Articles tagged with Molecular Neuroscience
Researchers have created a high-resolution brain-cell atlas of the basal ganglia, a deep-seated network linked to brain disorders. The atlas, built across 55 institutions, charts over 25 million individual brain cells across humans, macaques, and marmosets, offering a cellular roadmap of the brain region.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found a potential biomarker for PTSD susceptibility in female animal models, suggesting a link to stress hormone patterns. The study suggests that a simple stress provocation test could serve as a clinical biomarker for PTSD risk and point toward early interventions. The findings raise the po...
A new review examines the relationship between tumors and the nervous system, suggesting that psychedelics may be able to 'listen' to the system and provide relief from cancer-related symptoms. The review also explores the potential for psychedelics to modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation in cancer patients.
The Quantum Biology Laboratory at Howard University publishes a landmark review on 'Quantum Biology 2.0', highlighting the field's shift to whole-biosystems integrated approaches. Researchers discover superradiance in solvated protein fibers, revealing a new window into the role of quantum processes in biological systems.
A research team identified a signaling pathway involving AQP4, TRPA1, BEST1, and D-serine that helps maintain neuronal activity and cerebral blood-volume responses during prolonged sensory stimulation. Astrocytes release D-serine, which supports neuronal activity and contributes to dilation of brain blood vessels.
WVU neurobiologist Eric Horstick has received a $1 million NSF CAREER award to investigate how early temperature experiences shape the brain and behavior. The project will also provide students with hands-on neuroscience research experience and develop a zebrafish behavioral recording setup.
The Simons Collaboration on Brain Energetics (SCOBE) investigates how energy constraints shape neural computation, from molecules to circuits to behavior. SCOBE will explore brain energetics at the single-cell level, across brain circuits, neurovascular coupling, and adaptation to energy scarcity.
Research in mice reveals that female mice prefer warmer temperatures, while males prefer cooler temperatures, due to differences in ion channels that detect warmth and coolness. These findings may also apply to humans, with women generally preferring warmer rooms than men.
Researchers have developed a new mean-field model that incorporates ion exchange mechanisms, allowing for more realistic simulations of brain activity. This model can capture the complex interactions between neurons and their surroundings, which are crucial for understanding neurological disorders such as epilepsy.
A new study from Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology uses computational models to shed light on the evolutionary origins of potassium conduits, identifying spike timing as a probable evolutionary pressure. The research suggests that higher unitary conductance channels, found in mammals and birds, were essential for achieving pr...
Juvmo, a Parkinson's disease drug, has been approved by the FDA and offers a new treatment option for patients, potentially reducing side effects. The drug's unique mechanism of action provides relief from motor symptoms, and its approval marks a significant milestone in the research of UVA Health scientists.
Scientists at FAU will investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying motor exit point glia function to understand how myelin-producing cells interact at the CNS-PNS boundary. The study aims to uncover whether healthy myelin-producing cells can repair damaged myelin and inform future strategies for nerve repair.
The editorial highlights the gap between prioritization and mechanism in brain multi-omics research, emphasizing the need for functional testing and harmonized metadata to establish biological meaning and clinical relevance. It proposes three complementary strategies: dynamic comparisons, joint measurements, and targeted perturbation e...
Catherine Dulac's research revealed the neural circuits underlying instinctive behaviors such as mating, parenting, and aggression. She has made striking discoveries about how the brain generates complex parenting behaviors.
Researchers identified two opposing patterns of brain gene activity in mice carrying autism-risk mutations, which vary by sex and respond differently to experimental drugs. The patterns, which are shared across multiple analyses, suggest that many different genetic mutations converge into a limited number of molecular brain states.
Scientists at Salk Institute create first microprotein atlas of human frontal cortex with and without Alzheimer's disease, identifying 1,067 new microproteins and a potential link to immune cell dysfunction in Alzheimer's. The atlas provides a system for investigating microproteins in aging and neurodegeneration, bringing scientists cl...
A new study found that a rare mutation in the fibronectin gene limits the accumulation of fibronectin in the blood-brain barrier, protecting against Alzheimer's disease. High levels of fibronectin were associated with vascular damage, inflammation, and disrupted communication between astrocytes and blood vessel cells.
A new brain atlas reveals that neurons build their identity in the first hours of life, rather than inheriting it from their parent cells. The atlas, which mapped nearly 250,000 fly brain cells, shows that neuronal identity is established through a flexible, modular system involving different DNA switches and regulatory proteins.
