Articles tagged with Neurons
The study reveals that dogs with inflammatory CNS disease have autoantibodies targeting neuronal cell surface proteins, similar to humans. The findings could lead to better diagnosis and treatment options for canine encephalitis.
Researchers discovered that gene expression regulators work together to raise an individual's risk of developing schizophrenia. The study found that modeled gene expression changes matched those found in patients' brains, highlighting the importance of considering complex genetic interactions in psychiatric disorders.
Researchers found that RNA granules use Annexin A11 to hitch a ride on lysosomes, which are highly mobile organelles. This transportation method is crucial for RNA to reach its destination and translate into proteins, but mutations in annexin A11 have been linked to ALS.
Researchers found that stem cells transform into immune cells to perpetuate inflammation in chronic sinusitis, preserving the potential to regenerate olfactory tissue. This discovery may lead to better treatments for anosmia, a condition where people lose their sense of smell.
Scientists have gained a better understanding of how movements are generated in the spinal cord, revealing that it's a large network of cells rather than a single command center. This finding may lead to advances in treating neurological disorders such as ALS and spinal cord injuries.
A University of Houston chemist is investigating the role of copper in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The researcher aims to understand how cells regulate copper levels, which are found to be unusually high in people with the disease.
Researchers discovered that chronic inflammatory processes in aging brains lead to lymphoma cells being retained in the brain tissue instead of being released back into the blood. The NF-kappaB signaling pathway and CCL19 play a crucial role in this process, allowing lymphoma cells to multiply and develop tumors.
Researchers found a gene that responds to brain activity to coordinate the need for sleep, and zebrafish studies suggest that intensive brain activity increases sleep pressure. The findings may help understand sleep disorders and conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
In a breakthrough, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers successfully transplanted protective brain cells into mice without the need for lifelong anti-rejection drugs. The innovative approach exploits the immune system's natural tendencies to accept transplanted cells as 'self', allowing them to thrive and protect brain tissue long-term.
Researchers at USC have developed a new method for repurposing cells, which they found to be significantly more reliable than existing techniques. The approach uses enzymes to untangle DNA and has been proven to work in mice and humans with near-perfect efficiency.
Researchers developed single-nucleus methyl-3C sequencing (sn-m3C-seq) to analyze chromosome structure and epigenetic features in single human brain cells. This approach enables the simultaneous study of two levels of gene regulation, which may help clarify how genetic variations contribute to human disease.
Brain tumor researchers will use advanced sequencing technology to build a functional map of the developing brain, allowing them to analyze all cells in unprecedented detail and potentially discover new drug targets. The team aims to understand how cells 'talk' to their neighbors to determine which signals drive cancer growth.
Researchers propose mesh electronics as a foundation for brain-machine interfaces, enabling precise targeting of neural communication networks to treat neurological disorders. This technology could lead to improved therapeutic options, such as enhanced prosthetic control and cognitive enhancement.
Researchers study patient with stroke-induced color naming impairment to explore how language shapes color perception. The study found that while patients struggled to name specific colors, they could still group colors into categories, suggesting a separate process for categorization.
Research published in Journal of Neuroscience shows brief periods of hypoxia persistently disrupt the hippocampus, vital for learning and memory, but brain cells do not die as previously thought. Instead, cells fail to mature normally, reducing long-term potentiation, a cellular basis of learning.
Researchers identified a second gene associated with natural short sleep, ADRB1, which promotes wakefulness and regulates sleep. The study suggests that short sleepers experience better sleep quality and sleep efficiency, despite potential health risks.
Researchers have identified a new gene, ADRB1, that regulates sleep duration, found in individuals requiring significantly less sleep. The gene's variant was shown to alter the receptor's function, leading to shorter sleep periods.
A complex interaction within Schwann cells has been discovered, which plays a vital role in the correct maturation of these cells. This interaction ensures that DNA is packaged correctly and marked accordingly, leading to proper transport of genetic information.
Researchers found that glial cells, which make up 80% of brain cells, contribute to seizures by releasing glutamate, a chemical that transmits signals between neurons. The study suggests that targeting glial cells may lead to new treatments for epilepsy.
Salk scientists discover that astrocytes are required for long-term memory formation and consolidation in mice. The study found that disabling astrocytes led to significant deficits in remote memory retention after a few weeks.
