Articles tagged with Cellular Neuroscience
New research reveals how psychological stress worsens atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, by activating a specific neural pathway. This pathway links the brain to immune responses in the skin, leading to increased inflammation and worsening symptoms.
Researchers developed Neuronal Type Assignment from Connectivity (NTAC) to accurately assign neuronal cell types based on synaptic wiring patterns. NTAC outperformed traditional morphology-based approaches in identifying neuron types, especially in complex brain regions.
In a breakthrough study, researchers successfully integrated neuronal precursor cells into biobots, resulting in the formation of functional nervous systems. This development has significant implications for neuroscience, bioengineering, and regenerative medicine, enabling the investigation of fundamental questions about the origin of ...
Researchers have developed a method to preserve brain tissue in a functional state using vitrification, allowing for long-term preservation and re-examination of neural networks. The technique enables the recovery of electrical signals and long-term potentiation, crucial for learning and memory processes.
Recent discoveries have shed light on gene expression control in tumor growth, revealing the critical role of epigenetic marks and genomic imprinting. The findings have significant implications for cancer treatment, as they suggest that disrupting the tumor's access to neural signaling may halt its growth.
Researchers at Kyushu University develop a new tissue-clearing reagent, SeeDB-Live, enabling repeated, reversible, and real-time imaging of living brains at greater depth and clarity. This breakthrough allows scientists to visualize neural activity in living mice and brain slices, offering new insights into brain dynamics and function.
Researchers created the most comprehensive single-cell atlas of epigenetic changes in the aging mouse brain, revealing how DNA methylation, genome structure, and gene activity change across brain regions and cell types. The atlas has already shown clear epigenetic differences between different age groups and allowed the development of ...
Researchers identified new neurons that respond to different spatial frequencies, allowing for more precise object recognition, and used digital twins to confirm the findings in mouse brains.
A cancer medication, eFT508, has been shown to lower hyperconnectivity in early Alzheimer's disease by reducing amyloid-beta protein levels. This finding suggests a promising treatment avenue for memory loss in mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer's disease.
A new study reveals that tanycytes, specialized brain cells, play a key role in clearing the toxic tau protein associated with Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest that maintaining tanycyte health could be a way to slow disease progression.
Researchers identify nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) as a central mediator of neuronal migration and cortical lamination. The study reveals that UPF2, a core component of NMD machinery, is essential for proper neuron migration and brain development.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research discovered that stressed animal cells, including neurons, assemble inactive ribosomes into tightly linked pairs, known as disomes. This novel mechanism relies on a specific piece of ribosomal RNA called an expansion segment to form a precise RNA-RNA interaction.
Researchers develop novel method to manipulate cell structures using weak magnetic fields and isotopes, bridging structural biology, biophysics, and quantum biology. This work offers a potential new strategy for stabilizing damaged brain proteins, typical of neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found molecules such as syringic acid that protect neurons from aging, while others like resveratrol promote neurodegeneration. An AI-powered approach identified potential therapeutic substances to preserve brain function and prevent neurodegenerative diseases.
The Korea University-Yale University Joint Forum aimed to discuss expanding cooperation in neuroscience and training physician scientists. Key findings include agreements for annualizing the joint forum and discussing research topics for future forums.
The FENS Forum 2026 will be Europe's largest neuroscience congress, covering areas of basic to translational research. Journalists can register for free and attend symposia and poster sessions.
Researchers at UC San Francisco have identified CUL5, a protein that tags tau for elimination, as a key player in preventing the formation of toxic tau protein clumps that can lead to dementia. The study found that neurons with more CUL5 are less vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease.
Cancer cells tap into the nervous system's power grid by forming synaptic contacts with nerve cells, promoting tumor growth and spread. Venkataramani's research aims to repurpose the drug perampanel for glioblastoma treatment and develop gene therapy approaches to disconnect tumors from the nervous system.
Researchers have uncovered a new understanding of how cardiac events are interconnected with the brain and nervous/immune systems. They found that sensory neurons in the vagus nerve detect injury and transfer signals to dedicated brain structures, leading to activation of the immune system.
A new study has created a comprehensive atlas of lysosomal proteins in the brain, shedding light on the functions and dysfunctions of these cellular components. The data, which includes 790 proteins associated with lysosomes, could help scientists better understand neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
UVA experts Bruce Greyson and Marieta Pehlivanova argue that the NEPTUNE model leaves many unanswered questions about near-death experiences. Despite its sophistication, the model selectively ignores scientific evidence and fails to address key aspects of NDEs.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have discovered how the keto diet protects against epilepsy seizures by regulating brain cell activity. The team found that a specific cellular receptor, HCAR2, plays a crucial role in reducing seizures, and may be targeted for new treatments.
