Articles tagged with Neurons
A new study reveals that protein-linked sugars play a critical role in the uptake of alpha-synuclein proteins, which are associated with Parkinson's disease. The research identifies neurexin 1β as a key regulator in this process and suggests potential therapeutic targets for treating the disease.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that immune cells called killer T cells infiltrate neurogenic niches in the aging brain, secreting a substance that chokes off new nerve cell production. This breakthrough could lead to progress in treating age-related brain deterioration and finding treatments to reverse it.
Researchers from the University of Barcelona successfully synchronized two nanoscale optomechanical oscillators through mechanical coupling. The study demonstrates collective dynamics that can be controlled by acting externally on one oscillator only.
A UC Riverside study found that electronic cigarettes produce a stress response in neural stem cells, leading to cell death or disease. The research identifies a protective response mechanism called SIMH, which can accelerate aging and lead to neurodegenerative diseases.
Harvard University researchers have developed a new method to create thousands of nanowires that can record electrical chatter inside live cells. This breakthrough allows for the simultaneous recording of multiple cells, enabling researchers to study complex neural networks and interactions. The 'combing' process of nanowires untanglin...
Researchers at Newcastle University have identified neurons in praying mantises that enable complex 3D perception, enabling more efficient algorithms for machine vision. The discovery provides new insights into the neural basis of depth perception in insects, shedding light on how these tiny brains process spatial information.
Researchers developed a strategy to expand enteroendocrine cells in the gut, allowing for better study of gut-body communication. The new system enables detection of serotonin and other hormonal mediators, opening doors to research on gut health and disease.
Researchers from Aarhus University have determined the first structures of a lipid-flippase using cryo-electron microscopy. This breakthrough provides new insights into how cells work and stay healthy, and can eventually lead to increased understanding of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Scientists have found that a group of brain cells regulate both food intake and energy expenditure, leading to a new possibility for effective weight-loss medication. The discovery could enable a doubly effective assault against obesity.
A potential link between transient cerebral viral infections in early childhood and the development of auto-immune disease has been discovered. The study found that brain-resident memory T cells accumulate at the site of infection, allowing self-reactive cells to access the brain and cause auto-immune brain lesions.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that age itself facilitates the spread of Alzheimer's-disease-associated protein tau in the brain. The study also identified increased vulnerability in specific brain regions, particularly the entorhinal cortex, which is where Alzheimer's-related tau pathology first appears.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found evidence that Parkinson's disease originates in the gut and travels up the brain's neurons. The study used mice with misfolded alpha-synuclein protein, which causes nerve cell death, to demonstrate the connection.
Researchers found that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries had higher 30-day risk-adjusted readmission rates than traditional Medicare beneficiaries for three common medical conditions. Despite previous studies suggesting better post-acute care outcomes for Medicare Advantage enrollees, the study found no evidence of improved readmission ...
University of Arizona researchers have identified a network of neurons within the amygdala that coordinate with other brain regions to regulate eating behaviors. The findings could help alleviate disease-induced appetite loss or over-eating, which can negatively impact quality of life and treatment success.
A USC study found that pericytes, a type of brain cell, secrete a substance that keeps neurons alive even in the presence of leaky blood vessels. This discovery sheds light on the cascade of events leading to neurodegeneration and offers potential therapy strategies.
Scientists have created a system called optoPAD that uses light to manipulate the taste neurons of flies, creating virtual tastes that can affect their behavior. The technology has shown promising results in controlling feeding behaviors and could potentially be used to study the brain's role in food choices.
Researchers found that N-cadherin protein plays a crucial role in arranging neurons to form the columnar microstructure of the brain. The study used Drosophila melanogaster fruit fly brain as a model and discovered that three neuron types are arranged within the columns, with R7 forming the core.
Research at Kanazawa University reveals that FGF signaling pathway determines the fate of neural stem cells in cerebral cortex, enabling proper numbers of neurons and astrocytes to be generated. The study sheds light on the mechanisms behind brain disorders caused by unbalanced cell numbers.
A $2.88 million NIH grant supports Jingsong Zhou's work to preserve mitochondria and understand the mechanisms behind ALS deterioration. Her novel approach investigates the theory that ALS affects the physiology of the whole body through defective cells in multiple organs.
Researchers found that Egyptian fruit bats and mice exhibit synchronized neural activity in social situations, predicting behaviors such as initiating interactions or responding to dominance hierarchies. This discovery sheds light on the neural mechanisms underlying animal social behavior and may provide insights into mental diseases l...
