Articles tagged with Cultured Neurons
Researchers found that inhibiting LETM1, a protein regulating mitochondrial calcium, can significantly improve performance in tasks requiring long-term memory. This approach enhances metabolic stimulation and leads to overproduction of ATP, prolonging energy production beyond normal brain activity.
Researchers created a computational method to track brain cell development over time, capturing unlabeled cells and fine structures in live cultures. The algorithm achieved high precision rates for detecting individual neurons, paving the way for studying neurological diseases and developing therapies.
Harvard researchers have developed a silicon chip capable of recording small yet telltale synaptic signals from a large number of neurons. The chip has successfully mapped over 70,000 synaptic connections from approximately 2,000 rat neurons.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed lab-grown neurons that form complex networks resembling animal nervous systems. These networks exhibit diverse neuronal ensembles and can be reconfigured through repetitive stimulation, mimicking neural plasticity.
Researchers discovered that NMDA receptors set the baseline level for neural network activity, helping maintain stable brain function. The study's findings suggest potential innovative treatments for diseases linked to disrupted neural stability.
Researchers at The University of Tokyo successfully connected lab-grown brain-mimicking tissue using axonal bundles, mimicking natural brain connections. This breakthrough enables the study of complex brain networks and their role in various neurological and psychiatric conditions.
Researchers developed a new open-source system to interface with living neurons, offering enhanced control and precision in measuring neural processes. The system boasts over 500 electrodes, allowing for more data collection and customization, while being 10 times cheaper than commercial systems.
Researchers at University of California - San Francisco have developed a precise map of what is happening in the brain’s auditory cortex when someone hears a melody. The study found that some aspects of music are entwined with how we understand speech, while other important aspects stand alone. The brain uses two sets of neurons to ass...
Neuronal activity stimulates gene expression in human brain cells by influencing transcription factors and chromatin modifiers, particularly CREB and CBP. The interaction between CREB and DNA requires prior acetylation mediated by CBP to activate gene expression.
Scientists have created a self-organizing neuromuscular junction model from human pluripotent stem cells to study complex neuromuscular diseases. The 2D and 3D cultures mimic the physiological situation, allowing researchers to perform high-throughput drug screening for novel treatments.
New experiments by Bar-Ilan University researchers suggest dendritic trees, not neuronal somas, are responsible for many brain features. This reevaluation could impact research on degenerative diseases and the origin of sleep and awake states.
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 Gladstone Institutes have made a groundbreaking discovery about how neurons consume and metabolize glucose, a process crucial for maintaining normal energy levels. The study found that neurons rely on glycolysis to break down glucose, and its disruption can lead to severe learning and memory problems in mice.
Researchers have created highly mature human neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells using 'dancing molecules.' These mature neurons demonstrate enhanced signaling capabilities and branching ability, making them suitable for studying neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and Alzheimer's. The breakthrough technique opens new opportuni...
A Brazilian study reveals that SARS-CoV-2 targets astrocytes in the brain, reducing neuron viability and causing damage. Infection was confirmed using MRI scans of mild COVID-19 patients and experiments on human nerve cells.
Neuronal silencing periods enable efficient temporal sequence identification, allowing the brain to remember phone numbers and PINs. A new AI mechanism utilizing this mechanism also protects against stolen cards by recognizing personal handwriting style and timing.
Researchers from Bar-Ilan University discovered that brain learning occurs mainly in dendritic trees, where the trunk and branches modify their strength. This finding paves the way for a new type of AI hardware and algorithms with comparable success rates to existing parallel GPUs.
Researchers at University of Bonn identified a key enzyme, RIM1, that maintains synaptic homeostasis and prevents excessive brain activity. The discovery has implications for understanding diseases such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, and autism.
New experiments challenge conventional wisdom on neuronal refractory periods, discovering durations exceeding 20 milliseconds and sensitivity to input signal origin. These findings may hold the key to understanding degenerative diseases and advancing artificial intelligence-based applications.
Researchers found that quercetin and dihydroxybezoic acid from apples stimulate neurogenesis, generating new neurons and protecting against cell death. The effects on learning and memory are comparable to those seen after physical exercise.
