Articles tagged with Neurons
Scientists at Yale University found that flies perceive motion in static images similarly to humans, using a shared strategy for motion detection. By analyzing specific neuron types and behavior, the researchers developed a theory explaining how optical illusions work, which may also apply to human visual systems.
Researchers at the University of Bonn identify a disease mechanism where fat crystals cause immune system hyperreaction, leading to chronic inflammation. The study reveals that deoxysphingolipid crystals disrupt mitochondrial function and activate an inflammatory response in immune cells.
A new study by Osaka University researchers reveals that an abnormality of the C9orf72 gene leads to toxic protein production and hinders the cell's ability to destroy defective RNA. This creates a vicious cycle that accelerates disease progression in FTLD/ALS, opening up avenues for potential therapy options.
A new study led by Dr. Christopher Morrison reveals the nervous system cells and circuits that influence our metabolism and health in response to dietary changes. FGF21, a hormone produced by the liver, plays a crucial role in signaling to the brain when protein intake is low, triggering metabolic changes that improve health.
Scientists from Okayama University have developed genetically engineered proteins that can be controlled by light, offering a promising new tool for studying neurons. The engineered proteins, based on natural light-regulated channels, can be activated or silenced using different light frequencies, providing finer control over neural ac...
A team of Harvard researchers found that image-processing circuits in the primary visual cortex are more active when animals move, suggesting a complex relationship between vision and movement. The study's results offer new insights into how neural activity works in sensory regions of the brain.
Researchers discovered that mitochondria regulate the key event of neural stem cells becoming nerve cells during brain development. The study found that mitochondrial dynamics are important to cell fate choice and that this influence is limited to a specific time window, twice as long in humans compared to mice.
A team of researchers at Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown found that the ovipositor, a temporary tube-like structure protruding from the female's abdomen, stimulates the male to attempt mating. The study reveals a sequence of steps in male-female communication that resolves contradictory reports on courtship and copulation.
Researchers found that electroacupuncture can significantly reduce pro-inflammatory molecule levels and increase survival rates in mice with a life-threatening inflammatory condition. The treatment worked by exciting norepinephrine-producing nerves, which activated receptors that suppressed inflammation.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals how pollen tubes grow up to a thousand-fold to reach the ovule, creating electrical activity at the cell membrane and promoting faster growth. The findings have implications for understanding seed production, fungal growth, and neuronal development, and may lead to improved food crop v...
Researchers developed three techniques to replace malfunctioning microglia, with varying efficiencies and donor sources. The techniques offer promise for treating neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, ALS, and Parkinson's.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered a novel mechanism to regulate ATXN1 levels, reducing protein accumulation and improving SCA1 symptoms. Gene therapy targeting the cerebellum showed promising results by lowering ATXN1 levels and enhancing motor coordination in animal models.
Researchers developed a genetically engineered mouse to visualize fluctuations in circadian clocks of cell types. They found that removing clock genes from AVP neurons disrupted the entire SCN network, while VIP neurons were less affected.
Researchers synthesized current evidence on gene regulatory networks and neuronal networks to understand animal behavior. The integration of these networks reveals complex dynamics, including environmental factors and social behavior influencing gene expression changes.
A study by Tufts University researchers found that estrogen can have a disruptive effect on glucose metabolism in females, but not males, when a specific protein is absent. The study identified a key protein in the brain that mediates these effects and provides insight into the differences between men and women in their risk of diabetes.
Researchers discovered that REM sleep tunes eating behavior by reducing the activation of hypothalamic neurons in mice, indicating the importance of sleep quality in maintaining stable feeding habits. The study suggests a long-lasting effect on neuronal activity and feeding behavior.
A new UCL study using brain imaging found that paying attention increases energy use in the brain, while diverting energy from unattended tasks. The brain has a hard limit on energy supply, which can lead to feelings of overwhelm and neglect of important information.
The team discovered a technique to compress brain signals, focusing on neural activity spikes called threshold crossing rate or TCR, which requires less data while still being able to predict firing neurons. By listening to a specific feature of neuron data called spiking-band power, the SBP method is highly accurate and takes in one-t...
Two groups of nerve cells in the posterior amygdala regulate emotions and drive male social behaviors like sex and aggression. Blocking signals from these neurons impairs males' ability to mate, while boosting them increases aggression.
