Articles tagged with Neurons
Researchers at Institut Pasteur have found that hypothalamic neurons can directly detect variations in bacterial activity, adapting appetite and body temperature accordingly. This discovery could lead to new treatments for diabetes and obesity.
Researchers found a higher number of small HDL particles in cerebrospinal fluid is associated with better cognitive performance and lower risk for Alzheimer's disease. These particles may play a key role in clearing amyloid beta peptides, which contribute to the disease.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have identified a novel mechanism by which tau protein causes neurons to die, which can be altered pharmacologically. This discovery provides a new framework for studying vertebrate models of tauopathy and eventually clinical trials.
The TTUHSC's C. Patrick Reynolds has received a $1.34 million CPRIT grant to investigate updating the clinical risk stratification scale for neuroblastoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, two childhood cancers in need of improved therapies.
Research in mice suggests that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) can cause further damage to the brain after a stroke by trapping other cells and reducing blood flow. Blocking NETs with a compound called nNIF may protect the brain from this harm, leading to better outcomes for patients.
A new study by MIT researchers confirms that a single memory is stored across many connected brain regions, challenging long-held assumptions. The study used advanced imaging techniques to map memory encoding and recall activity in mice, revealing dozens of brain regions involved in memory storage.
A groundbreaking system implanted directly on the spinal cord has restored blood pressure regulation in a patient with multiple system atrophy-parkinsonian type (MSA-P), enabling them to walk again after being bedridden for over a year. This innovative therapy paves the way for new clinical breakthroughs in treating degenerative diseases.
Researchers developed new method to visualize CNS fibroblasts and their intercellular interactions in the CNS. The technique provides a detailed picture of CNS fibroblasts, including their location, size, morphology, and gene/protein expression patterns.
A University of Essex study found that people subconsciously attribute happiness to women and anger to men, with emotion influencing sex perception more than vice versa. The research suggests this bias may be an evolutionary advantage.
New research suggests the brain uses multiple strategies to process smells, employing both snapshot-like and evolving ensemble approaches. The study provides new tools for scientists to quantify and interpret brain activity patterns.
A study reveals that Alzheimer's patients experience lethargy due to the degeneration of neurons that keep them awake, not a lack of sleep. Researchers developed a hypothesis that these patients have trouble staying awake and are testing a treatment approach to shut down the system keeping them awake.
Researchers at UT Southwestern identified a four-protein complex crucial for ribosome production, shedding light on the process of ribosome biogenesis. The findings may lead to new treatments for conditions like cancer, ribosomopathies, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
A team of Danish researchers has shed new light on a fundamental mechanism in all living cells that helps them explore their surroundings and even invade tissue. By studying the mechanical behavior of filopodia, they discovered how cancer cells use these structures to move towards their targets and penetrate tissues.
Researchers at UVA Health System discovered a cluster of cells in the brainstem that controls the body's response to severe blood loss. The study found that re-activating these neurons can restore blood pressure and heart rate in lab rats, offering new hope for treating traumatic injuries.
Researchers have created an online resource that maps the cell types and genes expressed in the human and mouse trigeminal ganglion, a key relay center for migraine and facial pain. The atlas identifies potential therapeutic targets that are selectively expressed in cells driving head pain.
Researchers found that aesthetically appealing experiences trigger fast gamma waves after a one-second delay, indicating active meaning formation. Alpha waves were also observed, reflecting increased attention for high- or low-rated artworks.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered that the brain region responsible for social behavior, the locus coeruleus, is activated precisely when a mother retrieves her pup. This finding could help reveal causes of disorders such as depression, anxiety, and autism, leading to potential new treatments.
A team at Harvard Medical School identified a mechanism that triggers local dopamine release in the brain when acetylcholine binds to axons, not previously known to initiate firing. This finding reveals more about the interaction between acetylcholine and dopamine systems, suggesting a new strategy for treating diseases like Parkinson's.
Researchers created cortical organoids from patients' skin cells, mimicking focal cortical dysplasia and identifying mechanisms involved in its emergence. The model can be used to screen existing medications for patients with severe epilepsy.
A new study led by Kelly Monaghan at West Virginia University suggests that interrupting the immune response may improve multiple sclerosis outcomes. The researchers found that targeting a specific protein called CCL17 can prevent the disease from attacking the central nervous system, leading to milder symptoms and delayed paralysis.
