Articles tagged with Neurons
Huntington's disease is caused by a toxic protein that builds in brain cells and spreads to other cells through tunneling nanotubes. Disrupting this pathway reduces the spread of the disease-causing protein, suggesting a new target for therapy.
Researchers developed Neuronal Type Assignment from Connectivity (NTAC) to accurately assign neuronal cell types based on synaptic wiring patterns. NTAC outperformed traditional morphology-based approaches in identifying neuron types, especially in complex brain regions.
Researchers discovered that changes in breathing patterns, specifically strong abdominal muscle contractions during exhalation, can trigger hypertension. Targeting neurons in the lateral parafacial region, a potential therapeutic approach to treat hypertension has been identified.
Researchers at Tufts University and Wyss Institute created neurobots by adding nerve cells to tiny living forms called xenobots, which exhibit complex movements with simple neural networks. The resulting neurobots display unique behaviors and demonstrate the formation of primitive nervous systems.
Researchers at Kyushu University develop a new tissue-clearing reagent, SeeDB-Live, enabling repeated, reversible, and real-time imaging of living brains at greater depth and clarity. This breakthrough allows scientists to visualize neural activity in living mice and brain slices, offering new insights into brain dynamics and function.
Researchers have found that zebra finches' brains respond more strongly to familiar calls, with inhibitory interneurons firing more intensely and for longer when the caller is known. This neural activity influences the bird's reply, suggesting that social context plays a crucial role in vocal communication. The study sheds light on why...
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 at OHSU found that sympathetic nerves support pancreatic tumor growth by communicating with cancer cells and nearby fibroblasts. The study suggests that removing these nerves may lead to smaller tumors, particularly in female mice.
A recent study found that superagers' brains exhibit increased neurogenesis, with active production of new neurons. This 'resilience signature' is linked to superior memory formation and processing. The study's findings have implications for understanding healthy aging, cognitive resilience, and the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
A new study reveals that astrocytes actively participate in motor-learning circuit rewiring by eliminating synapses in the striatum. The research identifies MEGF10 as a key molecular mediator of this process, which is regulated by dopamine signaling and neural activity.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research discovered that stressed animal cells, including neurons, assemble inactive ribosomes into tightly linked pairs, known as disomes. This novel mechanism relies on a specific piece of ribosomal RNA called an expansion segment to form a precise RNA-RNA interaction.
Researchers at IISc have mapped a neural circuit that links stress to itch. Stress activates specific neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area, which directly regulate itch and reduce scratching behavior. This study provides new insights into the complex relationship between emotional states and sensory perception.
A new study has found that astrocytes are crucial for aversive memory, including learning what to fear and recalling memories. The findings challenge long-held assumptions about fear memory and suggest new treatment approaches for disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder.
Research by Amita Sehgal and her team reveals that sleep helps neurons stay healthy by removing oxidative damage through lipid transfer to glia cells. This process is crucial for maintaining neuronal function and may contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Researchers found that exercise changes brain activity in nerve cells called SF1 neurons, which helps muscles and hearts become stronger. This brain region plays a key role in regulating energy use and body weight.
Researchers found molecules such as syringic acid that protect neurons from aging, while others like resveratrol promote neurodegeneration. An AI-powered approach identified potential therapeutic substances to preserve brain function and prevent neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientists at Nagoya University identified a brain circuit that keeps mice awake in unfamiliar environments, releasing neurotensin to maintain wakefulness and protect against potential dangers. This discovery may explain the 'first night effect' in humans, where the brain remains vigilant on the first night in a new place.
Researchers at University College London discovered that Alzheimer's disease disrupts the brain's 'memory replay' process, leading to impaired navigation and memory loss. The study found that even when mice were resting, their brains replayed recent experiences in an altered pattern, which had consequences on memory tasks.
Researchers developed a new tool to track changes in the synaptic proteome over time, correlating changes to synaptic dysregulation and synapse loss. The results suggest that toxic tau oligomers impact postsynaptic structures first, leading to a dynamic cascade of events that contribute to neurodegeneration.
