Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
A new study reveals that astrocytes can lead the tempo of the body's internal clock and control daily behavior patterns in mammals. The discovery could pave the way for new treatments to manage circadian rhythm disruptions related to health conditions like jet lag, sleep disorders, and dementia.
Researchers at Columbia University have uncovered a striking resourcefulness in the genome that coordinates gene regulation to detect diverse scents. By rearranging its structure in three-dimensional space, the genome generates biological diversity needed for the nose to parse an infinite number of scents.
A study by Salk researchers reveals measurable differences in the patterns and speed of development in stem cells from individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The findings could lead to diagnostic methods to detect ASD at an early stage, potentially allowing for preventive interventions.
Researchers created a viable mouse model of Hirschsprung's disease to study its development and progression. The new model revealed that mucin-producing goblet cells may be a target for preventative treatment and that reduced expression of GFRa1 contributes to susceptibility to the disease.
Researchers found that obesity increases levels of senescent cells in the brain, which are linked to anxiety. Clearing these cells with senolytic drugs reduces anxious behavior and improves neurological function in mice.
A recent study characterizes silent seizures in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome and identifies the thalamus as a potential target to stop them. The researchers developed two new strategies to prevent non-convulsive seizures, which can disrupt consciousness and occur hundreds of times daily in affected children.
A new optogenetic system allows for precise control of light intensity and frequency, enabling independent stimulation of multiple brain areas. The device is powered by external magnetic fields and causes no adverse effects, with potential implications for medical devices like pacemakers.
Cells utilize membrane tension to regulate endocytosis and maintain homeostasis. A protein called vinculin senses changes in force and regulates the CLIC/GEEC pathway to control endocytic processes.
A new study led by Salk Institute researchers challenges the long-held view that individual brain cells operate as filters. The study found that the same neurons can prefer coarse or fine details depending on the context, and teaming up endows networks of neurons with flexibility to adapt to changing conditions.
A new study suggests that Actin, a cytoskeleton protein, plays a crucial role in regulating the genome during neuron formation. The research has potential implications for the development of personalized medicines.
Recent updates in stroke research focus on understanding cellular death mechanisms triggered by neuronal damage and astrocyte loss. Novel treatment alternatives, including restoration of blood flow control, are discussed as potential alternatives to existing therapies.
Researchers found that engram neurons, responsible for long-term memory, are formed through a transcriptional cycling process involving MAPK and CREB. This discovery has implications for understanding the mechanisms of learning and improving memory, as well as developing treatments for memory impairment.
Research suggests that autophagy on neuronal cells can lead to neurodegeneration, highlighting the importance of targeting mitochondria and autophagy-related proteins in disease treatment. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a significant contributor to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer
Neuronal cell death in Alzheimer's disease may be beneficial as it removes dysfunctional neurons, according to new research published in Cell Reports. The study suggests that the anti-aging mechanism of 'cell competition' plays a crucial role in protecting the brain from damage.
Scientists have successfully reprogrammed human blood cells into a new type of neural stem cell, similar to those in early embryonic development. This breakthrough could lead to the development of regenerative therapies for treating diseases of the nervous system.
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have created stem cells that can transform into brain cells and produce dopamine, a key neurotransmitter lost in Parkinson's. The gene-edited cells resisted developing Lewy bodies, a hallmark of Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have discovered how a protein called Parkin protects neurons in the brain by repairing internal damage that may otherwise kill them. The study found that Parkin 'buys time' for cells to respond to damage and triggers cell death, potentially leading to neuronal loss in Parkinson's disease.
Researchers found that the ability of self-renewal declines in old age, especially in certain intermediate stages called transit amplifying progenitors. This leads to a halt in the production of olfactory cells as they tend to remain in the stem cell pool and become less active.
A new RNA-binding compound has been found to block the most common genetic cause of both familial ALS and frontotemporal dementia, according to researchers at Scripps Research. The compound targets a specific form of RNA involved in protein production, potentially providing a new avenue for treating these diseases.
Excitatory neurons are more susceptible to abnormal tau protein accumulation, a key factor in Alzheimer's disease progression. The study identifies genetic differences between excitatory and inhibitory neurons that may explain their vulnerability.
