Articles tagged with Neurons
Researchers found that inhibiting PLSCR1 controls the infected cell's antiviral response, providing long-term protection from immune attack and excessive inflammation. This discovery holds promise for virally delivered treatments, inflammatory conditions, autoimmune disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers discovered that excess tau protein damages brain's GPS, leading to spatial disorientation and cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease. The findings may lead to early diagnostic tests and novel targets for treating this common symptom.
A synthesized steroid called squalamine has been shown to prevent the buildup of a lethal protein implicated in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's. In an animal model, squalamine reduced the toxicity of alpha-synuclein clumps and protected healthy human neuronal cells from damage.
Researchers at UC San Diego discovered that bacteria in biofilm communities can send long-range electrical signals to recruit new members from different species. This discovery reveals a human-like trait in bacteria, showing that they can exert dynamic control over distant cells through electrical signaling.
A new study by Yale University suggests that two sets of neurons deep in the forebrain control hunting behavior, enabling precise muscle control and increased efficiency. The central amygdala region is preserved in almost all vertebrates, suggesting its importance in evolution.
A new study from Drexel University College of Medicine suggests that a commonly used antibiotic, minocycline, may exacerbate cognitive deficits in newborn rats with traumatic brain injury. The researchers hypothesize that the treatment, which targets inflammation, may be ineffective or even harmful to developing brains.
Researchers found that glial cells, which support neurons, undergo significant changes with aging, particularly in brain regions damaged by neurodegenerative diseases. This discovery suggests a new approach to understanding and treating dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases.
A new computational model reveals a winner-take-all operation is enabled by a configuration of inhibitory neurons. The model, developed by MIT researchers, uses theoretical computer science to prove that a specific arrangement of inhibitory neurons is necessary for the operation.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine found that mice reared in darkness show degraded dorsal stream responses, highlighting the importance of early visual experience for proper development. This discovery has implications for understanding vision restoration and recovery from bilateral cataracts.
Researchers found that hummingbird brains are uniquely attuned to detect fast visual motion in any direction. This discovery sheds light on the birds' remarkable ability to zoom and stop quickly while sipping nectar. The findings have implications for understanding flight behaviors, competitive interactions, and courtship displays.
Researchers found that inhibitory brain cells form maps that broaden with maturation, unlike excitatory neurons which refine and define areas. This discovery sheds light on how the brain organizes and processes information.
Researchers have found that activating the protein Nrf2 can restore normal levels of disease-causing proteins in cells, preventing cell death. In models of Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, Nrf2 was shown to protect cells against the disease better than any other treatment.
Researchers have developed a novel GAL4-UAS system for C. elegans, allowing for systematic perturbation of the nervous system and creation of a database linking neural activity to behaviors. This 'breadboard' system enables precise control of neural activity, simplifying the study of nervous system function.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a receptor on the inner mitochondrial membrane plays a crucial role in guiding autophagosomes to damaged mitochondria for destruction. The process, called mitophagy, is essential for cellular health and preventing diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
Research shows that brain maturation varies by individual and region, making it difficult to pinpoint a static baseline for maturity. Leah Somerville highlights the importance of considering brain development in policy-making decisions.
Neurons in the brain store immature RNA copies that are pre-manufactured and only need splicing upon stimulation, significantly reducing production time and enabling rapid adaptation. This discovery reveals a new regulatory mechanism for brain plasticity processes.
Researchers at UC Berkeley observed the brain's re-tuning process when listening to previously unintelligible speech after priming. The study confirms speculation that neurons in the auditory cortex continually tune themselves to pull meaning out of a noisy environment, enabling individuals to quickly comprehend garbled speech.
Scientists at the Salk Institute have developed a 3D mini-brain model grown from human stem cells, which is structurally and functionally more similar to real brains than existing 2D models. This breakthrough model may help understand brain development and neurological diseases like Alzheimer's or schizophrenia.
Assistant Professor Leah Shriver aims to find new ways to promote nervous system regeneration and prevent destruction of brain cells in multiple sclerosis patients. She plans to study the cuprizone intoxication model to understand mechanisms contributing to oligodendrocyte and myelin loss.
Researchers found that a high-fat, low-sugar diet for 72 hours prior to diagnostic imaging improved the accuracy of diagnosing cardiac sarcoidosis. This technique minimizes indeterminate findings and allows clinicians to better monitor patient progress under treatment.