Researchers at UC San Francisco have identified CUL5, a protein that tags tau for elimination, as a key player in preventing the formation of toxic tau protein clumps that can lead to dementia. The study found that neurons with more CUL5 are less vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists from The University of Osaka have created two new fluorescent markers, Gachapin and Gachapin-C, that can visualize dynamic cell-to-cell contacts and connections within a single neuron's extensions. These indicators allow for the monitoring of complex patterns of connectivity in various cell types, including neurons.
Cancer cells tap into the nervous system's power grid by forming synaptic contacts with nerve cells, promoting tumor growth and spread. Venkataramani's research aims to repurpose the drug perampanel for glioblastoma treatment and develop gene therapy approaches to disconnect tumors from the nervous system.
A research team has developed a way to produce corticospinal-like neurons that centrally degenerate in motor neuron disease and are damaged in spinal cord injury. The study uses a multi-component gene-expression system called NVOF to precisely fine tune regulatory signals, resulting in mature neurons with distinct characteristics.
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.
A new study from the Stowers Institute has identified a mechanism that makes fleeting moments unforgettable, revealing a critical step in forming long-lasting memories. The research discovered a specific type of chaperone protein that allows proteins to change shape and form functional amyloids that house long-term memory.
Dr. Manuel A. Friese has been recognized for his groundbreaking work studying the interactions between inflammation and nerve cell death, which drives disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). His research aims to identify new therapeutic targets and bring the field closer to stopping disease progression.
A case-control study found that even low-level air pollution in Sweden may increase the risk of developing motor neuron disease. Long-term exposure was also associated with poorer disease prognosis after diagnosis.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet created the first activity-based maps of the prefrontal cortex, revealing a hierarchy of information flow rather than tissue structure. This challenges traditional definitions of brain regions and has major implications for understanding brain organisation overall.
A recent study reveals that tissue stiffness regulates the production of key signaling molecules in the brain, using the mechanosensitive protein Piezo1. This discovery opens new avenues for understanding development and tackling diseases such as cancer.
The German Research Foundation (DFG) has funded a three-year project to investigate epigenetic memory in nerve cells. The goal is to understand how gene expressions are preserved via epigenetic regulation, which plays a key role in learning ability, memory function, and healthy brain development.
University of Florida researchers have identified a new potential target for treating methamphetamine addiction by modulating the immune system. Using immune-modulating medicines, they were able to mitigate the effects of TNF and dopamine release in mouse brain specimens.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys found that transplanted stem cells develop neurons with unique codes to navigate and form connections in the brain. These codes guide the growth of axons and explain why most neurons of a particular subtype send axons to specific brain regions.
Researchers found that pain-sensing neurons activate tuft cells, which release parasite-fighting immune molecules, initiating an immune response. Silencing or removing these neurons reduces tuft cell numbers, indicating their crucial role in fighting parasites and potentially driving allergic diseases.
Scientists have observed changes in brain cells' signal transmission during learning processes, shedding light on the brain's adaptability. The study found that axon initial segments, responsible for generating electrical signals, can lengthen or shorten in response to experiences, influencing neuronal activity.
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.
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.
Researchers at King's College London discovered that dopamine-releasing neurons in the olfactory bulb have distinct structures and transmit signals in different ways. Two subtypes were found to behave like 'standard' neurons or locally acting cells, influencing smell processing differently.
Researchers developed a method that characterizes collective dynamics of neural activity using principles from thermodynamics. They found that neurons dynamically reshape their interactions during behavior and that the brain's internal temporal asymmetry shifts during task engagement, shedding light on efficient computation.
Midbrain dopamine neurons create a glycogen fuel reserve but regulate it in a way that leaves them vulnerable to glucose shortages as they age. This vulnerability may explain the deaths of these neurons in Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers at UT San Antonio have discovered the molecular mechanisms generating electrical oscillations in microtubules, a frequency similar to that observed during brain activity. This discovery could lead to therapies preventing or reversing memory loss and improving neuroplasticity.
Researchers identified a molecular mechanism linking early-life environments with memory by activating AP-1, which regulates genes involved in neuronal plasticity and learning. Early-life experiences produce long-lasting modulation of AP-1 activity, boosting gene networks that strengthen neuronal connections.