Researchers discovered that glia cells, not neurons, calculate when an effort is futile and send a 'quit' message to the body. Glia cells called radial astrocytes amp up their activity when animals stop trying, helping them decide whether to continue or give up.
UCF researchers identify molecular changes caused by high levels of Propionic Acid, a common acid in processed foods, reducing neuron development in fetal brains. The study suggests a potential link between maternal diet and autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers discovered melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons in the hypothalamus play a critical role in modulating REM sleep based on room temperature. Mice with functioning MCH neurons increase REM sleep when warmed, while those lacking the receptor show no such response.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School discovered that a protein complex called CRL4 is essential for reactivating dormant neural stem cells in fruit flies, which can then generate new neurons. This finding could lead to therapeutic treatment of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.
A large-scale study has categorized over 20 different brain cell types in mice based on their shape and electrical behavior, offering new insights into the brain's cellular diversity. The research paves the way for a better understanding of human brain disorders and diseases by providing a comprehensive dataset for future investigations.
A new experimental system using reprogrammed neurons helps probe genetic and molecular underpinnings of drug-induced neurodevelopmental disorders. The research shows valproic acid causes severe impairments in immature brain cells, but no effects on mature neurons.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a key cluster of neurons in the mouse brain responsible for producing ultrasonic 'songs.' By controlling these neurons, scientists can make a mouse sing or not on command. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms that allow humans to form speech and communication sounds.
Antibodies in joints can generate pain even without inflammation, according to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. The researchers found that immune complexes activate pain cells via Fc-gamma receptors, leading to chronic non-inflammatory pain in autoimmune diseases.
Human cells use a mechanism to protect genetic transcripts from spliceosomes, preventing damage that can lead to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The researchers found that the snRNA of spliceosomes migrates into the cytoplasm in human cells, unlike in yeast, where it remains in the nucleus.
A team of researchers at the University of Queensland has challenged the long-held theory that multi-celled animals evolved from a single-celled ancestor resembling a modern sponge cell. Using new technology, they found that the first multicellular animals were more like a collection of convertible cells, contradicting years of tradition.
A new study published in Cell Reports sheds light on the mechanisms used by neural stem cells to reactivate, with key findings indicating that STRIPAK molecules play a crucial role in enabling reactivation. The research holds promise for future therapies to replace lost brain cells and facilitate brain damage repair.
Researchers found that mouse brain, liver, and pancreas contain populations of young and old cells, with some as old as neurons. This discovery, known as age mosaicism, suggests complex aging processes in organs beyond the brain.
A new study identifies a mechanism in nematodes that allows neurons to transmit information to future generations, influencing physiological processes such as food-seeking behavior. This finding challenges the traditional view of the Weismann Barrier and has major implications for understanding heredity and evolution.
Researchers created a living blood-brain barrier that functions as in the human body, opening new avenues for studying brain disorders and predicting drug effectiveness. The breakthrough uses induced pluripotent stem cells and Organ-Chips technology.
Researchers at Harvard University have created miniature, 3D tissue cultures that model a patient's own brain cells in a dish, offering great promise for studying disease in humans directly. The new method consistently grows the same types of cells, in the same order, as the developing human cerebral cortex.
Researchers at UCLA found that stimulating a specific region of the brain improves people's ability to retrieve memories. The study, published in Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to increase excitability of neurons in the left rostrolateral prefrontal cortex.
New research from Marshall University establishes adipocyte Na/K-ATPase signaling worsens obesity and related diseases, including neurodegeneration and NASH. Targeting the signaling pathway with NaKtide improves metabolic profile and demonstrates therapeutic potential.
A recent study has confirmed a link between gut problems and autism, revealing that the same gene mutations in the brain can also affect the gut nervous system. The discovery suggests that gastrointestinal issues may stem from the same mutations responsible for brain and behavioral issues in autism.
Researchers studied inhibitory neurons' impact on brain oscillations using computer models. They found that these neurons can delay or facilitate the onset of synchronization, which is crucial for understanding brain diseases like Alzheimer's and epilepsy.
Parkinson's disease can spread throughout the brain via tiny channels, where harmful protein aggregates bind and 'hitch a lift' with channel-forming proteins. This process involves specific proteins called connexins, which create small channels between cells.
