Articles tagged with Neurons
Research at Kanazawa University identifies FGF signaling as essential for gyri formation in the cerebral cortex, enabling large-scale neuron development and brain functions. The study uses a ferret model to analyze genome-level interactions, revealing the importance of FGF signaling in gyrus formation.
A study at Brown University reveals a previously unknown set of matching barrel structures in the cortex, providing insight into how sensory information is processed. The discovery suggests that layer six may play a greater role than previously realized in communicating with the thalamus.
Researchers have developed a more detailed map of the human brain's cellular diversity, identifying 35 subtypes of neurons and glial cells linked to various brain disorders. The study provides insights into genetic risk factors for diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
A comprehensive atlas of gene expression in human brain cells reveals new insights into autism, intellectual disability, and schizophrenia. The study identifies links between neural stem cell populations and neurodevelopmental disease, opening up new avenues for research.
Scientists develop modified CRISPR-Cas9 technique that alters gene activity without cutting DNA, reversing diseases in mice models. The technique uses adeno-associated viruses to introduce genetic manipulation machinery to cells, promoting expression of target genes without introducing mutations.
A new gene therapy transplantation technique could improve treatment of neurodegenerative diseases by generating genetically engineered microglia-like cells in the brain. This technique has been tested on an experimental model for a metabolic disease and may have future therapeutic applications for other neurodegenerative diseases.
A study found that a cancer medication can improve symptoms of Huntington's disease in mice, including increased mobility and longer lifespan. The drug targets mitochondrial health and protein removal, also relevant to other neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers have successfully extracted and sequenced the DNA of a single mitochondrion, revealing vastly different sequences between individual mitochondria within a cell. This breakthrough may lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases, such as those caused by accumulated mitochondrial mutations with age.
Researchers at UC Riverside have found a way to access and manipulate taste neurons in the pharynx of common fruit flies, which could help control the spread of mosquito-related illnesses and reduce agricultural losses. This genetic approach offers a new framework for understanding the complexities of insect feeding behaviors.
Researchers at Lobachevsky University are creating a neurochip that can transmit signals to healthy brain cells, potentially replacing damaged areas. The team aims to develop an artificial neural network of 100 nerve cells within three years.
Researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder are developing a new laser microscopy technique to study the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. This technique, which involves shooting pairs of photons deep into brain tissue, may enable earlier diagnosis and better treatment options.
A new study using pluripotent stem cell technology reveals that having too much or too little of the CHRNA7 gene can lead to similar biological effects in brain cells. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric disorders and offers a potential avenue for treatment.
Researchers from TSRI have identified a process in nerve cells called the S-nitrosylation reaction that may contribute to Parkinson's disease. The study found that this reaction can trigger cell death by preventing the proper removal of damaged mitochondria, leading to neuronal damage and death.
Two distinct mechanisms have been identified by which Th17 and Th1 lymphocytes breach the blood-brain barrier in multiple sclerosis, targeting neurons and degrading myelin insulation. Understanding these pathways could lead to development of specific therapies to block immune cell entry.
A study published in Stem Cell Reports reveals that DNA-encoded factors influence the vulnerability of brain cells to Alzheimer's disease. Brain regions with higher Aβ protein levels are more susceptible to damage, while protected areas have a less toxic response.
Diffusion concentrates signal in one place, facilitating cell differentiation in Drosophila embryos. The mechanism amplifies the signal from transcription factors, increasing the likelihood of viable embryos.
Researchers used induced pluripotent stem cells to explore the causes of autism, revealing that abnormalities in astrocytes may contribute to the disorder. Astrocytes play a crucial role in the development and function of the nervous system.
Researchers developed better search algorithms using fruit fly brain's odor classification technique, which assigns similar neural activity patterns to similar odors. The fly-based approach outperformed conventional computer algorithms in sorting data with improved performance.
Frequent alcohol consumption can lead to the death of stem cells responsible for creating new nerve cells in adult brains. Females are particularly susceptible to this damage, which may help develop new approaches to treating alcoholism.
Researchers at Salk Institute have found that fruit fly brains use an efficient method to perform similarity searches, expanding the dimension of odor information to improve detection. This approach could inform computer algorithms and enhance their ability to find similarities quickly.
