Articles tagged with Glia
Researchers have identified a cellular mechanism that detects when the brain needs an extra energy boost to support its activity. This discovery could lead to new therapies for maintaining brain health and longevity by targeting impaired brain energy metabolism, a process accelerated in ageing and neurodegenerative diseases.
Senescent cells, 'zombie-like' cells that resist death, accumulate in the brain with age, contributing to cognitive declines and frailty. Researchers identified a specific pathway linked to senescence in fruit fly brains, potentially paving the way for therapies to delay age-associated pathologies.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that ketones can rescue impaired neuronal function in the hippocampal network. This study suggests a potential therapeutic approach for preventing or delaying neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Researchers discover a new mechanism of neural plasticity underlying learning and memory processes, highlighting the crucial role of chondroitin sulfates in brain function. The study provides insights into how these molecules contribute to synaptic modifications and spatial memory.
Researchers at Salk Institute have created a novel organoid model of the human brain that includes mature, functional astrocytes. This allows for the study of inflammation and stress in aging and diseases like Alzheimer's with greater clarity, revealing a relationship between astrocyte dysfunction and inflammation.
Neuroscientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have found that glial cells use different molecules to communicate with different neurons, enabling distinct 'conversations' with each neuron. This clustering of molecules ensures that the glial cell can influence how neurons respond to environmental cues like temperature and smell.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center find that microglia can trigger cognitive deficits after radiation exposure, potentially targeting them for therapy development. Mice studies showed that blocking a specific pathway in microglia prevented cognitive decline, offering hope for improving patients' quality of life.
A new framework has been established for standardized imaging of diffuse gliomas using amino acid PET, enabling the evaluation of treatment success and improving therapies. The RANO group has developed criteria that enable reliable imaging of tumor activity and extent.
Researchers discovered that microglia regulate neuronal activity in a brain region-specific manner, playing a key role in how anesthesia works. Microglia depletion delayed induction and led to early emergence of anesthesia.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have identified a new source of stem cells in the brains of patients with brain injuries, which could lead to improved treatments for neurological disorders. The discovery involves specific astrocyte cells that exhibit properties of neural stem cells and can be regulated by a protein called Galectin 3.
Researchers at Tohoku University found that Bergmann glial cells in the cerebellar vermis regulate the volume of aggression in mice. The study suggests that adjusting glial activity in the cerebellum could lead to therapeutic strategies for managing anger and aggression.
Researchers have successfully converted human retinal cells, specifically Muller glia, into neurons in a lab setting using an artificial fish-like genetic program. This breakthrough could potentially serve as a new source of neurons to treat vision loss caused by disease or trauma.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that glial cells in the gut can sensitize nearby neurons, causing them to send pain signals more easily during inflammation. This discovery could help develop new therapies to alleviate visceral pain by counteracting the glia's sensitizing efforts.
Researchers developed prodrugs that temporarily incorporate thyroxine or a thyroxine-like molecule to enhance brain drug delivery. These prodrugs were efficiently delivered into glial cells via the OATP1C1 transporter, targeting chronic inflammation in the brain.
Microglial cells age differently in male and female mice, with female microglia displaying a 'middle-aged' phenotype and male microglia switching suddenly to an aged phenotype. The researchers identified key genes and mechanisms contributing to this aging process, including the role of aged-like microglia in cognitive decline.
A recent study found that activating astrocytes in the basal forebrain can keep mice awake for hours without affecting their sleep need or intensity. The researchers hope to develop interventions targeting these cells to improve productivity and health of shift workers and others who work long hours.
A team of neurobiologists has found that fruit flies possess glial sheath structures similar to those in vertebrates, enabling rapid transmission of nerve impulses. The study reveals the evolution of these structures and their role in supporting neuronal function.
Researchers found that formalin fixation does not significantly alter the polarimetric properties of brain tissue, making it suitable for training machine-learning models. The study suggests that formalin-fixed brain tissue specimens can provide high-quality data for rapid and accurate diagnostic imaging in surgery.
