Articles tagged with Neurons
Researchers used zebrafish to study spinal cord development and its role in controlling new movements, discovering patterns of neural activity that can be applied to human locomotor activities like walking and swimming. The study aims to improve treatments for movement disorders by identifying target neurons for restoration.
A recent study suggests that targeting alpha-synuclein protein in Parkinson's disease may not be sufficient to cure most patients. Instead, resolving brain inflammation caused by dysfunctional interferon-beta receptor signaling may hold the key to developing more effective treatments.
Researchers at Hebrew University developed a novel approach to mapping brain white matter fiber architecture using Nissl staining. The technique, called Nissl-ST, reveals the hidden patterns and organization of glial cells in white matter, opening new avenues for studying brain development, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study found that toxic fatty acids produced by astrocytes can trigger cell death in damaged neurons, which may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as glaucoma and Alzheimer's. Blocking the production of these fatty acids in mice preserved 75% of neurons, suggesting a promising target for treatment.
Researchers at WVU will explore how a specific enzyme protects the brain from stroke effects and aging. Their findings may indicate a potential target for medications improving brain blood vessel function after a stroke.
Researchers analyzed genetic expression profiles of developing brain cells, finding that early tissue holds a pre-set map that develops into the cerebral cortex's characteristic topography. A new method for predicting cell fate has also been established, using chromatin structure to determine lineage before gene expression is possible.
Researchers from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have published a comprehensive census of cell types in the primary motor cortex of human, mouse, and monkey brains. This milestone could lead to breakthroughs in studying and treating conditions like schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer's, and traumatic brain injuries.
A computational framework will be developed to characterize how genetic variants work at the cellular level in psychiatric diseases like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The framework aims to integrate data from live and postmortem samples, humans and mice, to accurately pinpoint which mutations result in disorders.
Researchers at the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre have discovered a new brain circuit that enables mice to override their instincts based on previous experience. The ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN) inhibits threat reactions when animals feel safe, but activates them when danger is perceived.
A preclinical study found that female mice are more susceptible to binge drinking due to a brain circuit called the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). The BNST is more excitable in females, requiring stronger inhibition to curb excessive alcohol consumption. This natural 'brake' mechanism may also contribute to sex differences...
Research in mice reveals that coordinated clock-gene and neuronal activity rhythms are necessary for daily hormone release, with the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) working together to generate circadian rhythms. Disruption of these clocks can lead to various pathologies.
Researchers found a correlation between high levels of Gas6 and zika-induced neurological complications. Gas6 helps the virus invade human cells, facilitating viral replication and aggravating infection. The discovery paves the way for future research on developing drugs to combat the virus.
Researchers discovered zebrafish neurons that monitor prediction errors to efficiently avoid danger, creating a 'hazard map' in the brain. This study sheds light on brain circuits shared across vertebrates, including humans.
A team of researchers at the Marine Biological Laboratory has developed a system called HySyn, which uses neuropeptides from Hydra to synthetically reconnect neural circuits in the C. elegans brain. This allows for the creation of an artificial synapse that rewires a behavioral circuit, enabling the worm to communicate more effectively.
Researchers tracked fruit flies' ability to interpret information while asleep, discovering a specific brain region involved in processing salient smells. The study used defined fly brains to analyze neural connections, finding that aversive odors woke the flies up more often than attractive ones.
Researchers have developed a revolutionary wireless photoelectric implant that can control the activity of spinal neurons, enabling the study of neural function and the development of new treatments for neurological disorders. The breakthrough technology uses pulses of light to stimulate or inhibit specific spinal-cord neurons, potenti...
Researchers used mice to demonstrate that acquired knowledge is stored in early visual areas of the brain, highlighting the widespread storage of semantic memories. The study showed that part of category knowledge is already present in the visual cortex.
Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago found a potential direct connection between neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), glaucoma, and herpesvirus. The study suggests OPTN protein restricts HSV-1 virus spread in cells.
A new study published in PNAS has identified 33 metabolic compounds associated with dementia, which could aid in diagnosis and treatment. The researchers found that levels of these metabolites differed significantly between patients with dementia and healthy elderly individuals.
A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that low-risk and high-risk neuroblastoma have distinct cell identities, which can affect survival rates. The researchers identified a progenitor cell type found in fetal adrenal tissue, which may contribute to the development of aggressive neuroblastoma in older children.