Researchers at DZNE discovered that astrocytes potentiate harmful electrical discharges after a stroke, leading to increased brain damage. Modulating astrocyte calcium metabolism may be a potential starting point for treating stroke in humans.
Rare type 2 innate lymphocytes found in meninges around the brain may play a critical role in battling Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological diseases. The discovery suggests these cells could be the missing link between the brain and gut microbiota.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a graphene system that can differentiate between cancerous and normal brain cells, detecting hyperactivity in single interfaced cells. This technique uses Raman spectroscopy to pinpoint changes in atomic vibration energy, allowing for early cancer diagnosis.
Astrocytes play a crucial role in brain tissue recovery after injury, with the Ror2 protein promoting their proliferation. The research team discovered that Ror2 is activated by basic fibroblast growth factor, which enables astrocytes to start proliferating and minimizing inflammation around damaged neurons.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center discovered that a subset of neurons anticipates the effects of drinking by preparing the body for an influx of water seconds before consumption. This 'top-down' control helps regulate intake and prevent negative consequences.
Researchers found that the Parkin gene is turned on in response to environmental insults causing free radical formation and cataract development. Parkin helps prevent free radical damage and increases lens cell survival.
A study published in Cell Reports found that training participants to use their non-dominant hand by tricking their brain through virtual reality showed significant improvements in motor skills. The researchers used fMRI scans to track brain activity, which was correlated with improved performance.
Researchers at the University of Buffalo discovered that short-term hearing loss can cause auditory nerve cells to change their behavior and shape. The study found that these changes are related to neurotransmitters, with cells depleting their reserves and decreasing vesicle storage space when it's quiet.
Microglia coordinates reinforcements to warn neighbouring cells of invading virus, recruiting astroglia and neurons to remove injured or killed cells. The discovery aims to contribute to new treatment of brain diseases like multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at OIST uncover a neural mechanism that uses silent gaps to detect species-specific birdsong. Juvenile zebra finches learn song by mimicking adults and preferentially adopt the song of their own species despite noise and variety of birdsongs.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a common mechanism underlying separate forms of dystonia, a brain disorder causing involuntary movements. A new cell-based screening test has been developed to identify new drug candidates, leveraging the misplacement of the DYT1 protein near the nucleus.
A study published in Neuron reveals the mechanisms behind learning social hierarchies, with the prefrontal cortex playing a key role. The researchers found that people can rapidly form coherent understandings of their own social hierarchy through integrating interaction outcomes.
Researchers found that harmine increases proliferation of human neural progenitor cells by inhibiting DYRK1A, leading to a 70% increase in new neural cell generation. This effect may lead to potential therapeutic applications for depression and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that specific cells in the medial septum fire at higher rates when a mouse moves faster, influencing activity in the brain's navigation center. This 'speedometer cell' data bus relays speed information to the entorhinal cortex, essential for spatial orientation.
Researchers have identified the functions of two sibling RNA-binding proteins in neural stem cells and neurons. PTBP1 and PTBP2 serve both redundant and unique roles in brain development, contributing to neuronal differentiation. This discovery has implications for fine-tuning stem cell therapeutic strategies for neurologic disorders.
Researchers identified a potential target for restoring ejaculation in men with spinal cord injuries or ejaculatory disorders by targeting the L3-L5 spinal segments. The study suggests that this approach could be a promising therapy for patients unable to ejaculate due to spinal cord injury or other ejaculatory disorders.
Artificial brains, called organoids, are created using traditional Japanese flower arranging techniques, providing a more authentic model for studying brain tumours and their growth. The technique enables researchers to test hundreds of different chemical combinations on patient cells to identify promising treatment options.
Scientists at UCSB developed a powerful new technique to measure the mechanical properties of cells in living tissues, shedding light on how cells respond to biochemical and mechanical cues. The method reveals that cells perceive their natural habitat as a fluid-like environment, with varying stiffness and viscosity along the body axis.
Researchers found that brain cells in specific columns cycle independently between active and inactive states during both sleep and wake. This cycling is linked to improved attention and response to external stimuli.
Research in mice reveals that gut microbe movements can influence a host animal's circadian rhythms by exposing different microbes and their metabolites as the day goes by. The study shows profound effects on host physiology, including changes in liver function and gene expression.
