Articles tagged with Cellular Neuroscience
Researchers at MSK Cancer Center have developed a way to speed up the development of nerve cells in the lab, mirroring the human brain's maturation process. By inhibiting an epigenetic barrier, scientists can accelerate the study of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
A new study challenges traditional male-focused autism research by revealing striking similarities in synaptic abnormalities and behavioral patterns between male and female mouse models. This finding emphasizes the necessity of considering both sexes to comprehensively grasp the complexities of autism spectrum disorder.
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.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center find that microglia can trigger cognitive deficits after radiation exposure, potentially targeting them for therapy development. Mice studies showed that blocking a specific pathway in microglia prevented cognitive decline, offering hope for improving patients' quality of life.
Researchers at Salk Institute assembled the most complete atlas of the mouse brain by analyzing over 2 million brain cells. The detailed atlas reveals thousands of cell types, their connections, genes, and regulatory programs active in each cell, providing new insights into human disease vulnerabilities.
Researchers unveiled an atlas cataloging the location and type of every cell in the adult mouse brain, revealing a complex relationship between genetic identity and spatial position. The map, which charts over 5,300 cell types, provides a detailed 'parts list' for the brain and could pave the way for precision treatments for diseases.
The study maps over 32 million cells in the mouse brain, describing their type, location, and molecular information. This atlas paves the way for a greater understanding of the human brain and development of precision therapeutics for mental and neurological disorders.
Neurons in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) work together to process social interactions by combining facial and vocal information. The study found that individual neurons did not exhibit strong responses to expressions or identities, but population-level activity could be decoded to reveal the identity and expression in vid...
Researchers investigate whether Tau proteins play a previously unsuspected role in energy management of neurons, potentially leading to new treatment options. The study aims to clarify the role of Tau in energy management and explore novel approaches to develop it into a target for therapies.
During pregnancy, distinct pools of stem cells in the adult brain are activated, giving rise to specific types of olfactory bulb neurons that enable mothers to recognize their own pups. These new neurons are temporarily formed and disappear after birth, highlighting the brain's ability to adapt to specific needs.
Researchers developed a GRAB sensor toolkit for detecting several neuropeptides, including SST, CRF, CCK, NPY, NTS, and VIP. The sensors are highly sensitive and can detect specific neuropeptide release with high spatiotemporal resolution.
Elea Abisamra's STEM writing program at Virginia Tech has been recognized by the journal Cell for its innovative approach to teaching science through storytelling. The program has already helped 95 kids publish books with over 150 tutors as editors, and plans to expand globally.
Two parallel projects publish detailed cell atlases of the adult human brain and brain development, revealing over 3,000 cell types, including new insights into brain diseases and potential therapeutic targets. The freely available brain atlases will enable researchers to compare healthy brains with diseased ones.
A new resource has been developed to characterize over 3,000 human brain cell types, revealing features that distinguish humans from other primates. This atlas will aid in pinpointing cellular roots of neurological diseases and offer a deeper understanding of the human species.
A massive research consortium has created the largest human brain cell atlases to date, revealing over 3,000 different kinds of brain cells. This breakthrough study provides new insights into the cellular organization of the human brain and its modular, functional nature.
Researchers assembled an atlas of hundreds of cell types that make up a human brain in unprecedented detail. The study uses techniques originally developed for mice to identify brain cell subtypes in human brains.
Studies suggest that humans process small and large numbers differently, with smaller numbers detected more quickly and accurately. Neurons in the brain fire at different rates for specific numbers, with errors increasing as numbers grow larger.
Researchers at Columbia University found that when courtship is involved, dopamine-based error signals are suppressed and replaced by reward signals for performing well. This suggests a socially driven shift in the brain's self-evaluation system during courtship, potentially applicable to learning other behaviors.
Researchers have discovered a peptide that stabilizes the normal structure of alpha-synuclein protein, preventing misfolding and toxic clumps. This breakthrough could lead to new therapeutic developments for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.
A single neuron in C. elegans worm uses multiple neurotransmitters to control egg-laying and locomotion, demonstrating the ability to 'borrow' serotonin from other neurons. The study reveals how a single neuron can influence complex behaviors over multiple timescales.
