Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
Researchers found that exposure to cold temperatures alters the composition of intestinal bacteria in mice, leading to increased brown and beige fat formation and improved glucose metabolism. Transplanting these microbes into germ-free mice also triggered weight loss and improved metabolic health.
A fruit fly model of Alexander disease has been developed to study astrocyte dysfunction and its role in neurodegeneration. Nitric oxide has been identified as a critical mediator in the process.
Researchers from the University of Zurich have confirmed the existence of a concentration gradient of lactate between astrocytes and neurons in the intact mouse brain. The study provides new evidence for an exchange of lactate between different brain cells, supporting a 20-year-old hypothesis on brain energy metabolism.
Researchers at Duke University have created a technique for monitoring neurons in action with a time resolution of about 0.2 milliseconds, allowing for the first holistic view of neural activity in mammalian brains. This breakthrough enables scientists to study how brain activity translates into specific thoughts and behaviors.
Researchers have found that infertile animals appear to be protected from neurodegeneration in a study using C. elegans worms. The study, which appears online now, showed that infected worms display hallmarks of neurodegeneration similar to those seen in humans, but infertile animals resist this process.
Researchers at the University of Geneva discovered that Hydra cells can modify their genetic program by overexpressing genes involved in nervous functions. This study sheds light on cellular plasticity, a phenomenon that could influence research into regenerative medicine and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that mice exercising on a wheel increased SIRT3 levels, protecting against neurodegeneration and degeneration. Bolstering mitochondrial function with gene therapy technology also offered protection against stress and age-related cognitive decline.
Scientists can now observe neurons' electrical activity in real-time using a highly sensitive molecule fused with a fluorescent protein. This breakthrough allows researchers to study brain processing in living animals, offering unprecedented insights into cell-to-cell communication.
Researchers found that human brains have a subset of cells that fire in response to inputs from both eyes, similar to those in rodents. This discovery suggests that humans have the best possible visual system, with primitive pathways allowing for quick spotting of danger and complex behaviors.
Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a genetic condition that can lead to premature cardiovascular disease due to thickening or thinning of blood vessel walls. Researchers are studying the similarities between NF1-related arterial stenosis and aneurysms to improve diagnosis and treatment.
A study found that combining bacterial protein Skp with small molecules can convert pluripotent cells into functional neurons. The research used Sox2 and Skp to initiate differentiation, followed by the use of neurodazine to direct lineage-specific commitment.
Researchers at the Institute of Molecular Biology in Mainz have identified a key gene that drives brain cell development, revealing a complex regulatory mechanism. The discovery has significant implications for understanding neurodegenerative disorders and developing new treatments.
Researchers at the US Naval Research Laboratory have developed luminescent nanoparticles to image brain function, enabling real-time mapping of neural connections. The nanoparticles, specifically quantum dots, can track action potential changes with high fidelity and are ideal for interfacing with neurons.
Researchers discovered that the protein APP forms spherical structures in the nucleus, affecting gene activity and neurotransmitter modulation. This finding may lead to new therapies for Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting neurotransmitter activity.
Researchers identified two chemical scents in female mouse urine that arouse sexual behavior in males, providing insight into mouse pheromones controlling behavior. The chemicals, waste products of steroid metabolism, were found to mimic the increased interest shown by males towards female urine.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a microfluidic device to sort neural stem cell populations, making them easier to study. The device uses inertial forces to isolate single stem cells, reducing stress on the cells and preserving their multipotency.
Researchers propose a working definition of curiosity as a drive state for information, which can be observed in organisms as simple as nematode worms. They also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of curiosity, including its role in learning and decision-making, and how it relates to attentional disorders.
A team of international neuroscientists and engineers has been awarded a $5 million grant to unravel the mysteries of the brain and develop new technologies for better healthcare. The project aims to stimulate and sense brain activity at the single-neuron level, reconstructing neural circuits with computer simulations.
Researchers have created genetically encoded magnetic protein nanoparticles that can be produced within cells, allowing for non-invasive tracking and monitoring of cell signals. This technology has the potential to observe communication between neurons, activation of immune cells, and stem cell differentiation, among other phenomena.
Researchers discovered a new way in which ALS kills nerve cells by disrupting protein synthesis, highlighting the importance of RNA-binding proteins in disease progression. The study provides a potential key to treating both ALS and dementia.
Researchers have found that transplanted human umbilical cord blood cells migrate to brain tissue and remain active for up to 30 days, without promoting tumor growth. The study suggests that these cells may confer therapeutic effects through modulation of the inflammatory response associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have developed a novel cell transplantation delivery method using magnetic fields to guide human neural progenitor cells to injured brain areas. The iron-oxide nanoparticles help retain transplanted cells at the injury site, enhancing their viability and differentiation.
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.