Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a machine learning platform that can identify activated neurons in videos faster and more accurately than current techniques. The technology enables researchers to watch an animal's brain activity in real-time as they behave, allowing for new insights into how the brain works.
Researchers at EPFL discovered that bile acids can trigger satiety in the brain by activating specific receptors. Bile acids reach the brain shortly after a meal and suppress food intake by blocking appetite-stimulating signals. This study suggests a new role for bile acids in regulating eating behavior.
Researchers found that the defective Cullin 3 gene leads to increased levels of Plastin 3, causing neurons to migrate slower and accumulating in the cortex. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorder and may pave the way for therapeutic treatments.
Researchers have successfully catalogued the effect of individual genes on human neuron function and survival, revealing unexpected results. The team's findings suggest that switching off certain genes can lead to an increase in oxidative stress, which may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases.
A study published in Nature Aging suggests that low oxygen levels in senile plaques reduce immune system's defensive capacity against Alzheimer's disease. Reduced oxygen supply also compromises microglial activity, leading to increased pathology associated with the disease.
Researchers have shown that microglia play a central role in maintaining normal brain function and can fail to do so, leading to serious brain disorders. This new understanding has the potential to develop better diagnostics and treatments for these diseases.
Researchers have successfully grown sesame-seed-sized heart models using human pluripotent stem cells, which spontaneously self-organize into a hollow chamber without experimental scaffolds. The cardioids' wall-like tissue contracts rhythmically to squeeze liquid around the inside cavity, mimicking natural development.
A new study suggests that DJ-1 protein, which protects against free radicals inside cells, worsens inflammation outside the cell, leading to exacerbated pathologies in ischemic stroke. The researchers identified DJ-1 as a previously unknown inflammatogenic DAMP that may be a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
A new cognitive construct called 'decision acuity' was identified as a stable factor underlying diverse decision-making abilities in adolescents and young adults. Decision acuity was linked to factors such as fast learning, reward sensitivity, and low propensity for retaliation, and predicted performance in decision-making tasks.
Researchers discovered that a population of regulatory T cells serve as tissue repair engineers to promote functional recovery after stroke. Boosting these cells improved behavioral and cognitive functions in mice for weeks after a stroke, pointing to potential immunotherapy.
Case Western Reserve researchers have identified a potential new approach to controlling epileptic seizures by stabilizing the sodium channel through neddylation. This finding, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, offers hope for future research and potential drug development to prevent epilepsy.
Academic institutions must improve support for disabled faculty members, including those with visible and invisible disabilities. The commentary highlights the challenges created by high demands for grant money and frequent research publications, which can lead to reduced funding and staff retention.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have discovered a cell division machinery in fruit flies that produces brain cells, revealing a mechanical cycle involved in differentiation. The study provides insights into brain development and potential regenerative therapies for injuries.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine counted brain cells in fruit flies and three mosquito species, revealing an average of 200,000 neurons. This estimate likely represents a baseline number of brain cells required for complex behaviors. The study provides insight into the intricate processing capabilities of these insects.
Scientists at Gladstone Institutes create an artificial intelligence system that can follow hundreds of cells in a petri dish, revealing key findings on cell behavior and leadership patterns. The AI approach provides a comprehensive view of how cells cooperate and form complex organs, with potential applications for therapeutic purposes.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have discovered that sevoflurane can cause tau to leave neurons and enter microglia, stimulating inflammation and cognitive impairment. The study suggests that inhibiting tau phosphorylation or extracellular vesicle generation could prevent this tau spreading.
Researchers used advanced imaging technology to film Zebrafish brains while they were alive, revealing that the activation of stem cells responsible for generating neurons is not random, but rather coordinated. This finding has important implications for understanding brain development and may lead to new treatments for neurodegenerati...
Researchers will investigate potential mechanisms using mouse models and systems biology approach to identify new drug targets for Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to understand how altered mitochondrial calcium transport contributes to neurodegeneration and disease progression.
Rice University neurobiologist Rosa Uribe wins $2 million NIH grant to study enteric nervous system development in zebrafish embryos. The 5-year study aims to decipher the mechanisms of neural crest cell transformation into neurons and other cell types.
A joint research group found a previously unknown cell type in the adrenal glands that might be the origin of neuroblastoma tumour cells. This discovery could provide a basis for effective treatments.