Researchers at Kanazawa University found that a neuroscience-protein regulates brain boundary formation in fly brains by exchanging with its partners between neurons and glial cells. The protein's balance of attraction and repulsion regulates boundary formation.
Researchers discovered a two-step control mechanism in neural stem cells that differentiates into neurons and astrocytes. PRC1 represses genes related to neuronal function temporarily and permanently at two distinct stages of brain development.
Recent PsychENCODE research provides a better understanding of brain development and neuropsychiatric risks, with critical expression differences in genes identified during early brain development and adolescence. The findings highlight the importance of studying specific cell types and time points in brain development to model disease...
Stanford researchers have developed a way to study the firing of individual brain cells using only light, eliminating the need for invasive methods. The new approach measures subtle changes in cell shape when they fire, allowing for a cleaner and simpler way to study the brain.
A recent study by Harvard Medical School researchers has identified a critical nerve-signaling pathway that drives sustained pain following injury. The study found that neurons called Tac1 play a key role in pain-coping behaviors, but not in reflexive defensive reactions to external threats.
A new noninvasive technology detects nerve cell firing based on changes in shape, allowing for quantitative monitoring of visual function at the cellular level. This technique could be used to observe nerve activity in light-accessible parts of the body, such as the eye.
A study published in Cell Stem Cell found that glial cell development involves three stages and is regulated by specific transcription factors. The researchers discovered that the proteins NFIA, ATF3, and Runx2 play key roles in organizing glia-specific gene expression.
A Stanford study found that methotrexate damages brain cells, leading to cognitive impairment. Researchers identified a potential remedy and hope to improve treatment for cancer survivors struggling with debilitating side effects.
Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that brain cells in mice associate sounds with emotions through experience and learning. The amygdala, a key brain region, shows specific patterns of neuron activity when animals are trained to fear or anticipate rewards.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have discovered neurons that signal the detection of errors, offering insights into executive function capabilities and possible treatments for conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia. The study also found a single-neuron correlate of self-monitoring for errors in humans.
Researchers developed niosomes, a type of non-viral vector, to transfer genetic material into the brain. The innovative formulation uses lycopene as a helper lipid, improving transfection efficiency in neuronal and glial cells.
A single workout can activate neurons influencing metabolism for up to two days, according to a mouse study from UT Southwestern Medical Center. The finding provides an avenue to explore potential treatments to improve glucose metabolism in diabetes patients.
The company's discovery engine identified a series of compounds that shielded cells against alpha-synuclein-induced toxicity by inhibiting stearoyl-CoA desaturase. This finding suggests that inhibition of fatty acid desaturation could be a potential therapeutic approach for treating Parkinson's disease and other synuclein-based disorders.
Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered a framework that mimics how fruit flies detect novel odors, using a Bloom filter-like data structure. This new approach improved accuracy for detecting duplicates or anomalies in large datasets.
Research reveals that the Nax channel in circumventricular organs detects increases in body fluids' sodium levels, triggering sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure elevations. The study identifies acid-sensing ion channel 1a as a key mediator of this process, opening new avenues for treating salt-sensitive hypertension.
The Blue Brain Cell Atlas provides detailed information on major cell types, numbers, and positions in all 737 brain regions, accelerating progress in brain science. The atlas is freely available online, allowing users to visualize brain regions and download data for new analyses and modeling.
Researchers at MIT found a mysterious RNA buildup in neurons that increases with age, reducing protein production and potentially contributing to neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery was made using a novel technique that allowed them to isolate and sequence messenger RNA from specific types of cells.
Scientists at the National Eye Institute have found that neurons in the superior colliculus are key players in allowing us to detect visual objects and events. The findings show that a specific population of neurons directly cause a behavior, and a mathematical model can predict behavior based on these neurons.
Researchers at Polytechnique Montréal have developed a technology that uses a femtosecond laser and gold nanoparticles to make precise incisions in cells, allowing for effective gene delivery. This breakthrough offers new hope for treating eye diseases such as glaucoma, retinitis, and macular degeneration.
Cytocybernetics is developing the Cybercyte for use with brain cells to study how drugs affect electrical activity in neurological disorders. The company will expand its focus beyond cardiac applications with the new funding.
