Articles tagged with Interneurons
Research at Children's National Hospital created a novel preclinical model that mimics persistent interneuron loss in preterm human infants. The study identified specific interneuron subtypes as potential therapeutic targets to prevent or lessen neurodevelopmental risks.
Scientists at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience create a novel technique called iMT, capable of tracing intricate neural connections with unprecedented sensitivity. This breakthrough could improve our understanding of the brain and uncover novel approaches for diagnosing and treating brain disorders.
The dentate gyrus uses a process called pattern separation to store distinct memories of similar events. Researchers found that parvalbumin-expressing interneurons play a key role in this process, using lateral inhibition to keep similar memories apart.
Researchers found that pyramid-shaped neurons in the amygdala region form cliques to categorize food, including recognizing banana vs. cake, and anticipating taste and texture. This understanding may provide insight into eating disorders.
A new study found that antidepressants can restore lost plasticity in the brain's inhibitory neurons, which are less flexible with age. The researchers showed that fluoxetine, a commonly used antidepressant, can reverse age-related declines in structural and functional plasticity.
A study on human brain tissue and preterm rabbits suggests that estrogen treatment can restore the balance of interneurons in the cerebral cortex, which is disrupted in premature birth. This finding implies that mimicking the in utero environment may have the potential to improve developmental outcomes for preterm infants.
Researchers at Drexel University successfully transplanted V2a interneurons into injured rodent spinal cords, improving respiratory function and demonstrating potential for future treatment of paralyzed patients. The study capitalizes on previous findings that these cells contribute to plasticity and self-repair in the spinal cord.
Researchers found that genetically improving inhibitory interneurons and transplanting them into the brain of a mouse model with Alzheimer's disease can restore brain rhythms and cognition. This approach could lead to new treatment options for patients with Alzheimer's disease.
A team from the University of Liège has discovered a new crosstalk between the migrating inhibitory interneurons and the stem cells that generate the excitatory neurons. This control regulates the production of excitatory neurons, leading to cortical malformation previously associated with autism in mice.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes discovered that fast-spiking interneurons play a fundamental role in brain plasticity, improving procedural learning and potentially linked to psychiatric diseases. The study found that these neurons act like gatekeepers for plasticity, restricting changes in connection strength between neurons.
Researchers have successfully coaxed human stem cells into becoming sensory interneurons, responsible for relaying information from throughout the body to the central nervous system. This breakthrough could lead to a cell-based treatment that restores sensation in paralyzed people without immune suppression.
Researchers at Salk Institute reveal specific neurons called RORbeta interneurons inhibit transmission of disruptive sensory info, promoting a fluid gait during walking. This sophisticated spinal cord processing highlights the nervous system's ability to selectively shut off irrelevant information.
Researchers develop new mouse model that captures pathology of sporadic neurological diseases, including ALS and FTD. The study reveals TDP-43 accelerates age-dependent degeneration of interneurons, a key finding with potential for studying neurological diseases accelerated by aging.
A study by Prof. Dr. Marlene Bartos and her team found that inhibiting circuits in the hippocampus create high-frequency brainwaves that support parallel processing and storage of information, a key mechanism for laying initial traces of memory.
A recent study has overturned a common belief about how bone morphogenetic proteins regulate the formation of nervous system cells during embryonic development. The findings could inform the creation of stem cell-based therapies that restore sensation, particularly for paralyzed patients.
The study seeks to discover calcium sources in synapses that prolong neurotransmitter release, a process more expressed in neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers will investigate key players in this process using asynchronous release of neurotransmitters.
Researchers found that defects in primary cilium structure impaired brain development, resembling those seen in autism and schizophrenia. Restoring signaling through primary cilia resolved wiring defects in the brain.
Researchers at King's College London have discovered a molecular mechanism that enables neurons to adapt to their environment, shaping learning and memory formation. The study reveals that Brevican protein plays a critical role in regulating experience-dependent plasticity, influencing the intrinsic properties of PV+ interneurons and s...
Researchers at MPFI have developed a novel technique to selectively target cerebellar interneurons, which are crucial for regulating motor behavior and learning. This breakthrough allows scientists to manipulate the activity of these cells, providing new insights into the role of interneurons in cerebellar function.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes create stem cell-derived V2a interneurons that transmit signals in the spinal cord, potentially repairing spinal cord injuries. These cells integrate with existing cells and restore movement in mice, offering new hope for spinal cord injury treatment.
