Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
A recent study revealed neural clustering in V4 that preserves visual acuity, enabling the separation of local and global features. This discovery challenges existing models and offers new insights into how the brain processes visual information.
New study reveals that ultra-slow waves are not just noise in the brain, but a fundamental process that coordinates complex brain activity. The waves enhance electrical activity in areas and persist even under anesthesia, suggesting they may be linked to consciousness.
A new study in mice shows that turning on a gene called LZK can stimulate the healing process after spinal cord injuries, resulting in smaller scars. This trigger has implications for treating brain conditions through gene therapy targeting astrocytes.
A study by University of Sheffield researchers found that honeybee colonies follow the same laws as the human brain when making collective decisions, including Pieron's Law, Hick's Law, and Weber's Law. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of the basic mechanisms of human behavior and cognition.
Researchers discovered a highly specific neural circuit in mice that responds to hunger to create an analgesic effect, suppressing inflammatory pain and allowing the animals to seek food. The study found that acute pain can also suppress hunger, suggesting a hierarchy of needs prioritizing survival behaviors.
Researchers have identified over 30 different subtypes of retinal ganglion cells, the neurons responsible for processing visual information. This comprehensive understanding will enable the development of more tailored drug development and treatment strategies for neurodegenerative vision disorders.
A team of biologists has deciphered the formation of motion-detecting neurons in the fly brain, revealing a complex process based on simple developmental rules. The discovery offers new insights into the fundamental processes governing neural circuit formation and could lead to new therapeutic advances for neurological disorders.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that hunger suppresses chronic pain by targeting specific brain cells. The study discovered that activating a group of 300 neurons responsible for prioritizing hunger over pain significantly reduced inflammatory pain responses, while acute pain responses remained intact.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found a direct correlation between amyloid plaques and tau protein production in the brain. Targeting tau production may lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that tau production and secretion from nerve cells is an active process in the natural course of Alzheimer's disease. This may explain why experimental treatments targeting tau have had disappointing results. The study provides new insights into the role of tau kinetics in neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that children with autism have too many amygdala neurons early on and then lose them as they age. Typically developing children, however, gain more amygdala neurons over time, suggesting a link between excessive neuron growth and anxiety in autism.
Fruit flies are attracted to unique wing pulse patterns, and exposure to these sounds during development teaches them to prefer their species' own pulse. The study found that female pC1 neurons play a crucial role in the courtship learning process.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new method called SPLiT-seq that allows them to classify and track the multitude of cells in a tissue sample. Using this approach, they can measure gene activity in individual cells, even if there are hundreds of thousands of different cells in a tissue sample.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have found that young neural stem cells store large protein aggregates in lysosomes. Clearing these aggregates rejuvenates the cells' ability to activate and makes new neurons. The study highlights the importance of maintaining precise control over protein production and disposal.
Researchers at DZNE found unstable activity in a key spatial navigation area of older adults' brains, leading to navigational difficulties. This may open up new ways for detecting Alzheimer's disease and designing therapies against age-related cognitive decline.
Scientists at Allen Institute and University of Washington developed scalable SPLiT-seq method to characterize RNA in individual cells, enabling identification of various cell types in the brain. The technique significantly lowers the cost barrier for labs that want to perform single-cell profiling.
The research team found that, when learning a new task, the brain operates under a more stringent set of constraints than originally thought, resulting in good short-term learning but suboptimal performance. The brain tends to repurpose existing neural activity patterns rather than generating entirely new ones.
A researcher at George Washington University is studying the link between stress in the brain and obesity-induced hypertension, with a focus on understanding how cell stress may alter blood pressure regulation. The five-year study aims to identify potential new treatments for hypertension using existing drugs.
A recent study using CRISPR-Cas9 technology identified new genes that may hasten neuron death in ALS and FTD patients. The researchers found that genes controlling cell movement and protein assembly were potential partners in DPR toxicity, suggesting novel therapies for ALS.
A new microscopy technique called SUSHI allows for simultaneous imaging of all brain cells in a specific region, overcoming previous limitations. This breakthrough enables researchers to gain new insights into brain function and organization, advancing our understanding of healthy and diseased brains.
A study has identified a critical protein interaction that triggers the development of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), a rare neurodegenerative disease. The researchers found that polyQ-ATAXIN1 forms a complex with capicua, which disrupts gene expression and leads to neurodegeneration.
