Articles tagged with Cultured Neurons
Researchers have identified a molecule that promotes nerve regeneration in the sea lamprey, an eel-like fish. The discovery may guide future efforts to promote recovery in humans who have suffered spinal cord injuries. Cyclic AMP acts as an 'on' switch to convert non-growing neurons into growing ones.
Researchers at Salk Institute discovered a patchwork of genetic variation in individual brain neurons, contrary to the long-held belief that each cell possesses identical DNA code. The study found that up to 41% of neurons have unique, massive copy number variations (CNVs) that arose spontaneously.
Researchers have identified a novel Parkinson's disease drug target and a compound capable of repairing neurons derived from human stem cells. Using a discovery platform combining yeast cells with human stem cells, scientists found that the compound reversed alpha-synuclein toxicity in yeast cells and partially rescued neurons in anima...
New research shows glial cells and neurons work together to protect the brain from oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and other dangers. The study reveals a precise calibration system between neurons and astrocytes that ensures protective measures are only taken when needed.
Researchers have identified a potential new therapy for eczema by blocking sensory nerves' itch receptors, which may prevent severe consequences like asthma and allergies. The treatment targets the immune system's role in reacting to chemicals that cause itching and inflammation.
A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that hydrolyzed collagen is suitable for nerve cell culture due to its ability to facilitate cell survival and neurite outgrowth. Non-hydrolyzed collagen matrices had no obvious effects on these processes, making hydrolyzed collagen a promising tool for neural tissue engineering.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute in Göttingen have discovered a molecular mechanism that turns neurons into true masters of adaptation. This process, known as short-term plasticity, is crucial for brain functions such as sound localization and mental maths.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum have discovered that vitamin P can protect motor neurons from dying off in culture. Unlike BDNF, which has limited effectiveness and potential negative consequences, vitamin P triggers a different signaling pathway to promote survival of isolated motor neurons.
Researchers discover that neuronal activity induces tau release from healthy neurons, suggesting a physiological process that can be regulated by neural activity. The study suggests that altered tau release may occur in response to changes in neuronal excitability in the Alzheimer's brain.
A study by Brown University researchers found that the protein apoE4 is surprisingly useful in promoting neuron growth, even though it's associated with Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest a better method for growing neurons outside the body, which could be used to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers discovered that Alzheimer's disease is caused by faulty cell cycle control in neurons, triggered by the combination of amyloid-beta and tau proteins. In normal cells, these proteins do not induce cell cycle re-entry, but in AD neurons, they do, leading to cell death.
Researchers at Duke University discovered that carbon nanotubes can accelerate the growth of neuronal cells and lower nerve-damaging chloride levels. This finding has potential applications in developing new neural engineering devices using carbon nanotubes to treat neural injuries.
Scientists have identified a new stem cell population that gives rise to neurons in the upper layers of the cerebral cortex, which are responsible for higher thinking. This finding paves the way for developing better treatments for cognitive disorders such as schizophrenia and autism by producing these neurons in culture.
Researchers have discovered that tPA can protect brain cells from oxygen and glucose loss after a stroke, even when its clot-dissolving powers are removed. A modified version of tPA could provide benefits to patients without increasing the risk of bleeding.
Researchers found that urate protects cultured brain cells against Parkinson-like damage by involving astrocytes. The study suggests multiple ways to raise urate levels to protect against neurodegeneration in diseases like Parkinson's.
University of Alabama researchers have identified the neuro-protective capability of the VPS41 gene in both animal models and human neurons, providing a potential step toward developing a new drug treatment for Parkinson's disease. The study found that specific changes in human DNA may impact how VPS41 functions.
A devastating neurodegenerative disease called Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) has been linked to defective mitochondria in neurons. The research reveals an important common link with other neurodegenerative diseases, offering renewed hope for those affected.
A devastating neurodegenerative disease has been traced to defects in mitochondria, the energy-producing power plants of cells. The study found that mutations causing ARSACS are linked to mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons.
A devastating 'founder effect' genetic disorder has been identified as causing defects in mitochondrial energy production in cerebellar neurons. This leads to the development of a debilitating neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive damage and coordination problems, ultimately resulting in significant disability.
Researchers found a gene mutation causing calcium channels to be defective, leading to impaired neuronal communication and development. The study used induced pluripotent stem cells to grow brain-like spheres from skin cells of patients with Timothy syndrome, which showed abnormalities in calcium levels and gene expression.
New research in the FASEB Journal suggests that nicotine can protect dopamine neurons in the brain from Parkinson's disease. The discovery of how nicotine does this may lead to entirely new types of treatments for the disease.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine successfully converted human skin cells into functional neurons in a period of four to five weeks. Adding a fourth transcription factor called NeuroD proved crucial for the transformation, generating electrical activity and integrating with mouse neurons.
Researchers have discovered two coordinated dance moves performed by skeletons inside neurons during long-term potentiation, a process linked to learning and memory. This finding provides insight into developmental disorders such as Williams syndrome, which affects cognitive strengths and weaknesses.
Scientists have discovered a strategy to prevent Alzheimer's-associated traffic jams in the brain by reducing tau protein levels. By blocking amyloid beta proteins, which disrupt transport of vital cargoes between brain cells, researchers found that tau reduction effectively prevents such traffic jams.
Researchers grew two populations of neurons in microfluidic platforms, forming synaptic connections and enabling manipulation with drugs or neurotransmitters. The system allows for visualization and control of synapse dynamics, shedding light on memory formation and pharmaceutical development.
