Articles tagged with Neurochemistry
Studies in mice reveal that orexin plays a key role in deciding between physical activity and consuming food, particularly when both options are available. By understanding this process, scientists aim to develop strategies to overcome exercise barriers and address the global obesity epidemic.
A recent study at the University of Missouri discovered that oxytocin and corticotropin-releasing hormone cause the brainstem to become overactive, leading to hypertension. This finding can help develop targeted drugs to reduce high blood pressure in sleep apnea patients.
Researchers at Colorado State University used human stem cells to study synaptic connections in the brain, focusing on GABAergic synapses. They found that Gephyrin promotes autonomous assembly of these synapses, which can develop independently of neuronal communication. This understanding could lead to new treatments for neurological d...
A study by TUM researchers discovered four subtypes of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) with different molecular processes, including sex differences. The findings suggest repurposing an approved cancer drug targeting the MAPK pathway as a promising therapeutic approach for ALS.
FutureNeuro, a leading SFI Research Centre, is expanding its research programme with a focus on diagnostics, therapeutics, and digital health. The centre aims to develop precision diagnostics, future treatments, and systems using real-time health data.
Three FAU researchers have received $1M in FDOH grants to develop innovative approaches against Alzheimer's disease. Mare Cudic aims to explore the link between glycosylation and neuroinflammation, while Ruth Tappen develops an online screening tool for older drivers with cognitive decline.
Researchers discovered a two-step process behind the lagging behavior of organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs), which can be customized to improve data processing speed. The study's findings may help design better materials for next-generation applications in biosensing and brain-inspired computation.
A recent study reveals the 3D structure of Asc1, a protein gate that controls amino acid transport in neurons. The findings provide crucial information to develop new drugs for neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, stroke, and ALS.
A team of researchers found potential ways to interrupt the misfolding of tau proteins by targeting sticky sites along the long form of mutated tau, preventing neurofibrillary tangles. This breakthrough could lead to therapeutic interventions capable of disaggregating or preventing tau aggregation.
Researchers used mass spectrometry imaging and single-cell metabolomics with deep learning to create 3D molecular maps of the brain, enabling a better understanding of chemical interactions within brain tissue. This breakthrough could help address currently intractable neurological diseases.
The University of Illinois has developed a new nanoscale sensor that can monitor areas 1,000 times smaller than traditional technology, tracking subtle changes in brain chemistry with sub-second resolution. The device takes advantage of silicon-based manufacturing techniques to achieve 100% efficiency and high spatial resolution.
Researchers developed a new machine learning method to analyze brain data, separating intrinsic neural patterns from sensory inputs. The method revealed surprisingly consistent hidden patterns in three subjects' neural activity despite different tasks.
Researchers established a molecular link between specific B12-producing gut bacteria and acetylcholine production in C. elegans, a neurotransmitter important to memory and cognitive function. A diet rich in these bacteria reduced seizure-like behavior in mutant worms by restoring excitatory/inhibitory balance.
Sahmyook University researchers discovered a correlation between methamphetamine-induced behavior and the expression of specific genes in mice models lacking Period 2 gene. They identified 19 genes that were activated only in response to repeated doses of methamphetamine.
A Penn State-led research team discovered that somatostatin signaling acts to dampen communication among cell types in the prefrontal cortex, promoting exploratory and risk-taking-like behavior. The findings suggest that somatostatin fine-tunes circuits to promote certain behaviors, including decision making.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a new method using nanopores to advance discoveries in neuroscience and medical applications. The technique allows for real-time detection of dynamic aptamer-small molecule interactions, which can aid in understanding DNA and RNA diseases and drug discovery.
The study reveals a double-layered structure of amyloid-β on GM1-containing membranes that acts as a catalyst for fibrillization. This discovery offers new insights into predicting Alzheimer's disease onset and potentially inhibiting its progression.
Conventional psychotherapeutic approaches for women with late-stage gynaecological cancers take too long and require too much stamina. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy has shown promise in treating anxiety, depression, and end-of-life distress with rapid and sustained effects.
In a new study, Salk Institute scientists discovered that dopamine regulates anxious worm behavior in the presence of nipping predators. The findings illuminate how this dopamine-regulated brain pathway may be related to anxiety and could provide insight into human conditions like PTSD.
Researchers found a disrupted balance between glutamate and GABA neurotransmitters in the brains of people with OCD, which may lead to new treatment strategies. The study also suggests that excess glutamate levels could serve as a biomarker for OCD.
