Articles tagged with Neurons
Researchers identified 'stop cells' in the brainstem of mice and lampreys that quickly end movement by activating neural networks. The study provides new insights into the neuronal control of movement termination in vertebrates.
A study by Vanderbilt University neuroscientist Suzana Herculano-Houzel found that birds have more neurons packed into their small brains than mammals or primates. The avian brain's smaller and denser neurons enable complex cognitive behaviors, rivaling those of primates.
Researchers have concluded that reprogramming does not create differences between reprogrammed and embryonic stem cells. A thorough study showed that reprogrammed and embryonic stem cells are similar, with a list of 275 key genes that can present reprogramming results.
UC Riverside researchers found that Toxoplasma infection disrupts neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to neurological disease in predisposed individuals. Treatment with ceftriaxone restored GLT-1 expression, reducing extracellular glutamate and normalizing neuronal function.
Chem, Cell Press' new physical sciences journal, aims to move the field forward through original research articles, reviews, and front matter. Key findings include transporters with high selectivity for chloride over other ions, stable phosphorous carbene analogs, and strategies for producing chemicals from renewable sources.
Researchers found that herpes virus infects neurons in colon wall, killing them and preventing food movement, leading to enlarged colon. The study provides a surprising cause for unexplained chronic constipation in some patients.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have made significant breakthroughs in treating Huntington's disease by transplanting healthy glia cells into mice. The study shows that this method can prolong life expectancy and alleviate symptoms, offering hope for future treatment of neurological diseases.
Duke University researchers have created a system that allows real-time observation of the enteric nervous system, which controls digestion and communicates with the immune system. This innovation enables the exploration of the gut's neural activity in response to medications, diseases, and other stimuli.
Researchers at the University of Sussex found that a circuit comprising just two neurons in a snail's brain drives complex decision making. The system enables energy-efficient behavior by reducing brain activity when food is not found.
Researchers found that Zika virus infects about 20% of brain progenitor cells, which can become neurons, and continues to replicate for weeks without stimulating an immune response. The study provides insights into the severe neurological effects caused by Zika, such as microcephaly and impaired growth in infants.
A new study using optogenetics has increased long-term memory in mice with fear disorders, such as phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder. The technique, tested in two mouse populations, improved memory recall and reduced fear responses, offering potential therapeutic targets for these conditions.
Experts in neuroscience education call for reinvestment in graduate training to prepare students for the challenges of brain science and disease. The paper proposes creating two types of training programs: those that extend traditional neuroscience training and those that engage students with backgrounds in other disciplines.
Researchers have identified a gene mutation that can directly cause the development of multiple sclerosis, a neurodegenerative disease affecting 2 million worldwide. The mutation in NR1H3 gene leads to loss of function of its protein product LXRA, controlling lipid homeostasis and inflammation.
Microglial cells have been found to be 'blind' and incapable of eliminating dead neurons during epilepsy seizures, leading to inflammation and further brain damage. The study opens up new avenues for exploring therapies to encourage phagocytosis and alleviate the effects of brain diseases.
Chronic stress alters the architecture of the brain's amygdala, leading to anxiety and depressive disorders. An experimental new drug may prevent this damage by increasing resilience in mice at risk for developing these conditions.
A team of researchers at Johns Hopkins University has identified a key brain region involved in binge behavior, which could lead to the development of new treatments for addiction. By suppressing neurons in this area, rats were less motivated to engage in binge-like behavior when exposed to external triggers.
Researchers discovered that endocannabinoids reduce activity in the OFC, promoting habit formation. This study suggests that targeting the brain's endocannabinoid system may alleviate suffering in disorders involving habitual control.
Researchers found that endocannabinoids quiet neurons in the orbitofrontal cortex, leading to an over-reliance on habit. The study suggests a new therapeutic target for OCD and addictions: treating the brain's endocannabinoid system to restore goal-directed action.
Researchers found that microglia fail to remove dead neurons during epilepsy, leading to accumulation and inflammatory responses. The study's findings provide a new target for therapies aimed at boosting phagocytosis and alleviating brain diseases.
Researchers at MUSC discovered that blood flow does not precisely follow local neural activity, challenging the long-held assumption that vascular and neural responses are tightly coupled. This finding suggests that fMRI may only reveal a blurred representation of underlying neural activity.
