A team of researchers at Brown University's Carney Institute for Brain Science has discovered a genetic atlas of neuronal development, which could provide a potential step forward for understanding how to repair broken neural connections. The study found that neurons use a genetic switch in the cell body to control axon growth, allowin...
A new framework, criticome, integrates experience until age 25, reframing autism, schizophrenia, depression, and trauma as developmental disorders. The study suggests that screen-saturated childhoods may produce adult dysfunction, highlighting the importance of early experience in brain development.
A recent study reveals that tissue stiffness regulates the production of key signaling molecules in the brain, using the mechanosensitive protein Piezo1. This discovery opens new avenues for understanding development and tackling diseases such as cancer.
A study by NYU Abu Dhabi researchers has found a key mechanism that shapes brain development and how it may be disrupted in autism and schizophrenia. The research reveals the role of m6A methylation in regulating protein production in growing neurons.
The study reveals that spontaneous waves of neurotransmitter glutamate facilitate dendrite pruning, while a unique protection/punishment machinery strengthens certain connections and eliminates others. Proper pruning is critical for neural development, with insufficient or excessive connections linked to neurophysiological disorders.
A team of researchers found that a small population of nerve cells exists in everyone that could be coaxed to regrow, potentially restoring sight and movement. The discovery provides new insights into how axons grow and could lead to effective therapies for blindness, paralysis, and other disorders caused by nerve damage.
Researchers have successfully used AAV1.NT-3 gene therapy to improve muscle physiology and prevent age-related sarcopenia in mice. The treatment resulted in restored muscle mass, strength, and neural connections, offering a potential new option for managing this debilitating condition.
Researchers at DZNE discovered that centrosome controls neuronal migration but not axon growth. The study used novel molecular tools to show that centrosomal activity influences radial migration of projection neurons.
Researchers at Kyoto University found that a poor, low-yeast diet causes fruit flies' larvae to grow dendrites in an unexpected way. The hyperarborization phenotype is triggered by a simultaneous deficiency in vitamins, metal ions, and cholesterol, which increases the production of Wingless signaling molecules from body wall muscle.
A collaborative study reveals how genes controlling blood vessel cells influence motor neuron development, allowing them to navigate the body's systems. The discovery sheds light on diseases such as ALS and SMA, where motor neuron connections are destroyed.
A new study found that reduced transportation of RNA by protein TDP-43 disrupts neuron function, leading to stunted axon extension in both ALS and FTLD. The discovery provides a potential target for new treatments.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that gabapentin promotes regeneration of neural circuits, restoring up to 60% of forelimb function in treated mice. The drug blocks activity of a protein that hinders axon growth after injury.
Scientists at DZNE have discovered a protein called RhoA that regulates nerve cell growth by pulling the brake, potentially leading to new approaches for spinal cord injury treatment.
A single protein, syt-17, is crucial for axon growth and regulation of synaptic communication. Removing the protein blocks axon development, while overproducing it accelerates growth.
Scientists at DZNE have identified a group of proteins that help regenerate damaged nerve cells, potentially leading to new treatments for spinal cord injuries. These proteins, part of the 'cofilin/ADF' family, drive growth and regeneration in both young and adult neurons.
Researchers at The University of Tokyo have grown a working model of a cerebral tract in the lab, mimicking the connections between neurons in the brain. The model, created using induced pluripotent stem cells, demonstrates how axons can grow and form bundles to connect separate cognitive tasks.
Scientists at UCLA's Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research have discovered a new role for netrin1 in organizing axon growth during embryonic development. The study reveals that netrin1 acts locally, guiding axons to form a normal functioning nervous system.
Researchers at University of Michigan discover that a single gene, DLK, regulates both axon and dendrite growth in neurons. The finding highlights the importance of considering the bimodal nature of neurons when developing new treatments for regeneration of nerve cells.
Researchers at UMass Medical School have identified a new genetic mutation that causes familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurological disorder. The discovery points to defects in a neuron's cytoskeleton structure as a potential common feature among diverse ALS genes.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that Mst3b, an enzyme previously identified in the lab, is essential for regenerating damaged axons in both peripheral and central nervous systems. The findings suggest that activating Mst3b could lead to a possible treatment for brain and spinal cord injuries.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have discovered that insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) enhances the growth of corticospinal motor neuron axons, a critical population affected by ALS. IGF-1 stimulation increases axon outgrowth speed and extent, paving the way for potential treatments.
Researchers have identified the JNK, Wnt, and FGF signaling cascades as the most important actors in axon growth, showing that growth is independent of neuronal activity. This finding brings greater clarity to the axon's growth process and has implications for understanding nerve diseases such as Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis.
A team of researchers has produced cyclopeptides that imitate the HNK-1 carbohydrate from human natural killer cells, stimulating axon growth in motor neuron cell cultures. These glycomimetics could be a promising starting point for developing treatments for spinal cord injuries.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have discovered that a cancer-causing protein can promote growth of axons in damaged spinal cord and brain cells. This discovery could lead to new therapies for treating neurological diseases.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have isolated a previously unknown molecule called oncomodulin that stimulates axon regeneration in the optic nerve. The discovery offers new possibilities for treating conditions such as glaucoma, stroke, and spinal cord injury.
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School Medicine have induced axon growth rates of up to ten centimeters per week, defying previous understanding. The stretched axons maintained a normal internal structure and appeared invigorated by extreme growth, suggesting new mechanisms for neuronal physiology.
Researchers successfully stimulated nerve cell regeneration after spinal cord injury using a combination of treatments. The study showed that axons can regrow into a cell graft placed in the lesion site, extending into the spinal cord and surrounding tissue.
A new measurement method and microenvironment evaluation technique have been developed to study spinal cord nerve regeneration. The findings extend earlier Mayo Clinic research, showing that a biodegradable scaffold can support axon growth under different experimental conditions.
Researchers developed a two-pronged approach to stimulate nerve cell growth and overcome inhibitory proteins, achieving triple the axon regeneration achieved with growth factors alone. The technique aims to restore vision and treat spinal cord injuries, strokes, and neurodegenerative diseases.
A Johns Hopkins team has discovered a protein that stimulates axon growth, contradicting the traditional view of semaphorins as only repelling axons. Semaphorin-7a promotes axon growth by interacting with integrins on nerves and other cell types.
Dan H. Sanes' research focuses on understanding how deafness affects the growth and function of the central nervous system, particularly through the development of inhibitory synapses. His lab aims to find ways to restore function following traumatic injury to nervous system pathways, including axon regeneration.