Articles tagged with Astrocytes
Researchers at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging have identified a potential therapeutic avenue for Parkinson's disease by clearing senescent astrocytes, which stop dividing and secrete deleterious factors. This approach shows promise in preventing symptoms of the incurable neurological disorder.
A study in mice suggests that West Nile virus infection can lead to persistent neurological problems due to unresolved inflammation. Targeting this inflammation with an arthritis drug may prevent some of these problems with memory.
Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered that genes that normally sever connections between neurons are reactivated in aging astrocytes, leading to reduced neuronal communication. This may explain age-related cognitive decline and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and diabetes.
Gene expression in specific cells and regions provides a more precise, neuroprotective approach than traditional treatments for neurological diseases. Increasing cholesterol synthesis gene expression in astrocytes of the spinal cord can repair nerves affected by walking in multiple sclerosis patients.
Researchers created 3D mini brains using bioengineered 'asteroids' to study neural connections and accelerate disease research. The model allows for rapid screening of drugs and analysis of mutations, paving the way for potential treatments and clinical trials to improve or regenerate impaired nervous systems.
Researchers have developed a new system to study Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the laboratory, using brain cells derived from human stem cells. The method enables scientists to infect human cells with prions and replicate the proteins in the lab, providing valuable information for potential treatments.
Researchers found that deleting a stem cell transcription factor SOX2 in adult mice promotes recovery after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study suggests that increased astrocyte reactivity may not be beneficial for brain tissue integrity following TBI.
Researchers found that astrocytes in AD patients produced more beta-amyloid and cytokines, leading to brain inflammation and weakened neurons. Astrocyte function alterations may play a key role in early AD stages and neurodegeneration.
Researchers used induced pluripotent stem cells to explore the causes of autism, revealing that abnormalities in astrocytes may contribute to the disorder. Astrocytes play a crucial role in the development and function of the nervous system.
New research from Duke University reveals that astrocytes play a crucial role in regulating the development and function of synapses in the brain. The study found that three proteins control the web-like structure of each astrocyte, which directly impacts the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neural connections.
Researchers at UC Berkeley and University of Toronto have discovered lipid mediators that may halt glaucoma progression. The study found that lipoxins A4 and B4 secreted by astrocytes can stop retinal ganglion cell degeneration, offering a potential treatment for this neurodegenerative disease.
Research found that astrocytes from children with autism exhibit innate inflammation, contributing to neuronal dysfunction. However, when normal astrocytes were co-cultured with autistic neurons, the latter reverted to normal functioning.
Salk Institute scientists discovered that astrocytes induce communication between pairs of neurons early in development through glypican 4. The protein increases receptors on postsynaptic neurons, enabling active connections. This breakthrough offers a promising therapeutic target for neurological disorders.
Scientists at the Salk Institute have identified a key protein complex involved in regulating brain cell identity, with high levels of Nup153 found to be necessary for maintaining precursor status. This finding may provide new insights into the underlying causes of neurological disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.
A study by Valeria Valente identified genetic alterations promoting aggressiveness in astrocytomas, with correlations to patient survival prognosis. The research aimed to customize treatment to patient needs, potentially predicting tumor behavior through gene signatures.
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.
New study finds that human brain cells from individuals with childhood-onset schizophrenia disrupt communication in mice, exhibiting anti-social and anxious behaviors. The researchers suggest that glial cell dysfunction is a primary contributor to the disease.
Researchers at Salk Institute developed a new protocol to derive astrocytes from human stem cells, which could provide breakthroughs for treatments of stroke, Alzheimer's and psychiatric disorders. The method allows for faster and more effective production of astrocytes, enabling researchers to model neurological disorders in a dish.
Scientists have discovered how certain forms of motor neuron disease begin and progress, revealing potential new ways to slow down or even stop the process. Healthy astrocyte-supporting cells may play a role in combating neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study reveals that blood vessels in the brainstem constrict when oxygen levels rise, unlike other parts of the body. This specialized response helps maintain proper breathing and is made possible by astrocytes releasing signaling molecules.
Neuroscientists at Tufts University have discovered a new signaling pathway that connects two major receptors in the brain associated with learning and memory. Astrocytes play a key role in regulating this pathway by sensing wakefulness and releasing chemicals that activate these receptors.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia are exploring the potential of (+)-pentazocine to prevent vision damage in glaucoma patients by activating sigma-1 receptors in astrocytes. The study aims to understand how increased pressure affects astrocyte behavior and develop new therapies to protect neurons.
