Articles tagged with Astrocytes
Recent study reveals astrocytes modulate balance of inhibition/excitation in neural networks controlling decision-making. Astrocyte activation improves cognitive performance and regulates gamma oscillations involved in perception, working memory, and other cognitive functions.
Scientists at UT Health San Antonio found that acute exposure to alcohol inhibits norepinephrine release, a chemical that activates vigilance-dependent astrocyte calcium activation. This leads to impaired attention and motor coordination, contradicting the cerebellum's role in motor control.
Researchers at Kyushu University have discovered a unique population of spinal cord astrocytes that produce pain hypersensitivity. Stimulation of noradrenergic neurons activates these astrocytes, leading to enhanced pain transmission. The findings suggest that suppressing astrocyte signaling may enhance the effect of chronic pain drugs.
By expressing neuron-enriched mitochondrial proteins at an early stage, researchers achieved a four times higher conversion rate and increased the speed of reprogramming. This breakthrough may lead to developing reliable regenerative medicine therapies for brain diseases and injuries.
Researchers found that severe reactive astrocytes cause irreversible neurodegeneration and cognitive deficits in just 30 days. Mild reactive astrocytes can reverse their reactivity, but excessive oxidative stress transforms them into neurotoxic severe reactive astrocytes.
Researchers at Duke University have discovered that astrocytes play a crucial role in governing connections between neurons. The star-shaped cells form the glue-like framework of the brain and regulate inhibitory synapses by binding to neurons through an adhesion molecule called NrCAM.
Brain metastases cause acute cerebrovascular dysfunction due to astrocyte activation, leading to decreased brain perfusion and irreversible damage. Treatment inhibition of this activation restores blood flow, limiting neurological deterioration and potentially improving patient outcomes.
A new study reveals that astrocytes can remove cellular debris from the brain when microglia are impaired. This finding could lead to new therapies accelerating debris clearance and reducing neurodegenerative diseases.
Research by Universidad Complutense de Madrid found that ayahuasca's DMT promotes neurogenesis, forming new neurons and other cells like astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. This capacity suggests great therapeutic potential for various neurological diseases.
Researchers at Jinan University successfully convert astrocytes into neurons using transgenic reporter mice and AAV viral system, providing unambiguous evidence of direct glia-to-neuron conversion. The findings dispel controversies in the field and offer a promising technology for treating neurological disorders.
A novel study finds key brain cell type changes involving lipids and inflammation in Parkinson's disease. The research suggests that microglia are overloaded with lipids, while astrocytes lose lipid content, leading to neuroinflammation and disease progression.
Researchers found that astrocytes play a critical role in forming synapses in response to cocaine exposure, which can contribute to addiction. Blocking these synapses may help prevent relapse, suggesting a new therapeutic target for substance use disorder.
A new study reveals that the APOE4 variant of the APOE gene disrupts a key process in brain cells, while increasing PICALM expression can repair the damage. The findings suggest that faulty endocytosis plays a crucial role in Alzheimer's disease etiology.
A new study reveals that nanoparticles can damage human cells when combined, even if individual types do not cause harm. Researchers call for more studies on the effects of lifelong exposure to nanoparticles, which are used in various products and manufacturing processes.
A recent study published in Neuron reveals that the brain's signal transmission is regulated by the environment, with certain processes allowing for more open communication between neurons. The researchers found that astrocytes, specialized cells in the brain, play a crucial role in shielding communication to some extent.
Researchers found that star-shaped brain cells, astrocytes, change dynamically across sleep-wake cycles and play a role in regulating sleep need. Astrocyte calcium activity increased during rest phases when sleep need is greatest, suggesting an essential role in sleep regulation.
PRMT1 controls tissue development and lifespan, as well as stress responses in non-neuronal cells. In neonatal mice lacking PRMT1, severe inflammation is observed, including increased astrogliosis and microglia numbers.
A study by Virginia Tech researchers reveals that astrocytes are crucial for maintaining the blood-brain barrier's health. The finding has significant implications for understanding and treating neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and traumatic brain injury.
Research reveals cannabinoids reduce astrocyte glucose metabolism, impairing neuronal function and social interaction behaviors. The study identifies CB1 receptors as key players in this process.
Researchers from OHSU have identified astrocytes in zebrafish, a key cell type for brain development and function. This discovery will enable studies on neurodegenerative diseases like autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia.