Researchers discovered that neural stem cells serve as RNA highways, transporting proteins and messenger RNAs to the endfeet. FMRP was found to be responsible for controlling mRNA movement and is linked to autism-related disorders.
Researchers at Caltech discovered a functional link between bacteria in the intestines and Parkinson's disease, showing that changes in gut bacterial populations contribute to motor skill deterioration. The study found that an imbalance in short-chain fatty acids regulates brain inflammation and symptoms of PD.
ARSACS affects brain movement coordination due to gene alterations, leading to uncoordinated movements and muscle stiffness. Researchers will generate stem cells from skin biopsies to create neurons for new insights into cellular defects underlying the disease.
Researchers have discovered unexpected cells in the protective membranes covering the brain that produce new neurons after birth. This finding challenges current ideas about the brain's ability to heal and regenerate, and opens up new possibilities for developing new therapies for brain damage or neurodegeneration.
The study reveals a rapidly-acting glutamate neurotransmitter called Vglut2 that suppresses feeding behavior in mice. The discovery suggests an important but unknown neural component of the satiety system is missing from current models, which could help researchers find solutions to obesity.
Researchers developed MEMOIR to record cellular histories in genomes, allowing them to analyze cell relationships, communication patterns, and influential events. The technique aids in understanding tissue and animal development, as well as the abnormal development of diseased tissues like tumors.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover a holy grail of gene editing, allowing precise DNA insertion into adult organs and tissues. This breakthrough enables partial restoration of visual responses in blind rodents and holds promise for treating retinal, heart, and neurological diseases.
Scientists have successfully synchronized two types of nano-oscillators, one driven and the other mutual, achieving robust synchronization over long distances. This breakthrough enables future oscillatory networks for wave-based neuromorphic computing.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have identified a gene that may permit early detection of Alzheimer's disease. The RGS2 gene is involved in neurotransmission signaling and its reduced expression increases the sensitivity of brain neurons to toxic effects of amyloid-β, a protein associated with the disease.
Research reveals that mutations in succinate dehydrogenase lead to distinct disease phenotypes, with tumors showing loss of complex I and impaired cellular fitness. Neurodegeneration, on the other hand, does not result in loss of complex I, leading to a metabolically different phenotype.
A multidisciplinary team created a living bio-hybrid system that connects neurons in the brain to human-made electronic devices. The research used Raman spectroscopy to analyze biocompatibility and functionality of adhering cells, paving the way for seamless interfacing between machines and nervous systems.
The study found that neurons fire to relatively few concepts, which tend to be largely related. Internet searches were used to establish degree of association between concepts and show that these associations are encoded by neurons in memory areas.
The study found that the GSK3 enzyme regulates the persistent sodium current, which affects a nerve cell's excitability and firing activity. This discovery may lead to chronotherapeutics, where treatments are tailored to the time of day to maximize health benefits and minimize side effects.
A recent study published in Science Advances found that over 85% of pain-sensing neurons are sensitive to one specific type of painful stimulus. This challenges previous findings suggesting most neurons respond to all types of pain.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience has made significant discoveries about the effects of anesthesia on brain activity. The researchers found that neurons under anesthesia become highly synchronized and more sensitive to environmental stimuli, which challenges traditional views on consciousness.
Researchers found that rats only enjoy ticklishness when they are in a good mood, similar to humans. The study also suggests that the somatosensory cortex may play a role in regulating mood.
A team of researchers identified three novel proteins that act together on clock neurons to make the clock light responsive. The Quasimodo protein regulates light responses in the fly's clock neurons, controlling the circadian rhythm.
A collaboration of 32 researchers found a genetic mutation in the PINK1 gene that confers a risk for developing Parkinson's disease earlier than expected. The study showed that a specific mutation impairs the PINK1-PARKIN pathway, leading to damaged mitochondria accumulation and neurodegeneration.
Researchers identify ATR gene as crucial for brain tumor growth and development, developing nanoparticle-formulated drug to block tumor growth. The investigational treatment shows promise in reducing cerebellar growth by causing cell death in neural progenitors.
Chronic neurodegenerative disorders are progressively altered brain cell functions, but nanotechnology offers a solution with bio-engineered systems that interact at a molecular level. Nanomedicine improves drug efficacy with sustained release, reduced toxicity and fewer side effects.