A study published in PNAS reveals that peripheral neuropathy can reduce macrophage immune cells' ability to clear dead cells through efferocytosis, leading to chronic pain. Restoring this process may offer a new therapeutic strategy to prevent inflammatory signaling and improve nerve repair.
Researchers discovered that female brain immune cells called microglia express more interferon-related genes when responding to amyloid-β plaques, causing more harm to neuronal connections. This finding suggests a potential sex-specific treatment approach for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have engineered a protein that can detect the faintest incoming chemical signals of brain cells, allowing for real-time decoding of neural activity. This breakthrough enables scientists to understand the complex cascade of electrical activity underlying learning, memory, and emotion.
Scientists at Salk Institute find protein CCN1, secreted by astrocytes, maintains stable neural circuits in adult brains. The discovery could lead to new therapeutics for brain injury and stroke.
Research from Colorado State University sheds light on the regulation of chemical balance in the brain, focusing on GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps calm brain activity. The study provides insights into how neurons maintain effective communication with each other, even when GABA is produced far from synapses.
A team of researchers has captured the process of synaptic vesicle fusion with neurotransmitters, revealing a direct form of vesicle recruitment that enables neurons to send signals over longer periods. This breakthrough could lead to targeted therapies for synaptic disorders and improve our understanding of brain function.
Researchers at UVA Health System discover how traumatic brain injury increases Alzheimer's risk and find a potential prevention strategy using a hollowed-out virus to deliver repair supplies. The approach could help limit neurodegeneration and potentially prevent other neurological diseases.
Researchers at Brown University have created a bioluminescence tool that enables the measurement of activity in living brain cells without damaging them. The CaBLAM tool uses bioluminescent light production to capture single-cell and subcellular activity at high speeds, allowing for longer recordings and reducing hardware requirements.
A new study highlights five ways microplastics can trigger inflammation and damage in the brain, including immune cell activity and oxidative stress. Microplastics weaken the blood–brain barrier, causing immune cells to attack them and leading to further damage.
Scientists have cataloged hundreds of target sites and widely varying editing rates for RNA editing in more than 200 individual cells of tonic and phasic motor neurons. The study found that most sites were edited at rates between extremes, and that some edits altered proteins involved in neural communication and function.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have discovered a potential new treatment for Alzheimer's disease by targeting muscle protein Cathepsin B. The study found that increasing Ctsb in muscle tissue may offer protection against the effects of AD and promote brain cell growth, restoring protein balance and rebalancing brain activity.
A study led by Brazilian researchers has reconstructed the brain environment in the lab, revealing live interactions between cancer and healthy tissue. The 3D model allows real-time observation of brain metastases and has potential to reshape future therapies against metastatic melanoma.
Researchers discovered that pancreatic tumors form pseudosynapses, exploiting the body's nervous system to drive tumor growth. Calcium waves triggered by glutamate binding promote metastasis and cancer progression.
Researchers have identified two groups of brain cells in mice that regulate anxiety - a 'gas pedal' that accelerates anxiety and a 'brake pedal' that prevents it. The discovery could lead to the development of new therapies for anxiety disorders by targeting these microglia.
Researchers at OIST discover a common molecular cascade disrupting brain signaling in both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. They identify a shared mechanism affecting synaptic vesicle recycling, leading to impaired communication between brain cells.
Researchers have discovered a key role for the Frazzled protein in fruit fly neural circuits, revealing how it helps neurons form reliable connections. The study showed that when Frazzled is missing or mutated, neurons fail to form proper electrical connections, leading to communication breakdowns.
A high-resolution growth chart of the mouse brain has been created to study key brain cell types and their changes during development. The atlas reveals a dynamic sequence of brain growth and maturation in response to genetics and external stimuli, with implications for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders.
Researchers at Virginia Tech found that adjusting molecular processes can improve memory in older subjects. They used CRISPR-dCas13 and CRISPR-dCas9 to target age-related changes in K63 polyubiquitination and IGF2, two genes linked to memory formation.
Protein clumps associated with Parkinson's disease can actively break down ATP, draining brain cells of vital energy. Researchers discovered that these clumps transform into molecular machines when they bind to ATP, highlighting a new mechanism of damage.