Researchers discovered that astrocytes in the thalamus produce GABA to fine-tune the sense of touch. The production of GABA accelerates signal processing and sharpens sensitivity, allowing neurons to distinguish subtle changes in tactile stimuli.
A study using iPSC technology reveals astrocytes' role in PD pathology, including altered alpha-synuclein production and disrupted calcium homeostasis. The findings suggest LRRK2 and GBA mutant astrocytes contribute to PD progression.
Researchers investigated the impact of sleep deprivation on glymphatic system function, which regulates waste removal in the brain. The study found that astrocytes play a crucial role in regulating this process, and disruptions to circadian rhythms can lead to neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
Research reveals that circadian rhythms play a crucial role in guiding waste removal from the brain through the glymphatic system. The study found that individuals who rely on daytime sleep are at higher risk for developing neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's and dementia.
Researchers found that deleting AMPK from astrocyte brain cells disrupts glucose and lactate metabolism in neurons, leading to spontaneous seizures. The study suggests that metformin, an antidiabetic drug, may mitigate epileptic seizures by targeting AMPK.
When brain oxygen is low, neurons produce estrogen that activates astrocytes to increase cell signaling, release neuroprotective factors, and clear neurotoxins. Astrocyte activation is critical for brain protection, and researchers have found that neuron-derived estrogen is essential for this process.
AUC Riverside researchers find ephrin-B1 regulates E/I balance in hippocampus, leading to seizures and social abnormalities. The study provides new insights into mechanisms behind neurodevelopmental disorders.
Researchers used the MADM technique to investigate how cells respond to changes in genomic imprinting. They found that cells activate certain gene groups involved in cell death, growth, and synapse development, particularly in astrocytes.
Researchers have shown that when one optic nerve is damaged, the opposite optic nerve shares its metabolic energy with the brain. This sharing process helps explain how neurodegeneration spreads between brain regions in diseases like glaucoma and Alzheimer's disease.
Research reveals that cannabis exposure leads to dysfunction of glucose metabolism in astrocytes, compromising neuronal functioning and resulting in reduced social interactions. The study sheds light on the link between cannabis use and sociability, highlighting potential therapeutic solutions.
Researchers are exploring how amyloid plaques degrade the brain's vascular system by impairing astrocytes, leading to a weakening of the blood-brain barrier. The study aims to pinpoint genes and proteins in astrocytes that contribute to Alzheimer's disease progression.
Researchers have identified a novel mechanism underlying post-stroke recovery and developed a potential therapeutic approach by inhibiting astrocytic GABA synthesis. Treatment with KDS2010 alleviates cortical diaschisis and improves motor function in animal models, suggesting a new treatment direction for stroke patients.
Researchers have identified a new mechanism implicated in familial hemiplegic migraine type 2, a debilitating condition affecting the central nervous system. The study found that genetic mutations cause malfunction of astrocytes in the cingulate cortex, leading to increased sensitivity to pain triggers and neuronal excitability.
A new study in rodents suggests that star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes may be responsible for killing nerve cells in glaucoma. The study found that increased pressure drove astrocytes to release toxins that killed neurons, highlighting a potential target for treating the disease.
Researchers found that astrocytes in the brain can harbor HIV and spread it to immune cells that travel to other organs, even when treated with combination antiretroviral therapy. The study suggests that HIV reservoirs in the brain must be targeted for effective cure strategies.
A study by NYSCF Research Institute creates human stem-cell-derived astrocytes that become toxic to neurons in disease-like environments. This phenomenon could lead to effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's.
Researchers have developed brain cell models of neurons and astrocytes to better understand the mechanisms of Sanfilippo C syndrome. The studies show that these cell models can reproduce the main features of the disease, allowing for the assessment of potential therapies.
Researchers found that astrocytes lacking the NFIA gene had defective shapes, altered functions, and impaired ability to detect neurotransmitters. This led to defects in learning and memory, providing evidence that astrocytes control neuronal circuits mediating these processes.
Research led by Dr. Si-Qiong June Liu found that stress changes the structure of the brain and affects communication between nerve cells. A single stressful event can produce quick and long-lasting changes in astrocytes, which may lead to new pharmacological targets for preventing or reversing stress-induced changes.
