Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
Researchers at University of Georgia have successfully reproduced the effects of traumatic brain injury and stimulated recovery in neuron cells grown in a petri dish. The procedure has significant implications for studying and treating such injuries.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that variability in neural responses is not just random noise, but rather due to fluctuations in internally generated signals like attention. This discovery has significant implications for understanding how our brains work and focus, potentially leading to diagnostic tools for ne...
Researchers discovered that endothelial cells instruct neurons on their correct positioning in the cerebral cortex through laminin secretion. This finding highlights the importance of neurovascular communication in brain development and may hold key to treating dementia and mental illness.
A University of Adelaide-led team suggests a potential link between iron handling and rare gene mutations causing Alzheimer's disease. The theory proposes that abnormalities in how neurons handle iron could result in the devastating early onset form of the disease.
Scientists at Michigan State University have discovered a navigational gene in glass catfish that responds to magnetic waves, which may one day be used to treat Parkinson's and epilepsy. The gene, called the electromagnetic-perceptive gene, can be activated using magnets and has shown promise in controlling movement in mice.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a groundbreaking 3D-printed device that uses regenerative cells to connect living nerve cells above and below spinal cord injury sites. The device has shown promise in improving bladder control, stopping uncontrollable movements, and alleviating pain.
Researchers develop a method to continuously record cells' development using genetic barcodes, allowing them to trace the full developmental lineage of every mature cell. This breakthrough resolves longstanding questions about brain patterning and promises to exponentially increase understanding of cellular growth and disease emergence.
A Stanford study discovered that apoptosis, a well-known form of cell death, spreads through perpetuating waves triggered by positive feedback loops and thresholds. This phenomenon, known as trigger waves, governs the progression of cell death in intact cells, as observed in Xenopus frog eggs.
Researchers at UCLA have demonstrated a promising approach to treating chronic pain by using biomechanical forces to control cell proteins. The study shows that magnetically induced mechanical forces can reduce pain signals in neurons by increasing calcium ions and adapting the cells' response over time.
Researchers at the University of Basel have identified a factor that could support the early detection of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. FGF21 is induced by cellular stress reactions after disturbances in mitochondria and can be detected prior to neuronal cell death.
Neurons in brain's master clock exhibit regular activity cycle that is disrupted under constant light conditions. Blocking these neurons reduces the severity of shifts in daily rhythms, suggesting a potential mechanism for modern sleep disorders.
Worms use two neural cells to perform critical calculations for finding food, employing a 'Hot or Cold' computation and constant follow-up checks. This system teaches us the importance of having a backup solution to ensure we're moving in the right direction.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Brain Science discovered that male fruit flies deposit droppings as pheromone-laced landmarks to signal their presence, attracting females and increasing mating chances. This finding highlights the importance of fecal deposits in social communication among flies.
Aryn Gittis' research establishes new therapeutic targets for Parkinson's therapies, using optogenetics to identify a subset of neurons in the globus pallidus that play a critical role in restoring movement. Her findings suggest targeting these cells could repair neural circuit dysfunction in diseases like Parkinson's.
Scientists have developed a new drug discovery system that can specifically target phosphatase enzymes, which were previously considered undruggable. The system identified a molecule that successfully targeted a phosphatase to reduce accumulation of disease-associated proteins in mouse brains.
Engineers at Rice University have developed methods to study the neural patterns driving muscle movements in freshwater hydrae, a species that appears ageless and can regenerate its body parts. By analyzing neural activity and muscle responses, the team hopes to uncover similarities with other animals and gain insights into their nervo...
Researchers at NIST have developed a silicon chip that uses light instead of electricity to precisely distribute optical signals across a miniature brain-like grid. The chip enables complex routing schemes necessary to mimic neural systems and has demonstrated uniform output with low error rates.
A new system has been identified that could reduce neurodegeneration in Huntington's disease by blocking the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates. The system involves a protein called UBR5, which promotes the degradation of mutant huntingtin, leading to a decrease in neurotoxic effects.
A Rutgers-led team of scientists has identified two molecules that protect nerve cells after traumatic brain injury and could lead to new treatments. The study found that speeding the breakdown of guanine protects neurons from injury and retains brain functioning.
