Articles tagged with Neurochemistry
A new review examines the relationship between tumors and the nervous system, suggesting that psychedelics may be able to 'listen' to the system and provide relief from cancer-related symptoms. The review also explores the potential for psychedelics to modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation in cancer patients.
A research team identified a signaling pathway involving AQP4, TRPA1, BEST1, and D-serine that helps maintain neuronal activity and cerebral blood-volume responses during prolonged sensory stimulation. Astrocytes release D-serine, which supports neuronal activity and contributes to dilation of brain blood vessels.
WVU neurobiologist Eric Horstick has received a $1 million NSF CAREER award to investigate how early temperature experiences shape the brain and behavior. The project will also provide students with hands-on neuroscience research experience and develop a zebrafish behavioral recording setup.
A cross-sectional study of 1,917 older adults found a positive association between dietary lecithin intake and cognitive function, with higher intake reducing the risk of mild cognitive impairment. The study also revealed that educational level may serve as a key moderator in this relationship.
Researchers have developed a new mean-field model that incorporates ion exchange mechanisms, allowing for more realistic simulations of brain activity. This model can capture the complex interactions between neurons and their surroundings, which are crucial for understanding neurological disorders such as epilepsy.
The Brain Prize record examines how neuroscience advances through 5 interacting modes and 3 trajectories, including foundational technologies, multiscale mechanisms, and disease-oriented research. Major advances are assembled through sustained interactions among tools, theories, mechanisms, and clinical contexts.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a platform that allows opioid activity to be turned on or off with the flick of a light switch, paving the way for bypassing opioid addiction and other adverse side effects. The compound, AM-3, activates painkilling effect only where needed, allowing substantial pain relief w...
Juvmo, a Parkinson's disease drug, has been approved by the FDA and offers a new treatment option for patients, potentially reducing side effects. The drug's unique mechanism of action provides relief from motor symptoms, and its approval marks a significant milestone in the research of UVA Health scientists.
Researchers found that minimally and highly processed meals with matched nutritional profiles produced distinct metabolic responses and activity in the brain's reward system. The study suggests that food processing may affect how the body and brain respond to food, potentially leading to overconsumption and long-term health effects.
Two NIH-funded studies will investigate pregnenolone's potential to treat substance use disorders and co-occurring depression. Researchers aim to determine whether a single brain-based approach can address overlapping conditions in behavioral health.
UCF Assistant Professor Cali Calarco is investigating how nicotine affects brain cells, providing insights that could help improve treatments for addiction. Her research focuses on the nucleus accumbens, an area of the brain involved in reward, learning, and behavior, and explores the role of mitochondria in drug-seeking behavior.
Researchers at Chonnam National University discovered a century-old solvent, dichloromethane, can efficiently synthesize amide bonds. The breakthrough method enables scalable and cost-effective amide synthesis, reducing waste and using benign byproducts.
A trial testing out-of-body experiences found no correlation with target identification, but participants unexpectedly described researchers' locations and activities. The unexpected findings may lead to the development of better evaluation methods and potentially support the case for out-of-body remote viewing.
A new study suggests that estrogen hormone treatment combining estriol and progesterone may help alleviate 'brain fog' symptoms in menopausal women. The study found significant reductions in cognitive symptoms such as memory, concentration, and problem-solving after 12 months of treatment.
Researchers suggest that biological memory is connected to emotion and thought, and that AI may lack the biological infrastructure to replicate human-like consciousness. The study proposes a biochemical process connecting brain cells and chemistry to memory, potentially offering a new route to understanding mental processes.
Researchers developed a computer model of the human cortex linking microscopic chemistry to brain-wide patterns of activity. The model found that regional differences in receptor density improve coordination between brain regions and information flow.
Researchers discovered that brain regions switch between shared and independent timing, allowing for flexibility in coordination. This finding provides a new framework for understanding how brain regions communicate and enables the development of brain-inspired artificial intelligence and robotic control systems.
Studies found that people with anorexia nervosa have high levels of LEAP2, a hormone linked to impulse control and blood sugar regulation. Higher levels of LEAP2 are associated with increased impulsivity and risk of relapse after treatment.
A nanosensor developed to study cardiovascular disease successfully distinguishes autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from intellectual disability (ID), even when both conditions share the same genetic mutation. This method measures real-time nitric oxide production in patient-derived stem cells, offering a new diagnostic pathway for ASD.
A team of researchers from Hiroshima University has identified a unique molecule, GPR3, that rapidly responds to upstream signals and induces downstream signaling in neurons. This discovery sheds light on the early stages of neuronal development and its dysregulation in neurological disorders.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis discovered that the mesencephalic command-associated nucleus (MCA) acts as a central timing hub, coordinating changes to sensory inputs across species. This finding highlights the importance of studying unusual sensory abilities in animals like weakly electric fish.
A study in mice reveals that slow fluctuations in hypothalamic histamine neurons act as a dynamic gate, making stored memories more or less accessible when a cue arrives. Histamine neuron activity helps prepare the brain before the cue appears, increasing memory-guided licking responses.
Childhood maltreatment alters fear-related brain function and systemic inflammation, modulating their connection. The timing and type of abuse or neglect shape this link, with early trauma affecting threat-regional brain areas and late trauma impacting regulatory brain regions.
Researchers discover specific calcium signals in microglia that regulate anxiety and grooming behaviors, offering new opportunities for therapies and diagnosis. Mice lacking the Hoxb8 gene are susceptible to extreme anxiety and pathological overgrooming.
A new study has mapped the histamine system in the brain, revealing its role in regulating emotions, stress, and decision-making. The findings provide a framework for understanding how histamine contributes to brain function and could point towards new treatment strategies for histamine-related conditions.
The 2026 cohort of Leon Levy Scholars in Neuroscience will pursue research projects addressing neurological disorders and developing new treatments. The program provides scientific and professional career development opportunities, including mentorship and networking.
Researchers developed a nasal spray that reversibly reduces brain inflammation, restores cellular power plants, and improves memory. The treatment bypasses the brain's protective shield through intranasal delivery, suppressing chronic inflammation and promoting successful brain aging.
The 48th AChemS Annual Meeting will present cutting-edge research on chemosensory perception, including its implications for human health, behavior, and quality of life. The conference highlights new findings on the role of smell in eating behavior, disease diagnosis, and obesity treatments.
A secondary analysis of the ANGEL-ASPECT trial found EVT to be beneficial for patients with anterior-circulation LVO and a large ischemic core and absent-to-moderate white matter lesions. In contrast, those with severe WMLs showed less pronounced benefits, suggesting uncertainty about EVT's efficacy in this subgroup.
Dr. Cazares co-founded Colors of the Brain and advocated for GRE removal to support students from underprivileged backgrounds. He aims to bring neuroscience to underserved communities through portable, affordable, and non-invasive methods.
Scientists have discovered that mosquitoes use a specific sensory receptor to detect and avoid borneol, an organic compound found in plant-based mosquito repellents. This finding has the potential to lead to the development of more effective and longer-lasting repellents.
Researchers mapped GLP-1 expression in 25 brain regions in each sex, uncovering striking differences in key circuits. The atlas reveals sex-biased expression in certain medullary nuclei, with higher Glp1 densities and numbers of Glp1-expressing neurons in females compared to males.
A new study reveals that astrocytes regulate inhibitory signaling in the cerebellum during development, enabling the emergence of flexible and precise motor coordination. In contrast, younger animals rely on neuron-derived tonic inhibition, which is replaced by astrocyte-derived tonic inhibition in late adolescence.
In a new study, researchers found that increased nitric oxide levels can lead to a biochemical domino effect, pushing the key cellular control system mTOR into overdrive in some forms of autism. By interrupting this pathway, the team observed prevention of TSC2 modification and normalization of mTOR activity.
A new study by engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder found that dopamine influences movement speed, particularly when rewards are expected. The researchers discovered that people tend to move faster towards targets that offer rewards and experience a surge in energy when they receive unexpected treats.
A new study reveals that astrocytes actively participate in motor-learning circuit rewiring by eliminating synapses in the striatum. The research identifies MEGF10 as a key molecular mediator of this process, which is regulated by dopamine signaling and neural activity.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry reveals that kinases MNK1 and MNK2 have distinct functions in the brain, regulating different behaviors such as social contacts and object recognition. The findings suggest that targeting each kinase individually may be more effective for treating neurological disorders.
Researchers have identified a molecular mechanism that regulates the slow and sustained release of oxytocin within the brain, which is essential for modulating social interactions. This finding provides new insights into how hormonal signaling is regulated in the brain and opens avenues for research into neuropsychiatric disorders.
A new study shows that a brief burst of oxidative stress right after an injury can help the brain repair itself by activating protective antioxidant processes and waking up dormant cells. This 'oxidative spark' involves a specific group of support cells releasing reactive oxygen species, which drives cell division and replacement.
A team of biochemists at UC Santa Cruz has developed a new approach that significantly shortens the process of finding biologically beneficial molecules. They achieved synthesis of kainic acid in just two steps, overcoming traditional challenges in screening and identifying promising enzyme variants.
The FENS Forum 2026 will be Europe's largest neuroscience congress, covering areas of basic to translational research. Journalists can register for free and attend symposia and poster sessions.
A national clinical trial found that abemaciclib, an oral cancer drug, may slow tumor growth in patients with aggressive meningiomas with specific genetic mutations. The trial showed promising results, with a median progression-free survival of 10 months and a median overall survival of 29 months.
UVA experts Bruce Greyson and Marieta Pehlivanova argue that the NEPTUNE model leaves many unanswered questions about near-death experiences. Despite its sophistication, the model selectively ignores scientific evidence and fails to address key aspects of NDEs.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have discovered how the keto diet protects against epilepsy seizures by regulating brain cell activity. The team found that a specific cellular receptor, HCAR2, plays a crucial role in reducing seizures, and may be targeted for new treatments.
A new protocol models alcoholism in mice and shows that stimulating the FGF21-oxytocin-dopamine system with rare sugars can reduce alcohol consumption. The researchers believe that this system may play a role in regulating subconscious information processing, leading to effective dietary therapy for reducing over-drinking.
Researchers have engineered a protein that can detect the faintest incoming chemical signals of brain cells, allowing for real-time decoding of neural activity. This breakthrough enables scientists to understand the complex cascade of electrical activity underlying learning, memory, and emotion.
Compulsive behaviours are common across many mental health conditions, where people repeat actions despite negative consequences. New research in rats suggests that triggering inflammation in the striatum may shift behaviour toward more deliberate decision-making, rather than habit.
Researchers will investigate how HIV and cancer drugs damage brain cells over time, identifying potential early biomarkers of neurotoxicity. They will use human brain organoids grown in the lab to mimic brain physiology.
A mouse study by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology researchers has found that acetylcholine release is essential for breaking habits and enabling new choices to be made. The study's findings may help understand diseases such as Parkinson's disease, addiction, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
A new advance in EEG imaging technology has improved mapping for epilepsy surgery, providing an accurate and non-invasive method. Pathological HFOs were found to be the most accurate biomarker for identifying epileptogenic brain regions, allowing for precise localization of seizure onset.
A new study highlights five ways microplastics can trigger inflammation and damage in the brain, including immune cell activity and oxidative stress. Microplastics weaken the blood–brain barrier, causing immune cells to attack them and leading to further damage.
A large Korean cohort study reveals a link between restless legs syndrome and Parkinson's disease, highlighting opportunities for early detection. Dopamine-agonist therapy may reduce the risk of developing PD in RLS patients, according to the study's findings.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have discovered a potential new treatment for Alzheimer's disease by targeting muscle protein Cathepsin B. The study found that increasing Ctsb in muscle tissue may offer protection against the effects of AD and promote brain cell growth, restoring protein balance and rebalancing brain activity.
Researchers discovered that pancreatic tumors form pseudosynapses, exploiting the body's nervous system to drive tumor growth. Calcium waves triggered by glutamate binding promote metastasis and cancer progression.
A new study found that people with generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder have lower levels of choline in their brains. Choline is vital for cell membranes and brain functions like memory, mood regulation, and muscle control.
Researchers at OIST discover a common molecular cascade disrupting brain signaling in both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. They identify a shared mechanism affecting synaptic vesicle recycling, leading to impaired communication between brain cells.
A new study reveals how prenatal alcohol exposure impairs key brain cells and circuits, leading to cognitive inflexibility and increased risk of compulsive alcohol use. Researchers identified a specific brain cell affected by early alcohol exposure, providing a clear target for developing more effective treatments of FASD.
Researchers at UCLA have identified a type of neuron in the orbital region of the frontal cortex that is most active when a decision outcome is unknown, suggesting these neurons play a crucial role in learning and mental flexibility. The discovery could aid the development of new treatments for rigid thought patterns such as anxiety an...
A renowned geneticist, Dr. Martin Alda, has made a groundbreaking discovery that bipolar disorder is composed of multiple genetically distinct disorders, transforming treatment approaches worldwide. His research also highlights the importance of combining basic research with clinical observations to advance psychiatric care.
Researchers identify abnormal sugar modifications linked to depressive behaviors, offering potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Chronic stress disrupts sugar chains in the prefrontal cortex, triggering depression.