Gliomas alter astrocyte function, preventing the brain from removing excess excitatory chemicals, which can lead to seizures. The study found that scar-forming astrocytes surrounding tumors play a crucial role in this process.
Research reveals stress induces structural changes in mice by halting GluA1 protein production, affecting neuron communication. Astrocytes' branch retraction impacts neurotransmitter release and neural function.
Scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute discovered that astrocytes in mouse brains are organized into distinct layers with molecular forms depending on their location, redefining brain structure. This knowledge will have implications for understanding neurological disorders like Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, and autism.
A new study published in Cell Reports reveals that astrocytes in the brain change form after a balanced meal, triggering the feeling of satiety. The study found that this plasticity could be altered for obese subjects, potentially leading to new treatments for weight management.
A research team led by Dr. Segrey Kasparov has identified a new signaling system in the brain that regulates blood flow, or perfusion, and improves brain function. This discovery opens up new possibilities for regulating blood pressure, particularly in cases where it occurs without an obvious reason.
A study found that prenatal hypoxia may contribute to schizophrenia by altering the functioning of astrocytes and mitochondria. Researchers investigated the effects of hypoxia on rat astrocytes and observed changes in mitochondrial calcium balance, which can lead to cell death.
A new study by Brazilian researchers sheds light on astrogliosis, a common inflammatory process in brain tissue linked to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Human astrocytes created in the lab were found to exhibit impaired function and morphological changes after exposure to an inflammatory protein.
A team of researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology has engineered a new chip that cultures the human blood-brain barrier in 3D, allowing astrocytes to function naturally. This improves the model's accuracy and opens possibilities for reliable research of the human blood-brain barrier.
Astrocytes, a type of cell that supports motor neurons, play an important protective role in the early-stages of sporadic motor neuron disease. When close to motor neurons, these cells help rescue them from misfolded protein TDP-43.
A team of scientists led by Prof. Dr. Christian Schachtrup found that fibrinogen inhibits the neuronal differentiation of NSPCs, leading to increased astrocyte formation and reduced scars. By reducing fibrinogen levels, they were able to block astrocyte formation from NSPCs.
Astrocyte senescence is linked to excitotoxicity in cortical neurons involved in memory, highlighting aging as a major risk factor for neurodegeneration. The study identifies targets for drug development to slow pathology.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports reveals that Zika virus infection causes damage to astrocytes, leading to oxidative stress, DNA breakage, and permanent mutations. This damage can contribute to brain malformations like microcephaly and potentially other neurological disorders.
Astrocytes support memory function through distinct molecular pathways triggered by norepinephrine release. Norepinephrine promotes synaptic plasticity and energy metabolism for memory consolidation.
Researchers reveal a key role for astrocytes in facilitating inhibitory neuron growth into the lateral geniculate nucleus during early brain development. Without retinal inputs, astrocyte function is disrupted, leading to the absence of inhibitory interneurons.
A new study suggests that targeting astrocyte calcium signaling could decrease amphetamine behavioral effects and potentially develop therapies for diseases with dysregulated dopamine. Astrocytes were previously considered 'support cells', but now shown to actively contribute to brain function.
Increasing 40Hz gamma rhythm power in the brain has been shown to strengthen neural connections and improve symptoms in Alzheimer's disease models. The study used light flickering or sound buzzing at 40Hz to achieve this effect, which was found to decline pathological amyloid and tau protein buildups and protect neurons from degeneration.
A new pathway in the central nervous system removes brain waste substances through the creation of corpora amylacea (CA), aggregates formed by glucose polymers. CA acts as waste substance containers that are expelled from the nervous system and removed by the immune system.
Researchers used human induced pluripotent stem cells and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to model chemical changes in GFAP protein associated with Alexander disease. The study reveals differences in GFAP modifications depending on symptom onset time, allowing for new drug development opportunities.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding brain function by studying the role of lactate in memory formation and learning. The study, published in Progress in Neurobiology, used a novel technique to produce three-dimensional models of astrocytes, revealing their complex structure and metabolic coupling with neurons.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) impairs brain function in mice by activating pathways that neutralize toxins and causing oxidative stress in astrocytes. This study suggests a potential contributing factor to neurodegenerative disorders.
A study led by UCLA researchers found that suppressing the mutation in astrocytes can stop the progression of Huntington's disease in mice and repair some of the damage. The findings suggest that impaired astrocytes play a role in many neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's and ALS.