Research from Rockefeller University reveals that giant neurons in the brainstem, called nucleus gigantocellularis, express genes linked to nitric oxide production and blood vessel relaxation. This discovery supports their role in initiating behavior and potentially understanding psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder and ADHD.
Researchers discovered that brain microglia clearance activity in different regions goes hand in hand with natural neuronal degeneration. Microglia can mistakenly attack healthy neurons if their 'eating' behavior is turned on inappropriately, leading to cellular changes associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have developed turmeric-based eye drops that can reduce retinal cell loss in rats with glaucoma. The treatment shows promise for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease and has been found to be well-tolerated.
Research reveals that genetic copy-and-paste activity is increased in fruit fly models of tauopathies, leading to neuron death. Lamivudine, an anti-retroviral drug, decreases gene copying and reduces brain cell death.
A modified botulinum toxin compound Derm-BOT successfully targets and silences pain signals from neurons in the spinal cord of mice, providing long-lasting pain relief. The compound is non-toxic, safe to manufacture, and avoids adverse effects associated with opioids.
Scientists have discovered a specific sulfate pattern on the cell's surface that allows misfolded tau protein to enter cells, leading to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Understanding this process could lead to new therapies to halt disease progression.
Scientists have identified a protein called SIRT7 that protects cells against senescence by keeping certain genes turned off. This function is crucial for preventing age-related deterioration and could lead to therapies targeting cellular senescence.
A class of enzymes, DYRK3, has been found to promote mixing of phases in cells during division, ensuring correct distribution of genetic material, organelles, and cell contents. This process is crucial for preventing errors like those seen in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that activating a specific type of neuron in the hypothalamus can trigger hot-flash-like symptoms in mice, regardless of gender. This discovery validates previous research on hot flashes and suggests a neurological target for preventing them.
A newly discovered neural circuit in mice regulates feeding behavior, with SST neurons playing a central role. The study reveals that activating these neurons increases eating behavior, while inhibiting them reduces it.
Researchers at TGen and Circuit Therapeutics have developed new methods to examine medium spiny neurons in the striatum, a structure crucial for movement, decision-making, and action initiation. They identified Chrm4 as a potential therapeutic drug target, shedding light on how MSN cells contribute to neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers identified the presence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in neurons, which can modulate environmentally dependent levels of arousal. Blocking eNOS resulted in hyperactive behavior long after stimuli were removed, suggesting a potential new mechanism for treating psychiatric diseases.
Researchers at Mainz University Medical Center found that pericytes, a type of connective tissue cell in the brain, can be directly converted into neurons by manipulating signaling pathways. The cells must pass through a neural stem cell-like state before differentiating into two classes of neurons.
Researchers developed a means of tracking retinal neuron activity as it delivers visual information to the thalamus, revealing organized clusters and shared sensitivities among different types of neurons. This finding suggests the retina's version of Pointillism, where nearby dots fuse together to create diverse colors.
Researchers at Salk Institute discovered a hierarchical system in the brain that organizes learned behavior, offering new insight into neurological diseases. The study found three levels of control in neuronal activity, providing potential therapeutic targets for disorders like Parkinson's disease and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Researchers found that people with heroin addiction have 54% more hypocretin-producing neurons than non-addicts. In mice, morphine restored missing hypocretin cells, reversing narcoleptic symptoms. Further study is needed to explore potential treatment for narcolepsy.
Researchers discovered heroin addicts have more hypocretin-producing neurons than controls, while morphine reversed cataplexy symptoms in narcoleptic mice. Increasing hypocretin levels may serve as a treatment strategy for narcolepsy and potentially combat opiate addiction.
A team of scientists from McGill University discovered a key role for the GRIN2B gene in early neural stem cell development and autism. They used genetic engineering to reprogram skin cells into brain cells with the patient's mutation, showing how improper protein production leads to impaired brain development.
A study published in JNeurosci reveals how nicotine interacts with cells regulating the output of a brain region involved in habit formation. Nicotine reduces dorsal striatal output, an effect that persists even after the drug has been cleared from the brain, potentially underlining nicotine addiction.
Immune cells called microglia are precision cleaning machines protecting the central nervous system from damage. By understanding their role, scientists can develop new treatments tailored to individual patients' needs.