A UCLA cell study has discovered the impact of head injuries on individual cells and genes, leading to serious brain disorders. The researchers found that hundreds of genes are adversely affected by mild traumatic brain injury, which can later lead to diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers discovered that secretin stimulates appetite suppression and increased brown fat heat production in mice. Human volunteers showed similar results, suggesting a link between secretin and satiation. This finding may lead to new approaches for treating obesity.
Researchers discovered that lab-grown kidney cells can contain rogue brain and muscle cells, making them imperfect models for human kidneys. However, they found a way to prevent most of these off-target cells from forming, which could accelerate progress in developing better treatments for kidney disease.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new method that uses neural networks to analyze single cell RNA sequencing data, identifying key genes and cell subtypes. This approach enables the analysis of all cell types, providing a method for comparative analysis.
Researchers developed a technique to create tissue-like structures from human stem cells, which were then transplanted into mouse brains. This approach showed improved cell survival and differentiation compared to traditional methods.
Researchers at Yale University have identified a new fluorescent protein, VARNAM, that allows for live neurons to glow red when activated, making it possible to monitor brain activity in a less invasive way. This breakthrough enables scientists to capture complex brain activity spikes in multiple systems.
Researchers solved a 125-year-old brain mystery by discovering that perineuronal nets modulate electrical impulses in the brain. Without these structures, inhibitory neurons fire too slowly, leading to seizures. The findings have implications for various forms of acquired epilepsy and may lead to new treatments.
Researchers identified a unique frequency of brainwaves associated with communication between the amygdala and hippocampus, which correlates with worsening mood related to depression and anxiety. The study used intracranial EEG to measure brainwave activity in epilepsy patients and found fluctuations in electrical activity at a specifi...
A study in mice found that eliminating microglia cells eliminated inflammation following traumatic brain injury, offering a potential target for treatment. The research aims to understand cellular-level changes associated with sports-related concussion and other brain injuries.
New analysis improves knowledge of physical, biological systems by studying time that components take to influence each other. Researchers developed formulas to understand how this affects synchronization in oscillator systems, which are common in nature and technology.
Researchers found that adolescent marijuana use reduces perineuronal net formation around inhibitory cells, affecting decision-making and self-control. This alteration may have long-term consequences for brain function and behavior.
Biopsychologists demonstrate that subtle timing differences in the right hemisphere allow it to control specific functions, while the left hemisphere delays its activity. The study reveals a sophisticated mechanism underlying hemispheric dominance.
Researchers from UCI School of Medicine have found that neurons in blind rats' brains function normally after receiving fetal retinal cell transplants. The study reveals the potential for retinal transplants to treat retinal degeneration in people.
Rhesus monkeys' brain neurons in the orbitofrontal cortex differentiate between faces and nonfaces before recognizing emotional content and social categories. The specialized neurons are unaffected by auditory cues or learned rewards associated with faces.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have successfully restored vision in rats with severe retinal degeneration through cell transplantation. The study demonstrates that donor cells can integrate into the retina and generate nearly normal visual activity in the brains of blind animals.
New studies reveal extracellular vesicles transport molecular signals, signs of disease, and stress effects onto offspring. These particles may help diagnose neurological disorders with similar symptoms.
The NIH BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network has released its first data set, featuring the molecular identities of over 1.3 million mouse brain cells and anatomical data from 300 brains. This comprehensive characterization aims to integrate molecular, anatomical, and functional data on cell types in mice, humans, and non-human primates.
Researchers have created a groundbreaking cellular atlas of the brain, revealing over 70 different types of neurons, their locations, and functions. This breakthrough technology allows for unprecedented insights into brain organization and behavior.
A research group from Kumamoto University discovered a new neurogenic mechanism responsible for brain development, revealing that Matrin-3 regulates the differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons. The absence of this protein causes disordered differentiation and collapse of brain layer structure.
Astrocytes communicate with neurons to regulate sleep time in fruit flies, a finding that suggests a similar mechanism may exist in mammals. The study used fruit flies to identify mechanisms of sleep regulation and found that a protein called Eiger plays a critical role in regulating sleep.