TTUHSC researchers engineer mutant channels to capture atomic resolution pictures of ion-bound configurations, providing evidence for the canonical model proposed by Nobel laureate Roderick Mackinnon. This discovery could lead to developing new drugs targeting K+ channels for treating life-threatening conditions.
Researchers have discovered common ways human and plant cells bring about cell suicide, which may lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. The study found that a particular protein plays a crucial role in the breakdown of brain cells across different diseases, paving the way for potential drugs.
Researchers have identified a specialized pathway in the spinal cord that transmits mechanical itch signals to the brain. The study, published in Cell Reports, reveals that a specific population of neurons, known as Y1 spinal neurons, play a key role in transmitting these signals.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute have developed a new way to classify brain cells based on electrical signals. By analyzing data from nearly 2,500 neurons, they identified four distinct classes of cells with different properties and functions in various regions of the brain.
A new study has shed light on the mechanisms behind autophagy, a process that helps destroy bacteria and viruses. The research suggests that faulty autophagy can contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, and that targeting a specific protein interaction may lead to new treatments.
A new study has created the most detailed 'parts list' of the human brain to date, revealing crucial differences between human and mouse brain cells that could explain why many drugs don't work in humans. The study highlights key changes in gene expression related to serotonin receptors and neuron connections.
A study published in Journal of Neuroscience reveals that FLRT3 protein, involved in neuron development and cell adhesion, is also critical for pain sensitization. High levels of FLRT3 protein were found in the dorsal horn following nerve injury, leading to touch sensitivity and mechanical allodynia.
A recent NIH study using a mouse model of stuttering identified the loss of astrocytes as a critical brain cell type involved in the disorder. The research found that this loss was most prominent in the corpus callosum, a part of the brain that bridges the two hemispheres. This discovery could lead to novel interventions for stuttering...
Researchers at the University of Cambridge discovered that increasing brain stiffness as we age causes brain stem cell dysfunction. They developed new materials to study this effect, showing that older stem cells can be rejuvenated into younger, healthier states.
Rutgers University-developed nanotechnology boosts stem cell transplantation research, enabling accurate characterization of human stem cell fates and biomarkers without destruction. This allows further analyses and biomedical applications, addressing a major hurdle in current cell-based therapies.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new CRISPR-Cas method that can modify up to 25 target sites within genes in a single step. This technology enables targeted, large-scale cell reprogramming by systematically modifying entire gene networks, with potential applications in basic research and cell replacement therapy.
Researchers developed a tissue model that mimics blood-brain barrier disruption in Alzheimer's disease, showing how damaged barriers allow harmful molecules to enter the brain. The model also revealed that restoring the blood-brain barrier with certain drugs can slow down neuron cell death.
Researchers found that bilirubin protects the brain against oxidative stress by regulating superoxide levels. The study suggests a novel therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases. Bilirubin's unique chemical structure allows it to neutralize harmful superoxide molecules.
Researchers at Columbia University identified a neural circuit in the auditory cortex where cells' responses became specialized for learned songs. This flexibility helps birds adapt to new songs and offers clues about humans' ability to learn languages.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that the timing of HD onset is determined by a property of the expanded CAG repeat in an individual's DNA, not its length. The study also identified multiple genes involved in DNA maintenance and repair as modifiers of HD onset, offering potential targets for treatments.
Mutations of a gene implicated in long QT syndrome trigger seizures due to its direct effects on neurons and glia, independent from heart function. This discovery challenges the assumption that seizures are secondary outcomes of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers identified a gene in fruit flies that helps prevent seizures triggered by environmental stress. In humans, mutations in the gene may be linked to seizures associated with Long QT Syndrome, suggesting a potential connection between brain and heart function.
Researchers at Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati have developed self-standing carbon nanotubes that can modulate the growth and activity of nerve cells. These innovative materials show promise for repairing spinal injuries by creating biosynthetic hybrids.
A Dartmouth study reveals that the rat brain uses center-bearing, center-distance cells, and head-direction cells to process spatial information and provide a sense of direction. The postrhinal cortex is thought to be responsible for this process, similar to the human parahippocampal cortex.
Researchers have developed a powerful new brain imaging tool called Voltron, which lets them track neuron activity in living animals more precisely and for longer periods than before. Voltron uses an ultra-bright synthetic dye and a specially engineered protein to detect neural signals throughout the brain.