A mouse study reveals that antibiotics can kill off gut bacteria and stop new brain cell growth in the hippocampus. However, probiotics and exercise have been shown to improve memory and neurogenesis by balancing the communication between the brain, immune system, and gut.
Researchers have identified brain cells in fruit flies that regulate sleep drive, which becomes more active when flies are kept awake. These findings may offer insights into human sleep disorders and potential new strategies to promote long-lasting sleep for those with chronic insomnia.
Brandeis scientists have developed a method to genetically identify and manipulate individual cell types in the mouse brain, revealing over 150 distinct brain cell types. This breakthrough enables researchers to activate or deactivate specific genes to study their function without affecting other cells.
A new study suggests that conventional repeated radiation treatments for brain tumors may kill important support cells and cause more damage than single dose radiation therapy. This can lead to cognitive problems in patients after treatment.
The study reveals that MCUR1 acts as a scaffold for the MCU complex, binding to both MCU and EMRE to protect cells from calcium overload. MCU complex assembly is disrupted by mutations in MCUR1/MCU binding regions, but small molecules may promote MCU complex assembly despite these mutations.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered a crucial role of NG2-glia cells in the median eminence in regulating appetite and body weight. The cells support and shelter leptin receptor neurons, enabling them to instruct the body when to stop eating, leading to potential new targeted anti-obesity approaches.
Researchers found that nerve damage changes epigenetic marks on immune cells in the nervous system, suggesting a 'memory' of the initial injury. This discovery may provide new insights into why chronic pain persists despite the underlying injury or disease having gone.
Researchers developed HuMiX, a human microbiome research tool that accurately models the complex interactions between human cells and bacteria. The model allows for the study of metabolic processes, including communication between the intestine and brain, and has potential applications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers in China report that fetal mice infected with the Asian Zika virus strain display characteristic features of microcephaly. The study found that neural progenitor cells were initially infected, followed by neurons, and that almost all cell death occurred in neurons, not progenitor cells.
Researchers have discovered biomarkers in the brain that could help scientists develop effective treatments for single-sided deafness. The study used multi-modal imaging techniques to analyze changes in brain structure and function in response to the condition.
Researchers found that neurons in a small brain area, the orbitofrontal cortex, assign values to options and re-map to make different decisions when circumstances change. This neural circuit is remarkably stable while allowing for flexibility in individual neurons.
Researchers have discovered how Zika virus blunts brain development by hijacking the human immune system. The study found that activating a specific protein called TLR3 triggers genes that block stem cell differentiation and lead to increased cell suicide.
Researchers found that Zika virus activates the innate immune receptor TLR3, which leads to cell death in neural stem cells. However, inhibiting TLR3 helps infected cells survive and function normally.
Researchers identified two distinct neuronal cell lineages expressing Nplp1, driven by different spatiotemporal cues and converging on a common terminal selector cascade. The study provides new insights into neuronal cell fate specification and the role of feed-forward loops in regulating gene expression during development.
A study found that human responses and statistical calculations align in making decisions, indicating an objective calculation of confidence. The model suggests that the brain produces feelings of confidence inform decisions like computers pull patterns from data.
Researchers have identified a core group of neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus that share information during resynchronization, while those outside this central hub behave like acquaintances. Understanding the SCN's neural network structure is crucial for tackling illnesses like diabetes and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Researchers obtained images of the NMDA receptor in active, non-active, and inhibited states using x-ray crystallography and single-particle electron cryomicroscopy. The study reveals the complex movements of the receptor's subdomains during activation and provides insights into designing novel therapeutic compounds.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have made a groundbreaking discovery about the role of salts in the brain controlling our sleep-wake cycle. By influencing salt levels, it is possible to control a mouse's sleep-wake cycle independently of neuromodulators like adrenalin.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes successfully reprogrammed human skin cells into beating heart cells and neural stem cells using chemical cocktails. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for heart failure and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers from KU Leuven measured individual brain cell responses to animal and human body images, finding that each cell specializes in recognizing specific features. The findings suggest a collaborative process where different cells work together to recognize bodies.
A cancer drug has improved learning and memory in mice with fragile X syndrome by coaxes neural stem cells to generate neurons critical for cognitive function. The treatment targets the MDM2 enzyme, which is overactive in FMRP-deficient cells, leading to enhanced proliferation but reduced differentiation.
