Articles tagged with Cellular Neuroscience
Researchers have developed two new mouse models to study schizophrenia and found that restoring ErbB4 receptors alleviates symptoms regardless of brain development. The study suggests a therapeutic approach focused on improving brain cell signaling associated with the ErbB4 receptor.
A recent study by Baycrest researchers found that individuals with mild cognitive impairment and primary progressive aphasia exhibited sluggish brainwaves and subtle signs of damage in memory and planning regions. These slowing brainwaves predicted the severity of their condition, such as degree of memory loss.
The Alzheimer's Association has awarded six international researchers with $1 million each over two years to explore innovative treatments for early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The goal is to discover effective drugs that can rejuvenate brain cells and slow or halt the progression of the disease.
The New York Stem Cell Foundation has selected six promising researchers for its 2018 class of NYSCF-Robertson Investigators. These scientists will receive $1.5 million in funding to pursue high-risk, high-reward research projects in stem cell biology and neuroscience.
Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 to pinpoint epigenetic signals driving cocaine addiction and shed light on rare genetic disorders. They also developed a cellular disease model to probe the neurobiological causes of schizophrenia and identified changes in neural stem cells caused by Zika virus.
Research suggests that chronic inflammation in mid-life may be an early contributor to brain cell loss and memory decline associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study found people with elevated inflammation biomarkers had smaller brain volumes and lower scores on a memory test compared to those without elevated markers.
Research suggests that amyloid-beta, a toxic protein, can travel to the brain from other parts of the body, contributing to Alzheimer's disease. This discovery offers hope for new drug therapies that target the kidneys or liver to prevent the protein from reaching the brain.
Researchers found that oxidative stress produces microfractures in amniotic membranes, increasing the risk of early water breakage and preterm birth. The study used specialized microscopic techniques to detect these fractures in donated amniotic membranes.
Researchers at UTMB discovered that the protein Slit is required for maintaining interconnecting pathways in the nervous system. Slit-Robo signaling controls this process, and Mummy enzyme modifies Slit to regulate Robo distribution.
Scientists used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to reverse Huntington's disease pathology and motor symptoms in a mouse model. The treatment delivered enzymes to brain cells, reducing toxic protein aggregates and improving motor abilities.
Researchers found a genetic alteration in the DIXDC1 gene that affects brain cell growth and communication in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. This discovery holds promise for identifying new medications targeting core symptoms of autism.
Researchers have made patients' stem cells available for worldwide study to better understand bipolar disorder, a serious mental illness with extreme mood swings. The shared stem cells can be turned into brain cells in the lab, enabling scientists to study how the disease affects brain cells and potentially lead to new treatments.
A study published in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience found that a high-fat diet, particularly one rich in saturated fats like lard, can impair cognitive function and lead to increased hunger. In contrast, consuming fish oil has been shown to support brain health and regulate appetite.
Research at University of Plymouth investigates potential therapy for dementia with Lewy bodies, a condition caused by alpha-synuclein protein deposits in nerve cells. The project aims to understand mitochondrial damage and its impact on DLB, potentially leading to new treatments.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has named 22 exceptional early-career scientists as Pew scholars in the biomedical sciences. These researchers will receive flexible funding to pursue innovative research, joining a community of scientists dedicated to collaboration and mentorship.
A new study by Binghamton University provides a unifying model for genetic disorders, revealing how subtle mutations of the LMNA gene disrupt cell commitment processes. This leads to confusion among cells, causing different organs to malfunction, resulting in various conditions like heart problems and premature aging.
Research suggests that a pure maple syrup extract may help prevent the misfolding and clumping of brain proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease. The extract also showed neuroprotective effects in rodent microglial brain cells, potentially benefiting neurological health.
Scientists uncover network of genes controlling puberty onset, discovering repressors that delay puberty. The study may help develop new treatments for precocious puberty and understand the impact of environmental factors on early puberty onset.
Joshua Levitz, PhD, received the Nemko Prize for his innovative approach to studying G protein-coupled receptors. His method will impact brain circuitry research and our understanding of receptor signaling.
A study investigated the link between brain cell dysfunction and poor insight in psychotic patients, finding a correlation between reduced NAA levels and impaired awareness of illness. The research may help develop new treatment options for improving insight and patient outcomes.