Researchers found that calcium ions trigger the exposure of phosphatidylserine on the surface of necrotic cells, activating an enzyme that promotes their clearance. This process is crucial for maintaining body health and preventing tissue damage caused by unremoved dead cells.
Researchers have mapped the genetic profile of osteocytes, a type of bone cell that controls skeleton growth and decay. The study identifies novel genes associated with rare and common skeletal diseases, paving the way for new treatments and improved diagnosis.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new noninvasive therapy using low-intensity focused ultrasound that can target specific cell types in the brain. The technology has shown promise in treating conditions such as Parkinson's Disease, epilepsy and insomnia.
Biomedical engineer Chase Cornelison is exploring ways to harness cancer cells to treat spinal cord injuries and restore function following brain damage. His research aims to retrain neural cells to suppress inflammation and promote repair, potentially reversing the damage caused by paralysis and diseases.
Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute have developed a new method called nanorate sequencing (NanoSeq) that enables accurate study of genetic changes in human tissues. The study challenges the idea that cell division is the main mechanism driving genetic changes and opens up new avenues for research into cancer and ageing.
A team at Kanazawa University found that vasopressin neurons play a critical role in regulating the timing of output from the molecular clock, which governs circadian behaviors. The study used mice with altered GABA signaling to demonstrate the importance of these neurons in maintaining behavioral rhythms.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have developed a new technique to model brain cells in older patients with Alzheimer's disease. The study reveals that affected neurons lose their cellular identity and exhibit changes similar to those seen in cancer cells, providing potential targets for therapeutics.
A team of University of Michigan researchers identified many genes crucial for fruit fly neuron development, including three previously unknown ones. The discovery provides insights into the complex process of neurogenesis and may lead to new approaches for understanding human brain development and regeneration.
Researchers identified a new cell type called neuromast-associated ionocytes in zebrafish sensory organs that play a crucial role in regulating the fluid composition. These cells are responsible for maintaining balance and spatial orientation, and their dysfunction is linked to hearing loss and vestibular defects.
Researchers have identified a critical role for DNA replication timing in controlling the packing of DNA with its regulatory factors, known as the epigenome. The study found that disrupting this program can lead to inappropriate cellular functions and negative health outcomes.
A new UCLA study finds that a one-time injection of an experimental stem cell therapy can repair brain damage and improve memory function in mice with conditions that replicate human strokes and dementia. The therapy, developed from glial cells, stimulates the brain's own repair processes and enhances neural connections.
Scientists discovered that mice categorize surprisingly well, even assigning patterns they've never seen before into correct categories. Category-selective neurons in the prefrontal cortex gradually develop during category learning, playing a key role in long-term memory.
Researchers have successfully altered feeding and anxiety-like behaviors linked to anorexia in mice by targeting the MC3R receptor. The study suggests that fine-tuning the receptor's activity could help change feeding habits and promote weight gain in patients with eating disorders, offering a potential new treatment for anorexia.
Researchers at Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown discover distinct compartments within the VMH that control female receptivity and rejection. Progesterone receptors exhibit significant changes across reproductive cycle, suggesting a complex neural basis for female socio-sexual behavior.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered three distinct types of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNECs) that line the human airway, which may be involved in breathing-related diseases in infants. The study found higher numbers of certain PNECs in autopsied tissues from children who died from SIDS and other conditions.
Researchers discovered a new molecule, K162, that inhibits beta-amyloid toxicity and protects neurons from damage. The study provides hope for alternative therapeutic strategies against Alzheimer's disease.
A University of Colorado Boulder study reveals that tau aggregates interfere with RNA splicing, leading to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. The findings provide new insights into the mechanism of action of tau tangles, shedding light on potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers found that Staufen1 accumulates in brains of patients with neurodegenerative disorders, disrupting normal cellular function. Lowering Staufen1 levels may improve pathology and rid cells of stress granules, a key finding for potential treatment approaches.
The new Neuropixels 2.0 probes have improved recording-site density and long-term stability, allowing scientists to track individual neurons for weeks. This enables the study of complex phenomena like learning and memory in mice.
A study by researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University found that the Distal-less homeobox 5 (Dlx5) gene plays a significant role in directing cell fate in the mouse head. Higher expression levels of Dlx5 were linked to enhanced cartilage and bone formation, suggesting its importance in proper cranial development.
