A study published in Science Advances found that the quality of synapses, specifically dendritic spine head diameter, predicts episodic memory performance in older adults. Researchers suggest targeting pathways that maintain spine head diameter or synaptic strength may yield greater therapeutic benefits for Alzheimer's disease prevention.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham identified specific groups of neurons in the female fly's brain responding to the sex-peptide, which influences post-mating behaviors. The study found that the peptide targets higher-order 'command neurons' essential for behavioral decision-making.
A UC Riverside-led research team found that obesity causes chronic changes in the brain, leading to reduced connections between neurons and lower testosterone levels. The study suggests that the primary site of obesity's effects on reproductive function is the brain, rather than the testes or pituitary gland.
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.
Researchers create detailed wiring diagram of motor circuits in fruit flies, revealing complex nerve coordination for leg and wing movements. The study advances understanding of how the central nervous system coordinates individual muscles for various behaviors.
Researchers used advanced imaging technology to reveal the atomic structure of an enzyme that neurons use to communicate. The study provides new insights into synaptic function and may lead to therapeutic targets for epilepsy and other neurological conditions.
Researchers led by Dr. Victor Luna aim to develop new treatments for late-life depression and Alzheimer's disease by understanding how synapses function in the aging brain. They will investigate the role of a synaptic protein called mGluR2 in memory formation and emotion.
Scientists at Virginia Tech have discovered that controlling the precise timing of electrical pulses can rebalance synaptic connections between nerve cells, selectively up- or down-regulating those connections. This finding suggests potential avenues for more effective treatment strategies for mild traumatic brain injuries.
Scientists at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology identify a positive glutamate-NO-glutamate feedback loop that blocks long-term potentiation and impairs learning and memory. The study suggests that this loop may explain memory loss in stroke patients and potentially offer a solution for treatment.
Researchers discovered that command-like DNs in fruit flies recruit additional networks of neurons to orchestrate complex behaviors. The study shows that these networks work together to produce coordinated actions, transforming the way we understand brain signals and behavior.
A new microscopy system called mosTF enables fast and clear imaging of the living brain, improving tracking of rapid changes in neural circuit structure. The system outperforms traditional two-photon microscopy methods by eight times speed and four-fold signal clarity.
A new sensor has given unprecedented look at changes in cell's energy currency, allowing researchers to study fluctuations in ATP levels. This enables scientists to track how changes in ATP affect the cell and contribute to diseases like Parkinson’s.
Salk scientists develop new method to quantify synaptic features, revealing high precision of plasticity and up to 10 times more storage capacity. The technique uses information theory to analyze synapse pairs from a rat hippocampus, offering a scalable approach for studying brain function.
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.
A new study published in Nature found that sleep weakens new brain connections forged during wakefulness only during the first half of a night's sleep. The researchers suggest that this 'reset' prepares the brain for learning and new connections the next day.
Researchers investigate how early-stage Alzheimer's disease affects memory formation by examining synaptic connections and amyloid beta. The study aims to understand the role of NMDA receptors in synaptic plasticity and how they might be hijacked by amyloid beta, leading to memory dysfunction.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that blocking Tiam1 activity in spinal neurons abrogates morphine tolerance and hyperalgesia in a mouse model. Prolonged morphine treatment increased activated Tiam1 levels, leading to dendritic spine morphological changes.
Researchers at University of Cologne's CECAD Cluster of Excellence discovered that mitochondrial fusion boosts new neuron plasticity. The study found that as new neurons mature, their mitochondria fuse to acquire elongated shapes, sustaining synaptic plasticity and refining brain circuits.
Researchers found a brainstem region that regulates breathing rhythm, ensuring breathing remains dominant over speech. The circuit also involves premotor neurons in the hindbrain region called the retroambiguus nucleus (RAm), which are activated during vocalization.
A new study published in eNeuro explores the intricate interplay between brain regions involved in nicotine's effects on the human brain. Researchers discovered that the medial habenula experiences fluctuations in activity based on factors such as dosage and sex, highlighting a nuanced relationship.
Researchers have identified the molecular mechanism behind memory creation and found that saturated fatty acids interact with a protein called STXBP1. This interaction coordinates the release of fatty acids and directs communication at synapses in the brain.