Researchers at Temple University Health System found that carbonic anhydrase inhibitors reduce inflammation, restore cell function and prevent cognitive impairment in mice with amyloid buildup. CAIs also improved cerebrovascular health and enhanced amyloid-clearing capacity.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have made a groundbreaking discovery about how neurons consume and metabolize glucose, a process crucial for maintaining normal energy levels. The study found that neurons rely on glycolysis to break down glucose, and its disruption can lead to severe learning and memory problems in mice.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered how oligodendrocyte-lineage cells transfer cell material to neurons in the mouse brain, providing a new mechanism for understanding brain maturation and finding treatments for neurological conditions. This discovery opens new possibilities for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and P...
Research suggests astrocytes integrate external sensory inputs with internal states to modify calcium signaling towards neurons. This process could be crucial for behavioral responses and memory formation.
Researchers found that astrocyte cells directly impact motor learning by maintaining an optimal molecular balance. Astrocytes' ability to regulate neurotransmitter glutamate affects the smoothness of movement and refinement of technique.
UCSF researchers identified glioma's cellular source of recurrent disease, finding cells shift to mesenchymal, radiation-resistant phenotype in response to standard therapy. Paracrine signals from tumor microenvironment drive this transition through AP1 pathway, leading to therapy resistance and tumor recurrence.
In a study published in Nature Communications, researchers found that astrocytes take over the role of cleaning up dead microglia, which are normally responsible for this task. This process is crucial for maintaining optimal conditions in the nervous system and preventing accumulation of cellular debris.
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 stem cell-gene therapy has been shown to be safe in humans, with no serious side effects reported in the first trial. The treatment targets motor neurons that die in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurological disorder.
Researchers at Buck Institute discover that blood-brain barrier cells influence neuron function and can cause problems rather than just being protective. This finding opens up new avenues for therapies targeting neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A study found that disruptions in brain sphingolipid metabolism lead to neuronal damage and neurodegeneration in animal models, revealing a new molecular perspective on Gaucher's disease. The research also shows that neuronal activity triggers the production of glucosylceramide, a key factor in the development of this disorder.
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.
Researchers discovered that fusing Müller glia with adult stem cells can differentiate into ganglion cells, a type of neuron essential for vision. This finding brings hope for recovering the retina's regenerative capacity in humans.
Researchers discovered that pain neuron-derived peptide Reg3gamma suppresses microglial IDO1, a key enzyme of the kynurenine pathway, and enhances brain ATP production. This discovery provides novel insights into understanding tolerance to endotoxic death.
A study found that intact astrocyte networks are essential for neural homeostasis, synaptic plasticity, and spatial cognitive abilities in adult mice. Disrupting these networks impairs spatial learning and memory due to altered neuronal excitability and compromised synaptic transmission.
Scientists identify a specialized zone in Muller glia cells called the citrullination bunker that sequesters damaged proteins, preserving vision. Chronic engagement of this process may lead to retinal degeneration, but inhibiting it could delay or prevent disease.
Researchers at Tohoku University have discovered a stimulation paradigm that can induce epilepsy resistance in experimental animals. Repeated stimulation resulted in a dramatic decrease in seizure response to the stimulus, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for managing epilepsy.
A team of researchers at Fudan University has found that the protein NeuroD1 does not induce microglia-to-neuron conversion as previously thought. Instead, it causes microglial cell death. The study suggests that this finding may be due to experimental artifacts and highlights the need for stringent evidence in scientific research.
Researchers create Opto-vTrap, a reversible inhibition system that can temporarily trap vesicles from being released, allowing for controlled brain activity. The technique enables temporary removal of fear memory in live mice, with potential applications in epilepsy treatment, muscle spasm treatment, and skin tissue expansion technolog...
A new study reveals that glial cells in the heart play a critical role in regulating heart rate and rhythm, as well as driving its development in the embryo. The discovery suggests that glia may also be important in other organs.
A team of researchers from the University of Münster has identified a second barrier in the fly brain, formed by glial cells that regulate molecule distribution. The discovery is essential for understanding nervous system functioning and may have implications for human neural health.
Researchers found that glial cells are activated by interferon gamma in response to pathogen invasion, releasing signals to attract immune cells to fight infection. In the absence of disease or injury, blocked activation led to tissue inflammation, highlighting their role in maintaining healthy intestinal tissue.