A new study reveals that genetic variations associated with Parkinson's disease alter the action of ion channels within lysosomes, a cellular organelle responsible for waste removal and recycling. These variations increase or decrease disease risk by influencing the function of an ion channel in cells' recycling centers.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine show that gene editing with CRISPR-Cas9 can restore function in an animal model of Angelman syndrome. The therapy was effective in restoring the UBE3A enzyme in human neurons and treating deficits in an animal model, offering a long-lasting treatment or cure for this debilitating disease.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have identified a complex gene program that regulates brain changes in response to cocaine. By using single-nucleus RNA sequencing approaches, they found that only a small fraction of neurons in the nucleus accumbens were transcriptionally responsive to cocaine administration.
A study found that replenishing the SV2 protein can restore synaptic function and prevent cells from dying in a genetic form of ALS. This suggests that SV2 is a promising therapeutic target for slowing disease progression and prolonging muscle strength.
An international team developed artificial neurons that can precisely target specific brain cells using optogenetics and light patterns. This technology has the potential to replace damaged brain circuits and restore communication between brain regions.
Researchers have discovered a potential treatment for synaptotagmin-1-associated neurodevelopmental disorder, a rare condition affecting neurotransmitter release. By analyzing mutated proteins and their effects on neuron communication, the team identified a familiar drug, 4-AP, as a possible therapeutic option to alleviate symptoms.
Researchers successfully rebuilt bridge between experimental neuroscience and artificial intelligence learning algorithms by demonstrating a new accelerated brain-inspired learning mechanism. This mechanism outperformed commonly-used machine learning algorithms in handwritten digit recognition tasks with small datasets.
Scientists developed a new screening platform that identified a set of drug-like compounds, including an ingredient in sore throat lozenges, capable of protecting brain cells' mitochondria from damage. The findings provide hope for developing new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS.
Research in mouse neurons reveals that misfolded tau protein can quickly spread between neurons without being immediately harmful. Early therapeutic intervention targeting the initial accumulation of tau may halt Alzheimer's disease progression.
Researchers have identified ceramides, a type of lipid, as key contributors to neuronal damage in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The study found that exposure to cerebrospinal fluid from progressive MS patients caused mitochondrial dysfunction and increased energy demand, leading to neuronal demise.
Researchers identified two proteins in young mouse blood that enhance neuronal connectivity and synaptic function in human neurons. These findings suggest that young blood contains multiple synapse-promoting factors that could contribute to cognitive aging and decline.
Scientists have discovered new messenger molecules, miR-494-3p, that regulate genes involved in maintaining neuron health. The study found that introducing this micro-RNA into astrocyte-motor neuron cultures significantly improved neuron survival rates, potentially leading to new therapies for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
A study suggests defective astrocytes contribute to α-synuclein accumulation, leading to neuronal degeneration. Researchers discovered that healthy astrocytes can prevent α-synuclein buildup and restore neuronal function when cultured with Parkinson's disease neurons.
New study reveals that protein molecules in brain cells are broken down and replaced at different rates, depending on their location. The study found that proteins near the surface of the cell have shorter lifespans, while those involved in energy metabolism have longer lifespans.
Researchers aim to enhance neuron protection in glaucoma patients by activating the sigma 1 receptor, potentially increasing long-term protection. The S1R agonists have shown promising results in protecting retinal ganglion cells and may offer a new treatment strategy for glaucoma.
Researchers at Bar-Ilan University demonstrate that each neuron functions as a collection of excitable elements, where inputs from different directions are processed differently. This new understanding could impact research into the origin of degenerative diseases and challenges traditional spike sorting techniques.
A new microscope, Firefly, has been developed to study brain activity and neurological disorders. With a 6-millimeter-diameter field of view, the microscope can image neural circuits containing hundreds of cells, allowing for the observation of electrical pulses traveling between neurons.
Salk Institute scientists discovered that astrocytes induce communication between pairs of neurons early in development through glypican 4. The protein increases receptors on postsynaptic neurons, enabling active connections. This breakthrough offers a promising therapeutic target for neurological disorders.
A team of researchers has developed methods to observe and quantify misfolded proteins associated with Parkinson's disease entering neurons. They found that fibrils were actively engulfed by the cell membrane and transported to lysosomes, where most remained for days.
Researchers will combine findings from cellular level studies with results of helmet testing to develop a new standard for assessing head protection and create a prototype helmet that meets this standard
Researchers at The Ohio State University have discovered that blows to the head can cause small swellings along the length of neuronal axons. This finding provides novel mechanistic insights into the initial stage of a new type of neuronal plasticity in health and disease.