Researchers uncover clues about how chemicals released by brain cells regulate our attention span, finding that two neurotransmitters work together in a precise sequence to regulate signal transmission. This discovery could lead to new treatments for neurological conditions associated with concentration difficulties.
Researchers found that individual neurons can stochastically mix and match up to eight different editions of the Complexin 7A protein, leading to varying levels of glutamate release. This variation may endow each neuron with fine degrees of communication control, allowing for robust tuning of multiple features of neuronal output.
A new study led by Dr. Armen Saghatelyan uncovered the migratory mechanisms of neuronal cells in a neurodevelopmental disorder. The team found that modulating autophagy with FDA-approved drug metformin restored the cells' migratory properties.
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.
A team of scientists has developed a rigorous accounting of the neurons in the tiny brain of a humble C. elegans worm, mapping out how its brain cells encode essential behaviors such as movement and feeding. The atlas reveals the underlying logic of how the worm's brain produces a sophisticated repertoire of behaviors, even as environm...
A recent study found that activating astrocytes in the basal forebrain can keep mice awake for hours without affecting their sleep need or intensity. The researchers hope to develop interventions targeting these cells to improve productivity and health of shift workers and others who work long hours.
A Penn State-led research team discovered that somatostatin signaling acts to dampen communication among cell types in the prefrontal cortex, promoting exploratory and risk-taking-like behavior. The findings suggest that somatostatin fine-tunes circuits to promote certain behaviors, including decision making.
Researchers used a mathematical theory called the free energy principle to predict how real neural networks learn and organize themselves. The study successfully mimicked this process in rat embryo neurons grown in a culture dish, demonstrating the principle's guiding force behind biological neural network learning.
Researchers at MPFI discovered Protein Kinase C delta's (PKCd) role in regulating cell-wide gene expression through synaptic plasticity. The study found that PKCd activates biochemical reactions that spread throughout the neuron, influencing gene transcription and memory formation.
A University of Ottawa study reveals that a diverse brain's ecosystem is key to maintaining normal function while responding to changes. This concept is inspired by Charles Darwin's idea that biodiversity is crucial for survival, suggesting cell-to-cell diversity helps prevent failures in brain circuits.
Researchers discovered a novel peptide, T14, that is detectable in human keratinocytes and inversely related to age, with higher levels found in chronically photosensitive individuals. The study suggests that monitoring T14 levels may offer insights into the link between degenerative diseases and epidermal cell profiles.
Researchers at TUM developed a new approach to measure human brain activity using microelectrodes and awake brain surgery. They found individual neurons specialize in handling specific numbers, providing insights into cognitive functions and developing solutions for brain function disorders.
University of Queensland researchers used a video game algorithm to study the behavior of molecules within live brain cells. The algorithm, originally designed for tracking bullets in combat games, was adapted to analyze the movement and clustering of tiny molecules within brain cells.
Scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center discovered a link between Alzheimer's disease and hearing loss in mice, finding that plaque location in the brain may contribute to hearing decline. The study suggests that tracking disease progression through amyloid PET imaging could be a potential biomarker for hearing loss.
LSU Health New Orleans researchers found that a combination therapy using Neuroprotectin D1 and Resolvin D1 boosted brain cell survival, growth, and stability. The therapy showed promising results in reducing lesion volume and improving neurological function in acute ischemic stroke models.
A unique microcircuit in fruit flies' visual system transforms a single type of neuronal input to compute direction selectivity, with no inhibitory neurons present. The discovery reveals a striking example of the multilayered mechanisms of inhibition and excitation in the brain.
Researchers from Cima University of Navarra have found that inhaling menthol improves cognitive ability in animal models of Alzheimer's disease by modulating the immune system and reducing interleukin-1-beta levels. This study opens doors to developing therapies based on stimulating and training the olfactory system.
Strokes can be largely prevented through education and lifestyle changes, such as moving more, healthy eating, and managing blood pressure. The American Stroke Association is launching a digital tool to educate people on stroke warning signs and risk factors, particularly for diverse populations.
New research shows that rhythmic brain activity helps organize transient bursts of activity in the brain to maintain short-term connections. Brain rhythms coordinate overlapping populations of neurons to store different pieces of information at the same time.
Researchers have discovered that the amygdala uses specialized neurons to learn about threats and rewards, a finding that could lead to more effective treatments for anxiety and drug addiction. By studying how these neurons respond differently to various stimuli, scientists have gained insights into the brain's reward system.