A new study suggests that a high-salt diet can lead to the hyperactivity of brain cells, resulting in increased constriction of blood vessels and worsening of cardiometabolic diseases. The research also found that excessive salt consumption can trigger an unusual response in which neurons become more active despite reduced blood flow.
A recent study revealed the importance of Cav3.1-driven burst firing in the ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei in controlling anxiety-like behavior and energy expenditure following chronic stress. Enhanced burst firing was correlated with increased anxiety-like behavior, reduced food intake, and decreased energy expenditure.
A novel system to control protein aggregation in a model of Parkinson’s disease suggests that aggregation of alpha-synuclein plays a critical role in disrupting neuronal homeostasis and triggering neurodegeneration. Light treatment led to formation of Lewy body-like aggregates, neurodegeneration, and Parkinson-like motor deficits in mice.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University identified the strip1 gene as essential for keeping retinal ganglion cells alive. The gene suppresses Jun-mediated apoptosis, promoting correct neural circuit formation in the retina. This finding opens promising new avenues for treating diseases like glaucoma.
Scientists have created a flexible, multipoint microLED array film that enables simultaneous optical stimulation at specific or multiple regions in the brain. The technology has potential broader applications in neuroscience research and could lead to new understanding of brain function and behavior.
Scientists identified neurons in mice brains that influence competitive interactions and shape group social behavior. The study provides new insights into human interactions and advances research related to neurocognitive conditions such as autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers found that mosquitoes' odor sensors shut down when forced to produce odor-related proteins, ignoring common insect repellents. This 'expression' process allows mosquitoes to adapt to their surroundings and avoids human scents.
Researchers aim to understand why up to 80% of individuals experience temporary or lasting changes in their sense of taste after COVID-19. Preliminary data suggests ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are highly expressed in taste buds, which may explain why these are common targets for the virus.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology have developed DNA stamper injections using nanoscale-tipped wire arrays to deliver biomolecules into live neuronal cells within brain tissues ex vivo and in vivo. This technique allows for the efficient genetic modification of brain cells, making it a powerful tool for neuronal research.
Researchers identified peripheral tissues as source of blood amyloid beta, which regulates blood glucose levels and suppresses insulin secretion. The study suggests a possible mechanism linking type 2 diabetes to Alzheimer's disease development.
Researchers identified key differences in metabolic processes between brain and spinal cord oligodendrocytes, which could lead to new therapeutic treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. The study also found that targeting a specific cell protein may enhance cholesterol and myelin production.
Sandia researchers have demonstrated that neuromorphic computers can solve more complex problems than artificial intelligence and may earn a place in high-performance computing. The findings show that neuromorphic simulations can track X-rays, disease spreading, information flowing through social networks, and financial markets.
Researchers examine ways to target specific neurons using nanomedicine, aiming to improve treatment options for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The study highlights the challenges of delivering drugs to specific populations of neurons in the brain.
Researchers developed a new genomic technology to analyze DNA, RNA and chromatin from a single cell, providing a comprehensive database for better understanding of brain diseases. The technology helped identify 63 cell types in the human frontal cortex region.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a single protein that can reprogram mature astrocytes into stem-like cells capable of producing neurons and other cell types. This breakthrough may lead to new ways to treat brain injuries, strokes, and degenerative conditions such as Huntington’s disease.
Scientists identify a specialized zone in Muller glia cells called the citrullination bunker that sequesters damaged proteins, preserving vision. Chronic engagement of this process may lead to retinal degeneration, but inhibiting it could delay or prevent disease.
Worms use cost-benefit calculations to choose between different actions, similar to vertebrates. The study demonstrates that complex decision-making capabilities can be encoded in small biological networks.
A new genetic-labeling method developed by Osaka City University researchers uses a single gene to reveal neuronal circuits from multiple upstream regions. The 'intersectional, anterograde transsynaptic targeting system' demonstrates enhanced synaptic specificity in two different mouse brain circuits.
A comprehensive analysis of brain cellular composition across amniotes shows that mammals and birds have dramatically increased neuron numbers in the telencephalon and cerebellum, associated with higher cognition. The study suggests that only a handful of unique evolutionary events augmented brain processing power in these groups.
