Articles tagged with Neurons
Researchers discovered that bipolar patients' brain cells are more sensitive to stimuli, leading to differing responses to lithium. The study suggests a starting point for probing cellular differences and developing new treatments.
The IsoView light sheet microscope produces high-resolution images of entire organisms in all three dimensions at sub-second temporal resolution and sub-cellular spatial resolution. This breakthrough enables scientists to monitor brain activity, track cell movement, and study developmental processes with unprecedented clarity.
Researchers at Virginia Tech will investigate the effects of circadian rhythms on fundamental cellular processes using a $750,000 NSF award. The study aims to understand how disruptions in circadian rhythms contribute to disease development and progression.
A new study identifies neurons that inhibit REM sleep and induce non-REM sleep in mice, revealing a complex relationship between the two stages of sleep. The discovery sheds light on the brain's mechanism for regulating sleep patterns.
Researchers identified a neural circuit in the brain that regulates REM sleep and show it controls NREM sleep physiology. The study also found that REM sleep interacts with NREM sleep in a hierarchy, affecting slow wave activity.
Dr. Joe Z. Tsien's Theory of Connectivity proposes that the brain uses the power of two to create a prewired framework for connecting neurons, enabling knowledge and flexibility. This equation provides a way to wire brain cells in such a way to turn infinite possibilities into organized knowledge.
Researchers at CWRU identified key neurons in cockroach brain that control movement, including speed and direction. By stimulating these neurons, scientists can replicate the insect's movements, shedding light on how insects navigate and providing insights into robotic navigation systems.
Researchers identify a neural circuit that regulates REM sleep and show that it controls the physiology of non-REM (NREM) sleep. They also found that REM sleep plays a crucial role in the generation of slow waves during NREM sleep.
Plants have developed a unique mechanism to selectively degrade damaged chloroplasts, allowing them to conserve energy and thrive in challenging environments. This discovery could lead to the development of stronger crops with improved yield and resistance to stressors.
A novel method has been developed to examine protein structure and function at the cell level using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue. This allows for precise study of protein changes in Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative condition.
A team of researchers from Oxford and Stony Brook universities has developed a way to precisely control electrical waves in heart cells using light. This allows for fine control over wave speed, direction, and orientation, enabling unprecedented direct control of organ-level function without manipulating individual cells.
Three NIH-funded studies found that a genetic mutation linked to ALS and FTD impairs nuclear transport in neurons, leading to defects in gene expression. Researchers suggest therapies targeting nucleocytoplasmic transport may be effective in treating these diseases.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute in California and German institutes have partnered to develop rigorous genomics-based methods for analyzing human stem cells. The goal is to ensure high-quality induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are available for research and clinical use.
A pair of neurons found in the brains of male nematode worms, called 'mystery cells of the male' or 'MCMs', are responsible for sex-based differences in learning and behavior. These MCMs create behavioral differences between males and females by changing a brain circuit common to both sexes.
A University of Copenhagen study reveals that an immune gene, Interferon-beta, may prevent Parkinson's disease and dementia. IFNβ-gene therapy successfully prevented neuronal death in experimental models.
Researchers have developed a new technique to create brain cells directly from skin samples, retaining age-related signatures. This breakthrough enables scientists to study the effects of aging on the brain without relying on animal models or stem cell reprogramming.
Rice University researchers are combining experiments and computational analysis to learn how the brain organizes itself after injury. They aim to direct the growth of new neurons to treat stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers identify that activation of normally protective immune responses causes nerve cell death by affecting mitochondria function. SARM1 protein is responsible, providing a potential target for therapy.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have detailed the structure of the ion channel Slo2.2, which helps regulate potassium ions and prevent overstimulation in neurons. The discovery sheds new light on how neurons reset after intense activity and could potentially inform treatments for epilepsy and intellectual disabilities.
Researchers have identified kisspeptin neurons as the key players in generating episodic hormone pulses crucial to normal reproductive functioning. These findings hold promise for developing new fertility treatments targeting brain circuitry disorders, which contribute to up to one-third of all infertility cases.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have successfully engineered a colon from human cells that develops various types of neurons. The study has shown that these specialized neurons can be supplied to tissue-engineered colon, mimicking the enteric nervous system found in native colon.