A new blood test can predict the severity of traumatic brain injuries and identify patients who may benefit from extra therapy. The test measures brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the blood, which can help doctors advise patients on treatment and monitor their recovery.
Researchers discovered that rorqual whale nerves can double in length without damage, supporting their extreme lunge feeding mechanism. This discovery highlights the importance of flexible nervous systems in accommodating body deformation.
The New York Stem Cell Foundation has awarded $9 million to six promising scientists, including three stem cell researchers and three neuroscience researchers. The awards will enable them to expand their laboratories and train other scientists.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has awarded 22 young scientists with funding to investigate pressing health problems through the Pew Biomedical Scholars program. This initiative supports top U.S. researchers at the assistant professor level, providing flexible funding for four years to seed innovation in their independent research careers.
Researchers have developed a new treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy that suppresses seizures 'on demand' with a pill, similar to painkillers. The treatment uses genetic modification of brain cells to make them sensitive to a normally inactive compound, avoiding side effects and permanent brain alterations.
Scientists at the University of Colorado School of Medicine have identified solitary chemosensory cells as potential causes of non-allergic rhinitis. These cells detect irritants and trigger an inflammatory response, leading to symptoms such as a runny nose and difficulty breathing.
A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that acupuncture at Baihui and Dazhui points can prevent brain cell apoptosis in heroin-addicted rats. This effect is similar to that of methadone, a commonly used drug for treating addiction.
Researchers at the University of Dundee have identified a critical chemical messenger that protects brain cells against Parkinson's disease. The discovery of phospho-ubiquitin suggests it may be possible to develop drugs to switch on Parkin enzyme by mimicking this molecule, offering new avenues for treatment.
A new UBC study identifies a molecular change in the brain that occurs when we learn and remember. This biochemical modification is essential for producing changes in brain cell connectivity associated with learning and memory formation.
A recent study by McGill University researchers discovered a direct link between brain metabolism and signaling, which may explain why seizures in some epilepsy patients can be controlled with a specially formulated diet. The research also found that the mitochondria of brain cells play a crucial role in energy production and signaling.
Scientists have discovered a natural protective response in brain cells that can minimize the production of diseased prion proteins, potentially helping to prevent or delay neurological diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The study also found that this mechanism may be relevant to other neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Researchers will investigate how acetylcholine affects brain cell activity and communication within networks to refine the development of therapeutic cholinergic agents. The goal is to improve treatment efficacy for dementia and related cognitive disorders.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that the gene SRPX2 is necessary for vocalizations and synapse formation in mice. The study adds to scientific understanding of how language develops and how synapses are formed.
Researchers have discovered that epileptic seizures in temporal-lobe epilepsy patients can propagate through anatomically and functionally connected brain networks. The study found reduced gray-matter concentrations in certain brain regions, which correlated with changes in functional connectivity and communication between brain areas.
A recent NIH-funded study found that using advanced imaging shortly after an acute ischemic stroke did not identify a subgroup of patients who could benefit from clot removal procedures. The study, MR RESCUE, tested an invasive clot removal strategy in patients with large clots blocking major brain arteries.
Scientists at the University of Bonn have identified a new signaling pathway involved in chronic inflammation, which contributes to nerve cell malfunctions and death. By deactivating key genes, they observed reduced inflammation, memory loss, and beta-amyloid peptide deposition in genetically modified mice.
The New York Stem Cell Foundation has announced funding of $9 million to six new investigators conducting innovative stem cell and neuroscience research. The award will support these researchers as they establish their own laboratories and expand their work.
A special issue of Cell Transplantation features studies on clinical translational medicine for successful neurorestoration in human patients with various neurological conditions. The field of neurorestoratology aims to optimize regimes and develop treatment guidelines through the integration of current methods.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered the genetic cause of double-cortex syndrome, a form of epilepsy that affects primarily females. The study found that disease-causing mutations disrupt teamwork between proteins necessary for brain cell skeleton construction, leading to malformation and seizures.
The Pew Scholars Program identifies and invests in talented researchers, enabling them to pursue innovative research and take calculated risks. This year's class of scholars is exploring various human health issues.