Researchers have developed a new method to study ant brain chemistry, revealing differences in neuropeptide distribution between two species. The approach integrates 3D chemical data with high-definition anatomical models, providing unbiased visualization of neurochemistry.
Scientists at UC Santa Barbara discovered a unique pathway in fruit flies that reduces the sensation of pain from heat, with a single pair of neurons called 'Epi' neurons playing a crucial role. The Epi neurons produce a neuropeptide that suppresses thermal nociception, contradicting their role in fly larvae.
A new study by Emory University neuroscientists reveals that oxytocin plays a key role in male zebra finches' learning to sing by imitating their elders. The hormone influences young birds' preference for certain 'voice coaches', shedding light on the neural underpinnings of social vocal learning.
Researchers in China have created a simple nomogram using easily accessible and automatable detected routine clinical indicators to reduce missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of Wilson's disease. The study identified six independent predictors of the disease, including serum copper and direct bilirubin.
A study found that air pollution, especially polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, increases neuroinflammation and worsens movement disorders in mice with ischemic strokes. This suggests that air pollution may be a contributing factor to decreased prognosis in stroke patients.
Researchers found that psilocybin facilitates fear extinction in mice by promoting hippocampal neuroplasticity. The study's results improve our understanding of the restorative effects of psilocybin on the brain and may lead to alternative treatments for PTSD.
Researchers have discovered a link between iron redox and Alzheimer's disease, which could lead to the development of new drugs to treat the condition. The new imaging technique allows for the simultaneous detection of two forms of iron in cells and tissue, providing insights into its role in destroying brain cells.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara developed a novel electrical method to control and analyze the dynamics of brain protein tau, which underlies many neurodegenerative diseases. The technique allows for real-time observation of the protein's transition from normal function to toxic tangles.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard University have developed a new optogenetics-based tool to manipulate neuron excitability using light. By altering the electrical capacitance of cell membranes, they can change how strongly neurons respond to electrical input, with potential applications in learning, aging, and brain disorders.
A Collaborative Research Centre investigates animal navigation using the Earth's magnetic field. The study focuses on vertebrates, including birds and fish, aiming to protect endangered migratory species.
Researchers discovered that krill oil protects dopaminergic neurons from age-related degeneration through temporal transcriptome rewiring and suppression of several hallmarks of aging. Krill oil increases neuronal resilience, promoting anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation, and abrogating multiple aging hallmarks.
The Vilcek Foundation has awarded $250,000 in prizes to four leading immigrant scientists: Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado, Edward Chouchani, Biyu J. He, and Shixin Liu. They received the 2023 Vilcek Foundation Prizes in Biomedical Science for their groundbreaking work in regeneration, metabolic disease, cognitive neuroscience, and nanoscal...
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that brain stimulation combined with a nose spray containing nanoparticles can improve recovery after ischemic stroke. The treatment increased cognitive and motor functions, and weighed more quickly than those treated with TMS alone.
A novel fluorescent sensor has been developed to visualize the release of oxytocin, also known as the 'happy hormone', in living animals. The sensor, called MTRIA OT, allows for real-time measurement of extracellular oxytocin dynamics in the brain, revealing variability in OT levels dependent on behavioral and physical conditions.
A new AI-based dynamic brain imaging technology has been introduced by Carnegie Mellon University, which can map out rapidly changing electrical activity in the brain with high precision and speed. The technology uses deep learning approaches to translate scalp EEG signals back to neural circuit activity without human intervention.
Researchers elucidated the molecular mechanisms of acetylcholine in learning and memory, revealing a signaling cascade involving protein kinase C. The study opens doors to new therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease.
A novel network analysis technology can pinpoint seizure originating brain regions and predict a patient's seizure outcome before surgery, using only 10 minutes of resting state recordings.
A new study suggests that supplementing a diet with Ascidiacea, also known as sea squirts, reverses some main signs of aging in animal models. The researchers found that plasmalogens, vital to body processes, decrease with age and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A study by Tokyo University of Science researchers has demonstrated that a computationally-light model can simulate complex brain cell responses, including periodic and quasi-periodic responses. The Izhikevich neuron model was found to be capable of reproducing both types of responses at lower computational cost.