Researchers have identified a specific role for astrocyte proteins in directing neural connections, using nanoparticles to deliver corrective proteins to replace missing proteins in neurodegenerative diseases. The study offers new hope for regrowing and repairing damaged brain networks.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about the alpha-synuclein protein's function in repairing DNA breaks, which may lead to new treatments for Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The study reveals that alpha-synuclein plays a critical role in binding broken strands of DNA within the cell's nucleus.
New human artificial chromosomes (HACs) have been developed to overcome the limitations of previous versions by removing repetitive elements and utilizing epigenetic markers. These advancements enable more thorough studies of chromosome function and open doors to complex synthetic biological systems.
Scientists at UC Davis have traced the fate of hydra's cells, revealing how three lines of stem cells become nerves, muscles or other tissues. This high-resolution map will help researchers understand regulatory gene networks in place early in evolution.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are exploring the use of dragonfly-inspired computing to develop faster and lighter missile defense systems. By mimicking the brain's ability to process visual information, they aim to improve intercept techniques for maneuvering targets such as hypersonic weapons.
Researchers at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago discovered a previously unknown regulatory mechanism controlling stem cell differentiation into neurons in fragile X syndrome. This breakthrough offers novel targets for potential treatments for the condition.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine used mice to study decision-based memories, finding that they are stored in the prefrontal cortex. The study revealed that neurons in this region fire at a higher rate when making decisions, and that this rate slows down over time. This knowledge can help develop models of decision-making and poten...
Researchers found that fruit flies compare their current direction to a goal direction, calculate the difference, and adjust their next step. The animals' brain activity suggests they aim to keep their neural compass needle at an internally-generated goal angle.
Researchers at UTSA have successfully removed new neurons that developed after a brain injury to reduce seizures in mice. The study found a 65% reduction in seizures, but the effect was not permanent and may be due to underlying factors such as chronic inflammation or reactive astrocytes.
A Stanford University School of Medicine neuroscientist successfully stimulated nerve cells in mice visual cortex, inducing an illusory image and altering the animals' behavior. This breakthrough holds implications for understanding natural brain processing and psychiatric disorders.
Researchers have discovered that projection neurons are damaged by immune cells in MS patients' brains, leading to brain shrinkage and cognitive changes. This finding provides a platform for targeted therapies to be developed.
Researchers from RMIT University developed an electronic chip that replicates the brain's neural approach to store and delete information. The chip uses light to create and modify memories, moving closer to artificial intelligence that can harness the brain's full sophistication.
Researchers found that removing new neurons born after a brain injury reduced seizures in mice, with a 65% decrease observed. This approach may potentially prevent post-injury epilepsy if implemented within a specific time frame.
Researchers studying functional hyperemia found that blood flow to brain cells increases when neurons are activated, and this response may be beneficial for the health of neurons. The study aims to clarify the link between neural activity and blood flow changes, which could improve our understanding of brain diseases like Alzheimer's.
A study of 69 individuals on long-term antiretroviral therapy found nearly half had persistent HIV in cells of their cerebrospinal fluid, associated with neurocognitive difficulties. HIV can persist in the nervous system even when suppressed in blood medication, suggesting a significant obstacle to efforts to eradicate HIV.
Scientists at NCATS and NIDCR report a new strategy to alleviate chronic itch by blocking a receptor found on spinal cord neurons. They identified approximately 1,400 compounds worth examining more closely, with 15 showing promise in halting both human and mouse versions of the receptor.
Researchers found that restful REM sleep helps brain circuits adapt to stress, while restless REM sleep disrupts this process. This finding has significant implications for treating mental disorders such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered a key gene interaction that fuels neuroinflammation, leading to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. CD33 and TREM2 genes regulate microglia activity, with CD33 acting as the 'on' switch for inflammation.
Researchers found that food activates the vagus nerve to stimulate hunger neurons, while alcohol suppresses their activity directly through the bloodstream. This divergence in neural pathways helps explain why food and alcohol have distinct effects on behavior and motivation.
Scientists developed ultra-small U-shaped nanowire probes for precise intracellular recording, offering scalable and minimally invasive measurements. This breakthrough has the potential to improve brain-machine interface capabilities and revolutionize human-machine interaction.