Articles tagged with Gaba
Researchers have discovered a direct link between autism symptoms and reduced action of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. The study suggests that increasing brain concentrations of GABA may have potential as an autism treatment.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found a link between brain GABA levels and tactile learning, predicting learning success by baseline GABA levels. Higher GABA levels were associated with improved sensory learning potential.
A Stanford study suggests a malfunctioning enzyme may contribute to the development of alcoholism in individuals who binge drink. The researchers identified a previously unknown biochemical assembly line that produces an essential neurotransmitter called GABA, which is thought to play a key role in countering addiction.
GABA's role in dampening hyperactivity has led researchers to believe that increased production during adolescence improves symptoms for the majority of people with TS. This finding could offer a new approach to treatments targeting GABA levels in brain areas controlling motor function.
A three-year NSF-funded grant will support research on how brain cells regulate locomotion in zebrafish. The project aims to understand the role of neurotransmitters, particularly GABA, and identify specific receptor types that control movement.
Researchers discovered a critical role for extra-synaptic GABA receptors in encoding and storing fear-inducing memories. Activating these receptors can retrieve traumatic memories, offering new potential treatments for patients with psychiatric disorders.
Researchers have discovered that plants bind GABA in a similar way to animals, resulting in electrical signals that regulate plant growth when exposed to stressful environments. This finding opens up new possibilities for breeding more stress resilient crops to fight food insecurity.
Scientists discovered that the brain chemical GABA acts as a 'brake' to regulate wakefulness and sleep, leading to hyperactivity in mice without GABA. The study has implications for developing new drugs to promote better sleep and treat conditions like mania and bipolar disorder.
A study published in PNAS reveals that the neurotransmitter GABA plays a crucial role in encoding seasonal changes through changes in chloride levels. By blocking GABA activity, researchers were able to synchronize the brain's internal clock, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for individuals with disrupted seasonal rhythms.
Researchers found genetic variations affecting stress response and brain function correlate with increased risk of major depression and schizophrenia. The study also highlights the importance of GABA signaling in neurodevelopmental disorders, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers successfully reactivated plasticity in adult brains by transplanting GABA neurons, allowing for vigorous rewiring and improved vision in amblyopic mice. The findings hold promise for future clinical applications and therapies for incurable brain disorders.
A patient who suffered a traumatic brain injury unexpectedly recovered full consciousness after receiving midazolam, a mild depressant drug. The administration of this medication resulted in the first reported case of an 'awakening' from a minimally-conscious state using this therapy.
A study by University of Nottingham researchers found that higher levels of GABA in the supplementary motor area (SMA) help dampen down hyperactivity, allowing stronger signals to produce movement. This could lead to targeted approaches controlling tics using transcranial direct-current stimulation (tdcs).
A study published in Current Biology found that individuals with Tourette syndrome have elevated concentrations of GABA in a specific brain region, which may lead to improved motor control. This increase in GABA levels could provide new targets for non-drug therapies, such as brain stimulation, to help manage symptoms.
Scientists have identified a control mechanism for the brain's processing of disappointment, which may be a key to treating depression. In experiments with rodents, researchers found that a small region above the thalamus secretes both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, allowing for a more subtle control of signaling.
Researchers found a specific type of neuron in the parafacial zone responsible for deep sleep, allowing unprecedented control over brain function. The discovery may lead to new medications for treating sleep disorders and developing safer anesthetics.
Researchers identified the neurofibromatosis type 1 (Nf1) gene as a key regulator of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that lowers anxiety and increases feelings of relaxation. Variations in the human Nf1 gene are linked to alcohol-dependence risk and severity, suggesting a potential genetic basis for excessive drinking.
Researchers investigated how neurons in the inferior colliculus respond to paired sounds producing precedence-effect illusions. After local GABA application, responses to lagging stimuli were suppressed, providing a potential new approach for improving speech perception in patients with hearing aids under background noise.
Scientists have identified a novel mechanism of memory loss in Alzheimer's disease and propose new therapeutic targets, including the production and release mechanisms of GABA in reactive astrocytes. A MAO-B inhibitor showed promise in treating Alzheimer's disease model mice for a short time.