A KAIST research team has developed a technique called SynapShot, which allows for the real-time observation of synapse formation, extinction, and alterations. This breakthrough technique uses fluorescent proteins to track changes in synapses, offering new insights into brain function and potentially revolutionizing neurological research.
Researchers propose a simple model that accurately describes neuronal connectivity in various organisms, suggesting that general networking principles govern brain organization. The model also provides an unexpected explanation for clustering phenomenon in social interactions and can be extended to other types of networks.
A new study led by Dr. Richard Naud of the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Medicine tackles the mystery of neuronal response variability, controlling output with dendrites' inputs to the core and little antennas
Research suggests that structural changes in upper motor neurons send a signal to immune cells, leading to toxic effects on neurons and reduced synaptic connections. Blocking inflammation with a semi-synthetic drug can restore synaptic connections and improve ALS symptoms.
A team of scientists identified VAP as a molecular anchor that stabilizes mitochondria near synapses in dendrites, supporting memory formation and plasticity. The discovery links VAP to ALS-linked protein and suggests that mitochondrial stabilization is critical for neuronal function and health.
Growth hormone influences regulation of anxiety via a specific group of neurons, according to researchers at the University of São Paulo. The study identified somatostatin-expressing neurons as key players in modulating GH's anxiolytic effect, with increased anxiety observed in mice lacking these neurons.
A new USC study reveals that variants of the autism-linked gene SYNGAP1 can disrupt early brain development in the cortex, a region involved in higher-order cognitive functions. The research found that disease-causing variants of SYNGAP1 alter the cells' cytoskeletons and lead to disorganized neural circuits.
A Berlin researcher is investigating biophysical phenomena relevant to brain diseases through a €1.5M European Research Council grant. The goal is to understand the behavior of aberrant protein inclusions in neurodegenerative diseases.
Acute sleep loss in mice increases dopamine release and enhances synaptic plasticity, leading to a rapid reversal of depression for several days. The prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in this process, with neurons forming tiny protrusions that change in response to brain activity.
Researchers created the world's largest primate brain-wide atlas using single-cell technologies, revealing over 4 million cellular profiles. The study provides a comprehensive multimodal molecular atlas to explore links between molecules, cells, brain function and disease.
Researchers have created the first-ever map of a single animal's early visual system, reconstructing it from the eyes to neurons in a tiny parasitic wasp. The study reveals complex behaviors such as flight in an insect with just 8,600 cells compared to the human brain's 171 billion.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute present a method for training artificial intelligence using physical processes, reducing energy consumption and computing time. The new approach relies on non-linear processes, such as optics, to mimic the human brain's parallel processing, potentially leading to more efficient neural networks.
A study by researchers at the University of Tokyo found that the presynaptic Ube3a E3 ligase molecule plays a key role in eliminating neural synapses. This discovery offers insights into developmental disorders such as Angelman syndrome and autism spectrum disorders.
Researchers used Drosophila to investigate how similar neurons develop unique properties through differential gene expression. The study found that two closely related neuron types differed in over 800 genes, leading to distinct functional characteristics.
Researchers propose a hypothesis that astrocytes, non-neuronal cells in the brain, can perform core computation as transformers, providing insights into human brain function and machine learning success. This discovery could spark future neuroscience research and help explain transformer performance across complex tasks.
Research reveals a local mechanism in neurons that enables insulin-like growth factors to facilitate brain plasticity. IGF release is necessary for activating the IGF1-Receptor during synaptic plasticity, leading to neuron growth and strengthening.
Researchers from Osaka University developed a fluorescent sensor to visualize Pcdh interactions in live neurons, allowing for the first time to observe dissociation of these interactions. This technique has potential applications in understanding brain disorders such as autism and epilepsy.
A study published in Nature reveals that neurons in remote brain regions promote the expression of genes from glioblastoma tumors, leading to tumor infiltration. The researchers found that callosal projection neurons play a key role in this process, and that SEMA4F is an essential factor for glioma progression.
Researchers created a detailed 3D image of the synapse, a key juncture in neuronal communication. The model reveals the precise geometry of interactions between individual cells, which may hold the key to understanding neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that a protein called phosphatidylinositol-4 kinase (PI4-kinase) acts as a 'hub' for brain communication by regulating bulk endocytosis. The molecule sustains neurotransmitter release during high brain activity, which is crucial for brain function.