A team of scientists developed a high-throughput approach to integrate laboratory experiments, literature data, and network analysis to study Huntington's disease. The approach revealed that changes in inflammation, cell architecture, and calcium signaling drove the disease forward, while counteracting these changes improved health.
Researchers found that different neuronal types can acquire similar features using distinct mechanisms, shedding light on how complex brain tissue forms. This discovery enhances our understanding of brain cell development and holds potential for medical advancements, such as cell replacement therapy.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has awarded fellowships to ten promising Latin American scientists for two years of biomedical research training in US labs. The fellows will work with prominent investigators and gain invaluable experience that will contribute to the resurgent scientific communities in their home countries.
A team of scientists has created a comprehensive map of gene expression in individual brain cells during aging, using fruit fly models and AI to analyze vast amounts of data. This breakthrough atlas provides unprecedented insights into brain function and may lead to early diagnosis and personalized treatments for diseases.
Researchers recorded neuronal activity in patients with epilepsy using implanted electrodes, revealing that frontal lobe neurons change before a new conscious experience emerges and that medial temporal lobe neurons change one second prior to perception. This study sheds light on the origin of consciousness.
A study published in Nature Communications has revealed how alpha-synuclein protein clumps cause neurons to die by damaging mitochondria and triggering a channel that leads to cell swelling and bursting. The findings were replicated in human brain cells generated from patient skin cells, providing valuable insights into neurodegeneration.
Researchers have identified pyroptosis, a type of programmed cell death associated with inflammation, as a key mechanism in multiple sclerosis. The discovery of the process and its link to brain cells has led to the development of a potential new treatment using an anti-inflammatory drug.
Scientists create three-dimensional maps of DNA in cells to understand genome organization and gene expression. The study reveals that genes cluster together around specific nuclear bodies, influencing gene activity.
A USC research team discovered 150 proteins affecting brain development and cell activity that contribute to mental disorders. The study used stem cells to determine chemical reactions influencing nerve growth and cell functions in people.
Researchers trained free-flying honey bees to recognize numbers from two to five, then introduced one and zero, demonstrating their ability to distinguish zero as lower than one.
Researchers at RMIT University found that honeybees can comprehend the concept of zero, a feat previously thought to be exclusive to humans and other intelligent species. This discovery has significant implications for developing artificial intelligence, as it suggests simpler approaches may be possible.
Hongdian Yang, a UC Riverside assistant professor, has received the prestigious Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship Award to advance his research on neuromodulation of tactile perception. The award will support his investigation into the noradrenergic system's role in modulating touch perception and its potential implications for understand...
Researchers studying axonal transport may uncover new avenues for treating or preventing Alzheimer's. The UB lab, led by Shermali Gunawardena, investigates the role of presenilin in regulating brain cell traffic.
Researchers developed a computational framework to analyze large-scale single-cell gene expression levels, enabling the study of unprecedented cellular heterogeneity in rare cell populations. The BigSCale tool successfully processed 1.3 million individual cells from a mouse brain dataset.
Researchers found a strong link between Tau protein accumulation and genomic instability, which may lead to cell death in Alzheimer's disease. The study identified activated transposable elements as a potential trigger for this process.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a breakthrough technique to convert human immune cells directly into functional neurons. The transformation occurs through transdifferentiation and achieves high efficiency, generating up to 50,000 neurons from 1 milliliter of blood.
A new study by UC San Francisco scientists reveals how complex articulatory movements are coordinated in the brain during fluent speech. The research found that brain regions responsible for producing speech are organized according to physical needs of the vocal tract, not just linguistic features like phonemes.
A USC study reveals that the brain's cerebrospinal fluid channels a hunger molecule, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), which stimulates appetite. The researchers found that MCH release is influenced by circadian clock and daily mealtime routine.
A set of three new genes involved in nerve cell generation may have contributed to the rapid evolution of the large human brain. These genes, which emerged around 3.5 million years ago, offer clues about what separates humans from chimpanzees.
Researchers at King's College London have discovered a fundamental process by which brains are built, involving the balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. This finding may lead to new treatments for neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and epilepsy.
Researchers have gained insights into stress granules, clumps of RNAs and proteins that form when cells are stressed, linking them to neurodegenerative diseases. The study reveals the critical role of two enzymes, USP5 and USP13, in disassembling stress granules, which could lead to innovative treatments.