Articles tagged with Cellular Neuroscience
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.
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 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.
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.
A recent study published in The EMBO Journal reveals that the Setd8 gene plays a critical role in the premature aging of the brain by controlling neural stem cell activity and proliferation. Artificially lowering Setd8 levels mimicked molecular signatures of aging, highlighting its potential as a biomarker for early aging.
In a breakthrough study, researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that microglia cells respond differently than neutrophils to photoreceptor damage in the retina. This discovery has high implications for treating vision loss caused by photoreceptor cell damage.
The largest neuroscience event will convene in San Diego from November 15-19, featuring over 10,000 presentations on various topics. Registered journalists will gain access to cutting-edge research, expert interviews, and press-only events.
A combination of two approved cancer medications may slow or reverse Alzheimer's symptoms by reversing gene expression changes in neurons and brain cells. Researchers analyzed public data from deceased donors and found a link between these drugs and reduced risk of developing the disease.
Research reveals insulin resistance and dysglycemia contribute to Alzheimer's disease progression, affecting cognitive function. The study identifies new gold standards for clinical care practice, including metformin and other glucose-lowering agents.
A Rutgers-led study reveals that the brain protein cypin helps maintain strong connections between brain cells essential for learning and memory. The discovery has profound implications for treating traumatic brain injuries and diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Researchers developed a microglia replacement strategy using bone marrow transplantation, effectively improving ALSP symptoms in mouse models. In an eight-patient clinical cohort, tBMT successfully corrected CSF1R mutations and halted disease progression over two years.
A recent study using machine learning and computational modeling reveals that astrocytes play a more active role in brain function than previously thought. Astrocytes subtly modulate communication between neurons during synchronous brain activity, influencing network coordination and stability.
This special collection aims to bring together cutting-edge research on cognitive aging, exploring its cellular and molecular underpinnings, as well as psychosocial and environmental factors. The collection seeks to foster a holistic understanding of how cognitive function changes with age.
Researchers at the Carl Ludwig Institute discovered that synaptotagmin 1 in the cerebral cortex responds to lower calcium concentrations, triggering signal transmission and making cortical synapses more reliable and plastic. This knowledge provides a foundation for understanding brain disorders and developing new therapies.
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet have identified proliferating neural progenitors in the adult human hippocampus, confirming ongoing neuron formation. This discovery has implications for understanding brain changes during life and developing regenerative treatments for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have secured two key grants to investigate targeting the MBLAC1 gene as a new approach to treat glioblastoma, a very aggressive and fast-growing type of brain cancer. The project aims to advance innovative projects that could make a meaningful impact on cancer therapy.
The study identifies the brain circuit controlling associations between stimuli and allows for indirect associations. The amygdala plays a crucial role in linking olfactory and taste stimuli.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have identified a new brain protein involved in Parkinson's disease and found that targeting it with a drug treatment improved motor function in experimental models. The study suggests that this approach could slow or stop the progression of Parkinson's disease in humans.
Researchers suggest that brains reach a critical state to learn, remember, and think, which can be measured using fMRI technology. This framework offers a new perspective on neurological diseases like Alzheimer's, which disrupt the brain's ability to maintain criticality.
Researchers discovered that exploring environments can encode visual features, speeding up learning when tasks arise. The study found that unsupervised learning occurs even without specific goals or tasks.
Researchers have successfully modeled the synaptic vesicle cycle with unprecedented detail, shedding new light on how our brains function. The model predicts parameters of synaptic function that could not be tested experimentally, opening new avenues for neuroscience investigations.
Researchers at University of Gothenburg identified a group of nerve cells controlling semaglutide's appetite-suppressing effects without causing nausea. The discovery may lead to improved treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Ion channels can 'remember' previous signals, leading to changes in the receiving neuron that last for hours or days. This collective memory can accumulate over time, reducing communication between neurons and contributing to lifelong learning.
Researchers found that Marfan syndrome increases vulnerability to brain damage from reduced oxygen supply and raises the risk of subsequent neurological disorders. The study highlights the importance of recognizing and managing neurological risks in Marfan patients to prevent complications.
Researchers have identified the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) as the basis of emotional inference in animals and humans. In a study published in Nature, Xiaowei Gu and Joshua Johansen found that rats can learn inferred emotions by associating a neutral stimulus with an unpleasant experience.
Researchers found that hormone fluctuations during the mouse estrous cycle impact the shape and behavior of hippocampal neurons. The study suggests that sex hormones influence cognitive functions like memory and learning.
Researchers identified the thalamocortical pathway as the key area modified during learning, which physically changes links between brain regions. Learning refines the conversation between the thalamus and cortex at a cellular level, making it faster, stronger, and more precise.
Increasing Klotho protein levels in mice extends lifespan and improves both physical and cognitive health when aging. The treatment also enhances muscle, bone, and cognitive health, with potential benefits for osteoporosis prevention and brain function.
The Simons Collaboration on Ecological Neuroscience (SCENE) is a 10-year program that will support projects aiming to uncover how the world shapes representations in the mind and brain. By integrating sensory and motor information, researchers hope to discover fundamental principles of cognition applicable across species.
Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum found that energy depletion causes unusual glutamate releases that contribute to nerve cell damage. These abnormal events are self-reinforcing and can be reduced by inhibiting specific receptors.
Researchers found that surgery induces accumulation of senescent cells in the hippocampal region of aged mice, leading to neuroinflammation. Dosing with a combination of Dasatinib and Quercetin reduced surgery-induced inflammation.
Researchers found that different dendritic segments of a single neuron follow distinct learning strategies, with apical dendrites strengthened by local interactions and basal dendrites linked to the neuron's overall output.
A new study by McGill University researchers sheds light on the disruption of calcium transport in the brain's AMPA receptors, linking it to autism and intellectual disability. The findings could pave the way for treatments targeting these receptors, offering hope for patients with related neurological disorders.
A dopamine-producing brain circuit controls hedonic eating by promoting continued consumption of palatable food. Semaglutide temporarily suppresses this circuit, but weight loss reverses the effect. Targeted inhibition of dopamine neurons counteracts semaglutide's appetite-suppressing effects.
A new review article identifies major themes in AI application to neurosciences, including a 5-fold increase in AI-related publications. The study also notes a surge of over 13-fold in clinical neurology AI-related publications in the past decade.
The Open Brain Institute launches a groundbreaking platform to simulate and study digital brains, empowering researchers to explore brain complexity and diseases. With its virtual neuroscience laboratories, the OBI enables global collaboration and access to cutting-edge virtual labs.
A new study reports that Raman spectroscopy, a noninvasive technique, can distinguish between abnormal FCD type II tissue and healthy brain cells with remarkable accuracy. This method could provide real-time guidance for surgeons to more accurately identify and remove affected tissue during surgery.
Studies have consistently shown that 40Hz gamma stimulation can improve cognitive function and reduce Alzheimer's pathology in mice. In human clinical trials, participants exposed to 40Hz light and sound experienced significant slowing of brain atrophy and improvements on some cognitive measures compared to untreated controls.
Researchers tracked thousands of neurons as a mouse learned to navigate two virtual corridors, revealing distinct representations of each corridor. The study sheds light on cognitive map formation and may provide insight into memory disorders like Alzheimer's.
Researchers discover that tau protein and beta-amyloid, key pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's, affect brain circuits in distinct yet synergistic ways. This study suggests a potential breakthrough in treatment strategies by highlighting the need for dual-targeted therapies.