A new study reveals that SARS-CoV-2 infection drives the loss of smell by targeting non-neuronal cells in the nasal cavity. The virus expresses key genes in these cells, which are responsible for damage and anosmia.
Research by Professor Ami Citri and PhD student Anna Terem at Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that the claustrum plays a significant role in creating associations between rewards and contexts. The study used conditioned-place preference tests on lab mice to demonstrate the claustrum's involvement in incentive salience.
Researchers used the MADM technique to investigate how cells respond to changes in genomic imprinting. They found that cells activate certain gene groups involved in cell death, growth, and synapse development, particularly in astrocytes.
A research team mapped molecular changes in cells near amyloid plaques, finding two co-expression networks that respond to amyloid beta deposition. These networks, expressed by astroglia, microglia, and oligodendrocytes, show both protective and damaging effects on the brain, highlighting the complexity of Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists have developed a wireless, optical cochlear implant that uses LED lights to restore hearing in deaf rats and gerbils. The device generates more selective signals than prior designs, offering improvements over current electrode-based implants.
Researchers found that fat-burning neurons in mice can grow and increase their ability to burn energy when given the hormone leptin. This discovery could lead to new treatments for obesity by targeting these neurons.
Researchers discovered a population of brain-resident immune cells that transfer information from the body to the brain environment. The presence of these cells is crucial for normal brain development in mice, and their absence affects behavior and brain development.
Researchers have shown that when one optic nerve is damaged, the opposite optic nerve shares its metabolic energy with the brain. This sharing process helps explain how neurodegeneration spreads between brain regions in diseases like glaucoma and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have identified a specific type of neuron that plays an important role in gait recovery in mice, using machine learning to pinpoint the cells involved. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments for paralysis and advance biomedical research.
Scientists have created magnetic nanodiscs that can detect and respond to mechanical forces, offering a new method for studying neural responses and potentially leading to new therapeutic treatments. The discovery could provide a more precise and non-invasive alternative to existing neurostimulation techniques.
Researchers found that misrouted mitochondrial RNA triggers an immune response, leading to cell death in spiny projection neurons ravaged by Huntington's disease. The study also identified a master regulator of gene transcription alterations and matched human brain samples with mouse models.
Researchers at Graz University of Technology developed a new machine learning algorithm called e-prop, which significantly expands the possible applications of AI. This novel approach uses spikes to enable more efficient information processing and reduces energy consumption.
Researchers successfully edited RNA to correct mutations in the MeCP2 protein causing Rett syndrome, a condition affecting 1 in 10,000 live births. The technique holds promise for treating neurological disorders with genetic mutations spread across thousands of cell types.
Researchers developed a new method to map brain-wide connections using DNA barcodes, reducing costs compared to traditional methods. The approach generates virtually infinite labels to distinguish individual cells, enabling the creation of accurate anatomical maps.
Scientists at TU Dresden and HZDR successfully imitated brain neuron functioning using semiconductor materials. This development enables more efficient and intelligent computing, with potential applications in areas such as robotics and image recognition.
A new NIH study suggests that deactivating certain genes in the human genome may play a role in controlling the differentiation of stem cells into neurons. The research found that these genes, which were once thought to be inactive 'junk DNA', may help regulate the maturation process of stem cells, leading to improved understanding of ...
Amber Alhadeff, a behavioral neurobiologist at Monell Chemical Senses Center, has been awarded a $225,000 Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship Award in Neurosciences to study the role of gut signals in hunger-related neurons. Her research aims to improve understanding of diet-related diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers are exploring how amyloid plaques degrade the brain's vascular system by impairing astrocytes, leading to a weakening of the blood-brain barrier. The study aims to pinpoint genes and proteins in astrocytes that contribute to Alzheimer's disease progression.
Researchers developed a neural network capable of recognizing retinal tissues during differentiation without modifying cells. The method allows for growing retinal tissue for developing cell replacement therapies to treat blindness and conducting research into new drugs.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute identified a novel drug that can protect the brain during and after a stroke. The study shows that injured neurons can remain viable if prevented from following biochemical pathways leading to cell death.
A new study sheds light on the molecular factors that render entorhinal brain cells uniquely sensitive to degeneration. Researchers found that a suite of genes is likely involved in making these neurons easy targets for degeneration, with PTBP1 playing a major role.