A recent study by Mount Sinai researchers discovered that certain neurons in the brain's decision-making centers monitor body-state dynamics and hijack the decision-making process during intense states of arousal. This suggests that changes in heart rate and other bodily responses can impact the brain's ability to make rational decisions.
Researchers found that astrocytes carrying the AD-associated APOE4 gene released more cholesterol, leading to increased beta-amyloid production in neurons. This study suggests modulating brain cholesterol could be a potential treatment option for Alzheimer's disease.
A new study suggests that existing drugs for multiple sclerosis may not be effective due to toxic blood leaks in the brain. Researchers have identified a promising alternative treatment option that could improve myelin repair, even in the presence of these harmful elements.
Researchers at UCLA developed brain organoids that mimic human brain structure and function, allowing for the study of neurological disorders like Rett syndrome. The organoids showed organized waves of activity similar to those found in living brains and responded to treatment with an experimental drug.
A new study from Monash University has identified RNA released from damaged cells as a signal to initiate repair in the nervous system. The research found that blocking or enhancing this recruitment of immature neurons halted or sped up neural circuit recovery, demonstrating their power in boosting neural repair.
Researchers have identified a gene called Npas4 that appears to influence hundreds of other genes for timekeeping in the brain. The study suggests that Npas4 is a master regulator of many light-induced genes, which could lead to new treatments for managing challenges such as jet lag and sleep disorders.
Researchers found that auditory and speech processing occur in parallel, with areas of the STG responding as fast as the primary auditory cortex when sentences were played. This challenges the traditional hierarchy model of speech processing and may offer new insights into conditions like dyslexia.
Researchers uncover a neuro-immune process by which brain signals instruct immune function in visceral fat stores, providing new approaches for fighting obesity and related illness. The study identifies a critical mediator of neuro-immune communication, mesenchymal cells, and reveals the molecular messages exchanged across all steps.
A University of Houston researcher is using cutting-edge techniques to study how testosterone affects the brain and social behavior. Using genetically modified African cichlid fish, Beau Alward aims to identify the specific genes and neurons involved in these processes.
Researchers at NICT unraveled a neural correlate of Pavlovian conditioning, discovering that alteration in information processing by feeding command neurons governs behavioral change. The experimental system made possible real-time observation of cell-cell connection for memory formation.
Scientists discovered a new mitochondrial recycling pathway that may help prevent Parkinson's disease. The study, published in Science Advances, reveals that genes associated with Parkinson's disease play key roles in this process and that disruptions can contribute to neurodegeneration.
A recent study discovered that brain cells cannot maintain the myelin sheath in the absence of the TDP-43 protein. Restoring cholesterol levels has been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases associated with TDP-43. The research found that oligodendrocytes, responsible for producing myelin, have def...
Scientists have discovered how neurotransmitters and proteins interact to trigger neuronal responses in the brain, with implications for understanding mood disorders and addictions. The study reveals small changes in protein connections control cellular responses, enabling precise regulation of neurotransmitter effects.
Researchers have developed a wireless, battery-free device that can illuminate neuron activity in the brain without penetrating the skull or tissue. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize treatments for conditions like epilepsy, chronic pain, and depression by enabling less invasive optogenetics experiments.
Researchers use X-rays to activate opsins in neurons, allowing for remote control of neural function and behavior. Scintillators emit visible light in response to X-ray irradiation, enabling the technique without tissue damage.
Researchers discovered that individual taste neurons in fruit flies can detect compounds from multiple taste categories, influencing feeding decisions. The team found that single-taste neurons are capable of responding to more than one tastant category, and that a single tastant category can activate multiple classes of taste neurons.
A Yale study suggests that newborn mammals can anticipate and respond to visual stimuli even before birth. The research reveals that waves of activity emanate from the neonatal retina in mice before their eyes open, mimicking the movement patterns they'll encounter after birth.
Researchers developed nanoparticles that absorb near-infrared light, creating heat and inhibiting electrical activity in neurons. The biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles offer a potential tool for controlling neuronal activity remotely.
Researchers discovered Piezo1 selectively restrains Treg cells, limiting their potential to mitigate autoimmune neuroinflammation. Inhibiting Piezo1 could lead to new treatments for neuroinflammatory disorders like MS.
Researchers developed a new model, MultiRM, that can predict the 12 most desirable RNA modifications for large-scale prediction. The approach integrates multiple tasks into a single prediction task, providing a more comprehensive view of epitranscriptomes and discovering underlying mechanisms.
