Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
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.
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.