Researchers identified 'simulation neurons' in the amygdala that simulate decision-making processes of others, enabling social learning. Dysfunctions in these neurons may explain difficulties with social interaction in autism and social anxiety.
Researchers have developed a microglia-selective fluorogenic probe that triggers fluorescence through gene expression, enabling selective labeling and imaging of microglia cells in live brain tissue. This probe has the potential to detect developing neural diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and stroke.
Researchers developed stem cell-based disease models to investigate early brain development linked to Down syndrome. They found that inhibiting the OLIG2 gene improved cognitive function in mouse models, suggesting it as a potential prenatal therapeutic target.
A team of neuroethicists examined 41 wearable brain devices, identifying issues with claims made by companies about their products. The study highlights the need for more transparent communication about potential outcomes, as well as consideration of ethical implications and potential risks.
B.J. Casey advocates for reform to ensure healthy psychological development for young offenders in the US prison system. She recommends bail reform and closing facilities that lack rehabilitation components, citing examples like Kalief Browder's tragic case.
Scientists uncover how light influences insulin sensitivity and metabolic homeostasis, shedding light on the circadian rhythms' impact on diabetes. The study suggests that taking into account time of day can help patients better manage their treatment and reduce risks associated with daily insulin injections.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University aim to create a noninvasive neural interface that can sense and stimulate the brain's dynamic activity with unprecedented resolution. The team will harness novel concepts in physics, biology, and engineering using electricity, ultrasound, and light to develop a wearable device.
A Rice University-led team is developing a headset technology that can directly link the human brain and machines, aiming to transmit visual images from one individual to another's mind. The project, funded by $18 million, plans to demonstrate direct, brain-to-brain communication at the speed of thought without surgery.
The study reveals that brain stem cells use a double-lock mechanism to protect genes that control cell identity, preventing unintended activation. This discovery has great therapeutic potential for reactivating stem cells and could lead to new treatments for neurological disorders.
New research reveals distinct features of membrane channels in skeletal and heart muscle cells, shedding light on the mechanisms behind inherited arrhythmias and providing a promising avenue for targeted drug development. The study also highlights the vital role of phosphatidylethanolamine in mitochondrial energy production.
A team of researchers from Australia, France, New Zealand, and the UK have discovered a group of brain cells that function as a 'master-controller' for the cardiovascular system. These cells, found in the medulla oblongata, coordinate activity across the cardiovascular system, including blood flow to the heart and blood vessels.
Research found thalidomide alters CRBN protein function in neural stem cells, leading to smaller brains and embryonic malformations. Increasing CRBN availability results in larger brains.
Researchers have identified compounds in ragweed that can help nerve cells survive with Alzheimer's disease peptides. The compounds, including terpenoids and spermidine conjugates, showed promise in protecting neurons from Aβ-induced toxicity.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison find pIC accelerates cellular maturation, leading to more mature and functional cardiac muscle cells. The compound activates epigenetic changes, including increased expression of the JAG1 gene, resulting in improved contractility and electrical efficiency.
A recent study by CRCHUM researchers has identified a key brain protein, acyl-CoA-binding protein (ACBP), in controlling food intake and energy expenditure. The study found that this protein enables astrocytes to communicate with neurons, regulating weight maintenance.
Scientists at Kyoto University have found a 'wake-up' signal that can unlock brain cells' regenerative potential. The discovery, published in Genes & Development, reveals the ebb and flow of gene expression that activates dormant neural stem cells.
A new study using FlashTag technology and single-cell RNA sequencing identified a core set of temporally patterned genes driving the shift in fate of neural progenitor cells. These molecular 'birthmarks' are transmitted from mother to daughter cells, influencing the types of neurons they will become.
A VA-led study found that veterans and service members with combat-related mild traumatic brain injuries have higher levels of abnormally fast brain waves in regions critical for consciousness. This discovery may help target brain-stimulation therapies for cognitive deficits associated with TBI.
Researchers identified the retrosplenial cortex as the brain region responsible for value-based decision-making, which is crucial for neurological conditions such as schizophrenia and dementia. The study used data from tens of thousands of neurons to show that the RSC maintains subjective value information until the next experience.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have made a groundbreaking discovery about how neurons function normally. By artificially augmenting the electrical signals of isolated neurons, they found that the cells can adjust to changes in their environment without significant harm. This finding could lead to new treatments for spinal co...