Tracking each atom in the NMDA receptor has revealed how it transmits and inhibits neural signals. The discovery could lead to better treatments for Alzheimer's disease, depression, epilepsy, stroke, or schizophrenia by controlling the receptor's activity.
Researchers at the Allen Institute in Seattle are building a high-resolution map of Alzheimer's disease by comparing brain cells across patients with different stages of the disease. By identifying specific neurons and cell types affected by the progressive disorder, they aim to find new drug targets and potential therapies.
Scientists discovered a cell signaling pathway that could lead to new treatments for tuberous sclerosis complex, a neurological disorder causing non-cancerous tumors and epilepsy. The heat shock protein cascade restored normal mTOR activity in TSC cells, offering potential drug targets.
A new study in rodents suggests that star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes may be responsible for killing nerve cells in glaucoma. The study found that increased pressure drove astrocytes to release toxins that killed neurons, highlighting a potential target for treating the disease.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in understanding chandelier cells, which are key regulators of brain signaling. Abnormalities in these cells have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, and studying them may provide insights into disease mechanisms.
A team of researchers discovered that distinct neural circuits in the forebrain send signals to the brain's control center to regulate sighing in response to stress, anxiety, or relief. Sighing rate increased when mice were confined, indicating a complex interplay between physiological and emotional inputs.
Blood vessels in the brain have evolved to form a protective barrier, but recent research shows they can also sense the metabolic state of neighboring neural cells. This allows them to respond to changes in nutrient availability and prevent disease states such as Alzheimer's and vascular dementia.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba and RIKEN in Japan have identified specific cells in the mouse brain that can trigger a hibernation-like state when activated. This discovery has significant implications for potential human hibernation applications, including medical uses such as emergency transport or critical care situations.
Using human stem cell models, researchers identified deficits within cells damaged by glaucoma and found that correcting genetic mutations could slow disease progression. They also discovered dysfunction in autophagy, a process that removes damaged cells, which correlated with neurodegeneration.
A new study reveals that chemotherapy and cancer contribute to the development of neuropathy, a condition affecting millions of cancer patients. Researchers found that cancer itself causes significant distress to neurons, while chemotherapy amplifies this effect, leading to more severe trauma.
Researchers at University of Warwick discover that tanycytes, a type of glial cell in the brain, can increase appetite by delivering signals to neurons. The study found that stimulating tanycytes leads to an increase in food intake due to the activation of two pathways involved in feeding behavior.
A recent study published in Neurogastroenterology & Motility found that high-fat diets change the nutrient-sensing capacity of Enterochromaffin (EC) cells in mice, leading to increased serotonin levels and potential implications for obesity and type 2 diabetes
Researchers found that the loss of UBE2K enzyme silences key genes for neuronal differentiation, leading to impaired development of nerve cells. The study provides a potential link between epigenetic regulation and neurodevelopmental diseases.
A Stanford team has developed an inexpensive optical technique to simultaneously record neural activity across the entire top surface of a mouse's cerebral cortex. This allows for comprehensive measurement of neural activity and could lead to breakthroughs in understanding decision-making, motor control, and sensory perception.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University develop a novel material called NT-3DFG, which enables remote optical stimulation of neurons without genetic modification or cellular stress. This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding cell interactions and developing new therapies that harness the human body's own cells.
A study by NYSCF Research Institute creates human stem-cell-derived astrocytes that become toxic to neurons in disease-like environments. This phenomenon could lead to effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's.
A new UC San Francisco study found that precise synchronization of high-frequency brain waves is crucial for learning to let go of old rules and make way for new updates. Disrupting these synchronized waves can lead to perseverative behaviors, a common symptom in schizophrenia.
Changes in gut mucus may be contributing to bacterial imbalance and exacerbating symptoms of neurological diseases. Gut mucus plays a critical role in balancing good and bad bacteria in the gut.
Researchers at Lund University and McGill University found that toxic tau protein spreads in the human brain via connected neurons, facilitated by beta-amyloid. The spread of toxic tau leads to widespread neuronal death and eventual dementia.
A SISSA study shows that passive visual experience plays a key role in maturing the brain's 'complex' neurons involved in vision. This discovery has important implications for understanding cerebral development and could lead to new clinical and technological applications.