Researchers found that Perlecan deficiency causes axonal segments to break apart during development, leading to synaptic connection loss. The protein's critical role depends on its secretion from multiple cell types, not just neurons.
The ventral lateral preoptic area (VLPO) has a novel function in inducing arousal, contrary to its traditional role in promoting sleep. VLPO neurons form direct connections with orexin neurons in the LHA, leading to wakefulness induction.
A study by Florida Atlantic University and CINVESTAV found that long-term running maintains the connectivity of adult-born hippocampal neurons, which contribute to memory function during aging. Exercise may prevent or delay age-related memory decline by increasing the survival and modifying the network of these neurons.
Research suggests that brain's electrical activity tunes sub-cellular components to optimize network stability and efficiency. This 'Cytoelectric Coupling' hypothesis proposes that electric fields influence neurons' physical configuration to fine-tune information processing.
Researchers discovered nanoscopic tunnels that connect precursor cells in the cerebellum as they mature into neurons. These tunnels enable molecular exchange and physical migration of pre-neuronal cells across layers, shedding light on brain connectivity and development.
Researchers have identified a subset of neurons in the mammillary body that are most susceptible to neurodegeneration and hyperactivity in Alzheimer's disease. These findings suggest that this region may contribute to early symptoms of the disease, making it a potential target for new drugs.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover that dysfunctional mitochondria at synapses fail to meet energetic demand, supplying either too much or too little power and potentially causing working memory impairment with age. Adherence to the ultrastructural size principle is essential for avoiding cognitive decline in aging brains.
Researchers at Janelia have developed the fastest calcium indicators yet, allowing them to tease out individual neuronal signals with unprecedented speed and sensitivity. The new jGCaMP8 sensors can detect calcium ions nearly as fast as they are released from neurons, enabling scientists to study neural computations at the molecular le...
Astrocytes tune down overactive neurons during acute stress, helping to regulate attention and perception. This discovery provides new hope for treating attention disorders like ADHD.
Researchers found that dieting amplifies neural signals of hunger in the brain, leading to increased food intake and weight gain. This long-term change could be a key target for developing therapies to prevent the yo-yo effect.
Kyoto University researchers have created a map comparing circuit structure with neural activity in mammals, revealing a new mechanism behind visual cortex activities. This discovery sheds light on the hidden connections between neurons and could provide directions for constructing power-efficient deep neural networks.
Scientists at the University of Florida have discovered that long-term memories are formed through experience-dependent changes in protein sets, which undergo reorganization to encode the brain's circuitry. This finding provides insight into the brain's plasticity and has potential implications for understanding neurological disorders.
Researchers have uncovered the underlying mechanism driving depressive systems in chronic pain, identifying a potential therapeutic target for treatment. Tiam1 protein modulates neural connections, leading to hypersensitivity and depression; ketamine blocks this effect, alleviating symptoms.
Researchers from Doshisha University found that the hypothalamus's supramammillary nucleus can induce long-term potentiation in hippocampal dentate gyrus synapses through glutamatergic transmission. This type of synaptic plasticity, known as associative LTP, strengthens connections between neurons and is crucial for learning and memory.
Researchers found that clonidine, a common blood pressure medication, can reduce the consolidation of traumatic memories in PTSD patients. By interacting with the adrenergic receptor axis, clonidine interferes with cofilin's ability to form mushroom-shaped dendritic spines, which are essential for memory formation. This suggests that c...
Researchers found that remote fear memories are permanently stored in connections between memory neurons in the prefrontal cortex. The study suggests that a dysregulation of fear memory consolidation can lead to chronic maladaptive fear in PTSD, affecting about 6% of the population.
Researchers developed a new method to target diseased neurons using light, changing their long-term behavior. The approach uses light-sensitive enzymes to create insulating or conductive coatings on cell membranes, tuning excitability in neurons.
A new study reveals ketamine dramatically changes neuronal activity patterns in the cerebral cortex, turning off active neurons and turning on silent ones. This switch in brain activity may impact our understanding of ketamine's antidepressant effects and future research in neuropsychiatry.
Researchers at MIT have discovered that the adult brain contains millions of silent synapses, which may explain how the brain forms new memories without modifying existing connections. These inactive connections can be recruited to help form new memories when important new information is presented.