Researchers used a novel method to analyze individual brain cells in mice, revealing specific genes that may play roles in traumatic brain injury. Treatments targeting these genes, such as thyroid hormone therapy, showed promise in improving learning and memory tasks.
A NIH-funded study found that a diet high in fried and processed foods is associated with an increased risk of hypertension in black Americans. Lifestyle changes, particularly changes in diet, may help reduce this disparity.
A recent study published in Nature found that stress caused by starvation before sexual maturation can prevent normal changes in the wiring patterns of key neuronal circuits in male worms. As a result, adult male worms act immaturely during behaviors controlled by these circuits. The study suggests that environmental stress can permane...
Researchers have found a way to overcome the barrier that prevents damaged neurons from regrowing after spinal cord injury. By turning back the neurons' clocks and reactivating growth patterns, they were able to reconnect severed spinal cord nerves and induce new axons to regrow across the scarred tissue.
A clinical trial of over 250 participants with progressive multiple sclerosis found that ibudilast slowed down brain shrinkage compared to a placebo. The study showed a difference of approximately 2.5 milliliters of brain tissue between the two groups, but it is unclear if this translates to improved symptoms or function.
Researchers discovered tiny tunnels in the skull that connect bone marrow to the lining of the brain, enabling immune cells to quickly reach injured tissue. The study found that these channels play a crucial role in inflammation and may be important in various brain disorders.
Researchers have discovered a second-generation drug that can silence the gene responsible for inherited ALS by injecting it into rodents. The new version of the drug is more effective at reducing SOD1 protein production and delaying disease progression. It may be ready for early-stage clinical trials.
Researchers found that LRRK2 protein activity may contribute to Parkinson's disease development in up to three percent of patients without gene mutations. The study identified LRRK2 as a key player in neurobiological pathways affected by the disease.
The Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials has been renewed for five more years, enabling the study of new treatments for brain disorders. Nine clinical trials are currently underway, demonstrating the potential of NeuroNEXT to expedite research and bring treatments to patients faster.
A study reveals that small changes in a fruit fly's brain wiring can greatly impact its mating behavior, leading to different responses to the same pheromone. The research suggests that variations in brain circuits may underlie species-specific reactions to specific scents.
Researchers discovered that sharks' electrosensing organs react in an all-or-none manner to tiny electrical fields, unlike skates which respond with graded currents. The study suggests that genes controlling ion channels may be responsible for this difference.
A new, fully implanted deep brain stimulation device uses real-time brain signals to fine-tune its signaling, reducing side effects and improving symptom control in Parkinson's patients. The adaptive system was shown to be equally effective as traditional stimulation methods in initial short-term studies.
A new study found that many patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions do not receive adequate follow-up care after hospital discharge. The study revealed that approximately half of the patients saw a general practitioner, while about half were discharged without TBI educational materials.
A clinical trial involving over 4880 participants found that combining clopidogrel and aspirin reduces the risk of secondary stroke within 90 days. However, it also increases the risk of major bleeding, with most episodes being non-fatal and not brain-related.
A recent study published in Nature found that the ventral midline thalamus (vMT) plays a crucial role in determining how animals respond to visual threats. The vMT sends information primarily to two brain areas, the basolateral amygdala and the medial prefrontal cortex, which turn out to be critical in determining reactions.
A new study identifies a molecule that triggers a pathway blocking white matter repair, leading to chronic injury. The molecule, hyaluronic acid (HA), accumulates in lesions and prevents oligodendrocyte progenitor cells from producing myelin.
In a breakthrough study, NIH scientists identified distinct immune cell subsets that work together to repair the damaged meninges and blood vessels in mice. The research provides new insights into the recovery process after concussion and may lead to the development of targeted therapies to improve patient outcomes.
A team of scientists, including those from Google, developed a computer program that can identify structures in unstained brain cells. The program learned to spot features such as cell nuclei, dead cells, and specific types of brain cells by analyzing stained images.
Researchers found that altering Cdk5 activity made the brains of flies appear genetically older and their bodies to be about 20 days old. The study suggests that neurodegenerative disorders may accelerate the aging process, leading to earlier death and cognitive decline in affected individuals.
A recent study using CRISPR-Cas9 technology identified new genes that may hasten neuron death in ALS and FTD patients. The researchers found that genes controlling cell movement and protein assembly were potential partners in DPR toxicity, suggesting novel therapies for ALS.
Researchers created a detailed diagram of the brain circuits behind thirst and satiety in mice, showing that opposing lines of communication play critical roles. The study provides insights into the rules governing the brain's response to dehydration and may shed light on appetite regulation.
Researchers found that a specific part of the fly brain's circadian clock, DN1p, increases activity when cooled and decreases activity when heated, suggesting a key role in regulating sleep patterns. The study has implications for understanding how temperature affects human sleep behavior.
A new study published in Science suggests that loss of mossy cells plays a critical role in both convulsive seizures and memory problems associated with temporal lobe epilepsy. In a mouse model, researchers found that turning on mossy cells prevented seizures from transitioning into convulsions.
Researchers found that silencing astrocytes in the brain's breathing center caused rats to breathe at a lower rate and tire out on a treadmill earlier. Astrocytes were shown to use adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to communicate with other cells, and their modulation was linked to changes in oxygen levels.
A study published in Neurology suggests that strokes can compromise the blood-ocular barrier, causing gadolinium to leak into the eye. This phenomenon could potentially provide valuable information about stroke severity and guide treatment.