Researchers have identified enzymes that regulate the speed of protein cargo trucks on cellular highways, a discovery with implications for spinal cord and nerve injuries as well as neurodegenerative diseases. The study found that these enzymes, TTLL-11 and CCPP-1, work together to control traffic flow on microtubule highways.
Researchers from UW-Madison detail a defined process to make an exact mimic of the human blood-brain barrier in a laboratory dish. This breakthrough allows for more robust exploration of cells and their properties, paving the way for new therapeutic strategies.
A new study published in Nature Medicine finds that sleep-deprived individuals experience slowed-down neuron activity, affecting their ability to process visual information and respond to tasks. This slowdown can lead to lapses in attention and behavior, posing a risk for drowsy driving and other safety hazards.
A Rutgers-led study has shown promise in using inner ear stem cells to reverse deafness, but also poses a risk of increased cell division, which could lead to cancer. The researchers discovered that controlling the chromatin state can reduce unwanted stem cell proliferation.
A UCLA-led study reveals that sleep deprivation affects the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other, leading to mental lapses in memory and visual perception. The researchers discovered that lack of sleep also slows down brain cell activity, causing sluggish cellular activity and performance issues.
Researchers found that gelatin accelerates the healing of the blood-brain barrier after acute brain injury by reducing microglial cell activation and promoting anti-inflammatory responses. This study has significant implications for the development of surgical treatments and brain implants.
Researchers discovered that duck embryos have a high density of rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors, making them more sensitive to touch. This specialization is crucial for ducks' tactile foraging abilities, which differ from those of visual-dependent chickens.
A study found that kisspeptin enhances male sexual attraction and decreases anxiety in male mice by activating specific neurons in the brain. Activation of these neurons increases social interaction and reduces anxiety, while having no effect on copulatory behavior.
Researchers have discovered brain circuitry essential for alertness and brain states in zebra fish and mice, suggesting the human brain is likely similarly wired. The study used a molecular method to identify six suspect circuits composed of distinct populations of neurons that modulate neuronal activity.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience suggests that low oxygen levels, not limited blood flow, cause preterm brain cells to fail normal development. This finding opens up opportunities to restore oxygen loss and potentially reduce life-long impacts of preterm brain injury.
Researchers discovered that a blood-clotting protein, fibrinogen, stops adult stem cells from producing myelin, preventing brain cell repair. The study's findings may lead to new treatments for diseases such as MS and other conditions affecting the nervous system.
Researchers found that neurons' firing rates adjust based on option values, leading to adaptive judgments. The brain uses a neural circuit to correct for differences in scale, ensuring maximal payoff and rational decision-making.
Researchers used tiny microscopes on mice's heads to visualize brain activity in living mice, showing how and where instincts are shaped by learning. The results found that social experiences can influence brain responses to other mice and even lead to long-lasting changes in the brain's activity patterns.
Researchers at NUS found that the brain changes the activity of neurons when distracted, but retains information by reorganizing the 'code' used to store it. This discovery could inspire novel artificial neural network architectures and improve our understanding of brain function.
A phase two trial showed improved motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy who received an infusion of their own umbilical cord blood cells. The improvements were greater than those seen in children receiving lower doses or a placebo, and exceeded expected gains from traditional therapies.
UTHealth researchers identified a key factor in mid-life cell aging that can predict Alzheimer's disease decades before symptoms appear. The study found that mice lacking IL33 gene experienced dementia at age 68, highlighting the potential of this protein as a biomarker for early detection.
Researchers discovered that Zika virus is transmitted from mother to fetus by infected microglia cells, which later develop into the brain's defense system. The finding suggests a potential therapeutic target for reducing Zika transmission and offers hope for preventing devastating neurological damage.
Scientists have identified a novel pathway that protects mitochondria from toxic protein aggregates, reducing cellular energy production. The mitoRQC pathway, involving the cytosolic protein Vms1, regulates aberrant protein fate and maintains cellular homeostasis.
Flavio Donato's research uncovered how neurons in the brain work together to form a highly functional organ. His novel strategy allowed him to label populations of neurons born at specific time points, enabling closer tracking of development among a crowd of neurons.
Researchers discovered that different types of brain tumors and brain cancer cells share common energy production processes, enabling them to adapt and grow in the brain. This study aims to identify new targets for treatment and potentially develop drugs specifically designed to target these survival mechanisms.