Scientists have discovered that brain cells contain significant numbers of somatic mutations, which contribute to human development and disease. The study provides a new perspective on the role of these post-conception mutations in shaping brain cell lineages and potentially driving neurodegenerative disorders.
A new class of antidepressants has been found to work by targeting the brain's ability to respond to glutamate. The experimental therapies have been shown to produce an antidepressant effect in mice by altering brain signaling in particular neurons.
A recent study has found that the human visual cortex contains neurons that selectively respond to intermediate colors, not just red, green, yellow, and blue. This discovery challenges existing color encoding models and may provide clues for designing more precise multi-primary-color displays.
Researchers at Brown University used optogenetics to manipulate the brain's perception of novelty and familiarity in rats. They found that different frequencies of light stimulation could alter the rats' behavior, with 30-40 hertz inducing a sense of novelty and 10-15 hertz inducing a sense of familiarity.
Two studies reveal that the human brain's unique support system and connectivity are associated with higher levels of education, income, and life satisfaction. The research adds to our understanding of the human brain's parts list and enhances scientists' ability to model uniquely human disorders.
Researchers have identified GATA4 as a key transcription factor that activates cellular senescence. This process is characterized by a pro-inflammatory response and the production of secreted inflammatory cytokines. The study reveals that GATA4 is normally suppressed by autophagy, but its accumulation promotes senescence.
A breakthrough study has identified a neural mechanism responsible for fat breakdown, allowing researchers to develop novel anti-obesity therapies. The study found that fat tissue is innervated and direct stimulation of neurons in fat can induce fat breakdown, providing new hopes for treating central leptin resistance.
Researchers at Yale University have found that hunger neurons control not only hunger and appetite but also regulate bone mass. The study reveals that lower levels of hunger are associated with lower bone density, highlighting a new mechanism in the regulation of skeletal bone metabolism.
A team of researchers developed a cell sorter based on acoustic waves that can compete with existing fluorescence-activated cell sorters, sorting up to 13,000 cells per second while gently manipulating individual cells. The device is compact, inexpensive, and preserves cell viability and functions.
A new study has found a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease by targeting specific nerve cells, showing promising results in rats. The technique could lead to less invasive and more precise treatment options for patients.
Researchers at EMBL, Salk Institute, and UC Berkeley measured how ageing affects brain and liver cells in rats. They found that age-related changes in brain cells often involve the loss of molecules helping neurons communicate, while liver cells show changes in metabolic processes.
Scientists have discovered a new role for basal forebrain neurons in controlling action, enabling rapid stop of planned behaviors. This discovery opens the door to novel approaches for neurological and psychiatric conditions affecting cognitive functions.
Researchers at Tufts University discovered that exosomes can induce human mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into neuron-like cells. The study suggests a promising approach for treating nerve injuries and potentially reversing paralysis.
Salk scientists use ultrasonic waves to selectively activate brain, heart, muscle and other cells, offering an alternative to optogenetics for human therapeutics. The technique, dubbed sonogenetics, has the potential to noninvasively reach any tissue of interest in the body.
Researchers have developed a new optogenetic tool, CyclOp, which produces the second messenger cGMP when exposed to light. This allows for precise control of cellular signals involved in vision, blood pressure regulation and cell death, enabling new studies on signal pathways.
A five-neuron circuit in the female cricket brain identifies species-specific chirp rhythms by delaying pulses to match gaps between pulses. This discovery reveals a fundamental neural mechanism for sound processing that could be applied to more complex brains.
Researchers found that humans and chimpanzees express different levels of proteins controlling facial development, including PAX3 and PAX7 genes affecting snout length and skin pigmentation. They also identified species-biased enhancer regions contributing to craniofacial differences.
Research reveals plummeting melatonin levels in spring and summer may trigger multiple sclerosis relapses. Melatonin treatment restored T cell balance and improved clinical symptoms in a mouse model of the disease.
Researchers have identified a histone deacetylase inhibitor that reverses MECP2 alterations in mutant neurons, offering hope for treating the devastating neurological disorder. The breakthrough uses stem cell-derived 'mini-brains' to screen potential drug libraries, providing an efficient method for finding effective treatments.