Researchers suggest that biological memory is connected to emotion and thought, and that AI may lack the biological infrastructure to replicate human-like consciousness. The study proposes a biochemical process connecting brain cells and chemistry to memory, potentially offering a new route to understanding mental processes.
Researchers developed a computer model of the human cortex linking microscopic chemistry to brain-wide patterns of activity. The model found that regional differences in receptor density improve coordination between brain regions and information flow.
A new study reveals that ketamine enhances neuroplasticity in female mice by activating the FKBP51 protein, but has no effect on male mice. This finding could lead to better treatments for depression and highlight the importance of sex differences in drug effects.
Researchers discovered that brain regions switch between shared and independent timing, allowing for flexibility in coordination. This finding provides a new framework for understanding how brain regions communicate and enables the development of brain-inspired artificial intelligence and robotic control systems.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University mapped six major conformations of a membrane protein related to learning, memory and fear behavior. The findings provide a blueprint for designing new drugs to inhibit this channel in cases of stroke.
Researchers identified disrupted neural circuits behind Huntington's disease and used optogenetics to selectively activate key neurons, restoring function and improving motor skills. The study provides hope for future therapies targeting specific brain circuit imbalances.
A recent study published in Cell has revealed that senescent cells, often associated with aging and disease, play a previously unrecognized role in building the brain's protective barriers. These cells contribute to the formation of two critical barrier systems: the blood-brain and blood-CSF barriers.
A new study investigates whether obesity contributes to faster brain aging and earlier memory decline. Researchers found that high K63 polyubiquitination levels in young obese rats matched those seen in older brains, suggesting a connection between obesity-induced and age-related memory loss.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a new way to understand neurons and their connectivity by studying fruit flies. This breakthrough simplifies future studies on neurobiology and decision-making in mammals, including humans.
Scientists have identified dopamine as a key player in mediating stress-induced courtship suppression in male Drosophila fruit flies. The duration of stress exposure significantly influenced the persistence of suppressed courtship behavior, highlighting the importance of dopamine signaling in this process.
Researchers discover specific calcium signals in microglia that regulate anxiety and grooming behaviors, offering new opportunities for therapies and diagnosis. Mice lacking the Hoxb8 gene are susceptible to extreme anxiety and pathological overgrooming.
Researchers developed a framework to study the impact of genetic variants on neurodevelopmental disorders. By analyzing induced pluripotent stem cells, they found that genetic background can lead to different clinical outcomes in individuals with the same deletion on chromosome 16.
Genomic Press launches Brain Health, a new peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the science of lifelong brain resilience, featuring research on glial plasticity and recovery from depression. The inaugural issue explores the intersection of fields including cognitive reserve, sleep, aging biology, nutritional psychiatry, and social sciences.
The EBRAINS Roadmap Symposium will bring together the global neuroscience community to shape the EBRAINS 10-Year-Roadmap. A total of 159 submissions from 134 unique contributors across 25 countries have been received, reflecting the momentum of Europe's digital neuroscience landscape.
The 2026 cohort of Leon Levy Scholars in Neuroscience will pursue research projects addressing neurological disorders and developing new treatments. The program provides scientific and professional career development opportunities, including mentorship and networking.
Researchers developed a nasal spray that reversibly reduces brain inflammation, restores cellular power plants, and improves memory. The treatment bypasses the brain's protective shield through intranasal delivery, suppressing chronic inflammation and promoting successful brain aging.
A secondary analysis of the ANGEL-ASPECT trial found EVT to be beneficial for patients with anterior-circulation LVO and a large ischemic core and absent-to-moderate white matter lesions. In contrast, those with severe WMLs showed less pronounced benefits, suggesting uncertainty about EVT's efficacy in this subgroup.
Lawrence Toll has been named a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors for his pioneering work on pain pathways, reward systems, and potential treatments. His research focuses on identifying new drug targets and therapeutic strategies to combat chronic pain and addiction.
Dr. Cazares co-founded Colors of the Brain and advocated for GRE removal to support students from underprivileged backgrounds. He aims to bring neuroscience to underserved communities through portable, affordable, and non-invasive methods.
Researchers mapped GLP-1 expression in 25 brain regions in each sex, uncovering striking differences in key circuits. The atlas reveals sex-biased expression in certain medullary nuclei, with higher Glp1 densities and numbers of Glp1-expressing neurons in females compared to males.
Researchers will investigate the role of interleukin-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1) in brain function, behavior, and psychiatric health. The study aims to define the physiological role of IL-1R1 in the brain and explore its influence on social behaviors.