Researchers developed a reversible gene editing technology called CRISPRoff that allows controlling gene expression while leaving the underlying DNA sequence unchanged. The new method can silence the vast majority of genes with great homogeneity and in a reversible manner.
Scientists at Institut Pasteur have successfully visualized neural stem cell activation in adult zebrafish brains, demonstrating coordinated events in time and space. This breakthrough may improve understanding of regulation processes during brain tumor formation.
New research reveals sex-specific differences in brain stem cell activity and blood vessel density with age. Female mice show more efficient neurogenesis and better neuron migration compared to male mice, suggesting hormonal or genetic influences may play a role.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a new technique to approximate neuron counts in individual animal brains, providing a more meaningful metric than traditional studies measuring brain size or weight. The study reveals that certain species of bees have a higher density of brain cells than even some species of birds.
A new method called ACME has revolutionized single-cell transcriptomic technologies by enabling accurate cell fixation and dissociation without causing cell stress. This allows scientists to study thousands of individual cells from living organisms, one-by-one, and sequence each cell's genetic material.
Researchers discovered two subsets of tumor cells that can be targeted using different methods, one inducing ferroptosis and the other inhibiting antioxidant production. The study found that combining these approaches could improve treatment outcomes for small cell lung cancer patients.
Researchers pinpointed cysteine leukotriene receptor 2 (CysLT2R) as a new target for treating chronic itch. The study found that activating this receptor induces itching in mouse models of atopic dermatitis, highlighting its potential role in contributing to the condition.
A new study by Salk scientists identifies specific regions of the genome that neurons prioritize for DNA repair, revealing
Researchers have developed an AI-based software called 3DeeCellTracker, which can automatically track cells in 3D microscope videos. This versatile tool enables the analysis of cellular activities across biology, medical research, and drug development.
Researchers investigated how certain strains of herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) activate gene expression in neurons, finding that different genetic variants induce distinct patterns of gene expression. These findings may help understand why people experience varying levels of symptom severity and frequency of outbreaks.
Researchers developed a human model of Leigh syndrome caused by SURF1 mutations, discovering that energy deficits in neural precursors lead to neuronal defects and brain function impairment. This breakthrough provides potential therapeutic strategies, including gene replacement therapy and the use of Bezafibrate, for treating children ...
Researchers found that mice lacking Rev-erb gene exhibit characteristics similar to dawn phenomenon in type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that altered daily rhythm of Rev-erb gene expression may underlie the condition. Further investigations may lead to therapies.
Scientists have identified specific regions within the DNA of neurons that accumulate a certain type of damage, which appears to be unique to neurons. This discovery challenges current knowledge about the cause of DNA damage and its potential implications in neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study reveals the genetic mechanism behind human brain development, identifying a key molecule called ZEB2 that influences brain growth. The research found that human brain organoids grow larger and have more neurons than those from other apes due to a delayed change in cell shape.
A novel gene therapy has been developed to convert glioma cells into functional neurons, offering a new approach to treating the disease. This technology may prolong treatment time by arresting rapid proliferation of malignant glioma cells.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a technology called tissue nanotransfection (TNT) that reprograms skin cells into vascular cells to repair damaged brain tissue. In a mouse study, cells treated with this innovative cell therapy regained 90% of their motor function, showing promise for treating stroke patients.
University of Cincinnati assistant professor Ashley Ross is developing tools to detect and study chemical signals between the brain and immune system using a federal grant. Her research aims to understand how neurons regulate inflammation and develop new therapies.
Researchers have developed a graphical model to identify cells in the brain, overcoming a major neuroscience bottleneck. The approach uses relationships among cells to define their identity and outperforms traditional methods in identifying cells, especially with imperfect data.
A new RNA detection method, BOLORAMIS, overcomes limitations of previous technologies to analyze RNA molecules in their native cellular environment. The study demonstrates high specificity and sensitivity, enabling the analysis of multiple RNAs simultaneously.
A study at The Mount Sinai Hospital found that a specific epigenetic modification, H3K79me2, mediates the lasting effects of early-life stress on adult stress vulnerability. A small-molecule inhibitor of this enzyme reversed increased susceptibility to lifelong stress in animal models.