Researchers from Lehigh University and Columbia University have developed a new testing approach for deep learning platforms used in self-driving cars, malware-detection, and other systems. Their method, called DeepXplore, exposes thousands of unique incorrect corner-case behaviors, enabling faster identification and fixing of errors.
A new technique has been developed to accelerate the maturation of stem cells into neurons, enabling faster brain tissue regeneration. The method uses a hydrogel scaffold that mimics the elasticity and adhesive properties of the human brain, promoting neurogenesis and neural cell differentiation.
Researchers will count and catalog cell types in mouse brain using single-cell transcriptomics, aiming to build a comprehensive atlas of cell types that can be applied to the human brain.
Research in mice reveals that the central amygdala, not the lateral portion, is crucial for aversive learning and associating sensory stimuli with threat. This finding has implications for treating disorders like anxiety and PTSD by modifying fear memories.
Researchers will systematically identify and catalog cell types across the mammalian brain using molecular signatures and genetic targeting. The project aims to better understand brain function and dysfunction, with potential applications for therapeutic uses in humans.
The NIH BRAIN Initiative is expanding its efforts to develop new tools and technologies to understand neural circuit function and capture a dynamic view of the brain in action. Researchers are making rapid progress in visualizing the brain in action, identifying thousands of brain cells at a time, and developing innovative brain scanners.
Researchers at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center created a phenogenetic map for induced pluripotent stem cell models of neurological diseases, linking cell characteristics to genotype. The iPhemap online database shares knowledge and develops new therapies.
A new study from Penn researchers reveals how genetic variants in the TMEM106B gene lead to disease by affecting cellular structure and promoting abnormal lysosome activity. This breakthrough provides insight into a major cause of dementia in young adults and may lead to development of new therapeutics.
Researchers at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience have developed a new tool called vSLENDR, which enables precise genome editing in post-mitotic neurons of the brain. This breakthrough technology utilizes CRISPR-Cas9 and an adeno-associated virus to increase the efficiency and flexibility of HDR DNA repair.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University and Weizmann Institute successfully transformed mature cells from various parts of the body into melanocytes, responsible for producing skin pigment. This breakthrough enables the potential for curing deafness and developing novel transplants.
Research finds that social experience with a female mouse triggers separate neural populations and aggressive behavior in males, challenging the 'hardwired' hypothesis. The study reveals that even innate behaviors have a degree of plasticity and computation.
Researchers identified 'speed neurons' and 'direction neurons' in the bee brain that work together to create a memory for navigation. This ability is crucial for bees, as they rely on it to return to their hive after foraging trips.
Researchers found that roundworms can prime a defense mechanism when exposed to the scent of a lethal bacterium, increasing cell survival. This discovery could lead to a non-pharmaceutical treatment for neurodegenerative diseases by stimulating the same sensory trigger in humans.
A study published in Current Biology confirms that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improves associative learning by modulating brain connectivity between areas, not neuron firing rates. tDCS was shown to increase learning speed in macaques by up to 40% with no increased neuronal firing.
Researchers have developed a new, simplified technique to produce homogeneous human brain cells in the lab, accelerating drug screening and disease study. This breakthrough allows for cost-effective production of large quantities of brain cells within weeks, enabling wider adoption in basic science and industry.
Researchers discovered specialized macrophages called SAMs that interact with sympathetic neurons to affect neuronal activation and fat mass reduction. Blocking SAM-mediated norepinephrine clearance boosts fat breakdown and weight loss in mice.
Scientists have identified genetic processes that enable nerve-supporting cells to transform into specialized versions that facilitate nerve regeneration. This knowledge may lead to new drug therapies for peripheral neuropathies, a set of conditions causing numbness, muscle weakness, and sensitivity.
A comprehensive study mapped specific cell types in mouse brains, revealing three major inhibitory cell types vary across cortical areas, and female brains have more modulatory neurons in certain subcortical regions. The study provides insights into brain function and has potential applications for understanding psychiatric disorders.
A new study published in Brain Behavior and Immunity appears to challenge the theory that microglia play a role in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The research found no difference in microglial activity between mice exposed to alcohol early in development and healthy animals.
CU Anschutz and CU Boulder scientists have won a $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to refine their unique 2P-FCM microscope, which allows deeper brain imaging and dynamic focus capability. The researchers will deploy the microscope to laboratories across the country to study neural activity in various species.