Researchers identify nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) as a central mediator of neuronal migration and cortical lamination. The study reveals that UPF2, a core component of NMD machinery, is essential for proper neuron migration and brain development.
Chronic alcohol consumption alters endocannabinoid gene expression in reward- and decision-related brain regions, offering insights into addiction biology. This study reveals changes in CB1 and CB2 receptor genes, as well as GPR55 and FAAH enzymes, potentially leading to targeted therapeutic strategies.
The FENS Forum 2026 will be Europe's largest neuroscience congress, covering areas of basic to translational research. Journalists can register for free and attend symposia and poster sessions.
The Korea University-Yale University Joint Forum aimed to discuss expanding cooperation in neuroscience and training physician scientists. Key findings include agreements for annualizing the joint forum and discussing research topics for future forums.
Researchers have uncovered a new understanding of how cardiac events are interconnected with the brain and nervous/immune systems. They found that sensory neurons in the vagus nerve detect injury and transfer signals to dedicated brain structures, leading to activation of the immune system.
A new study has created a comprehensive atlas of lysosomal proteins in the brain, shedding light on the functions and dysfunctions of these cellular components. The data, which includes 790 proteins associated with lysosomes, could help scientists better understand neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have discovered how the keto diet protects against epilepsy seizures by regulating brain cell activity. The team found that a specific cellular receptor, HCAR2, plays a crucial role in reducing seizures, and may be targeted for new treatments.
A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis developed a computational tool to reveal connections in the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the body's central circadian pacemaker. The study identified five functional cell types and found that a small subset of 'hub' cells are critical to SCN timekeeping.
Research from Colorado State University sheds light on the regulation of chemical balance in the brain, focusing on GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps calm brain activity. The study provides insights into how neurons maintain effective communication with each other, even when GABA is produced far from synapses.
A mouse study by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology researchers has found that acetylcholine release is essential for breaking habits and enabling new choices to be made. The study's findings may help understand diseases such as Parkinson's disease, addiction, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
A recent UK study has highlighted the need for equitable investment and adoption of new innovations in brain tumor care. The research team found that genomic testing has expanded rapidly but many services are struggling to keep pace, leading to regional inequalities in access to advanced treatments.
Researchers have developed new calcium channels that can be precisely controlled to study cellular signaling. The channels, built using artificial intelligence, were designed to mimic natural calcium channels and demonstrate their potential as tools for biomedical research.
New research papers from Mount Sinai present unprecedented evidence that brain tissue from living individuals has a unique molecular character, differing significantly from postmortem samples. These findings challenge the conventional practice of using postmortem brain tissue for studying the human brain and its diseases.
A new study reveals that astrocytes, a type of glial cell, are responsible for stabilizing memories through repeated engagement. The researchers found that Fos activity in astrocytes only occurs during recall, and that these cells can be activated to produce stable memories.
Researchers have developed an AI model that creates a detailed map of the mouse brain featuring 1,300 regions/subregions. The CellTransformer model uses spatial transcriptomics data to identify previously uncharted subregions of the brain, opening new avenues for neuroscience exploration.
Researchers from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have identified a common process that powers the creation of protein formations that assemble like a 3D puzzle, triggering inflammation and cell death. This 'Catch-22' mechanism may be one of the fundamental reasons why we age.
Scientists at Wertheim UF Scripps Institute have been awarded $15.7 million in new grants to advance projects on brain biology, infectious diseases, and cancer research over the next five years. The grants will help develop innovative solutions to some of medicine's most difficult challenges.
Researchers have discovered a new approach for treating proteinopathies by targeting dysregulated nuclear speckles, which can lead to neuron degeneration. Pyrvinium pamoate has been shown to improve proteostasis in various disease models, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and tauopathies.
Researchers found that a single amino acid substitution in the ADSL enzyme affects its stability and expression, contributing to modern human differences in behavior. The study suggests that this change may have provided an evolutionary advantage in certain tasks.
Researchers have discovered that dialing down sugar metabolism can break down neural integrity, but manipulating this process can also activate protective programs in neurons. Two proteins, DLK and SARM1, are involved in extending axon health, with their activity influenced by the cell's internal conditions.
A recent study published in The EMBO Journal reveals that the Setd8 gene plays a critical role in the premature aging of the brain by controlling neural stem cell activity and proliferation. Artificially lowering Setd8 levels mimicked molecular signatures of aging, highlighting its potential as a biomarker for early aging.