Researchers at Hebrew University developed a novel approach to mapping brain white matter fiber architecture using Nissl staining. The technique, called Nissl-ST, reveals the hidden patterns and organization of glial cells in white matter, opening new avenues for studying brain development, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases.
A study by Purdue University researchers has discovered a way to use gene therapy to turn glial brain cells into neurons, restoring visual function. This process is more efficient and less damaging than stem cell therapy, offering new hope for patients who have lost vision or motor skills after a stroke.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine research team has provided a definitive view of the biological process leading to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a dangerous inflammatory disease that can destroy a premature infant's intestinal lining. The loss of enteric glia leads to intestinal dysmotility, which is a key factor in NEC's genesis.
Researchers at the University of Basel have discovered two new types of glial cells in the brain that may play a crucial role in brain plasticity and repair. These cells can potentially be used to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
A recent study found that environmental enrichment leads to specific epigenetic changes in the mouse brain, activating a minority of genes involved in cognition and mental health. These changes may inform future research on therapies for mental health disorders.
Scientists at IRB Barcelona have found that Lafora bodies accumulating in glial cells, not just neurons, are responsible for the disease's progressive degeneration. This discovery could lead to new treatments and insights into other neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have successfully reprogrammed NG2 glial cells into functional neurons, potentially leading to improved recovery after spinal cord injuries. This breakthrough discovery has the potential to be translated into a clinically relevant repair strategy.
Researchers at Tohoku University discovered that neuronal and glial circuits form a loosely coupled super-network within the brain. Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors in neurons can be influenced by the state of glial cells, suggesting potential for artificial control to enhance memory function.
Researchers found that genetic pathways allowing fish to regrow neurons remain present in mammals, but are turned off, blocking regeneration and healing. The study may advance genetic therapies for blindness and other neurodegenerative diseases.
A team of researchers has identified networks of genes that regulate neuron regeneration in certain animals, such as zebrafish. This discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for neurodegenerative disorders, including blindness and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at Temple University Health System have identified a new mechanism for promoting neuron regeneration after spinal cord injury, involving the metabolic switch associated with glucose metabolism in glial cells. The study found that upregulating glycolysis in glial cells can stimulate axon growth and improve functional recovery.
Researchers at the University of Münster discovered glial cells' active role in controlling signal transduction speed and precision. The study found that glial cells form membrane processes between axons, preventing electrical coupling and ensuring accurate neuronal signaling.
Scientists identified a mutation in the ACOX1 gene as the cause of Mitchell disease, a rare neurodegenerative disorder. The discovery was made using a combination of human genetics and fruit fly studies, which revealed a previously unknown role for peroxisomes in glial cells.
Researchers discovered a new neurodegenerative disorder, Mitchell disease, caused by hyperactive ACOX1 enzyme. A study in fruit flies identified therapeutic strategies to reverse damages specific to each condition.
Enteric glial cells convert into tumor growth promoters when exposed to secretions from colon tumors, regulating important intestinal functions and interacting with cancer stem cells. The study identifies key molecules involved in this process and offers new potential targets for cancer therapies.
In a breakthrough, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers successfully transplanted protective brain cells into mice without the need for lifelong anti-rejection drugs. The innovative approach exploits the immune system's natural tendencies to accept transplanted cells as 'self', allowing them to thrive and protect brain tissue long-term.
Researchers have developed a new gene therapy that converts glial cells into neurons, improving motor function in mice and potentially treating stroke. The treatment uses the NeuroD1 gene and has been shown to increase neuronal density and reduce brain tissue loss in mouse models of stroke.
Researchers found that glial cells, which make up 80% of brain cells, contribute to seizures by releasing glutamate, a chemical that transmits signals between neurons. The study suggests that targeting glial cells may lead to new treatments for epilepsy.
Mutations of a gene implicated in long QT syndrome trigger seizures due to its direct effects on neurons and glia, independent from heart function. This discovery challenges the assumption that seizures are secondary outcomes of cardiovascular disease.
A new study published in Cell Reports sheds light on the mechanisms used by neural stem cells to reactivate, with key findings indicating that STRIPAK molecules play a crucial role in enabling reactivation. The research holds promise for future therapies to replace lost brain cells and facilitate brain damage repair.