Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
Protein aggregates are toxic and contribute to nerve cell death in diseases like Alzheimer's and Huntington's. The study reveals missing stop signals lead to long lysine chains blocking ribosomes, allowing defective proteins to accumulate and form toxic aggregates.
Researchers found that the fruit fly's visual system incorporates expectations of typical environment features into its calculations. The unequal distribution of bright and dark regions in nature is reflected in asymmetric processing by the fly brain, enabling efficient course correction in virtual environments.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia identified a common ancestral gene that enabled the evolution of advanced life over a billion years ago. This gene, found in all complex organisms, encodes for protein kinases that allowed cells to become larger and transfer information more rapidly.
Researchers at WashU Medicine used whole brain scans to discover that different groups of neurons become active at different times of day, despite being on the same molecular clock. This reveals a new mechanism for encoding daily rhythms in neural signaling.
Researchers discovered a 'circadian circuit' in which clock neurons send signals to the central brain areas that regulate activity and sleep. This mechanism allows time information to be transmitted through the brain.
Researchers from Rockefeller University have identified a hormone called amylin as a critical component of the system responsible for regulating food intake. Amylin acts in the brain to help control consumption, working in concert with another hormone leptin to control body weight.
Researchers found that mitochondria in brain cells rapidly change shape and function in response to high blood sugar levels, affecting peripheral tissue functions. The study suggests that alterations in this mechanism may be crucial for type 2 diabetes development.
Researchers at MUSC have discovered a safe method for producing retinal pigment epithelial-like cells using human proteins, which can be transplanted to treat macular degeneration. The study also found an effective way to repair the damaged Bruch's membrane beneath these cells, rejuvenating the tissue.
Insect taste organs on their legs help guide feeding behavior, with specific neurons processing information differently in the brain and influencing movement towards food or away from it.
Montreal scientists have discovered a mechanism that enables brain cells to adjust their support for neurons, potentially improving brain function or restoring lost potential in disease. The discovery sheds light on the complex functioning of astrocytes, star-shaped cells that protect and support brain neurons.
Researchers discovered a gene, neuromedin U, that promotes wakefulness and suppresses sleep in zebrafish. The protein's function suggests it may be nature's alarm clock, helping to regulate the transition from nighttime sleep to daytime wakefulness.
Copper influx is crucial for brain cell development, allowing for the rapid transport of copper to activate enzymes and facilitate signaling between neurons. This study reveals how cells adjust copper allocation from energy production to enzyme activation as they mature.
Researchers have discovered that young worms can form lasting memories of toxic bacteria smells, using a different set of neurons than adult worms. The study, published in Cell, sheds light on the neural circuits that drive early learning and memory formation.
Researchers have discovered that pectoral fins in fish possess neurons and cells sensitive to touch, conveying information about pressure and motion. This finding sheds light on the evolutionary biology of touch and may inspire new advances in underwater robotics design.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a groundbreaking technique to connect neurons using femtosecond laser pulses. This breakthrough allows for complete control over cell connection processes, enabling researchers to conduct experiments that would be impossible with traditional methods.
Researchers identified two tiny clusters of neurons responsible for transforming normal breaths into sighs. Sighing is vital to lung function and helps preserve lung function, but frequent sighing can be debilitating.
A new study provides a reliable method to generate neural crest cells in just five days from human embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent cells. The research highlights the critical role of WNT signals, FGF and BMP pathways, and sheds light on the initiation of neural crest cell formation.
Researchers discovered that male fruit flies adjust the amplitude of their courtship song based on distance from females, conserving energy and competing more effectively. This complex behavior sheds light on social interactions across the animal kingdom.
Caltech biologists have developed a vector capable of noninvasive delivery of genetic cargo to adult mice brains, holding promise for novel therapeutics. The approach overcomes the blood-brain barrier problem, allowing for efficient gene delivery and targeting specific brain cells.
A previously unknown mechanism regulating neurogenesis has been discovered, involving precise temporal control of proneural protein activity. This mechanism involves a reversible chemical modification that enables the establishment of a network of functional neurons.
A team of McGill University researchers has created artificial neuronal connections for the first time, growing over 60 times faster than natural neurons. This breakthrough could lead to new surgical procedures and therapies for people with central nervous system damage or diseases.
