Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
Researchers found that RIPK3 acts as part of the brain's anti-viral inflammation response, placing an order for chemokines to attract infection-fighting white blood cells. This approach restricts viral pathogenesis without directly stopping virus reproduction within brain cells.
Scientists at the University of Seville have found that adult carotid body mother cells can transform into both blood vessels and neurons. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for pediatric tumors and Parkinson's disease, as these stem cells may contribute to tumor growth.
The Gruber Foundation has awarded $1.5 million to three top scientists for their groundbreaking work in cosmology, genetics and neuroscience. Sandra Faber, Stephen Elledge, and Joshua Sanes have been recognized for their pioneering research on galaxy structure, DNA damage response pathway, and synapse formation.
A study found that male fruit flies have specific neurons called MS1 that release octopamine to keep them awake during courtship, suppressing sleep. The researchers also discovered that these neurons communicate with other brain cells to enhance male sexual behavior.
Researchers developed a lab-based model of the blood-brain barrier defect that causes Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome, a rare congenital disorder. The study may hold promise for treating this syndrome and analyzing other neurological conditions.
A steroid hormone called ecdysone has been identified as a crucial trigger for brain development in fruit flies. The hormone is similar to human thyroid hormone and its activity timing may hold clues to maternal hypothyroidism, a condition that can cause severe neurological defects and fetal brain damage.
The researcher is studying calcium channels in gonadotropes to understand their role in reproductive disease. This knowledge can lead to the development of new treatments for infertility, tumor growth, and other disorders.
A recent study has identified the molecular mechanism behind lithium's effectiveness in treating bipolar disorder, providing a clear path to developing new diagnostic tests and therapies. The research, led by Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, utilized human induced pluripotent stem cells to map lithium's response path...
Research on fruit flies reveals that those lacking the Fragile X protein have less inhibition among their neurons, resulting in impaired information processing and increased anxiety. This finding provides valuable insights into human brain diseases and may lead to new treatments for Fragile X syndrome.
Researchers found that wine-derived human gut metabolites are protective against neuronal death in human cells under stress conditions. The exact composition of these metabolites depends on the individual's gut microbiota, highlighting the importance of personalized nutrition in preventing neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers find Lgl1 controls neural stem cell proliferation, producing neurons and glia cells in the developing cortex. The study reveals two mechanisms of Lgl1 function: one for embryonic development and another for postnatal brain growth.
Scientists at the University of Queensland have identified a new type of lymphatic brain cell in zebrafish that surrounds the brain and clears damaging cellular waste. This discovery provides insight into how the brain forms and functions, potentially leading to new treatments for neurological diseases like stroke and dementia.
Researchers designed UltraTracer to work with existing algorithms, turbo-charging them for faster processing and larger datasets. The software can compare tens of thousands of neuron shapes to better understand cell types.
Researchers at UCI have developed a method to generate human microglia cells from skin stem cells, providing a powerful new approach to study and potentially treat neurological diseases like Alzheimer's. This discovery marks an important step in using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells for targeted approaches.
Researchers at MIT discovered a brain circuit that governs how we respond to conflicting environmental cues, shedding light on the neural mechanisms behind rapid decision-making. The study suggests that information flow between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex is critical for coordinating behavior in the face of competing signals.
A study by Hokkaido University researchers found that voltage rhythms are synchronized across the entire suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), maintaining a tissue-wide rhythm. This discovery suggests that inter-cellular interactions within the SCN may be responsible for synchronizing voltage changes, separate from asynchronous calcium rhythms.
Researchers at Japan's National Institute of Genetics discovered a direct neural link connecting the brain's visual system to its feeding center, linking visual perception of food to feeding motivation. This study, using genetically engineered zebrafish, shows that 'eating with the eyes' is deeply rooted in evolution.
A team of scientists has discovered an antibody that can measure tau levels in the blood, which accurately reflects brain damage. This breakthrough could lead to a non-invasive test for tau-based diseases, monitoring disease progression, and measuring treatment effectiveness.
Yuna Ayala's research team discovers how TDP-43 protein causes damaging plaque buildup in neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and frontotemporal dementia. They found that phosphorylation regulates TDP-43's activity, location, and processing, which may be crucial for cellular metabolism.