Researchers at Syracuse University have identified a key protein and enzyme involved in regulating seizures, finding that T-cell intracellular antigen-1 (TIA-1) suppresses severe electrical storms in the brain by increasing cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in neurons.
The study developed an optical tool that can read metabolism at subcellular resolution without perturbing cells or destroying them. The method identifies specific metabolic signatures associated with diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases.
A biochemical pathway in the Golgi apparatus helps cells counter oxidative stress, and researchers found it can be activated by a drug called monensin, which may protect cells against Huntington's disease.
Researchers have developed a straightforward modification to computer models of calcium ions that leads to highly accurate simulations. The new model can simulate calcium interactions with proteins and other molecules, providing powerful tools for studying biological processes.
Researchers have identified over 250 genes involved in brain aging, including Dbx2, which can prematurely age stem cells. The study found that increasing the activity of Dbx2 in young brain stem cells slows their growth, causing them to behave more like older cells.
Researchers used CRISPR to identify genes that help neurons defend against toxic protein aggregates, which are thought to drive ALS progression. A handful of genes, including Tmx2, show promise as potential drug targets.
Researchers found that a compound enhanced protein trafficking reduced amyloid beta and Tau protein production in brain cells. The study suggests targeting endosomal network defects as a promising strategy against Alzheimer's disease.
Caltech scientists have identified a hierarchical neural circuit in the mouse brain that regulates thirst, involving excitatory and inhibitory neurons. The study reveals how this circuit integrates signals from the subfornical organ and organum vasculosum laminae terminalis to initiate drinking behavior, while also providing insight in...
Researchers recorded electrical activity of hundreds of neurons in a mouse model for up to half an hour, discovering competing neural networks that operate at different timescales. The findings show that certain networks can synchronize their activity, while others slow down or speed up in a coordinated manner.
A new study creates a functional map of how the hawkmoth smells, tracing the process from the antennae to specific areas in the brain. The researchers mapped how the moth distinguishes between odors to find a safe place to eat or to lay eggs.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School investigated the role of phosphatidylinositol lipids and proteins in asymmetric cell division, a process vital for producing mature brain cells. They discovered a new protein called Vibrator, which plays a key role in this complex process.
Researchers discovered that brain-gut signals lead to an axis of aging, where the brain and intestines work together to regulate longevity. The study found two types of neurons processing temperature cues, transmitting information to the intestine to boost or slow down aging processes.
Researchers at MIT have created a fluorescent sensor that allows them to image neurons' electrical communications without electrodes. This breakthrough could enable the study of brain activity in millisecond-by-millisecond detail, revolutionizing our understanding of neural behavior and cognition.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have shown that skin cells re-programmed into brain stem cells can help reduce inflammation and repair damage caused by multiple sclerosis. The study suggests that using a patient's own skin cells could provide a personalized route to treating chronic inflammatory diseases like MS.
A Massachusetts General Hospital-led research team has identified a genetic defect in the TAF1 gene as the possible cause of X-linked dystonia parkinsonism, a rare and severe neurodegenerative disease. The study found that aberrant splicing of the TAF1 gene leads to truncated RNA expression, which may be responsible for the disease.
Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered that fruit flies use external temperature to regulate their sleep cycles, which may provide insights into human sleep patterns. Mild changes in temperature have physiological effects on clock neurons that control sleep timing.
Scientists at Whitehead Institute have developed a modified CRISPR/Cas9 system to remove methylation tags from the FMR1 gene, restoring its expression and rescuing neurons from fragile X syndrome. This approach may prove useful for other diseases caused by abnormal methylation.
A team of researchers has invented tiny, light-powered wires that can modulate brain electrical signals, promising a new approach to understanding and treating brain disorders like Parkinson's disease and psychiatric conditions. The nanowires use silicon and gold to trigger neurons to fire electrical signals.
Scientists have identified a key protein quality control mechanism in the brain that plays a crucial role in regulating appetite and weight. The discovery sheds light on how genetic mutations can lead to severe forms of childhood obesity.
Researchers developed compounds that modify DNA packing in Ewing sarcoma cells, inducing chromatic relaxation and reducing expression of oncogenes. This approach aims to promote neural differentiation and inhibit tumor growth, offering new potential treatment strategies for childhood cancer.