A Duke University study found that videogamers are not better at multitasking while driving than non-gamers, contrary to popular belief. The researchers measured the performance of 60 undergraduate students on visual tasks and had them answer Trivial Pursuit questions over a speakerphone while driving.
A $1.5 million gift from Motorola Solutions will create the Gregory Q. Brown Endowed Chair at Rutgers University's Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience. The gift aims to find treatments for stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia, as a tribute to Brown's mother, who suffers from dementia.
Researchers discovered a mutated version of human APP, which causes rapid death of olfactory nerve cells. The study suggests that reducing APP production may prevent or reverse cell death and dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Blocking a transport pathway through brain cells offers new prospects for preventing Alzheimer's disease development. Researchers discovered that the amyloid beta precursor protein and beta secretase enzyme follow different paths, leading to the formation of amyloid plaques.
The 2011 Pew Scholars will advance research leading to medical breakthroughs and treatments, covering human diseases like Alzheimer's and diabetes. The program, investing over $125 million, recognizes early-career scientists with innovative ideas.
Researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses Center have successfully maintained human taste cells in culture for seven months, providing a valuable tool for understanding the sense of taste. The breakthrough enables scientists to test drugs to promote recovery from taste loss due to infection, radiation, or chemotherapy.
Research found that a high-fat cholesterol diet in rats caused memory impairment, inflammation, and brain damage similar to Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests a possible link between chronic high cholesterol levels and the pathology of this disease.
University of Oklahoma researchers have developed a new method for understanding brain function in humans, leveraging advances in genetic techniques to manipulate small subsets of brain cells. This breakthrough has significant implications for studies of human neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at UC Irvine discovered that stimulating a single whisker can prevent strokes in rats by quickly expanding alternate arteries. The technique was 100% effective in preventing strokes when applied within two hours of blockage.
A recent study published in Neurology found that individuals with larger heads who have Alzheimer's disease tend to exhibit better memory and cognitive skills. The research suggests that brain reserve, or the individual capacity to withstand changes in the brain, plays a crucial role in protecting against Alzheimer's symptoms.
In a three-year study, UCLA scientists found that networks of brain cells in culture can learn to generate simple timed intervals after being stimulated with patterns. The research provides new insights into how the brain tells time and enhances understanding of its workings.
Scientists at Northwestern University found that tiny blood vessels in the brain have a unique method of clearing debris by growing a membrane that envelopes the obstruction and then shoves it out. This process is slower in an aging brain, resulting in more capillary death and potentially contributing to age-related cognitive decline.
Researchers found that rapamycin blocks brain changes believed to cause seizures in rats and reduces spontaneous seizures in mice with a genetic condition. The drug may also help prevent common forms of epilepsy caused by brain injury, offering new hope for patients.
Rutgers University has received a $3.2 million grant from the NSF to equip experts in fields such as cell and molecular biology, computational modeling and biomaterials to move stem-cell breakthroughs from the biology lab into practical therapies. The program will also support training for underrepresented minorities and enhance divers...
Researchers at VIB have identified a molecular link between Alzheimer's disease and the formation of amyloid plaques in the brain. The study suggests that microRNAs may play a role in increasing BACE1 protein, a key component of plaques.
Researchers have created 3D images of fruit fly brains using optical projection tomography, shedding light on genetic research into Alzheimer's and other human diseases. The images allow scientists to visualize gene expression patterns and gain insights into the human brain.
Dr. John H. Morrison has received a $5 million MERIT Award to support his research on brain cell adaptability and its impact on age-related cognitive decline. This recognition highlights the strength of Mount Sinai faculty during a challenging time for researchers.
Researchers have found that proteins essential for brain growth during development are equally important for forming long-term memories. Growth factors like BDNF play a critical role in retaining long-term memory by binding to specific receptors in the brain, and their absence can block this process.
Frontotemporal dementia is caused by defects in chromosome 17, specifically in the progranulin protein. Genetic analyses identified a shortage of progranulin in FTDU families, leading to brain cell death. This discovery offers new diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities for FTD and other brain diseases.
A new study has found a significant link between lead exposure and long-term brain cell loss and damage. Researchers measured the brains of former employees exposed to lead in their workplaces, finding those with higher levels had smaller brain volumes and more damage.