A research team identified a key function of the intestinal nervous system in controlling the intestinal barrier's composition and stability. The study suggests that the 'gut brain' acts as a central hub for health, immunity, and potentially conditions like allergies, and may be influenced by diet.
Researchers at UCSF found distinctive brain patterns in children with sensory processing disorder, which could help clinicians refine treatments for tantrums and emotional volatility. The study suggests that over-responsive children's brains dial up inward-focused networks to gain self-control.
Scientists have cataloged hundreds of target sites and widely varying editing rates for RNA editing in more than 200 individual cells of tonic and phasic motor neurons. The study found that most sites were edited at rates between extremes, and that some edits altered proteins involved in neural communication and function.
Researchers from UC San Francisco have identified the superior temporal gyrus brain region responsible for tracking words in a foreign language. The study shows that this region learns to recognize word boundaries through years of experience, enabling fluent speakers to distinguish individual words.
Researchers found that CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing persists longer and produces more predictable results in non-dividing neurons. They also discovered new DNA repair genes that can be used to control gene editing outcomes, which could lead to safer and more effective therapies for genetic diseases.
Researchers have identified the cells and connections underlying a fish's ability to dynamically change color to match its surroundings. The study found that specialized skin cells called melanophores control the color change, which helps the zebrafish evade predators by lightening its skin over tens of minutes.
A nonsurgical approach has been demonstrated to quiet a specific brain circuit in an animal model by delivering engineered gene therapy only to the targeted region. The method uses low-intensity focused ultrasound to open the blood-brain barrier, allowing precise control over brain activity without impacting off-target areas.
Researchers discovered that pancreatic tumors form pseudosynapses, exploiting the body's nervous system to drive tumor growth. Calcium waves triggered by glutamate binding promote metastasis and cancer progression.
Researchers at Penn State found that stress-sensitive type-one nNOS neurons regulate blood flow and neural activity in mice brains. Eliminating these neurons resulted in reduced blood flow and electrical activity, highlighting their critical role in brain function.
Researchers at OIST discover a common molecular cascade disrupting brain signaling in both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. They identify a shared mechanism affecting synaptic vesicle recycling, leading to impaired communication between brain cells.
Researchers have discovered a key role for the Frazzled protein in fruit fly neural circuits, revealing how it helps neurons form reliable connections. The study showed that when Frazzled is missing or mutated, neurons fail to form proper electrical connections, leading to communication breakdowns.
A high-resolution growth chart of the mouse brain has been created to study key brain cell types and their changes during development. The atlas reveals a dynamic sequence of brain growth and maturation in response to genetics and external stimuli, with implications for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders.
Researchers have discovered detailed visualizations of mosquito's carbon dioxide-detecting neurons, revealing anatomical adaptations designed to target human blood. The study provides key insights into the mosquito's sensing mechanisms and their unique ability to detect CO2, which contributes to their deadly status.
Researchers discovered how newly created neurons rely on blood flow to migrate through the brain. The study found that blood vessels act as physical 'scaffolds' and that blood flow influences migration speed, with higher speeds seen in regions with abundant blood flow.
Scientists have identified a previously unknown genetic disease, MINA syndrome, which damages motor neurons and affects movement and muscle control. The disease is caused by a rare genetic mutation in the NAMPT protein, leading to symptoms such as muscle weakness, loss of coordination, and foot deformities.
Researchers discovered that a specific type of brain cell is abnormally active in mice with schizophrenia-like behavior. By reducing the activity of these cells, the mice's behavior changed, suggesting a potential target for preventing cognitive symptoms. The study may pave the way for a new therapeutic approach.
A team of researchers from Yokohama National University has developed a novel compact superconductive neuron device that operates at high speeds with ultra-low power consumption. The device eliminates variation in elemental circuit characteristics, achieving ideal input-output characteristics and resolving the vanishing gradient problem.
A new study by MIT neuroscientists reveals that circular RNA, specifically circHomer1, strongly influences how neurons build circuit connections during visual system development. Knocking out circHomer1 prevents synapse maturation and delays expected neural adjustments in response to monocular deprivation.