Research suggests astrocytes integrate external sensory inputs with internal states to modify calcium signaling towards neurons. This process could be crucial for behavioral responses and memory formation.
Researchers have identified a common amino acid, glycine, as a potential trigger for major depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. The discovery improves understanding of the biological causes of major depression and could accelerate efforts to develop new medications.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have discovered that the orientation of a single amino acid in peptides can direct activation to specific neurons, influencing communication among brain cells. This finding has far-reaching implications for understanding and regulating signaling processes in the brain.
A team of researchers has created the first-ever insect whole-brain connectome for a Drosophila larva, mapping 3016 neurons and 548,000 synapses. The detailed analysis reveals extensive multisensory integration and cross-hemisphere interaction, with some neural structures resembling those found in machine learning networks.
The Center for C. elegans Anatomy is receiving $2.6 million in funding from the NIH to expand WormAtlas, a resource for researchers studying C. elegans and other nematodes. The expansion aims to incorporate new nematode species into the atlas, enabling comparisons between C. elegans and less-studied species.
A study found that gestational iron deficiency may contribute to cognitive impairments like autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities. Researchers identified a specific embryonic neuronal progenitor cell target for GID, which disrupts interneuron development.
Researchers have identified a key cause of metastasis from aggressive brain cancer in children and found a potential new therapy. Medulloblastoma cells hijack neurodevelopmental signaling pathways to promote tumor cell spreading. Targeting these pathways with a drug called dasatinib has shown promise in killing metastatic tumors.
A study found that RNA methylation plays a pivotal role in TDP-43-related neurodegeneration in ALS. The researchers observed highly abundant RNA methylation in the end-stage tissues of patients with ALS. This discovery opens up new avenues for research into the disease, which is linked to environmental exposure.
Researchers have discovered volatile compounds in tsetse flies that control mating behavior and potentially aid disease management. The findings may lead to the development of new tools to combat trypanosomiasis, a life-threatening illness transmitted by these insects.
Scientists identify ERBB2 pathway as key to promoting regeneration of cochlear hair cells, a crucial step towards treating hearing loss. The study's findings offer new hope for restoring auditory function after damage in mammals.
Researchers identify 'thermal cortex' in posterior insular cortex of mice brains, finding specific cold-responding neurons for warmth and vice versa. The discovery sheds light on temperature perception and may help understand complex surface structures and brain diseases.
Researchers at the University of Queensland discovered two distinct processes in the human brain when exposed to prolonged or repeated sensory inputs. These findings could provide clues for understanding and treating sensory brain disorders.
Researchers found that abnormal methylation processes lead to disruption of gene expression essential for brain development in people with Williams syndrome. The study suggests targeting treatments to correct these disruptions.
Researchers found that excessive mechanosensation in sensory neurons can disrupt musculoskeletal development, causing joint deformities like arthrogryposis. Reducing heightened sensory neuronal activity through Botox or a special diet during critical age may be a viable treatment for some musculoskeletal conditions.
Researchers discovered that distinct layer-specific neuronal circuits in the primary motor cortex modulate both sensory and emotional components of chronic pain in mice. Activation of specific pathways suppressed sensory hypersensitivity to pain and reduced negative emotional and behavioral components.
Neuroscientists have uncovered a brain circuit that enables mice to rapidly escape to shelter when faced with a threat. The retrosplenial cortex and superior colliculus form a circuit that encodes the direction to a shelter, allowing mice to accurately orient and escape.
UCSF researchers identified glioma's cellular source of recurrent disease, finding cells shift to mesenchymal, radiation-resistant phenotype in response to standard therapy. Paracrine signals from tumor microenvironment drive this transition through AP1 pathway, leading to therapy resistance and tumor recurrence.
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.
Researchers developed a novel optical technique to directly monitor cerebral oxygen consumption and blood flow in real-time. The technique uses phosphorescent probes to track the brain's oxygen gradient, providing valuable insights into brain activity and metabolism.
Researchers discovered that krill oil protects dopaminergic neurons from age-related degeneration through temporal transcriptome rewiring and suppression of several hallmarks of aging. Krill oil increases neuronal resilience, promoting anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation, and abrogating multiple aging hallmarks.