Articles tagged with Neurons
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have designed proteins called cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) that prevent the aggregation of amyloid-β protein associated with Alzheimer's disease. The CPPs stabilize Aβ in a non-aggregated state, inhibiting neurotoxicity and protecting neurons from damage.
A new imaging system, Flyception2, has recorded ultra-precise brain activities in flies during various stages of mating, including courtship. The study reveals surprising findings about brain nerve cells' activity patterns, with P1 neurons inactive during copulation and mAL neurons switched on.
The EU-funded IN-FET project develops novel nanodevices to treat neurological diseases like epilepsy and Parkinson's by modulating nerve cell activity. The project uses ion-based technology to correct hyper-excitability in brain cells, offering a natural approach to treating these conditions.
Scientists at U-M identified distinct excitatory neurons in the retrosplenial cortex, which can continuously encode direction-related information over long durations. These low rheobase neurons are ideal for navigation, providing persistent sense of direction that complements other brain signals.
Researchers discovered that exposure to flickering light at 40 Hz causes brains to release signaling chemicals that may help fight Alzheimer's disease. The study found a surge of cytokines and phosphoproteins, which could support neural health and activate microglia to clean up amyloid beta plaques.
New research suggests that moving birth a day early can trigger an early start to widespread neuron death in the developing brain. Delaying birth has no apparent effect on when this cell death occurs, indicating a developmental process takes over in this scenario.
A new study reveals that people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a cellular abnormality that impairs production of myelin, a fatty substance that facilitates efficient electrical communication across the brain. This impairment could lead to abnormal brain development and neurological problems associated with ASD.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered a unique pattern of DNA damage that arises in brain cells derived from individuals with macrocephalic form of autism spectrum disorder. The observation helps explain what might go awry in the brain during cell division and development to cause the disorder.
Scientists have identified recurring patterns in brain neurons that can be used to explain their behavior and function, paving the way for creating artificial intelligence that mimics the human brain. By understanding these patterns, researchers aim to develop new treatments for neurological disorders and improve current technology.
A new study reveals that exposure to young pups changes signaling within the auditory cortex of female mice with intact Mecp2 gene, allowing neurons to become more responsive. In contrast, female mice with impaired Mecp2 gene show a strong dampening effect, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for Rett syndrome treatment.
A new study published in Nature found that widely used cerebral organoids are 'confused' and 'disorganized' compared to the developing human brain. The researchers measured gene expression in over 235,000 cells from 37 different organoids and compared it to normal brain tissue, revealing a lack of development into distinctive cell type...
A new injection technique has been developed to deliver neural precursor cells to spinal cord injuries, reducing further trauma and promoting reparative cell propagation. This method may have utility for multiple neurodegenerative conditions such as spinal traumatic injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis.
Scientists have discovered the detailed structure of two calcium homeostasis modulator (CALHM) pores, which play a crucial role in sensing taste and controlling airways in lungs. The findings suggest these pores are essential for cell health and may lead to new therapies for Alzheimer's and depression.
A study on globular glial tauopathy reveals that phosphate groups are not unique to tau protein and can lead to dysfunction in other proteins. Glial cells also play a crucial role in the disease's progression by facilitating the spread of protein inclusions. This research sheds light on potential new drug targets to stop disease progre...
A new technique reveals that myelin produces multiple waves of electrical potentials traveling at high speeds, contradicting earlier assumptions. This discovery has significant implications for understanding demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have successfully developed pain-killing neurons using human stem cells, providing lasting relief in mice without side effects. The next step is to conduct safety tests in rodents and pigs before moving to human trials within five years.
Researchers created snake venom glands as organoids, producing biologically active venom peptides. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective production of antivenom, addressing a pressing medical need.
Researchers found that West Nile virus (WNV) inhibits autophagy to induce protein aggregation, leading to cell death and brain inflammation. A drug inducing autophagy can prevent cell death and reduce inflammation.
A study published in PNAS reveals that the blood-brain barrier's impermeability is linked to depression symptoms and that restoring its integrity may lead to improved treatment outcomes. Researchers found that a decrease in claudin-5 protein and increased HDAC1 enzyme are associated with depressive symptoms.