A research team led by Gong Chen has discovered a novel biomarker that targets excessive GABA inhibition in the brain's dentate gyrus, which correlates with poor memory performance in Alzheimer's disease models. Reducing this inhibitory neurotransmitter may lead to a new therapy for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health found a link between autism and two biological pathways in mice with Mohawk-like hairstyles. The study suggests that reversing these effects could lead to potential treatments for the disease.
Children with autism spectrum disorders have altered gut bacteria and distinct metabolite profiles, potentially affecting brain function and neurotransmitter balance. The study found lower levels of homovanillate and N,N-dimethylglycine, as well as a higher glutamine/glutamate ratio, in children with ASD.
Researchers investigated how neurons in the inferior colliculus respond to paired sounds producing precedence-effect illusions. Local gamma-aminobutyric acid application suppressed responses to lagging stimuli, providing a new approach for improving speech understanding in patients with hearing aids under background noise.
Researchers at TSRI identified a critical protein complex, RGS7, that regulates memory formation by modulating GABA signaling. Mice lacking RGS7 exhibited deficits in learning and memory, highlighting the complex's importance in cognitive function.
A new fruitfly study confirmed that the enzyme GABA transaminase, a target of some epilepsy drugs, contributes to sleep loss. The study sheds light on mechanisms connecting sleep disruption and neurological disorders.
Scientists have found a critical mechanism to keep newborn neurons alive, which may help understand underlying causes of diseases like Alzheimer's and mental illness. The discovery suggests that parvalbumin-expressing interneurons release GABA, a chemical signal that promotes the survival of new brain cells.
A Penn study finds that shutting off GABA neurons helps bullied mice overcome symptoms of depression and anxiety. The research suggests targeting GABA neurons as a new potential drug target to treat patients with depression and other mood disorders.
Neuropathic pain is a daily reality for millions of Americans, but researchers have found a way to protect GABA neurons from oxidative stress, which may help alleviate the condition. By using an antioxidant compound, scientists were able to lower pain behavior and preserve GABA neuron populations.
Researchers have discovered a push-pull system in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) that allows the biological clock to adjust to changes in day/night cycles. The system uses neurotransmitters GABA and VIP to synchronize neurons and maintain accuracy within minutes of the day.
Researchers found DBI calms key brain rhythms and could be valuable for developing novel therapies for epilepsy, anxiety, and sleep disorders. DBI binds to GABA receptors, enhancing inhibition, and its actions are tightly controlled to occur only in specific brain areas.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered how the Toxoplasma parasite enters the brain and manipulates host behavior by hijacking neurotransmitters. The study found that infected dendritic cells secrete GABA, a substance linked to anxiety and depression.
A new study has identified the mechanism by which Toxoplasma gondii infects the brain, leading to increased risk-taking and higher incidence of schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. The parasite manipulates the GABA system, inhibiting fear and anxiety responses.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry published a series of articles assessing the cys-loop ligand-gated ion channel superfamily, which includes GABA A and glycine receptors. These proteins target neurotransmitters to regulate functions such as muscle contraction, anxiety, and pain.
Researchers found dopamine neurons release GABA, a neurotransmitter that lowers neuronal activity, which could explain why restoring only dopamine leads to waning improvements in Parkinson's patients. This discovery highlights the complex interplay between dopamine and GABA in brain disorders like depression and addiction.
Researchers have developed a light-sensitive derivative of propofol that can reverse its anesthetic effects. In experiments with tadpoles, the compound was found to be more potent than propofol alone and allowed neurons to regain responsiveness upon exposure to light.
Researchers discovered that brain stem cells monitor chemical communication between nearby neurons to determine when to remain dormant or create new cells. The findings may reveal how the brain reacts to its environment and how antidepressants work, increasing brain cell numbers in animals.
Researchers have identified commensal bacteria that produce gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter. The discovery suggests that certain intestinal bacteria may play a role in preventing or treating inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease.
Researchers identify precise genetic links between nature and nurture in schizophrenia risk. Defects in DISC1 protein and environmental stress after birth increase brain development abnormalities and schizophrenia likelihood by 1.4 times.
A study led by neuroscientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine found that activation of GABA neurons in a specific area of the midbrain inhibits dopamine neuron function, leading to a disruption in reward consumption. This discovery could lead to new mental health therapies.