A recent review explores why animals favor one side of the brain, highlighting perceptual specialization, motor specialization, and parallel processing. The research also sheds light on environmental influences and genetic aspects of asymmetrical development, potentially providing insight into brain conditions in humans.
Researchers discovered a birth-and-death cycle of neurons in the adult mouse gut, with about five percent of nerve cells regenerating daily or a third every week. This finding has profound implications for understanding and treating digestive system disorders and diseases.
New cells in retina found to directly affect biological clock by sending signals to brain region regulating daily rhythms. Disruption of circadian rhythms linked to health issues like gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders, depression, and cancer.
Scientists identify a common mechanism in two forms of neurodegeneration affecting young adults and the elderly, linked to progranulin protein mutations. The discovery advances efforts to find better treatments and cures for these diseases, including frontotemporal dementia and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.
Researchers have determined that fluorescent granular perithelial cells, which protect the brain against diseases, arise from endothelial cells in the circulatory system. This finding may contribute to understanding cognitive decline of aging and HIV infection of brain cells.
Scientists have discovered that specific cells in the brain's medial amygdala program innate reproductive and aggressive behaviors. The study found that male and female brains respond differently to mating cues, with distinct patterns of activation in neurons expressing different transcription factors.
Researchers at Columbia University found that haphazard neural activity in mice with schizophrenia symptoms may underlie the disease. The study suggests that disruptions in small networks of neurons could produce characteristic psychosis symptoms.
As people age, they experience a decline in deep sleep, which is crucial for memory and cognition. This shift can start as early as the mid-thirties and becomes more pronounced with age.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a new function for rapamycin that may help prevent neurologic damage and some related diseases. The compound appears to stop cellular senescence, a stage cells reach where they get old and start secreting damaging substances.
A study by Stanford researchers identifies a near-global repressor protein, Myt1l, that works to block many cell fates but one. This discovery suggests the possibility of a network of master regulators specific to each cell type.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a new brain pathway that controls hand movements, contradicting the long-held belief that motor functions originate from the frontal lobe. This finding has implications for understanding hand movement and may lead to better treatments for patients with motor function disorders.
Researchers developed a novel technique to eliminate specific peripheral neurons without affecting the brain, revealing their crucial role in maintaining normal adiposity. The study showed that mice lacking these neurons became fat quickly, opening new avenues for understanding diseases related to the peripheral nervous system.
Researchers found that a transient increase in intracellular calcium ions causes cell deformation and contributes to neural tube formation in African clawed frogs. The pattern of fluctuation in calcium ions is complex, with local and transient rises causing morphological changes.
Researchers found that friction between moving tissues generates force that shapes the nervous system of zebrafish embryos. This force is a key mechanism for regulating morphogenesis during embryo development. The study's findings indicate a previously unrecognized mechanism underlying birth defects in humans.
Researchers at Emory University are studying the 3q29 deletion syndrome, a genetic mutation associated with a 40-fold increased risk for schizophrenia. They will create a neuronal model of the syndrome using induced pluripotent stem cells and integrate their research with other targets identified in genetic studies.
Scientists have developed a new technique to produce human brain and muscle cells in just a few days, allowing for the creation of millions of functional cells. This breakthrough method, OPTi-OX, enables researchers to study diseases such as Alzheimer's and Multiple Sclerosis at unprecedented purities.
Researchers found a circuit in the central amygdala that responds to rewarding events and stimulates reward-related behavior, contradicting the consensus that the structure is primarily linked with fear.
Researchers identified neurons in the amygdala that promote reward-related behaviors and suppress fear responses, finding that appetitive behaviors are driven by the same circuitry as defensive behaviors. The study reveals a push-pull mechanism in the brain regulating emotional states and behaviors.
Researchers observe how large groups of neurons learn and unlearn a new association in the brain, blurring lines between stimuli. The findings have implications for studying emotional memory disorders like PTSD.
A team of scientists from Caltech has found that lamprey gut neurons originate from cells called Schwann cell precursors, challenging the long-held theory that these cells give rise to vagal neural crest cells. This discovery offers insights into the evolutionary origins of vertebrates and their digestive systems.
Scientists at the Salk Institute have developed a new method to predict which individuals with bipolar disorder will respond to lithium therapy. Using a system trained on electrical firing patterns of neurons from six patients, the method achieved 92% accuracy in classifying responders and nonresponders.