The study reveals that CD38 is essential for postnatal glial cell development, particularly astrocytes. The gene's absence leads to retardation of glial cell development and aberrant interactions among cells, resulting in developmental disorders.
A study at Massachusetts General Hospital found that two major types of brain tumors, astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas, may originate from the same type of neural progenitor cells. The analysis revealed differences in gene mutation patterns and tumor microenvironments between the two subtypes.
Researchers found that phototherapy improved behavioral responses and recovered myelin sheaths in rat models of diabetic neuropathy. The treatment also reduced the migration of astrocytes to the site of injury, which release inflammatory mediators.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered that astroglia, or astrocytes, help set the pace of the suprachiasmatic nuclei to schedule a mouse's day. Altering astrocyte clocks slowed mice's sense of time, highlighting their influence on daily behavior and physiological processes.
A research team at Brigham and Women's Hospital has revealed how FTY720 suppresses chronic inflammation in the central nervous system to reduce pathogenic activities of astrocytes. The findings suggest this treatment may hold promise for progressive and difficult-to-treat forms of multiple sclerosis.
Research at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital found that specific brain cell subpopulations play a role in epilepsy. Astrocytes were divided into distinct subpopulations, each with unique gene expressions and functions. These subpopulations may contribute to brain tumor progression and seizure onset.
Astrocytes have long been linked to neurodegenerative diseases, but their roles were unknown. New research reveals that injured or diseased astrocytes can be toxic to neurons, causing cell death. However, they also play a crucial role in regeneration and connection formation.
A Stanford-led study found that astrocytes, once thought to be supporting cells, can become toxic and destroy nerve cells, driving many neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery has profound implications for treating these diseases by blocking or countering the toxin secreted by harmful astrocytes.
Researchers found that glial cells experience bigger changes than neurons as people age, with astrocytes and oligodendrocytes shifting their regional gene expression patterns upon aging. The study provides a tool to understand how aging in the brain may be linked to the causes of age-related disorders.
Researchers at DZNE discovered that astrocytes potentiate harmful electrical discharges after a stroke, leading to increased brain damage. Modulating astrocyte calcium metabolism may be a potential starting point for treating stroke in humans.
Astrocytes play a crucial role in brain tissue recovery after injury, with the Ror2 protein promoting their proliferation. The research team discovered that Ror2 is activated by basic fibroblast growth factor, which enables astrocytes to start proliferating and minimizing inflammation around damaged neurons.
A study published in Cell Reports reveals that astroglial cells play a crucial role in forming the corpus callosum, a bridge-like structure connecting the two hemispheres of the brain. Without this cellular support, callosal agenesis occurs, affecting 1 in 4,000 people and leading to developmental disorders.
Researchers found that glial cells, including astrocytes, are impaired by the genetic defect and involved in symptoms of fragile X syndrome. The study suggests looking beyond neuronal effects to fully understand the disease.
Researchers at TUM discovered that brain cells, specifically astrocytes, regulate sugar intake and adjust metabolism in response to hormones like insulin and leptin. This paradigm shift could lead to new treatments for diabetes and obesity by targeting multiple cell types involved in metabolic processes.
Astrocyte calcium signaling properties studied in visual cortex to understand their role in brain function and potential involvement in multiple brain disorders. The study aims to shed light on fundamental properties of astrocytes, providing a baseline for comparing and testing their role in brain disorders.
A new study suggests that a long version of waxy ceramide, often found in skin creams and shampoos, plays a critical role in supporting brain cells called astrocytes. The researchers aim to understand how this lipid regulates cilia on brain cells and prevent neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine identified a novel astroglia-mediated pathogenic mechanism contributing to fragile X syndrome symptoms. The study found that disrupting an astrocyte-specific glutamate transporter contributed to FXS-like symptoms, which were reversed by restoring FMRP and glutamate signaling.
Researchers found that the LRP4 molecule is crucial for regulating glutamate levels in star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes. Without it, glutamate release is reduced, leading to intellectual impairment and seizures. However, blocking the receptor ATP eventually activates ameliorates the negative impact on mice.