A study reveals that parasitic infections, particularly with Onchocerca volvulus, may trigger the onset of Nodding Syndrome by triggering an inappropriate immune response against brain cells. This could lead to devastating epilepsy in children, with no clear cause or remedy yet discovered.
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania has successfully grown live adult human neurons in a cell culture, identifying five known brain cell types. The findings hold promise for personalized approaches to understanding and treating brain disorders, such as epilepsy.
A team of Vanderbilt scientists has developed a bioluminescent sensor that causes brain cells to glow in the dark, enabling researchers to track the interactions within large neural networks. The new technique uses calcium ions to detect neuron activity, offering a powerful tool for studying brain function.
Scientists have identified a mechanism that alters neural excitability, a key factor in diseases such as epilepsy, depression, and drug addiction. The discovery provides insight into these conditions and may offer a potential therapeutic target.
Scientists have created a tiny, soft, and wirelessly functional biomaterial that can be injected into the body to stimulate nerve cells and manipulate muscle behavior. The material degrades naturally after a few months, eliminating the need for surgery.
A new neuronal culture system has been developed to study the early stages of prion neurotoxicity, specifically targeting dendritic spines. The research found that prions cause rapid and dramatic changes in spine density, leading to reduced neuron function before actual death.
Researchers at RIKEN Brain Science Institute have demonstrated that astrocytes regulate changes in synaptic strength, which is crucial for learning and memory. By examining cultured cells and brain slices, they found that astrocyte activity helps maintain normal variation of synaptic strengths.
Researchers have successfully generated aged neurons using stem cell technology, allowing for the study of age-related changes in the brain. The newly created neurons exhibit defects in protein transport and gene expression patterns similar to those found in older brains.
Researchers at LCSB have successfully grown dopaminergic neurons in a three-dimensional cell culture system. The system models the natural conditions of the brain and is significantly cheaper than existing methods, allowing for the automation of drug testing.
Researchers at OIST developed a method to recreate connections between neurons from two different brain areas in a dish, allowing for the study of brain function and potential treatments for neurological disorders. The breakthrough used neurons from embryos of mice and created a working corticostriatal network.
Researchers created the first 3D neuronal culture with functioning neurons and astrocytes, using a sponge-like elastomeric scaffold. The technique allowed for direct comparison between 2D and 3D cultures, showing that 3D cultures have improved functional complexity and organization.
Researchers at UC San Diego have identified a gene variant in the SORL1 gene that may be used to predict people most likely to respond to an investigational therapy for Alzheimer's disease. The study found that variants of the gene confer some protection from AD and are associated with reduced beta amyloid peptide production in neurons.
Researchers created a microtube platform to study neuron growth and repair, providing insights into treatments for degenerative neurological conditions. The microtubes accelerate nerve cell growth up to 20 times faster than across gaps.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience found that digoxin, a medication used to treat heart failure, may have a strong effect on treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by blocking an enzyme that destroys nerve cells. The research suggests that reducing the activity of this enzyme or limiting its production can prevent th...
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have identified a protein called urokinase-type plasminogen activator or uPA that helps brain cells recover from injuries induced by loss of blood flow. The study found that treating mice with uPA after an experimental stroke can improve their recovery of motor function.
Researchers distinguish different types of beta-amyloid aggregates and find that those with 20 to 100 units are most toxic, leading to neuronal death. The study provides evidence for the hypothesis that intermediate aggregates cause neuronal death.
Researchers found brief exposure to a commonly used anesthetic reduced dendritic spine numbers and shape in rat brain cells, but this effect was reversible within weeks. The study provides insight into the potential risks of general anesthesia on developing brains and suggests that some cognitive effects may be slowly reversible.
Research by Yi Dai and team found that allyl isothiocyanate activates transient receptor potential channel A1, leading to calcitonin gene-related peptide release in sensory neurons. Knockdown of this channel prevents calcitonin gene-related peptide release, supporting the role of transient receptor potential channel A1 in hyperalgesia.
Researchers found that potassium current density increased sharply after 2 weeks of neural stem cell differentiation, indicating functional neurons. Neural stem cells from newborn rat hippocampus can be cultured and induced to differentiate into mature neurons in vitro.