Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
Researchers at Scripps Research identified cellular workings that stop and restart early brain development in tadpoles. When food is reintroduced after a period of starvation, neural progenitor cells resume dividing and the brain catches up on its growth.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a novel imaging technique to visualize kinesin motor proteins and their cargo. The study shows that the 'smart motor' theory is not the only regulation at play, suggesting the involvement of adapter proteins.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a biomaterial that polymerizes estrogen to protect and potentially regenerate nervous system cells damaged by spinal cord injuries. The slow-releasing biomaterial targets injured tissue, reducing further damage and promoting regeneration.
Researchers at Institut Pasteur have identified GDF11 as a blood factor involved in weight loss and aging. The study shows that GDF11 mimics the benefits of calorie restriction, inducing metabolic changes and promoting neurogenesis in the brain.
The study explores how behaviors like empathy and team flow are represented in the brain, shedding light on conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and social anxiety. Brain imaging reveals specific neural circuits involved in social behaviors, providing potential new avenues for researching these complex processes.
New approaches in transcriptomics are providing single cell views of brain development and disease, including cellular processes associated with addiction and degeneration. These studies highlight the potential of transcriptomics to probe molecular changes within brain cells during normal development or diseases such as Alzheimer's and...
Researchers found that DEET traps and masks human scents, preventing them from reaching mosquito odor detectors. This interaction leads to a lower response in mosquitoes, reducing the risk of malaria transmission. The study provides insight into how repellents work and may lead to new, more effective repellent development.
Researchers discovered unique brain cell types specific to male and female mice in the hypothalamus region, which governs aggression and mating behaviors. The study found 17 distinct cell types, with some abundant in males and others only in females.
Researchers found that prolonged blue light exposure damages brain and retinal cells, leading to impaired locomotion in Drosophila melanogaster. Flies without eyes also showed damage, suggesting blue light's harmful effects extend beyond visual perception.
Australian researchers have discovered a link between itchy skin and gut pain in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) patients. The study found that identical receptors cause both conditions, leading to chronic abdominal pain and rewiring of the nervous system.
Researchers discovered that starved mice prefer sweet tastes and are less sensitive to bitter tastes, attributing this to a neural circuit in the hypothalamus. The study used optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques to activate AgRP-expressing neurons, which modulated taste preferences through two distinct pathways.
Researchers found that protein TET2 plays a key role in regulating the immune response generated by microglia in inflamed brains. This discovery may lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
A recent study has identified a key regulator of microglia function during inflammation, which could become a significant component in treating neurodegenerative diseases. TET2 protein modulates the immune response generated by microglia cells in the brain under inflammatory conditions.
Scientists observed how alpha-synuclein protein variants change over time, identifying initial stages of protein aggregates linked to early onset familial cases. They also found evidence of which protein species are important for amyloid filament growth and distinct structures depending on the mutation.
A new study found that brain immune cells called microglia drive brain damage in Alzheimer's patients. Eliminating these cells reduces tau-linked brain damage, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.
Researchers found that aggregates of tau protein disrupt RNA splicing, leading to global disruptions in brain cells. This discovery presents an exciting new possibility for using RNA splicing as a potential target for Alzheimer's disease treatment.
A deadly neurological disease that affects infant boys has been linked to increased sensitivity to iron in the brain. A new study has identified a potential treatment, which enhances the survival of cells involved in the disorder.
Researchers from the University of Seville have discovered a new mechanism that makes it possible to understand premature ageing in cells with asymmetrical cell division. This mechanism is related to the distribution of microtubule-organising centres (MTOCs) during cell division.
Scientists discuss strengths and weaknesses of organoids as a model for human cortex, employing them to study developmental brain disorders. Researchers explore the viability of mini-brains in clinical research.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a new reporter gene that allows for the visualization of genetic activity using ultrasound, enabling the study of gene expression in tumors, immune cells, and other cell types. The breakthrough could lead to new diagnostic tools for diseases such as cancer and neurological disorders.
Researchers identified a neural circuit in fruit flies that controls perseverance, with dopamine and octopamine neurotransmitters playing a key role. The finding suggests that simple organisms like fruit flies exhibit stamina and perseverance, challenging the idea that these traits are unique to humans.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School found that a little stress can actually improve the functioning of our internal biological clock. Stress leads to rhythmic phosphorylation of eIF2α, promoting production of ATF4 protein, which activates Per2 gene, ultimately making the clock tick faster.
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.