Researchers have pinpointed cell types responsible for common brain diseases, including Alzheimer's and Multiple Sclerosis. The findings suggest that developing medicines targeting microglial cells could offer hope for treating these conditions.
Researchers at Dresden University Hospital have discovered a molecular signal pathway that allows stem cells and pancreatic islet cells to interpret signals in a similar manner. This finding could lead to new approaches for regenerating damaged tissue and treating metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
The Wyss Institute is leading a $21 million IARPA-funded brain mapping consortium to map neural circuits with unprecedented fidelity. The project aims to discover the brain's learning rules and synaptic circuit design, furthering neurally-derived machine learning algorithms.
Research from the Buck Institute suggests that excess iron impairs cellular recycling in Parkinson's disease, resulting in toxic oxidative stress. The study highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy balance of iron within cells to prevent neurodegeneration.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified a novel regulatory mechanism governing levels of calcium inside cells. The discovery may help scientists understand and target molecular components regulating calcium flux in various diseases.
New research reveals that neurons in the gut play a crucial role in regulating inflammation and protecting intestinal tissue from over-reacting. The study, published in Cell, found that specific types of macrophages are activated by signals from neurons to prevent excessive inflammation.
Researchers at Harvard are using a $28 million grant to study the brain's visual cortex in unprecedented detail and map its connections. The goal is to inspire better computer algorithms for learning and pattern recognition, enabling computers to outperform humans in recognizing patterns from limited data inputs.
Researchers at Columbia University's Zuckerman Institute have created a safer strain of rabies virus that can map brain activity in real-time, allowing for a more complete understanding of brain cellular circuits. This innovation has far-reaching applications for brain research and disease treatment.
A $4 million NSF grant will fund research at MUSC and UAB to map changes in blood flow when specific neurons fire. This could lead to new treatments for neurological diseases by understanding the mechanisms of neurovascular communication.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that cocaine triggers autophagy, a process that causes brain cells to digest themselves. A compound called CGP3466B has been shown to prevent this damage in mouse nerve cells.
A gene linked to mental disorders helps lay the foundation for a crucial brain structure during prenatal development. Mutations in this gene can lead to severe depletion of neurons in the cortex, compromising its ability to communicate with other brain areas.
Researchers have discovered significant differences in the number of neurons in nematode ventral cords across various species, suggesting that neuron number and anatomy may have evolved multiple times. This variation could lead to the development of more targeted nematicides to control plant-parasitic nematodes.
Using optogenetics and other technology, researchers have for the first time precisely manipulated this bursting activity of the thalamus, tying it to the sense of touch. The work reveals that cells in the thalamus detect potential threats and quickly focus on life-or-death decisions before switching to detailed analytical processing.
Researchers at VA Puget Sound Health Care System and University of Washington find chronic changes in neuron activity in specific brain regions with repeated blasts. Chronic brain damage can lead to emotional difficulties such as mood problems, irritability, and impulsivity in veterans.
Neural clocks have been found to exist and can be used to predict timing behavior in rats. Researchers identified a mechanism in the Striatum brain region where populations of neurons create sequences of activity that encode time.
Neuroscientists have identified a 'predictive neuron orchestra' in the brain that anticipates body movements, such as eyeing and reaching. This orchestration among distinct brain regions enhances decision-making process understanding, potentially shedding light on impaired dynamics in mental illnesses.
Researchers found that a type of lung cell acts like a sensor, linking the lungs and nervous system to regulate immune responses. This discovery may lead to new treatments for pulmonary diseases such as asthma and cystic fibrosis.
Researchers at Duke University found that delayed neural stem cells can cause premature differentiation into neurons and increased cell death, leading to smaller brain development. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms of microcephaly and its potential links to other neurodevelopmental disorders.
A study by Stanford University researchers discovered that activity in two brain regions - the anterior insula and nucleus accumbens - affects an individual's likelihood of taking risks in financial matters. Those with a stronger connection between these regions tend to be more cautious in their gambling decisions.
Researchers have discovered that the DNA-binding protein Foxd3 acts as a genetic traffic signal, holding stem cells in readiness for transformation during early embryonic development. This discovery sheds light on how development works and has important implications for understanding developmental and adult diseases.