A team of researchers from McGill University and other institutions analyzed 6,850 testimonials from psychedelic users, creating a 3D map of brain receptors linked to subjective experiences. The study found associations between serotonin receptors and ego-dissolution, suggesting potential new treatments for psychiatric conditions.
Researchers identified two key factors regulating the exercise stress response pathway. Arginine vasopressin and corticotrophin-releasing hormone cooperatively control adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion, playing a crucial role in the physiological stress response.
Scientists demonstrate a definitive link between mitochondrial oxidative damage and cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease using a transgenic mouse model. The study found that Aβ1-42 aggregation in the hippocampus caused cognitive impairment, while oxidation led to mitochondrial dysfunction.
Markita del Carpio Landry, a young immigrant scientist, receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise for her groundbreaking research on neurochemical communication and gene-editing technologies. Her work aims to address medicine's most compelling problems, including aberrations in neurotransmitter signaling.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio discovered that norepinephrine release in the visual cortex is tied to processing of imagery and cells' activation. This local regulation enhances sensory-specific attention and may represent a mechanism to enhance focus.
Researchers discovered that a single protein, Kr-h1, responds to socially regulated hormones to orchestrate the complex social transition in Harpegnathos saltator ants. The study reveals important roles for gene regulation and hormone response in controlling animal brains' plasticity.
Researchers created the largest metabolome analysis of the mouse brain, revealing distinct chemical conversions between brain regions. Aging mice showed significant metabolic differences in brain sections, with lipids playing a crucial role in changes to brain function.
Researchers discovered a two-cell color detection system in lampreys, which they propose could be the evolutionary ancestor of single-cell systems in fish and reptiles. The study found that this ancient system produces similar responses to UV and visible light as modern single-cell systems.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have found that brain tissue inflammation is a key driver of Alzheimer's disease progression. By targeting neuroinflammation, they believe combination therapy could be more effective in reducing amyloid plaque formation and limiting tau fiber spread.
Chronic light exposure disrupts circadian rhythms in rats, leading to memory deficits and amyloid β accumulation similar to Alzheimer's disease. Fluoxetine treatment prevents these effects, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy.
Researchers at Niigata University have identified a key pathway involving the protein optineurin that may contribute to the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease. The study found that optineurin inhibits the formation of stress-induced TDP-43 protein aggregates in motor neurons, which are a hallmark of ALS.
Tohoku University scientists created a miniaturized pH probe to investigate deep brain structures' chemical signals. The probe detects subtle pH fluctuations, which can reveal the influence of acidity on brain function and dysfunction in diseases like mental illness and seizures.
Cyanobacteria from Lake Okeechobee released toxins such as microcystin-LR, brevetoxin, and BMAA, potentially exposing coastal residents to adverse health effects. Chronic exposure to multiple toxins is a growing concern for human and animal health.
Researchers analyze dried cyanobacteria wafers from Lake Chad for toxins, finding safety concerns but also nutritional benefits. Dihe cakes are a rich source of dietary amino acids and may help undernourished villagers.
Researchers at Brain Chemistry Labs have developed a new blood test that can diagnose ALS earlier than current methods, using brain exosomes and microRNA. The test, based on genetic material shed by different tissues, distinguishes between ALS patients and healthy controls with high accuracy.
A new study published in the Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology suggests that amino acid L-serine may be useful in treating ALS. The study found that L-serine successfully reduced ALS-like changes in an animal model of ALS, including motor neuron degeneration and pro-inflammatory microglia.
Research aims to understand neurochemical basis of decision-making in organisms using limited resources. The project will investigate hormone changes in garter snakes during life phase transitions.
Researchers found evidence of neurochemical changes associated with lower neuronal health in brain regions formerly controlled by the missing hand. Despite recovered hand function, some changes may persist in individuals who receive hand transplants.
A Purdue University study found that mixing highly caffeinated energy drinks with alcohol can trigger changes in the adolescent brain similar to those seen with cocaine. The consequences last into adulthood, with exposed mice showing altered ability to deal with rewarding substances and increased risk of substance abuse.
Dr Matthew Baker has won an international award for his pioneering research on diagnosing brain tumours using vibrational spectroscopy. His work enables the development of accurate and efficient clinical diagnostics.
Researchers at Université Laval developed a new method to alleviate chronic pain by rekindling pain and then erasing it. By injecting capsaicin and administering a protein synthesis inhibitor, they induced temporary pain hypersensitivity, which was subsequently reversed.