans.
Scientists found abnormal immune reactions in the brain's cerebrospinal fluid seven years before expected dementia onset. TREM2 levels can track immune activity and predict disease progression.
Researchers found that specific cells in the medial septum fire at higher rates when a mouse moves faster, influencing activity in the brain's navigation center. This 'speedometer cell' data bus relays speed information to the entorhinal cortex, essential for spatial orientation.
Researchers used whole-brain MRI mapping to reveal pathological alterations in brain iron distribution. They found excess iron in areas like the substantia nigra and decreased iron content in previously overlooked regions, such as the dentate nucleus.
A recent study suggests that manipulating the immune response in adult zebrafish brains could lead to the activation of neural stem cells and the proliferation of new neurons. This finding has significant implications for the potential development of novel therapies against Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have identified a new target for treating neurodegenerative diseases: Rolofylline, which alleviates learning and memory deficits in mice with aberrant Tau proteins. The drug re-establishes neuronal activity despite pathological Tau aggregates.
Scientists discovered a molecular brake that prevents nerve fibers from regenerating, and found a drug that can trigger neuronal growth. Pregabalin treatment caused new connections to form between damaged neurons in mice with spinal cord injuries.
Scientists have identified a new biomarker for nerve cell damage that can be measured in the blood, providing valuable information on disease progression and treatment response. The discovery offers a potential breakthrough for developing therapies and could simplify clinical trials by using a simple blood sample.
Researchers found that the CB2 receptor regulates nerve cell activity in the hippocampus, adjusting communication processes. The discovery could lead to novel medications for schizophrenia, depression, and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that alpha-synuclein spreading in Parkinson's disease is triggered by enhanced expression and trans-neuronal passage of monomeric and oligomeric forms, rather than prion-like seeding. This new insight sheds light on the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.
Researchers discovered epigenetic modifications in mouse brains that influence long-term memory, suggesting a potential code for memory content and new therapeutic targets. The study also found these modifications occur in non-neuronal cells, expanding our understanding of neuroplasticity regulation.
Frank Bradke's groundbreaking research on neural regeneration and spinal cord injuries has earned him the coveted Leibniz Prize. His work aims to promote axon regeneration after spinal cord injury, inhibiting scar tissue formation and activating nerve cells' regenerative potential.
Researchers discovered that treating newborn mice with bumetanide can almost completely prevent the disease progression and allow them to develop normally. The study suggests that timing is crucial, as treatment within the first two postnatal weeks can normalize brain activity and behavior.
Scientists solve the mystery of polar bear Knut's encephalitis, a rare autoimmune disease previously known only in humans. The discovery provides new insights into the possible prevalence of autoimmunity in humans and other mammals.
A study analyzing health insurance data found that long-term treatment with pioglitazone significantly decreases the risk of developing dementia in patients with type 2 diabetes. The medication lowers the risk by approximately half compared to non-diabetics, with a notable protective effect against Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists have identified a new neural circuit in the brain that tracks movement speed and delivers this information to spatial memory systems. This discovery has important implications for understanding movement-related symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease and improving spatial memory.
Researchers discovered a feedback signalling mechanism responsible for changes in nerve cells exposed to prolonged light, which may help protect neurons from degeneration. The study provides insight into synaptic plasticity and potential therapeutic applications for neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that cancer drug epothilone reduces scar tissue and stimulates growth in damaged nerve cells, promoting neuronal regeneration. The study suggests a potential new treatment for spinal cord injuries.
Researchers identified specific circuits in the brain where memories are generated, using a precision MRI technique that tracked information flow within the brain. The study aims to gain new insights into how Alzheimer's disease affects the brain and memory processing.
The study found that astrocyte hyperactivity is caused by energy carriers like ATP, leading to calcium fluctuations and changes in brain perfusion. The research suggests a novel potential approach for treating Alzheimer's disease by mitigating the hyperactivity of these cells.
Researchers created a three-dimensional model of a single neuron to study its electrical properties. The study found that changes in cell morphology affect hyper-excitability, highlighting a new relationship between cellular dysfunction and structural integrity.
Research found that physical exercise improves brain perfusion and visual memory in younger adults, but this effect decreases with age. The study used magnetic resonance imaging to examine the brains of 40 healthy volunteers aged 60-77, with half receiving treadmill exercise for 3 months.
Researchers discovered that CKAMP44 and TARP Gamma-8 proteins play a crucial role in controlling the flow of information into the hippocampus, a brain region essential for learning and memory. The proteins influence glutamate receptor activity, promoting or weakening synaptic connections, and enabling rapid sequence of signals.
Scientists have solved the high-resolution structure of the molecular transporter TSPO, which introduces cholesterol into mitochondria. The detailed knowledge of its three-dimensional shape and function opens up new diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives.