Articles tagged with Neurochemistry
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara developed a novel electrical method to control and analyze the dynamics of brain protein tau, which underlies many neurodegenerative diseases. The technique allows for real-time observation of the protein's transition from normal function to toxic tangles.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard University have developed a new optogenetics-based tool to manipulate neuron excitability using light. By altering the electrical capacitance of cell membranes, they can change how strongly neurons respond to electrical input, with potential applications in learning, aging, and brain disorders.
A Collaborative Research Centre investigates animal navigation using the Earth's magnetic field. The study focuses on vertebrates, including birds and fish, aiming to protect endangered migratory species.
Researchers discovered that krill oil protects dopaminergic neurons from age-related degeneration through temporal transcriptome rewiring and suppression of several hallmarks of aging. Krill oil increases neuronal resilience, promoting anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation, and abrogating multiple aging hallmarks.
The Vilcek Foundation has awarded $250,000 in prizes to four leading immigrant scientists: Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado, Edward Chouchani, Biyu J. He, and Shixin Liu. They received the 2023 Vilcek Foundation Prizes in Biomedical Science for their groundbreaking work in regeneration, metabolic disease, cognitive neuroscience, and nanoscal...
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that brain stimulation combined with a nose spray containing nanoparticles can improve recovery after ischemic stroke. The treatment increased cognitive and motor functions, and weighed more quickly than those treated with TMS alone.
A novel fluorescent sensor has been developed to visualize the release of oxytocin, also known as the 'happy hormone', in living animals. The sensor, called MTRIA OT, allows for real-time measurement of extracellular oxytocin dynamics in the brain, revealing variability in OT levels dependent on behavioral and physical conditions.
A new AI-based dynamic brain imaging technology has been introduced by Carnegie Mellon University, which can map out rapidly changing electrical activity in the brain with high precision and speed. The technology uses deep learning approaches to translate scalp EEG signals back to neural circuit activity without human intervention.
Researchers elucidated the molecular mechanisms of acetylcholine in learning and memory, revealing a signaling cascade involving protein kinase C. The study opens doors to new therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease.
A novel network analysis technology can pinpoint seizure originating brain regions and predict a patient's seizure outcome before surgery, using only 10 minutes of resting state recordings.
A new study suggests that supplementing a diet with Ascidiacea, also known as sea squirts, reverses some main signs of aging in animal models. The researchers found that plasmalogens, vital to body processes, decrease with age and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A study by Tokyo University of Science researchers has demonstrated that a computationally-light model can simulate complex brain cell responses, including periodic and quasi-periodic responses. The Izhikevich neuron model was found to be capable of reproducing both types of responses at lower computational cost.
A team of researchers from McGill University and other institutions analyzed 6,850 testimonials from psychedelic users, creating a 3D map of brain receptors linked to subjective experiences. The study found associations between serotonin receptors and ego-dissolution, suggesting potential new treatments for psychiatric conditions.
Researchers identified two key factors regulating the exercise stress response pathway. Arginine vasopressin and corticotrophin-releasing hormone cooperatively control adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion, playing a crucial role in the physiological stress response.
Scientists demonstrate a definitive link between mitochondrial oxidative damage and cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease using a transgenic mouse model. The study found that Aβ1-42 aggregation in the hippocampus caused cognitive impairment, while oxidation led to mitochondrial dysfunction.
Markita del Carpio Landry, a young immigrant scientist, receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise for her groundbreaking research on neurochemical communication and gene-editing technologies. Her work aims to address medicine's most compelling problems, including aberrations in neurotransmitter signaling.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio discovered that norepinephrine release in the visual cortex is tied to processing of imagery and cells' activation. This local regulation enhances sensory-specific attention and may represent a mechanism to enhance focus.
Researchers discovered that a single protein, Kr-h1, responds to socially regulated hormones to orchestrate the complex social transition in Harpegnathos saltator ants. The study reveals important roles for gene regulation and hormone response in controlling animal brains' plasticity.
Researchers created the largest metabolome analysis of the mouse brain, revealing distinct chemical conversions between brain regions. Aging mice showed significant metabolic differences in brain sections, with lipids playing a crucial role in changes to brain function.