Researchers found a neuron in mice that can suppress appetite without causing nausea, potentially leading to new treatment options for obesity. The study discovered that activating this CALCR neuron increases food intake and contributes to obesity, while deactivating it decreases food intake and body weight.
Researchers have discovered a secreted protein signature of aging cells, which is enriched with biomarkers found in human plasma. This breakthrough could lead to the development of therapeutic approaches to treat age-related diseases by targeting senescent cells.
A new microscopy technique, cryo-SR/EM, combines images from electron microscopes and super-resolution light microscopes to reveal the intricate 3D structure of cells. This allows researchers to study the relationships between cellular structures and their surroundings with unprecedented clarity.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center discovered that the insular cortex plays a crucial role in assessing and predicting physiological states. The study's findings provide potential new avenues for addressing diseases such as eating disorders, obesity, and drug addiction by targeting the brain's reward system.
A new study has identified the population of brain cells responsible for fear extinction training, discovering that these neurons are also activated by feelings of reward. The study suggests that fear extinction is equivalent to receiving a reward, providing potential therapeutic targets for treating anxiety disorders like PTSD.
Dr. Fred H. Gage has made groundbreaking discoveries in stem cell biology, neuroscience, and human evolution. His work has broad implications for treating diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and mental health disorders.
Researchers discovered that Cdkn1c loss leads to cell death and smaller brains when targeted at the single-cell level. In contrast, whole animal studies revealed no effect on brain size, suggesting a new growth-promoting role of Cdkn1c.
Researchers study how gut infections damage the nervous system, leading to chronic inflammation and conditions like IBS. They find that specific genes contribute to cell death and propose potential treatments by boosting polyamine production or restoring gut microbial communities.
A Pitt engineer has received a $1.6M NIH award to develop a wireless neural device for precise and long-term stimulation of specific neurons. The proposed technology uses photostimulation to activate neurons with great precision, minimizing tissue damage and improving spatial selectivity.
Researchers found that adult female mice exhibit abnormal neuron activity when learning to respond to young pups' distress cries. The findings suggest potential therapeutic strategies for Rett syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder affecting brain rewiring in adults.
Dresden scientists discovered two types of newly formed neurons in zebrafish brains, which have the same cell types as humans. These findings could lead to new therapies for stroke, craniocerebral trauma, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
The study reveals that different classes of neurons control positive and negative motivation, sending opposing signals along a shared brain circuit. This balance determines whether an individual seeks pleasurable experiences or avoids negative ones.
Researchers created a molecular 3D-map of nerve cells targeted by opioids in striatum, dividing it into subregions with spatiomolecular code. This knowledge may contribute to an increased understanding of normal reward processes and the effects of addictive substances on decision-making.
Bern researchers have identified the neurons responsible for rapid eye movements (REM) during sleep, a characteristic of paradoxical sleep with high dream activity. The discovery was made by a team of scientists who found that activation of these neurons causes rapid eye movement and can be used to study the function of this phenomenon.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine report no link between increased levels of herpes virus and Alzheimer's disease, contrary to a previous study. The team also provides a new statistical and computational framework for analyzing large-scale sequencing data.
Associate Professor Menglin Chen's team has created a light-controlled neural stimulating scaffold inside the body using nanofibers coated with photovoltaic nanomaterials. This non-genetic method can locally stimulate cells electrically and has shown regenerative effects on neural model cells.
Researchers have found that suppressing MSUT2, a gene involved in tau regulation, may protect against Alzheimer's disease. The study also highlights the importance of preserving PABPN1 activity to prevent brain degeneration.
A high-fat meal can disrupt communication between the intestine and the rest of the body through enteroendocrine cells, which produce hormones to signal digestion and nutrient absorption. The study found that these cells become overstimulated and exhausted after a high-fat meal, leading to silencing of their signals.
A new study reveals that spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) originates from metabolic dysregulation leading to altered calcium homeostasis in neurons. The research also identifies Sirtuin 1 as a key player in promoting calcium regulation and reducing neurodegeneration.
A new study analyzing nearly 60,000 neurons in the mouse visual system reveals that less than 10% of neurons behave as expected to perceive the outside world. The researchers found that most neurons showed more specialized responses, while a third didn't light up reliably to any stimuli.
Researchers found that the sympathetic nervous system can limit the generation of effector responses by inhibiting the action of cells attacking an antigen. This discovery opens up opportunities for novel therapies in autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis.