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill have identified a brain circuit controlling binge drinking, connecting two regions with corticotropin-releasing factor. Inhibiting this circuit in mice protects against binge alcohol drinking.
The Allen Institute has released a comprehensive dataset on the aging brain and traumatic brain injury, providing unprecedented access to data on over 100 aged brains. Researchers can explore this unique resource to identify molecular signatures of disease and develop novel diagnostic strategies.
A powerful genetic regulator, miR-9, has been identified as a risk factor for schizophrenia, controlling the activity of hundreds of genes involved in fetal brain development. The study, led by Kristen Brennand and Gang Fang, found that miR-9 was under-expressed in brains of schizophrenic patients, leading to miswiring of neurons.
Researchers discovered that when people sleep in an unfamiliar place, one hemisphere of the brain stays more awake to keep watch. This phenomenon is related to the difficulty a person experiences in falling asleep and can be reduced by bringing familiar comforts.
Researchers developed a compound called KUSs that may help prevent nerve damage in glaucoma, allowing patients to maintain near-normal vision. Early tests in mice showed promising results, suggesting these compounds could slow down disease progression and potentially treat other neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Drexel University have discovered that the pre-Bötzinger complex in the brainstem generates the breathing rhythm through mixed-mode oscillations. This finding challenges previous theories and may impact how scientists research and clinicians treat respiratory disorders.
Researchers found that neural stem cell transplantation increased M2 microglial proteins, contributing to anti-inflammatory effects and reducing axonal injury. The study suggests a potential therapeutic strategy for treating traumatic brain injury.
Researchers found that uncontrolled fluctuations in Retinoic acid levels can lead to disruptions in brain organization during development. Identifying the protein that interacts with RA to reduce noise may improve understanding of developmental disorders and guide future studies.
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection can cause abnormal brain development in the fetus by activating a key signaling pathway. Studies have found that HCMV substantially reduces the rate of neurons generated by neural stem cells.
Researchers created a mathematical model that reproduces the animals' internal calculations, revealing the existence of a 'separatrix angle' that changes throughout the day. The model predicts real-life behaviors in flight simulators and provides insights into monarch navigation.
Scientists at University of Maryland School of Medicine identified a key pathway for regulating the 'switch' between wakefulness and sleep. The study found that BK potassium channels play a critical role in encoding circadian rhythm in the brain, particularly during inactivation.
Researchers at the University of Bergen have found a link between a gene defect and Alzheimer's disease, identifying protein PITRM1 as a crucial factor in disease development. The study suggests that reduced levels of this protein may lead to increased amyloid deposition in the brain.
Researchers found a novel neuron regeneration pathway in C. elegans that could lead to treatments for human spinal cord injury and paralysis. The discovery sheds light on the adult human nervous system's ability to regenerate, which is essential for restoring health to people with permanent neurological damage.
Researchers at UCSB have mapped the network of circadian neurons that communicate to re-establish synchronization, finding a 'small-world structure' with hubs and short paths for communication. This discovery sheds light on how the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) regulates essential functions like sleep and hormone release.
Salk scientists discovered that specific immune receptors in the brain play a crucial role in clearing both healthy and dying neurons. In their absence, new neurons increased dramatically in certain regions, suggesting that these receptors may also target living but dysfunctional cells.
The study found that the AXL surface receptor is highly abundant on human neural stem cells, but not on neurons in the developing brain. This discovery suggests that the Zika virus may be able to hijack this receptor to infect vulnerable cells, leading to devastating cases of microcephaly and eye lesions.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers suggests that neuronal feedback in the visual system can alter our perception of optical illusions. The study found that 20% of visual cortex activity is due to feedback from higher cortical areas, which may explain why we see completed shapes like the Kanizsa triangle.
EPFL researchers demonstrate that ion channels can be explained by the Coulomb blockade law, a principle governing electron transport in quantum dots. The discovery sheds light on how ions travel through nanopores, a fundamental aspect of cellular function.
Researchers have deciphered an early step in the process of stem cells transforming into neurons, revealing a fundamental understanding of stem cell differentiation. The discovery identifies a new pathway, known as the PAN axis, which plays a crucial role in determining a stem cell's final form.