A new study suggests that stem cells could potentially restore muscle coordination deficits in patients with Huntington's disease. Researchers successfully integrated human embryonic stem cells into mouse brains, reestablishing the broken communication network and restoring motor function.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine find that yoga may be effective in treating patients with stress-related psychological and medical conditions. Yoga is hypothesized to work by relieving symptoms in many common disorders through a theory based on neurophysiology and neuroanatomy.
A new study suggests that GABA deficits in the brain may trigger disturbances in the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating substances similar to cannabis products. The research also found that cannabis use can alter GABA activity in the brain.
Researchers found that reward prediction error is the result of a complex interplay between dopamine and GABA neurons. The interaction helps calculate reward prediction error, shedding light on how behaviors can be reinforced through normal brain function or by damaging neuron interactions.
Researchers found that GABA interneurons initially form many tentative connections, which are later pruned back by a mechanism triggered by GABA. This process helps refine neural networks and eliminate incompatible contacts.
Researchers found a decrease in GABA receptor concentration in ET patients' cerebellums, which may affect motor coordination and movement control. The study opens doors to new research avenues and potential treatments for the condition.
New research suggests that low GABA levels in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex may contribute to impulsive behavior and aggression. The study found a link between lower GABA levels and higher urgency ratings among men with no history of psychiatric disorders or substance dependence.
Researchers found that GABA suppressed inflammatory immune responses involved in Type 2 diabetes development. The supplement also improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity even after disease onset.
Neuroscientists at CSHL develop genetic 'GPS' system to comprehensively label GABA neurons, enabling real-time tracking and manipulation. The system uses Cre-Lox recombination to create cell-type specific markers, allowing for the study of inhibitory modulation in living brains.
The Pitt team discovered molecular changes in the brains of women with major depressive disorder, including reduced BDNF and GABA gene expression. These findings replicate changes seen in a mouse model, providing new insights into depression's biological mechanisms.
Neuroscientists at UC Berkeley have discovered a new approach to treating tinnitus by retraining the brain, targeting areas that have lost input from the ear. The study also found that drugs can boost inhibitors to reduce spontaneous firing of idle neurons in the auditory cortex.
Leptin's antiobesity effects are attributed to modulation of inhibitory output via GABA neurons, which suppress appetite and energy expenditure.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital discovered that GABA injections prevented and reversed Type 1 diabetes in mice by regenerating insulin-producing cells and decreasing the immune system's attack on them. This breakthrough finding offers new avenues for prevention and treatment of Type 1 diabetes.
Stephen L. Boehm II, Ph.D., a behavioral neuroscientist at IUPUI, has been awarded the 2011 Young Scientist of the Year by the International Behavioural and Neural Genetics Society for his research on binge drinking's impact on gamma-aminobutyric acid neural circuits. His lab is also recognized for its mentorship of students.
A new study found that individuals with high GABA responsiveness are quicker to learn simple motor tasks. Higher GABA concentrations at baseline are associated with slower reaction times and less brain activation during learning.
A University of Maryland School of Medicine study identified two genes associated with binge drinking, GABA receptors and TLR4, which may lead to new therapies for excessive alcohol consumption. The study found that manipulating these receptors caused a reduction in binge drinking behavior.
Yoga has a positive effect on mood and anxiety due to increased GABA levels, according to a study. Higher GABA activity is associated with improved mood and decreased anxiety, suggesting a new link between yoga and its benefits.
Researchers found that removing MECP2 from GABA-producing neurons reduces neurotransmitter production by 30%, reproducing Rett symptoms. The study suggests a possible pathway to understanding neuropsychiatric disorders and potential therapeutic intervention.
Researchers at the Gladstone Institutes have discovered that ApoE4 causes learning and memory deficits by impairing GABAergic interneuron function. The study found that apoE4-dependent deficits were rescued by pentobarbital, a compound that enhances GABA action.
A new study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that yoga practice is associated with increased GABA levels and decreased anxiety. The research suggests that yoga may be a potential therapy for certain mental disorders, warranting further study.
A study published in Neuron reveals that GABA, a natural molecule in the brain, is responsible for regulating synaptic connections and facilitating the formation of new memories. The research demonstrates that variations in local GABA levels near individual synapses determine synaptic strength and heterogeneity.