Researchers have developed new methods to track brain activity in living mice, using a molecule that responds directly to voltage changes in neurons. The techniques enable the study of fine details of brain activity, including how neurons process signals and decide when to spike.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine found that specific neurons in the CeA contribute to reward-like behaviors and alcohol drinking. By selectively lesioning or ablating these neurons, animals drank less alcohol without affecting anxiety-like behavior.
A research team has developed biotransistors that can record small beats of live cells and micro-tissues, paving the way for drug development and screening. The transistors, made of organic material on a flexible substrate, are biocompatible and offer intrinsic signal amplification, reducing the need for external amplifiers.
Researchers created living biohybrid nerve tissue using stem cells to develop 3D models of neural networks, enabling better understanding of brain function and disease development. The 3D models can be controlled with optogenetics and used for drug testing and studying complex behaviors.
Ruth-Universität Bochum researcher receives ERC grant to study grid cell patterns in human brain, potential link to Alzheimer's disease. The research aims to better understand the role of grid cells in spatial navigation and identify early markers for Alzheimer's.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University created a lens-free, ultra-miniaturized endoscope that produces higher quality images while minimizing brain tissue damage. The microendoscope achieves this by using coded apertures and computational reconstruction to create a clearer image from a 'messy' projection.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a nanosize container made of biodegradable polymer to deliver protein-based medicines and gene therapies, including CRISPR, into specifically selected target cells. The invention could offer a way to efficiently ferry larger medical compounds into cells with fewer side effects.
A recent Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that a protein signal stimulates the generation of vital nerve cells throughout injured areas, crucial for bone repair. Without this signaling pathway, bone formation is hampered, leading to significant reductions in blood vessel formation and mineralization of new bone.
New research shows that nerve cells in the gut regulate gut immunity, maintain homeostasis, and provide active protection against infection. Gut neurons activate pain-sensing neurons to release neurochemicals slowing M cell differentiation and boosting SFB microbes, which guard against Salmonella invasion.
A team of researchers identified a cell surface receptor, CXCR2, essential for hormone-resistant prostate cancer cells. They showed that targeting this receptor can halt tumor growth using a drug originally intended for lung diseases.
Researchers found that epigenetic mechanisms, specifically DNA methylation, play a key role in determining an individual's innate drive to exercise. The study revealed that mice with disrupted DNA methylation in hypothalamic neurons exhibited decreased voluntary physical exercise behavior.
A Freiburg research team has cracked the code on how embryonic stem cells determine which cell types to develop into. They found that genes controlling cell differentiation are selectively used and that transcription factors like Eomes and Brachyury play a key role in this process.
A study published in Neuropsychopharmacology found that targeting cell populations in the nucleus accumbens can prevent addiction relapse. Researchers used chemogenetic receptors to control activity in this brain region, successfully reducing relapse behavior in high-risk rats.
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a molecule called AUTAC that can target specific intracellular components for degradation via autophagy. This process has been impaired in some cancers and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Down syndrome, making AUTAC a promising innovation for disease treatment.
Researchers at NUS used machine learning tools to discover that stable information can be found within the changing neural population code in the frontal lobe. This finding has broader implications for understanding cognitive flexibility and multiple brain regions interacting with each other.
A new National Institutes of Health study reveals that uncommitted neural stems cells generally survive La Crosse virus (LACV) infection, while neurons are more susceptible. Interferon therapy successfully protects neurons from LACV-induced death in a cerebral organoid model.
A Monash University study has made key discoveries into the role of gene expression in individual cell types of the brain, contributing to Alzheimer's disease. The research highlights the importance of understanding non-neuronal cells in treating this devastating condition.
Research in mice found that environmental enrichment can partially correct mis-mapped neurons in the visual pathway, leading to vision issues in adulthood. Mice raised in enriched environments showed less mapping errors than those in standard cages.
Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley have found evidence that light-sensitive cells in the developing retina are networked and play a more significant role in brain development than previously thought. The discovery suggests that these cells may enhance the influence of light on behavior and brain development.
A study found that selecting embryos based on traits like height or IQ using current knowledge of gene variants may not be effective in increasing the desired traits. The simulations used real-world data to confirm predictions about traits were not always accurate, and limitations such as variability and ethnicity make it challenging.