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Singapore study using Alzheimer’s disease mouse model shows female brains have faster decline of connections between memory-making brain cells

A study using an Alzheimer's disease mouse model found that female brains experience a faster decay in information processing ability compared to male mice. This results in weaker memory formation and increased memory loss, contributing to the increased vulnerability of females to Alzheimer's disease.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalAging Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2022

UCLA Health team develops new mouse model to shed light on the mystery surrounding Huntington’s disease onset and improve the targeting of potential therapies

Researchers have developed a new mouse model of Huntington's disease that recapitulates more disease-like characteristics than earlier models. The study provides new clues to the mystery surrounding genetic mutations and gives researchers a powerful tool to test new therapies.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2022

How food intake modifies the gut

Researchers found that increasing food amount elevates intestinal absorptive surface and function due to enhanced PPARα expression. Food restriction reverses this process, suggesting potential avenues for limiting obesity.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 2, 2021

Fast-tracked stroke drug for humans shows promise, in mice, that it might also prove a powerful tool against dementia

A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine showed that a fast-tracked stroke drug, 3K3A-APC, protected mice from injury to the brain's white matter, a leading cause of dementia. The drug may also be effective in slowing down progression of cognitive impairment.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2021

Successful treatment in mice for severe childhood cancer

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have successfully treated high-risk neuroblastoma in mice using a combination of precision medicines, showing potential for a curative treatment. The study's results suggest that patients with this form of childhood cancer may benefit from drug treatment with ATR inhibitors.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2021

High cell membrane tension constrains the spread of cancer

Research reveals that cancer cells have softer membranes than normal cells, but stiffening them can prevent abnormal changes in structure and motility. Stiffened breast cancer cells lost the ability to spread to the lungs in mouse experiments, suggesting a potential strategy for cancer treatments.

SourceKobe University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

Deterioration of brain cells in Parkinson’s disease is slowed by blocking the Bach1 protein, preclinical study shows

A preclinical study found that blocking the Bach1 protein slowed brain cell deterioration in Parkinson's disease. The researchers identified a potent inhibitor of Bach1 called HPPE, which protected cells from inflammation and oxidative stress, and showed promise as a potential therapeutic target.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2021

Slow release of a drug, TT-10, improves heart attack recovery in a mouse model

Researchers found that slow release of TT-10 from nanoparticles improved heart function after a heart attack, accompanied by increased cardiomyocyte proliferation and smaller infarct size. The study suggests that PLGA nanoparticles could be used to improve treatment administration efficiency for cardiovascular drugs.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalJCI Insight·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 22, 2021

Towards precision medicine for dialysis patients

A research team from the University of Zurich has identified a common genetic variant in the AQP1 gene that affects treatment efficacy and patient survival on peritoneal dialysis. Patients carrying this variant have a higher risk of death, but researchers found a way to circumvent the problem using colloid osmotic agents.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2021

Frontrunner target for Parkinson’s Disease may only be relevant for small fraction of patients

A recent study suggests that targeting alpha-synuclein protein in Parkinson's disease may not be sufficient to cure most patients. Instead, resolving brain inflammation caused by dysfunctional interferon-beta receptor signaling may hold the key to developing more effective treatments.

A novel mouse model that recapitulates the isoform-specific, pathological propagation of tau

Researchers have developed a novel mouse model that accurately replicates the pathological propagation of tau protein isoforms in Alzheimer's disease, corticobasal degeneration, and Pick's disease. The model shows endogenous expression of both 3R and 4R tau, which accumulates in brain regions characteristic of each disease.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science·JournalBrain·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 5, 2021

Study: Gene therapy can restore vision after stroke

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.

SourcePurdue University·JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 1, 2021

A genetic brain disease reversed after birth

Researchers at RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research have found that Kleefstra syndrome, a genetic disorder leading to intellectual disability, can be reversed after birth. Postnatal treatment with artificially induced GLP production resulted in improved brain and behavioral symptoms.

SourceRIKEN·JournaliScience·DateSep 20, 2021

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia researchers identify approach for potential nontypeable haemophilus influenzae vaccine

Researchers identified two proteins, HMW1 and HMW2, that stimulate protective immunity against diverse NTHi strains. Immunization with these proteins provides protection against bacterial colonization by other strains, highlighting the vaccine potential for a nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae vaccine.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2021

Not-so-blind mice can make strategic and acute visual choices

Researchers found that mice can make fine visual discriminations between slightly different lines, suggesting a more complex decision-making process than previously thought. The study's findings highlight the importance of considering non-perceptual biases in understanding animal behavior and decision-making strategies.

SourceRIKEN·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 28, 2021

Diet plays critical role in NASH progressing to liver cancer in mouse model

Researchers discovered that a Western diet high in fat and cholesterol can lead to obesity, diabetes, and Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which progresses to liver cancer, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. Switching to a normal chow diet improves NASH and liver fibrosis, prevents cancer progression and mortality.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateJun 1, 2021

Facilitating speech comprehension in rare inherited hearing loss patients

Scientists have discovered a novel deafness gene, TMEM43, linked to auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD), a rare form of hearing loss that affects speech comprehension. The treatment involves cochlear implants, which have successfully restored speech discrimination in patients, offering new hope for those affected.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 24, 2021