A neuroeconomics model suggests that valuing identity over accuracy leads to accepting incorrect information aligned with political party beliefs. Strategies to reduce this effect include creating a superordinate identity, engaging in constructive dialogue, and increasing the value of accurate beliefs.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered that birds and primates share similar brain cell types linked to cognitive abilities, such as goal-directed behaviors. This finding suggests that these species may have evolved intelligence independently, despite their distinct anatomical structures.
A new study published in Science suggests that loss of mossy cells plays a critical role in both convulsive seizures and memory problems associated with temporal lobe epilepsy. In a mouse model, researchers found that turning on mossy cells prevented seizures from transitioning into convulsions.
Researchers created a detailed molecular atlas of brain blood vessels and the life-essential blood-brain barrier, providing new knowledge on cell functions and disease involvement.
A study published in Scientific Reports has identified a drug that can reverse the damaging impacts of heavy alcohol consumption on brain cells. Tandospirone was found to improve brain neurogenesis and reduce anxiety-like behaviors associated with alcohol withdrawal, opening up new avenues for treating substance-abuse deficits.
Researchers found that silencing astrocytes in the brain's breathing center caused rats to breathe at a lower rate and tire out on a treadmill earlier. Astrocytes were shown to use adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to communicate with other cells, and their modulation was linked to changes in oxygen levels.
The Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science is awarded to Alexander Rudensky for his work on regulatory T cells and their role in cancer treatment. Two younger immigrants, Polina Anikeeva and Sergiu P. Pasca, receive $50,000 prizes for their promising contributions to biomedical engineering and brain disease research.
Scientists at WashU Medicine have transformed skin cells from patients with Huntington's disease into brain cells, allowing them to study the degenerative disorder. The resulting neurons exhibited 'symptoms' of the disease, including DNA damage and cell death, which were prevented by correcting malfunctioning genes.
Researchers found genetic clues to distinct susceptibility to virus infection in congenital Zika syndrome, using Brazilian twin babies with different outcomes. The study revealed a single gene cannot explain the cases of CZS development nor brain resistance to Zika virus.
Scientists at Rockefeller University discovered early abnormalities in human embryonic stem cells with Huntington's disease, suggesting the disorder originates much earlier than previously thought. The study implies that existing treatments may do more harm than good and necessitates a new approach to treating the disease.
A study published in JNeurosci found that stimulating carbon dioxide-sensing neurons in the midbrain of adult male mice awakened them without affecting breathing. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms underlying obstructive sleep apnea, sudden infant death syndrome, and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.
A recent study by Case Western Reserve University researchers has reversed symptoms of respiratory and cognitive abnormalities in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. The findings suggest that stimulating neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex could be therapeutic for Rett patients, potentially leading to improved breathing and cognitive f...
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discover that oestrogen can induce neuroblastoma cells to differentiate into neuron-like cells. This finding has implications for treating aggressive forms of the disease, particularly those with high levels of the oestrogen receptor.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that kisspeptin, a hormone in the brain, drives attraction to the opposite sex and triggers sexual behavior. The discovery opens up new possibilities for treating patients with low sexual desire disorders.
Researchers found that a repurposed drug used to treat Hepatitis C effectively protected and rescued neural cells infected by the Zika virus in both cell cultures and mouse models. The study suggests that the drug could be effective against Zika-infected adults, including pregnant women.
Researchers at UConn Health have reversed Prader-Willi syndrome in lab-grown brain cells by targeting the ZNF274 protein, which silences many genes. The breakthrough provides clues for treating this genetic disorder and offers new hope for patients with life-threatening childhood obesity.
Researchers have created the world's first monkey clones using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), a technique that made Dolly the sheep. The cloned monkeys, Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua, are genetically identical long-tailed macaques born recently at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Neuroscience in Shanghai.
University of Texas researchers use supercomputer simulations to study how blast waves affect the brain's perineuronal nets, potentially leading to life-threatening injuries. They also explore materials for space shuttles, aiming to improve their durability and performance.
Arizona State University is developing a biomanufacturing platform to generate human neurons for testing treatments of neurodegenerative diseases. The project aims to engineer neural cell types needed for drug screening, potentially leading to innovative solutions for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.