A new study in Nature reveals a subset of astrocytes releasing interleukin-3 (IL-3) to convert killer microglial cells into nurturing and protective ones, potentially warding off Alzheimer's disease. This mechanism may provide a new therapeutic opportunity to combat neurological diseases.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that a modular network organization is critical for persistent neural activity in the brain. The study revealed that each hemisphere makes its own copy of information and coordinates with the other hemisphere to ensure coherent information during working memory.
Researchers investigated the impact of EGCG on Tau glycation and its effects on advanced glycation end products in neuroblastoma cells. EGCG was found to inhibit methyl glyoxal-induced Tau glycation and reduce advanced glycation end products formation, while also modulating the localization of AT100 phosphorylated Tau.
Researchers from UCPH discovered that a blockage in the pathway regulating nerve cell powerhouses, mitochondria, is the major cause of sporadic Parkinson's Disease. This dysregulation leads to accumulation of damaged mitochondria and neuronal death, resulting in dementia.
Scientists from University of Sussex have determined the structure of R2TP-TTT nanomachine, crucial for constructing mTORC1 - a complicated regulator of energy metabolism. The new findings were made possible by state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy, providing detailed images of protein arrangements and molecular interactions.
Researchers developed 'sci-Space,' a new approach to spatial transcriptomics, retaining single-cell resolution while resolving spatial context at larger scales. The technique was applied to developing mouse embryos, capturing spatial coordinates and whole transcriptomes of nearly 120,000 cells.
Researchers aim to understand neural pathways in Hydra vulgaris, a tiny animal with simple circuits, to create designer neural circuits. The goal is to program behaviors from scratch and develop self-healing 'biorobots' for various applications.
A new study reveals that inhibitory neurons increase signal transmission by targeting the weakest-responding neurons in the brain, enabling flexible information transfer. This discovery could help understand and treat disorders such as anxiety and attention deficit disorders.
A group of patients with neurological disease have been found to lack a critical cell process called autophagy. This discovery challenges the understanding that humans cannot survive if their cells completely fail to carry out autophagy, and may have important implications for research and therapies in neurodegeneration and cancer.
Researchers at Harvard University have created a comprehensive molecular atlas of the developing somatosensory cortex, providing insights into how gene activity and regulation change over time. The study sheds light on the complex process of cortical development, including when different neuron populations are established.
Flies use their antenna to smell ammonia, which helps them find food sources and navigate. A new type of odor receptor, Amt, has been identified that allows insects to detect ammonia, and could lead to effective ways to block it.
Researchers found a link between abnormal cellular stress and Huntington's disease, identifying stress granules as a pathological feature. The study also uncovered extracellular vesicles that may alter other cells' behavior and impact granule accumulation.
Researchers are exploring the mechanisms of CASK loss-of-function mutation associated epileptic encephalopathy. A new mouse model suggests that deleting the CASK gene impairs mitochondrial function and energy supply to the brain, potentially causing seizures.
A comprehensive study of COVID-19 brains found significant signs of inflammation and impaired brain circuits. The findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 may trigger inflammatory responses throughout the body, leading to neuroinflammation in the brain.
Researchers discovered a brain mechanism that regulates whole-body glucose balance without altering body weight, indicating a promising therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes. By modulating this mechanism, it may be possible to regulate blood sugar levels in obese individuals with diabetes without requiring weight loss.
A machine-learning algorithm can recognize virus-infected cells based on fluorescence of the cell nucleus, reliably identifying viruses and predicting severe acute infections. The algorithm has been trained with a large set of microscopy images and demonstrates 95% accuracy in detecting virulent infections up to 24 hours in advance.
Neurons in the mouse visual thalamus establish strong functional connections only with one retina, not with both, resolving contradictory results from previous studies. The dominant eye is determined by a clear selection of input, and non-dominant eye signals are weak or inactive.
Researchers have identified cyclic peptides from the butterfly pea plant as potential therapeutic solutions for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's. The peptides protected neurons against β-amyloid toxicity and oxidative stress in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans.
Research finds that fruit flies use two distinct types of gustatory receptor neurons to discriminate between low and high concentrations of acid, explaining why many animals are attracted to slightly acidic foods but repulsed by highly acidic ones. A key protein, Otopetrin-like, plays a crucial role in attractive sour taste response.
Scientists at IBEC successfully controlled neuronal activity in the human brain using a light-responsive molecule named PAI. This breakthrough study demonstrates spatiotemporal control of brain state transitions, opening up new avenues for basic neuroscience research and potential brain therapies.