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Lieber Institute for Brain Development


Lieber Institute for Brain Development goes all-in on AWS to develop new drug treatments for brain diseases

The Lieber Institute is developing a new tool called GRAPE that combines generative and predictive AI to find new, more effective treatments for brain disorders such as schizophrenia. The institute is utilizing AWS gen AI and compute services to advance research and store its massive collection of genomic and other data in the cloud.

Boehringer Ingelheim and Lieber Institute for Brain Development advance development of COMT inhibitors to treat cognitive impairment in neuropsychiatric disorders

Researchers are developing centrally acting catechol Omethyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors to treat cognitive impairment in certain neuropsychiatric disorders. The Lieber Institute's collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim is exploring novel treatments for these impairments, which affect millions of people worldwide.

First study from the African Ancestry Neuroscience Research Initiative identifies key genes in the brain that account for higher rates of some brain disorders in Black Americans

The study found that people of African ancestry are more likely to experience Alzheimer's disease and stroke, while being less likely to manifest Parkinson's disease. Genetic ancestry was found to influence gene expression in the brain, with 15% of variation attributed to environmental differences.

SourceLieber Institute for Brain Development·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 20, 2024

New study finds the placenta, not only the brain, plays a central role in genetic risk of schizophrenia

A new study found that over 100 genes linked to schizophrenia risk are associated with the placenta, not just the brain. This could lead to new prevention strategies targeting placenta biology, allowing for early interventions and potentially changing the course of developmental disorders.

SourceLieber Institute for Brain Development·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 15, 2023

Solving the dopamine riddle: New study pinpoints genetic mechanism linking brain chemical to schizophrenia

Researchers at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development have found that neuronal cells are unable to precisely control levels of dopamine, leading to a genetic mechanism that controls dopamine flow. This study confirms that dopamine is a causative factor in schizophrenia, shedding light on a long-held hypothesis.

SourceLieber Institute for Brain Development·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateNov 1, 2022

New study provides first look at gene expression in brains of people with bipolar disorder

A comprehensive study published in Nature Neuroscience has pinpointed significant differences in gene expression in two key regions of the brain of individuals with bipolar disorder. The findings suggest that bipolar disorder may stem from chemical and structural changes in brain cells, impairing communication between brain cells.

SourceLieber Institute for Brain Development·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 7, 2022

New study finds neurons derived from stem cells predict psychosis and cognitive deficits in individuals with schizophrenia

A new study uses stem cells to predict schizophrenia symptoms, opening the door to personalized medicine. The researchers found that neurons derived from patients' own stem cells predicted psychosis and cognitive deficits with high accuracy.

SourceLieber Institute for Brain Development·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 11, 2022

New study finds genes and air pollution multiply healthy people’s risk of depression

A new study reveals that genetic predisposition for depression combined with exposure to high-particulate-matter air pollution greatly elevates the risk of depression. The study found that the combination of genes and air pollution has a multiplier effect on the risk of depression, suggesting potentially widespread brain effects.

SourceLieber Institute for Brain Development·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 8, 2021

Cracking the code of brain development

Using state-of-the-art sequencing technology, researchers identified thousands of differences in gene expression across six life stages and found that genes containing these regions were crucial to the maturation process of neurons during fetal development. The study's findings suggest a 'signature' found in cells from the earliest sta...

SourceLieber Institute for Brain Development·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateDec 16, 2014