The study found that distortion of radial glial fibers leads to aberrant neuron localization and formation of periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH), a brain abnormality in thanatophoric dysplasia. This discovery paves the way for developing therapy using animal models with brain architecture similar to humans.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine found that electroacupuncture triggers the release of reparative mesenchymal stem cells, which promote tendon repair and anti-inflammatory cell activity. The study's findings suggest a new approach to treating pain and injuries by harnessing the healing properties of stem cells.
A University at Buffalo research team has successfully reprogrammed adult skin cells into neural crest cells, a type of stem cell, without adding foreign genetic material. These cells can differentiate into various cell types found in the spinal cord and brain, holding promise for studying genetic diseases and generating regenerative t...
A team of scientists at the University of California San Diego has created a cellular model of anorexia nervosa using induced pluripotent stem cells, revealing a potential genetic link to the disease. The study identified a novel gene, TACR1, that may contribute to the development of eating disorders.
Researchers have characterized cerebral organoids, showing they recapitulate human brain developmental processes and involve forebrain organizing centers. These findings advance our understanding of normal organoid development and are essential for modeling human developmental diseases.
A specific protein forms gels in response to stress, which helps cells function and grow under challenging conditions. This gel-like structure is not a sign of damage but rather an adaptive response.
Researchers at Duke University identified a mechanism linking 'jumping genes' to brain cell death in Alzheimer's, potentially leading to new treatments. The study suggests that Alu elements, normally held in check by DNA methylation patterns, can disrupt mitochondrial function and contribute to neurodegeneration.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have discovered a bone-derived hormone that regulates food intake and blood sugar. The study found that the hormone, lipocalin 2, turns on brain neurons involved in appetite suppression, potentially leading to new targeted therapies for obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found that fruit fly infections trigger a reduction in egg-laying activity and affect the octopaminergic signalling pathway. The study reveals a protective mechanism allowing fruit flies to regulate their offspring's impact on the environment during bacterial infection.
Researchers used systems biology approaches to study the emergence of life and found that a few simple compounds could support a phosphate-free metabolism. This discovery challenges the current understanding of life's origin and suggests that an early self-sustaining metabolic network predated the emergence of nucleic acids.
Scientists found that cell powerhouses called mitochondria can break down misfolded proteins, which are thought to contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. This discovery could help explain why protein clumping and mitochondrial deterioration are hallmarks of these conditions.
Researchers found Zika virus alters host cell cytoskeletal architecture to build replication factories, potentially targeting with existing chemotherapy drugs. This study suggests a new approach to treating Zika-related disorders like microcephaly and neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientists from Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry are investigating a potential new drug therapy for dementia diseases. They aim to understand how impaired autophagy, or cellular recycling, contributes to neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
A new study from the University of Utah School of Medicine shows that brain cells often activate one copy of a gene over the other's, breaking basic genetic principles. This finding suggests new ways in which genetic mutations might cause brain disorders, including mental illness and intellectual disability.
Research reveals that individual neurons or specific types of neurons can silence genes from one parent or the other, particularly during brain development. As the brain matures, these differences tend to decrease, but some genes continue to exhibit differential expression in adult brains.
A new study suggests that a fasting-mimicking diet can reprogram pancreas cells in diabetic mice, enabling them to produce insulin and repair themselves. The researchers found that the diet triggered developmental reprogramming in the pancreas, rebuilding damaged areas and restoring function.
Researchers have discovered neural circuits regulating sleep/wake cycles, providing new targets for therapies. The brain's complexity remains a major medical mystery, with ongoing research aiming to develop drugs that mimic orexin to wake people up and address metabolic disease and mood disorders.
In a groundbreaking study, UNC School of Medicine scientists have uncovered the brain circuitry behind reward-seeking behavior, revealing two distinct populations of prefrontal neurons that promote or suppress motivation. The research has major implications for understanding addiction, depression, and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
Researchers found that itch and mild pain signals can be transmitted through the same spinal cord neurons, with GRP neurons acting as a 'braking system' to mitigate intense pain. In mice without these neurons, pain responses were increased and scratching behaviors were altered.
Cedars-Sinai neuroscientists have uncovered the human brain's processes involved in creating and maintaining short-term memories. The study found that persistently active neurons in the medial frontal lobe and medial temporal lobe are critical for memorization, with activity levels correlating to memory recall.