A new study by the Endovascular Therapy Following Imaging Evaluation for the Ischemic Stroke (DEFUSE 3) trial demonstrated that brain-scan guided emergency stroke treatment can be effective up to 16 hours after symptom onset. The treatment led to improved outcomes, including increased functional independence and survival rates.
A new mouse study suggests that a high-salt diet can impair blood flow in the brain, leading to cognitive dysfunction. The researchers found that changes in the gut caused by a high-salt diet led to reduced blood flow and dementia-like symptoms in mice.
Scientists have discovered that a gene crucial for learning, called Arc, can send its genetic material from one neuron to another by employing a strategy commonly used by viruses. This new process may allow the toxic proteins responsible for Alzheimer's disease to spread through the brain.
Researchers identified a potential drug to protect brain cells after ischemic stroke by mimicking the cellular changes of hibernating ground squirrels. The compound, ebselen, boosts SUMOylation and keeps brain cells alive in the absence of oxygen and glucose.
A recent NIH-funded study used innovative NeuroGrid technology to show that sleep boosts communication between the hippocampus and association neocortex, crucial for memory formation. The research suggests that neural dialogue between these regions helps retain information during sleep.
Researchers found that LRRK2 is necessary for the survival of dopamine-containing neurons in the brain, which are affected by Parkinson's disease. The study could alter treatment approaches against the disease.
The NIH BRAIN Initiative is expanding its efforts to develop new tools and technologies to understand neural circuit function and capture a dynamic view of the brain in action. Researchers are making rapid progress in visualizing the brain in action, identifying thousands of brain cells at a time, and developing innovative brain scanners.
Researchers at NIH uncovered the first evidence of a brain lymphatic system, suggesting vessels act as a pipeline between brain and immune system. The discovery uses MRI to scan brains of healthy volunteers and confirms results in human and nonhuman primate brains.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded four grants to establish a coordinated scientific research effort on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Researchers will collaborate on projects, share data, and engage with the ME/CFS community to advance knowledge and potential treatments for this debilitating disease.
Researchers found that injecting interleukin-27 (IL-27) into mice after a hemorrhagic stroke helped them recover and had less brain damage. IL-27 may play a critical role in protecting the brain from stroke-induced damage, offering new avenues for stroke treatment strategies.
A new study published in Nature found that highly lethal brain tumors stop growing when deprived of a specific molecule naturally produced when brain cells fire. Researchers suggest targeting the protein neuroligin-3 as a potential approach for treating high-grade gliomas.
A new study published in Neuron confirms that lab-grown astrocytes mature at the same rate as human brains, providing a valuable technique to investigate their role in brain development and disease. The findings have significant implications for understanding the roots of neurological disorders such as schizophrenia and autism.
A large NIH-funded study found that middle-aged Americans with vascular health risk factors such as diabetes and high blood pressure are more likely to develop dementia later in life. The study analyzed data from 15,744 participants over 25 years and found a strong link between midlife vascular health and the risk of developing dementia.
Researchers found that T cells from people with PD responded to alpha-synuclein to a greater degree than those gathered from healthy controls. Four genetic variations were associated with T cell reactivity, and over half of people with PD carried at least one variant.
Researchers found that fluid changes in a specific brain area could provide a way to track Parkinson's damage, with increased free water linked to worsening symptoms and progressive degeneration of neurons.
A NASA-supported experiment on the International Space Station is growing large crystals of pure enzyme to develop improved antidotes for nerve poisons. By harnessing microgravity conditions, researchers hope to create better countermeasures that can quickly reactivate the enzyme and deliver them orally.
The study found deletions in NRXN1 and duplications in CNTN6 genes linked to an increased risk of Tourette syndrome. These genetic variants affect brain development and may contribute to the disease's progression.
A newly developed research tool may help predict a patient's risk for developing dementia in Parkinson's disease, enabling improved clinical trial design and treatment development. A computer-based risk calculator was built from data on 3,200 people with Parkinson's disease, evaluating seven known risk factors.
Scientists at the NIH discovered that each memory is encoded by a unique firing pattern of individual neurons in the brain. The studies also found that the brain replays memories faster than they are stored.
A study in mice and humans suggests that intestinal bacteria can influence the structure of brain blood vessels, leading to stroke or epilepsy. Researchers found that eliminating bacteria reduced lesion formation, while a drug blocking TLR4 also showed therapeutic potential.
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology found that US military service members who experienced a mild concussion after blast injury may continue to experience mental health symptoms and decreased quality of life for at least five years. The study also highlights the need for more effective, long-term treatment strategies.
Researchers identified brain cells in fruit flies responsible for regulating protein levels, promoting a single-minded focus on eating protein when starved. The study's findings may have implications for addressing the obesity epidemic by understanding how protein intake affects caloric intake.
Researchers have discovered a potential treatment for ALS and spinocerebellar ataxia 2 using gene silencing technology. The drug, an antisense oligonucleotide, reduces problems associated with SCA2 by silencing the ataxin 2 gene.
A new study identified genes that may underlie differences in treatment outcomes for children with childhood absence epilepsy (CAE). The research suggests a potential link between gene variants and the effectiveness of certain drugs, paving the way for precision medicine approaches to tailor treatments.
Researchers have identified a protein in urine samples as a potential biomarker for ALS, allowing for monitoring disease progression and assessing therapy effectiveness. Studies found patients with higher levels of the protein survived longer, suggesting it could be used to predict disease outcome.