Researchers have discovered a common thread between multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, dementia with Lewy bodies, and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. A protein called TMEM106B forms fibrils in diseased brain tissue, potentially hobbling cells.
A study published in Cell Reports reveals that the APOE4 variant increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease by triggering the secretion of potentially toxic lipids in astrocytes. This secretion can lead to the accumulation of harmful lipids, which may contribute to neuronal death and disease progression.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence discovered how a specific type of neuron can multiply two incoming signals in fruit flies. This finding provides insight into the algebra of neurons, which underlies various brain processes such as sound localization and visual motion detection.
Researchers at UCL have created a technique called magnetomechanical stimulation that uses microscopic magnetic particles to control touch-sensitive brain glial cells. This allows for precise and remote activation of astrocytes, providing a new tool for understanding their function and potential treatment of neurological disorders.
Researchers found that the master clock and slave clock operate via distinct molecular mechanisms, allowing for robustness and flexibility in regulating bodily rhythms. The master clock's ability to adapt to environmental changes enables quick adjustment to new time zones after international flights.
Scientists have identified a link between temperature and insect reproduction, finding that cold temperatures slow down reproduction in fruit flies and other insects. This discovery could lead to new control strategies for mosquitoes and agricultural pests, potentially reducing the spread of diseases like malaria.
A preclinical study by Weill Cornell Medicine researchers reveals that a specific group of fungi residing in the intestines can protect against intestinal injury and influence social behavior in mice. The findings suggest a novel signaling system connecting fungi in the gut to their host's cells, including immune cells and neurons.
Researchers have solved atomic-level structures of the muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, a crucial step in understanding its function. The new findings could lead to breakthroughs in treating neurological disorders such as congenital myasthenic syndrome and myasthenia gravis.
A team of researchers from MIT created a comprehensive atlas of cerebrovascular cells in human brain tissue, identifying 11 subtypes and their functions. The study reveals differences between healthy and diseased cells, potentially leading to new targets for treating Huntington's disease.
Researchers at the University of Bonn and Tübingen discovered specific brain cells that fire during mathematical operations. The study found unique neurons for addition and subtraction tasks, suggesting a complex coding system in the human brain.
Researchers at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute determine CASK gene disorder is caused by damage to neurons, not abnormal brain development. The finding has potential to inform treatment strategies for this rare genetic disease.
Prenatal exposure to industrial toxin TCDD may cause long-term damage to brain circuits and potentially lead to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD. Researchers found that pharmacological manipulation can restore microglia function, suggesting a possible therapeutic avenue for these disorders.
As people age, their brains allocate more space to accumulated knowledge, making memory retrieval challenging. However, this prior experience can also enhance creativity and decision-making skills.
Researchers discovered that inhibiting the breakdown of a neuroprotective molecule called 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in astrocytes promotes recovery from traumatic brain injury. The study suggests that targeting this molecule could lead to the development of new therapies for TBI-induced disease.
A new study by the University of Arizona has identified a brain region and neural circuitry that mediate satiation, making it possible to create treatments with fewer side effects for eating disorders and weight management. The parasubthalamic nucleus plays a key role in regulating feelings of fullness after eating.
Salk researchers have engineered mammalian cells to be activated using ultrasound, a method that paves the way toward non-invasive versions of deep brain stimulation, pacemakers, and insulin pumps. The team found a protein called TRPA1, known for its role in responding to noxious compounds, which also opens in response to ultrasound.
A new study published in Nature Communications found that amylin peptide plays a crucial role in regulating social contact-seeking behavior in female mice. The researchers discovered that isolation leads to a decrease in amylin levels, while social reunion increases them.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that certain stem cells have built-in tracers made of sugars that can track their movement in living tissues. The discovery could streamline and advance restorative research for diseases of the brain.
Researchers used 3D mini-brain models to study the effects of three autism risk genes on neural formation and development. The study found that despite unique molecular mechanisms, the genes converged on affecting specific types of neurons, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for autism treatment.
Researchers will use transcriptomics and chemogenetics to identify molecular targets for pain management. The project aims to advance knowledge on pain mechanisms and develop novel therapeutic strategies.
Scientists found smaller, faster waves in the visual cortex that relate to how attentive the brain is. These wave patterns may help understand sleep, anesthesia, and attention by suppressing irrelevant information. The discovery could also improve artificial brains using machine learning techniques.