Researchers discovered a two-cell color detection system in lampreys, which they propose could be the evolutionary ancestor of single-cell systems in fish and reptiles. The study found that this ancient system produces similar responses to UV and visible light as modern single-cell systems.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have found that brain tissue inflammation is a key driver of Alzheimer's disease progression. By targeting neuroinflammation, they believe combination therapy could be more effective in reducing amyloid plaque formation and limiting tau fiber spread.
Chronic light exposure disrupts circadian rhythms in rats, leading to memory deficits and amyloid β accumulation similar to Alzheimer's disease. Fluoxetine treatment prevents these effects, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy.
Researchers at Niigata University have identified a key pathway involving the protein optineurin that may contribute to the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease. The study found that optineurin inhibits the formation of stress-induced TDP-43 protein aggregates in motor neurons, which are a hallmark of ALS.
Tohoku University scientists created a miniaturized pH probe to investigate deep brain structures' chemical signals. The probe detects subtle pH fluctuations, which can reveal the influence of acidity on brain function and dysfunction in diseases like mental illness and seizures.
Cyanobacteria from Lake Okeechobee released toxins such as microcystin-LR, brevetoxin, and BMAA, potentially exposing coastal residents to adverse health effects. Chronic exposure to multiple toxins is a growing concern for human and animal health.
Researchers analyze dried cyanobacteria wafers from Lake Chad for toxins, finding safety concerns but also nutritional benefits. Dihe cakes are a rich source of dietary amino acids and may help undernourished villagers.
Researchers at Brain Chemistry Labs have developed a new blood test that can diagnose ALS earlier than current methods, using brain exosomes and microRNA. The test, based on genetic material shed by different tissues, distinguishes between ALS patients and healthy controls with high accuracy.
A new study published in the Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology suggests that amino acid L-serine may be useful in treating ALS. The study found that L-serine successfully reduced ALS-like changes in an animal model of ALS, including motor neuron degeneration and pro-inflammatory microglia.
Research aims to understand neurochemical basis of decision-making in organisms using limited resources. The project will investigate hormone changes in garter snakes during life phase transitions.
Researchers found evidence of neurochemical changes associated with lower neuronal health in brain regions formerly controlled by the missing hand. Despite recovered hand function, some changes may persist in individuals who receive hand transplants.
A Purdue University study found that mixing highly caffeinated energy drinks with alcohol can trigger changes in the adolescent brain similar to those seen with cocaine. The consequences last into adulthood, with exposed mice showing altered ability to deal with rewarding substances and increased risk of substance abuse.
Dr Matthew Baker has won an international award for his pioneering research on diagnosing brain tumours using vibrational spectroscopy. His work enables the development of accurate and efficient clinical diagnostics.
Researchers at Université Laval developed a new method to alleviate chronic pain by rekindling pain and then erasing it. By injecting capsaicin and administering a protein synthesis inhibitor, they induced temporary pain hypersensitivity, which was subsequently reversed.
Researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks are presenting their findings on stroke and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) at a conference in New York. The studies aim to understand the underlying causes of these conditions and explore potential new treatments for brain damage.
A new study by Weill Cornell Medical College found that young rats given Ritalin injections from week-old age showed significant brain changes linked to higher executive functioning and addiction. Changes resolved with time, but the findings suggest doctors must be careful in diagnosing ADHD before prescribing Ritalin.
Scientists have developed techniques to analyze the chemical composition of brain cells, enabling them to map the distribution of biologically important molecules like vitamin E. This breakthrough may lead to a better understanding of brain function in healthy and diseased brains.
Recent studies suggest that brain avalanches, triggered by neurochemicals, may be optimal for information storage. This discovery could lead to new treatments for memory disorders.
A new interdisciplinary brain research project has been launched at the University of Illinois, using a $1.5 million Keck Foundation grant to develop tools for understanding and correcting problems in brain circuitry. The goal is to identify natural chemical signatures to restore proper wiring and functioning in malfunctioning brains.
Dr. Paul D. Boyer, a long-time NIH grantee, has won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his groundbreaking work on ATP synthesis. His research has provided a deep understanding of the molecular mechanism by which ATP is formed, shedding light on fundamental processes in biology.