Researchers developed a new human brain tissue platform called miBrains, integrating all major brain cell types and modeling brain structures, cellular interactions, activity, and pathological features. The models can be customized through gene editing and are derived from individual patients' genomes.
A new study by MIT neuroscientists reveals that circular RNA, specifically circHomer1, strongly influences how neurons build circuit connections during visual system development. Knocking out circHomer1 prevents synapse maturation and delays expected neural adjustments in response to monocular deprivation.
A new study reveals that astrocytes, a type of glial cell, are responsible for stabilizing memories through repeated engagement. The researchers found that Fos activity in astrocytes only occurs during recall, and that these cells can be activated to produce stable memories.
Researchers developed a new gene therapy that reversed symptoms related to SYNGAP1-related disorders in mice, including intellectual disability, epilepsy, and risk-taking behaviors. The therapy successfully delivered a working copy of the SYNGAP1 gene into brain cells using an adeno-associated virus, offering hope for treatment in humans.
Researchers found that DMT reduces infarct volume and edema formation in rat stroke models by restoring blood-brain barrier function and reducing inflammatory cytokines. The compound's dual action may complement existing treatments, offering a novel approach to stroke therapy.
Professor John O'Brien's research focuses on understanding the impact of electrical synapses and gap junction plasticity on the retina and other neurological functions. The study aims to identify proteins that control electrical synapse strength, shedding light on their role in human disorders such as autism and seizures.
Researchers used precise neural activity measurements from epilepsy patients to study how brain processes speech. The findings suggest the auditory cortex operates on a fixed, internal timescale independent of speech structures, providing a consistently timed stream of information.
Scientists at UCSF successfully used CRISPRa to increase SCN2A levels in mice with the genetic disorder, resulting in reduced seizures and improved brain function. The therapy offers hope for treating neurodevelopmental issues related to SCN2A haploinsufficiency.
A USF-led Nature study identifies how a genetic variant disrupts microglia function, increasing Alzheimer's disease risk. The PICALM gene defect impairs waste-processing organelles in microglia, causing harmful lipid droplets to accumulate and weaken their ability to clear debris.
Researchers created a comprehensive brain-wide activity map of decision-making in mice, revealing that signals are distributed across multiple brain regions. The study challenges traditional hierarchical views and highlights the importance of prior expectations in guiding behavior.
A unique toggle switch was identified to assign divergent cell fates and drive assembly into cellular 'neighborhoods' in olfactory stem cells, integrating signaling at multiple scales. This finding reveals how stochastic signaling networks regulate sustained neurogenesis in the intricate organ system of the human nose.
Scientists at Gladstone Institutes discovered that overactivated dopamine neurons degenerate and die, leading to Parkinson's disease symptoms. Chronic activation of these cells can cause cell death, potentially triggered by genetic, environmental toxins, and compensating for lost neurons.
Researchers have discovered that microglia, the brain's immune cells, play a key role in how the brain adapts during adolescence. This understanding may transform how neurodevelopmental disorders are treated during this window and possibly into adulthood. The study also found that microglial contact with axons increases dopaminergic ci...
Researchers have reimagined hemoglobin as an antioxidant protein in the brain, where it breaks down harmful reactive oxygen species. A new compound, KDS12025, selectively enhances this natural defense mechanism to protect against ALS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and autoimmune disorders.
A team of researchers from Okayama University has identified SNAP25 as a key component in the transmission of sour taste signals and the long-term survival of type III taste cells. The study found that mice deficient in SNAP25 had impaired responses to sour-tasting substances, highlighting the importance of this protein in maintaining ...
Researchers have discovered a new approach for treating proteinopathies by targeting dysregulated nuclear speckles, which can lead to neuron degeneration. Pyrvinium pamoate has been shown to improve proteostasis in various disease models, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and tauopathies.
A team of UC Irvine researchers has identified a promising nonpharmaceutical treatment that can restore energy levels in aging brain cells, improving their ability to clear damaging amyloid protein aggregates. The treatment, which combines nicotinamide and epigallocatechin gallate, was found to reverse age-related cellular deficits and...
Researchers found that brain cells switch on and off in a steady rhythm, influencing stress hormone release and alertness. This discovery may lead to better understanding of disrupted stress rhythms and mental health.
Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science have discovered that excessive GABA produced by astrocytes impairs fear extinction in PTSD. A new brain-permeable drug called KDS2010 has reversed PTSD-like symptoms in mice, providing a promising therapeutic approach.