A specific class of inhibitory neurons plays a crucial role in encoding spatial information in the brain. The study found that these neurons, which are essential for maintaining precise maps of spatial information, become dysfunctional when they lack a protein called ErbB4, leading to alterations in spatial learning and memory.
A team of neuroscientists has found that somatostatin-expressing (Sst) interneurons play a key role in controlling the flow of information in the brain. The researchers discovered that these cells operate like a switchboard, selectively blocking or encouraging the flow of information to help animals make informed decisions and guide th...
Neuroscientists at the University of Geneva have identified three main sub-groups of inhibitory interneurons in the cortex by analyzing cell-type specific genes and their expression patterns. These findings will aid in understanding neuro-developmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
Researchers have discovered that transplanting immature interneurons into the brains of mice can help reduce fear response. The study found that these transplanted cells reactivated a juvenile-like plasticity in the mature amygdala, enhancing synaptic plasticity and modulating fear extinction behavior.
Researchers at Cardiff University are exploring a potential new treatment for human temporal lobe epilepsy by transplanting immature neuron cells into the brain. The project, funded by Epilepsy Research UK, aims to develop this cell transplantation treatment and potentially lead to clinical trials in the next 3-5 years.
Researchers found that an age-related decline in a brain circuit impairs mice's ability to adjust to environmental changes, causing interference between old and new learning. This decline leads to motivation problems and potentially cognitive decline and dementia.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that dysfunctional mitochondria may not be the primary cause of neurological symptoms in patients with mitochondrial diseases. Instead, brain developmental defects during embryonic development may play a role.
Scientists have developed a method to systematically identify individual classes of brain cells, or neurons, in the spinal cord. By analyzing genetic characteristics and applying statistical approaches, researchers were able to distinguish 50 distinct types of V1 interneurons.
Researchers found that early nerve cell development creates brain circuit templates, which are then disrupted by trauma, leading to delayed effects on thoughts and memories.
Researchers found that early in adolescence, listening to a father's song activates brain cell networks used later for singing, while inhibitory interneurons 'lock' learned notes into memory by suppressing surrounding nerve activity. Fast learners showed faster brain changes.
A new study reveals that inhibitory neurons play a crucial role in song learning in birds, rather than the bird's age. The research found that firing patterns of inhibitory neurons correspond with song accuracy, and similar patterns are seen in both juvenile and adult birds.
Researchers discovered two major types of cortical neurons providing separate mechanisms for stimulus-specific adaptation in the brain. This phenomenon helps the brain distinguish between expected and unexpected sounds, enhancing sensitivity to rare sounds. The findings provide new insights into the neural basis of key hearing phenomena.
Researchers at OIST have confirmed that specific cholinergic interneurons play a key role in maintaining behavioral flexibility by inhibiting old rules and encouraging exploration. Rats with damaged neurons had difficulty adapting to rule changes, highlighting the importance of these neurons in decision-making.
Interneurons from the medial ganglionic eminence migrate to the striatum through a mechanism involving Eph/ephrins signalling. The study reveals parallel mechanisms of target chemoattraction and off-target chemorepulsion for interneuron migration.
Researchers found that abnormal fast-spiking interneuron activity contributes to cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Correcting these abnormalities, either through drug treatment or direct stimulation, can reverse cognitive symptoms, suggesting new potential therapies for the disorder.
A recent study by Brown University neuroscientists has shed light on the brain's cycle of activity and quiet called "up" and "down" states. The research found that all types of interneurons contribute uniquely to these cycles, with inhibitory cells playing a vital role in maintaining balance between excitation and inhibition.
Researchers used optogenetics to record synaptic transmissions from light-sensitive neurons to interneurons in the mouse barrel cortex. The study revealed cell-type-specific synaptic connectivity and transmission patterns, shedding new light on brain function.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have identified a newly discovered class of brain cells that respond to oxytocin in female mice. These oxytocin receptor interneurons (OxtrINs) play a key role in influencing social behavior, particularly in females during their reproductive cycle, and may also contribute to human social interactions.
Researchers identified key neurons in the spinal cord responsible for controlling rhythmic walking movements. V2b interneurons were found to be essential for flexor-extensor alternation, a fundamental component of locomotion.