Researchers found that activation of same brain regions can produce both reward and aversion responses, leading to cancelled effects in patients. This discovery may help develop more targeted treatments for addiction and depression.
Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain that rapidly inform multiple subregions of surprising rewards or punishments. These neurons enable flexibility in neuronal connections, allowing for plasticity and learning.
Researchers found that degenerating neurons in patients with Alzheimer's disease responded to gene therapy treatment by showing heightened growth, axonal sprouting, and activation of functional markers. The study suggests that nerve growth factor is safe over extended periods and merits continued testing as a potential AD treatment.
The study reveals that C9ORF72 mutations block the transfer of information between the nucleus and cytoplasm, leading to neuron deterioration. The research provides insight into developing targeted therapies for ALS and FTD.
Researchers at UCSF have developed a method to precisely control embryonic stem cell differentiation with beams of light, revealing an internal timer within stem cells that lets them tune out extraneous biological noise. The technique enables stem cells to transform into neurons in response to a precise external cue.
A single molecular event in cells may hold the key to how mammals evolved intelligent brains. Alternative splicing (AS) enables cells to create more than one protein from a single gene, and researchers found that PTBP1 plays a crucial role in regulating AS events that lead to neuron development.
Researchers found a 24-hour day 'bicycle' mechanism turning key brain neurons on or off with sodium and potassium currents, awakening animals in the morning and putting them to sleep at night. This ancient mechanism is conserved across hundreds of millions of years of evolution and may lead to new drug targets for sleep-wake trouble.
Researchers aim to create temperature-activated proteins that can be controlled by temperature to better understand brain disorders. They plan to identify and engineer proteins with different temperature properties.
Scientists at McGill University have made a breakthrough in understanding the role of Netrin1, a protein that brings cells together and maintains their healthy relationships. The study used genetic technology to remove all Netrin1 from mouse embryos, revealing a greater disruption of the nervous system than previously thought.
Researchers discovered TDP-43 normally prevents unwanted RNA stretches from being used by nerve cells. When TDP-43 accumulates, it malfunctions, leading to a cascade of events that kills brain or spinal cord cells.
Scientists have found possible cancer markers in neural crest cells, a discovery that may lead to better diagnosis and treatment of brain and skin cancers. The research uses repetitive DNA sequences to identify potential genomic changes associated with cancer development.
Researchers designed a revolutionary high-throughput robotic platform to automate the process of generating patient-specific stem cells, reducing variability and increasing scale. This technology allows for 'clinical trials in a dish' and can identify potential drug metabolism and toxicity issues in human cells before clinical trials.
Researchers at ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science develop a 6-layered structure incorporating neural cells, mimicking brain tissue. The breakthrough enables important insights into brain function and provides an experimental test bed for new drugs and electroceuticals.
Researchers discovered noncanonical genomic imprinting in mice brains, affecting serotonin and dopamine production. The study highlights a targeted form of genetic control that can influence offspring behavior and may contribute to brain disorders like autism.
A US patent has been granted to Oregon researchers for their fractal-based approach to electronic implants that match up with specific neurons. The technology, developed by University of Oregon physicist Richard Taylor, aims to overcome biological rejection issues and toxicity concerns in current implant designs.
The study found that neurons in the ventral premotor cortex retain information about objects and generate unique grip patterns. This advances brain-computer interfaces, enabling people with severe paralysis to control robotic arms and hands using their thoughts.
A new UC Berkeley study finds that brain rhythms synchronize within the frontal lobe to connect with other brain regions during cognitively challenging tasks. This synchronization enables quick communication between neurons, which is critical in various disorders such as Parkinson's disease and autism.
A new approach to visualize glucose uptake activity in single living cells has been developed by Columbia University researchers. This technique uses stimulated Raman scattering imaging with a small alkyne tag to generate a strong Raman signal, allowing for high-sensitivity imaging of glucose uptake at the cellular level.
A new study by David Moorman and Gary Aston-Jones found that neurons in both dorsal and ventral prefrontal cortex work together to control behavior, rather than separate areas controlling 'going' and 'stopping' actions.
Researchers create remote controlled, next-generation tissue implant that allows neuroscientists to inject drugs and shine lights on neurons deep inside the brains of mice. The device has potential for mapping brain circuit activity and understanding disorders like stress, depression, addiction, and pain.