Recent studies have found a crucial role for calpain in the processes of learning and memory. Calpain is believed to mediate the effects of BDNF, a molecule considered a potential
Researchers found that mislocation of TDP-43 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm causes neurodegeneration associated with ALS and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. The study used a model system to investigate the effects of mutant TDP-43 on neurons.
Astrocytes, previously thought to support neurons, may also contribute to drug addiction through specific proteins. The new research suggests that these cells could serve as potential markers for addiction or targets for therapy
Researchers have discovered a potential new function for anti-epileptic drugs in treating neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The study found that neurons were protected after treatment with T-type calcium-channel blockers, suggesting the possibility of developing new treatments for neuronal injury.
Researchers found that MeCP2-deficient astrocytes stunt neighboring neuron growth but can recover when exposed to normal glia. This discovery supports the use of glial cells as targets for drug development, potentially leading to new treatments for Rett Syndrome and related MECP2 disorders.
Researchers found that male neurons more readily withered up and died under starvation, while female neurons conserved energy and stayed alive. The study revealed sex-dependent effects in brain cells, shedding light on metabolic differences between males and females.
Researchers at the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease discovered that collagen VI protects brain cells against amyloid-beta proteins, which are widely thought to cause Alzheimer's disease. The study found that increased collagen VI expression can effectively protect neurons against Aβ toxicity.
A new drug, ABS-75, has been shown to protect nerve cells from damage in mice with multiple sclerosis. The treatment markedly reduced disease progression and was associated with decreased nerve cell degradation.
Researchers at Penn have engineered living human nerve cells into a network that can be transplanted to repair damaged nerves. The three-dimensional neural network, created through the stretch growth technique, maintained its geometry and function after transplantation.
Researchers developed a method for culturing mammalian neurons in small chambers, extending their lifespan to up to 11 days at low density. The technique, described in the journal Lab on a Chip, uses miniaturization and perfusion methods to increase purity and analyze cellular secretions.
Researchers have developed a method to produce highly pure and functional neurons from human embryonic stem cells, enabling the creation of models for studying neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The new approach allows for the isolation of specific neuronal populations with defined biological properties.
Two NIH-approved embryonic stem cell lines were found to generate distinct types of neurons, differing in synapse formation and neurotransmitter usage. The discovery highlights the influence of culture conditions on human ES cells' developmental properties.
Adult neural stem cells give rise to three major brain cell types, but are specified to produce specific subtypes of neurons. The discovery suggests that creating specific neuron types may require replacing combinations of different neuronal types for effective reestablishment of neural function.
A study published in Neuron reveals that genetic mutations in SHP-2 lead to an imbalance in brain cell development, resulting in mental retardation. The researchers found that the mutation causes neurons to overgrow and inhibits glial cell formation, disrupting neural balance.
Researchers found that mutations in LRRK2 protein stunt neuron growth and branching, leading to dopamine-producing neuron loss and disease progression. The study provides a useful animal model for studying PD and discovering new treatments.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered that memantine and riluzole are the most effective compounds in keeping cells alive under conditions mimicking Huntington's disease. The study provides a systematic comparison of various glutamate pathway inhibitors, indicating memantine holds the most promise for HD treatment.
A research team led by Edwin R. Chapman identified the cellular receptor for botulinum neurotoxin A as SV2, a protein on actively recycling synaptic vesicles. This finding offers new insights into how the toxin shuts down nerve cells with deadly efficiency.
The study found that ischemia triggers NMDA receptors, which activate CaMKII, enhancing ASIC1a's sensitivity to acid. This increased sensitivity causes calcium overload leading to neuronal death. Drugs inhibiting NMDAR or CaMKII prevented this damage.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified ephrin-B3 as a molecule that inhibits the regrowth of spinal nerve cells. The study found that ephrin-B3, which normally helps control nerve fiber growth during embryonic development, is also present in high levels in adult myelin and blocks neuron regeneration.
A robotic microscope system allowed researchers to track changes in individual neurons over time, revealing that formation of inclusion bodies prolongs neuron survival. Neurons with larger gene mutations had a higher cell death rate, but the overall death rate remained constant.
Researchers at Harvard University and Washington University have identified a family of molecules that play a crucial role in generating synapses in the brain. These presynaptic organizing molecules could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, mental retardation, and other conditions where synapse loss is a factor.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology are developing computing systems that mimic human brain function using lab-grown neurons. The team has created a robotic device called Hybrot, which moves based on brain signals from rats, aiming to advance prosthetic limbs and self-driving cars.
The study reveals that protein components in the post-synaptic density (PSD) move together in response to neural activity, with a significant percentage undergoing up-and-down regulation. The findings also suggest a high rate of PSD remodeling, with neurons replacing its content multiple times a day.
Researchers discovered specialized domains on nerve cell surfaces that regulate the entry of molecules, revising a long-held theory. These 'endocytic zones' control receptor transport and are also entry points for nutrients and pathogens, offering new insights into brain development and neurological disorders.
A mild brain injury can make brain cells vulnerable to the immune system's attack, leading to worsening of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers discovered that drugs targeting specific immune proteins could reduce neural damage in these conditions.
Recent research reveals that astrocytes instruct neural stem cells on which developmental pathway to select, promoting neuronal maturation. The study also found that astrocytes trigger stem cell proliferation and differentiation into neurons, suggesting a new mechanism for regulating neural growth.
A study found that genetically engineering adult neurons to produce more integrin protein dramatically increases nerve fiber growth. The approach has the potential to lead to new therapies for treating brain and spinal cord injuries. Researchers plan to further investigate this finding in animal models.