Two types of spinal cord neurons were identified as enabling skilled forelimb movement: excitatory interneurons for accuracy and inhibitory interneurons for smooth movement. The discovery may lead to understanding normal human motor function and potentially treating movement disorders.
A team of scientists at the University of Basel has elucidated a second information pathway taken by motor commands, revealing a complex network of communication between the spinal cord and brain. This dual information stream enables precise control of fine motor behavior, such as arm and hand movements.
The study reveals that inhibition of parvalbumin-expressing prefrontal interneurons triggers fear behaviour, while activation reduces it. The researchers hope their findings will lead to new treatment strategies for posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorders.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory identified a class of inhibitory neurons called VIP interneurons, which specifically suppress activation of other inhibitory neurons. These VIP neurons modulate the balance between excitation and inhibition in the cerebral cortex.
Researchers reveal that inhibitory interneuron circuits change their firing rates during map formation and flickering, playing a crucial role in learning. The study also shows that these changes are due to map-specific connections between pyramidal cells and interneurons.
Researchers have identified two proteins, Sip1 and Unc5b, crucial for interneuron development and migration to the cerebral cortex. Disruption of these proteins can lead to brain disorders such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's, and schizophrenia.
A new study reveals that cilia play a dynamic role in guiding neuronal migration during brain development. In mice with deleted Arl13b gene, interneurons fail to migrate properly due to abnormal cilia function.
Scientists at UCSF have successfully transplanted embryonic neurons into newborn mice brains, defying the prevailing theory on cell death in developing brains. The study suggests that a fraction of cells may die due to unknown 'signals' rather than competition for survival factors.
Researchers have developed a genetically engineered mouse model to study Lafora disease, revealing the role of malin-laforin complex in glycogen synthesis and neuronal degeneration. The study provides evidence for abnormal sugar accumulation leading to neuronal deterioration and death.
Researchers found a single neuron that tracks activity of tens of thousands of neurons in an olfactory centre and feeds inhibition back to maintain sparse regime. The giant interneuron enables real-time population averaging, simplifying storage of odor representations in memory.
Researchers discovered that membrane potential-dependent modulation of recurrent inhibition is a key mechanism for maintaining dynamic balance of excitation and inhibition in the cortex. This finding has implications for understanding cortical rhythms and preventing abnormal cortical activities during seizures.
A new study reveals that some classes of interneurons may underlie distinct brain disorders, such as epilepsy and autism. The research suggests that precise dysfunction in specific circuits can lead to these disorders, shedding light on potential future treatments.
Researchers at MIT have discovered that adult brain neurons can remodel their connections, challenging long-held assumptions about the brain's ability to change. This breakthrough could lead to a better understanding of how to promote growth in cells and regions normally unable to repair themselves.
Researchers found that mice lacking a specific receptor display hyperactivity and lack inhibitory interneurons, a common deficit in schizophrenia. This study provides a potential animal model for developing new treatments for psychiatric disorders.
Researchers identified the specific horizontal interneuron cell that gives rise to eye cancer retinoblastoma, challenging a long-standing principle of nerve growth and development. This finding suggests it may be possible to induce fully developed neurons to multiply and repair injured brains.
A study by Martyn Goulding and colleagues reveals that the Notch receptor protein determines whether a single progenitor cell produces excitatory or inhibitory neurons. The researchers found that activated Notch promotes excitatory neuron formation, while low levels of Notch lead to inhibitory neuron development.
Researchers discovered that adult interneurons in the visual cortex can dynamically change their branch tips through growth, retraction, and new additions. This finding highlights the complex dynamic properties of cortical neurons, which may underlie observed functional reorganizations.
Researchers found that sensory deprivation reduces the size of new interneurons in the olfactory system but compensates with increased excitability. This preserves the function of interneurons in processing input if restored.
Stanford researchers have found that a group of brain cells release cannabinoids to quiet their own activity, regulating information processing. This discovery may lead to the development of medications that selectively bind and block cannabinoid receptors, potentially treating epilepsy and other conditions.
The study found that interneurons inhibit pyramidal cells in two ways, allowing the brain to remain alert without becoming overloaded. This mechanism is crucial in preventing epilepsy, where the brain becomes disorganized and overwhelmed.