Researchers found that alpha-synuclein spreading in Parkinson's disease is triggered by enhanced expression and trans-neuronal passage of monomeric and oligomeric forms, rather than prion-like seeding. This new insight sheds light on the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.
A new experimental paradigm aims to investigate the neural mechanism behind human imagination by synchronizing groups of neurons, known as neuronal ensembles. By combining familiar images or concepts, the brain triggers increased firing rates and synchronization of activities in object-specific neurons.
Scientists recorded 3-D footage of neural activity in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a worm species with a nervous system containing just 302 neurons. The study revealed surprising correlations between neural activity and behavior, including turning movements.
A research team has generated comprehensive 3D maps of the mouse genome's spatial organization, showing how genes are regulated and interact. The findings could help track down genes involved in hereditary diseases, such as cancer and congenital disorders.
Scientists at Augusta University found that YAP helps control astrocyte function, regulating the protective blood-brain barrier. Without YAP, astrocytes become hyper-reactive, leading to deadly inflammation and potential hydrocephalus.
A recent study suggests targeted alpha therapy could be effective in eliminating HIV-infected cells in the central nervous system. The therapy uses a specific human antibody labelled with bismuth-213 to target and destroy infected cells while sparing healthy ones.
A study published in Nature Medicine found that enhancing proteasome activity with drugs during early stages of Alzheimer's disease may prevent dementia and reduce brain damage. Researchers identified a potential therapeutic target, rolipram, which activates the proteasome system to clear out toxic proteins.
A genetic mutation in the alpha-catenin 1 gene (CTNNA1) causes a butterfly-shaped pigment accumulation in the macula of the eye, leading to severe vision loss. The finding may have relevance to understanding macular degenerative diseases.
Researchers developed algorithms predicting seizure origin and spread based on brain data from 22 epilepsy patients. This could lead to more objective surgical targets and improved treatment outcomes.
A novel spectral confocal microscopy technique enables the visualization of silver- and gold-labeled neurons in three dimensions, providing high-resolution images that can be archived for decades. This method retains image quality even with repeated light exposure, making it ideal for studying neurological disorders and cancer.
Researchers have successfully created human stem cell-derived serotonin neurons, a breakthrough that could lead to more effective drug treatments for depression and anxiety. The cells were generated using induced pluripotent stem cells from patients' skin cells.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have uncovered the molecular cause of peripheral nervous system dysfunction in Down syndrome. A gene called RCAN1 appears to be overactive, hindering nerve growth and development, which may contribute to heart disease, diabetes, and immune disorders associated with the condition.
Researchers have identified 335 genes that regulate the formation and function of extracellular vesicles (EVs), tiny bubbles released by cells. EVs can promote tissue repair or carry disease signals for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Understanding EV biology could lead to new therapeutic treatments.
Researchers found a unique communication system in one group of crickets where females produce a vibrational signal after male calls, allowing them to locate each other. The study suggests this origin might be more common than previously thought and sheds light on the evolution of acoustic communication systems.
Human astrocytes have unique genes and respond differently to neurotransmitters, particularly glutamate, suggesting improved detection of neuroactivity. The study's novel method allows researchers to compare astrocytes from healthy tissue and those affected by diseases such as glioblastoma and epilepsy.
Scientists at Rockefeller University identified a new regulator of RNA polymerase II, a critical process for gene expression. The discovery could lead to more specific cancer therapies by targeting this form of gene regulation.
Brazilian researchers have demonstrated that apigenin, a flavonoid found in parsley, thyme, chamomile, and red pepper, improves neuron formation and strengthens brain cell connections. The compound works by binding to estrogen receptors, affecting the development and function of the nervous system.
Scientists discovered a cellular mechanism that allows herpes simplex virus to reactivate in neurons, triggered by stress. The virus uses a protein pathway called JNK to escape the neuron's repressive environment and cause disease.
Researchers developed a new 3D software to track the embryonic development and movement of neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans worms. The program creates a straightened image of the worm, allowing scientists to follow individual cells as they move and grow, revealing complex neuronal structures in unprecedented 3D clarity.