UC Riverside researchers found that Toxoplasma infection disrupts neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to neurological disease in predisposed individuals. Treatment with ceftriaxone restored GLT-1 expression, reducing extracellular glutamate and normalizing neuronal function.
By transplanting healthy human glia cells into mice with Huntington's disease, researchers were able to reduce symptoms and slow disease progression. The transplanted cells restored normal neuronal activity and rescued nerve cells at risk of death.
Researchers at SISSA have developed a gene therapy approach targeting glioblastomas by introducing an active version of the Emx2 gene, which inhibits astrocyte growth and leads to tumour cell suicide. The treatment has demonstrated efficacy in both vitro and in vivo tests, with potential for preventing aggressive recurrence development.
A study by University of Bonn researchers identifies hippocampal astrocytes as key regulators of memory processing, prioritizing new information over stored memories. The discovery sheds light on the cellular causes of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Biologists at the University of Iowa have identified a group of genes, gamma-protocadherins, that regulate dendrite growth in neurons. These genes must be an exact match for each neuron to correctly grow dendrites.
Researchers at RIKEN Brain Science Institute have demonstrated that astrocytes regulate changes in synaptic strength, which is crucial for learning and memory. By examining cultured cells and brain slices, they found that astrocyte activity helps maintain normal variation of synaptic strengths.
The University of Houston has received a $386,000 grant from the Robert J. Kleberg Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation to develop a model for studying traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Professor Amy Sater aims to create a system that can screen for possible drugs facilitating recovery from brain injury using Xenopus laevis tadpoles.
A study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation identified a key role for S1 astrocytes in sustaining mechanical allodynia. Researchers found that specific signaling pathways activated in the brain contribute to neuropathic pain, suggesting new therapeutic targets.
A recent mouse study reveals that scar-forming cells called astrocytes are required for repair and regrowth following spinal cord injury. The research supports axon growth through astrocyte scars, challenging the long-held idea that scars hinder neuronal regrowth.
Researchers found that transcranial direct current stimulation causes synchronized calcium surges from astrocytes, reducing depressive symptoms and increasing neural plasticity. This effect is absent when blocking astrocytic calcium surges, highlighting their importance in therapeutic outcomes.
Loss of major histocompatibility complex I (MHCI) expression in motor neurons leads to vulnerability to ALS astrocyte toxicity. Studies show that increased MHCI expression is protective against astrocyte-induced death, providing a potential translational target for ALS treatment.
Montreal scientists have discovered a mechanism that enables brain cells to adjust their support for neurons, potentially improving brain function or restoring lost potential in disease. The discovery sheds light on the complex functioning of astrocytes, star-shaped cells that protect and support brain neurons.
UTSA associate professor Carlos Paladini receives a $1.8 million grant to investigate dopamine bursts and astrocytes in the brain, with potential applications for treating clinical depression, drug addiction, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease.
A trio of molecules, hevin, neurexins, and neuroligins, orchestrate neuron connections in the developing brain that are responsible for processing sensory information. The study may provide insight into brain disorders including autism, depression, and addiction.
Scientists at Augusta University found that YAP helps control astrocyte function, regulating the protective blood-brain barrier. Without YAP, astrocytes become hyper-reactive, leading to deadly inflammation and potential hydrocephalus.
Human astrocytes have unique genes and respond differently to neurotransmitters, particularly glutamate, suggesting improved detection of neuroactivity. The study's novel method allows researchers to compare astrocytes from healthy tissue and those affected by diseases such as glioblastoma and epilepsy.
Researchers discovered that astrocytes are repelled by amyloid plaques, contrary to previous assumptions. This finding suggests that modifying astrocyte function rather than changing position may be a key response to plaque formation.
A fruit fly model of Alexander disease has been developed to study astrocyte dysfunction and its role in neurodegeneration. Nitric oxide has been identified as a critical mediator in the process.
Researchers from the University of Zurich have confirmed the existence of a concentration gradient of lactate between astrocytes and neurons in the intact mouse brain. The study provides new evidence for an exchange of lactate between different brain cells, supporting a 20-year-old hypothesis on brain energy metabolism.
Researchers discovered that antidepressant amitriptyline increases FGF2 mRNA expression in astrocytes through RTK activation. This signaling cascade could guide the development of novel antidepressants with new mechanisms. The study expands on previous findings, identifying EGR1 as a necessary protein for FGF2 expression.