Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
A team of researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has identified a new pathway that controls fear memories and behavior in the mouse brain. The discovery, published in Nature, reveals that the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus plays a critical role in regulating fear learning and memory.
A study published in Current Biology found a causal link between serotonin neuron activation and patient behavior in mice, contradicting the notion that increased serotonin leads to reward. Researchers used optogenetics to activate serotonin neurons, observing longer waiting durations in mice with stronger activation.
Researchers discovered the brain's role in regulating body fat by combining hormones leptin and insulin, which stimulate the conversion of white fat to brown fat through the nervous system. This process normally maintains body weight but goes awry in diet-induced obesity.
Researchers have discovered a link between Sox10 protein defects and post-operative GI dysfunction in Hirschsprung's disease patients. The study found that mutations in the Sox10 gene disrupts the balance of cell types in the intestine, leading to impaired GI motility.
Researchers found lipid droplet accumulation in glial cells before signs of neurodegeneration appeared, leading to impaired support for neurons. Reducing components of the pathway can delay neurodegeneration.
Rats use simple 'linear summation' to process odor inputs from the environment, with individual neurons responding rapidly to specific smells. This process allows for efficient detection and analysis of odors, despite environmental and respiratory variations.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS) can cause alterations in brain development leading to hyperactivity in zebrafish. The chemicals were shown to increase the number of neurons born too soon, resulting in problems with neural connections and circuits.
Recent studies using brain imaging show promise in predicting future behaviors such as reading performance, math skills, criminality, and response to treatment. The technology may help identify individuals at high risk of failure, allowing for early interventions and prevention strategies.
A team of scientists developed an automated method to detect neuron activity during specific behaviors in mice. The technology uses c-fos protein to identify active neurons and has been used to study male-male and male-female interactions, revealing novel facts about brain activation patterns.
Scientists at the University of Southampton have created a new technique called multicolour RGB tracking to mark individual brain cells. This approach allows researchers to color-code and distinguish between cells that were previously indistinguishable.
Researchers have discovered microexons, small gene fragments critical for neuron maturation, providing a new understanding of genome regulation. The study found that these tiny exons play a key role in developing neurons and are highly conserved across vertebrates.
Scientists have developed a mathematical theory based on roundworm foraging that predicts how animals decide to switch from localized to very broad searching. The theory could explain animal behavior in a more unified way, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and extraterrestrial behavior.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that brain cells fire more rapidly and synchronously when animals focus on touch stimuli, a step toward understanding how brains process external stimuli. The research also showed that synchronization was more important to performance than firing rate.
A new study identifies a neural mechanism for translating unpleasant experiences into fear memories by changing amygdala connections. The findings suggest that Hebbian plasticity is partially correct but requires concurrent activation of noradrenaline to form memories.
Researchers found that Golgi fragmentation accelerates APP trafficking and production of toxic Aβ protein in AD. Rescuing the Golgi by blocking cdk5 or GRASP65 reduces Aβ accumulation, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for slowing Alzheimer's progression.
Researchers have successfully created induced neurons that model Alzheimer's disease by starting with fibroblasts taken from skin biopsies. The differentiated cells express normal neuronal markers and proteins associated with the neurodegenerative disorder, including amyloid beta and tau.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have discovered how tiny channels in neurons translate mechanical force into electrical signals. The TRAAK channel uses a novel mechanism involving potassium ion flow and lipid molecules to balance pain sensations.
Researchers at Hebrew University developed a new light-sensitive film that can stimulate neurons in response to light without using wires or external power sources. This innovative technology has the potential to form the basis of a prosthetic retina for people with retinal damage or degeneration.
Researchers aimed to control harmful signals in strokes by understanding neural excitation pulses. The study found that non-local couplings can produce various spatio-temporal patterns, including acceleration, deceleration, and suppression of pulses.
Researchers are deciphering the 'neural code' of information being sent by neurons to the central nervous system (CNS) to diagnose and treat infections and autoimmune diseases. This could enable timely diagnoses and interventions, reducing mortality rates and complications.
Researchers at Harvard University successfully converted mouse and human skin cells into pain sensing neurons that respond to various stimuli, including acute and inflammatory pain. The 'disease in a dish' model may lead to improved drug development for chronic pain treatment.
Researchers found a commonly prescribed muscle relaxant may be an effective treatment for Wolfram syndrome, a devastating form of type 1 diabetes. Dantrolene blocks the enzyme calpain 2, which causes cell death in insulin-producing cells.
Researchers found a new type of immune T helper cells called TH-GM cells play a crucial role in the immune system and pathogenesis of neuronal inflammation. Blocking IL-7 or STAT5 could provide significant therapeutic benefits for MS.
A rare connexin mutation has been linked to a baby's disordered breathing, with researchers discovering that astrocytes with the mutation cannot bind to carbon dioxide. This breakthrough could lead to the development of an algorithm to pinpoint when a premature infant's breathing pattern goes south.
Researchers developed a sound-based training approach to enhance brain's distractibility, improving focus in aged rats and humans. Training reduced distraction-related errors and improved memory and attention spans.
A study in mice reveals that Sox2 protein can convert NG2 glia, a type of support cell, into neurons in the injured cerebral cortex. This finding supports the notion that cellular reprogramming may become a way to replace degenerated neurons in the adult brain.
The study found that astrocyte hyperactivity is caused by energy carriers like ATP, leading to calcium fluctuations and changes in brain perfusion. The research suggests a novel potential approach for treating Alzheimer's disease by mitigating the hyperactivity of these cells.
A new study suggests that malfunctioning tau, not amyloid-beta plaque, is the key event triggering neuron death in Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that when tau fails to function, neurons can't clear toxic proteins, leading to cell death.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine implicated a new gene in non-syndromic autism, suggesting similar molecular pathways among different types of autism. The study used mouse models, induced pluripotent stem cells and the 'Tooth Fairy' project to identify TRPC6 as a novel predisposing gene for ASD.
Researchers successfully generate neural stem cells that can self-renew and differentiate into neurons, opening the door to transplantation therapies. The breakthrough allows cells to divide repeatedly without ongoing expression of reprogramming factors, making them suitable for therapeutic use.
Research reveals women have on average 43% more cells than men in the olfactory bulb, suggesting a biological basis for their superior olfactory abilities. This finding may have implications for reproductive behaviors and pair bonding.
Scientists have found that ganglioside GD3 is crucial for maintaining neural stem cells in the brain. Removing GD3 from mice resulted in reduced stem cell populations and impaired function, highlighting its importance in brain health.
A study published in Molecular Neurodegeneration finds that tau, not amyloid-beta plaque, causes neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease. The researchers suggest that remaining Abeta inside the neuron destroys cells, while malfunctioning tau prevents cells from clearing toxic proteins.
Researchers have developed CNiFERs cells to track dopamine signaling, providing a real-time readout of neurochemical activity associated with learning, memory and reward. The study reveals that dopamine release is linked to classical conditioning and anticipatory behavior.
Researchers found that reduced levels of SNX27 protein lead to increased beta-amyloid production and brain plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Adding new copies of the SNX27 gene can repair memory deficits in Down syndrome mice.
Researchers discuss the limitations of brain simulations, citing the need to account for individual experience and social context. They also raise concerns about the potential creation of artificial consciousness and the technical challenges of simulating complex biological systems.
Researchers successfully converted adult human skin cells into medium spiny neurons, a subtype of brain cells affected in Huntington's disease. The newly generated cells survived and functioned like native cells in the mouse brain, demonstrating a promising approach for treating the disease.
A team of researchers has successfully recorded sight neurons in a jumping spider's brain for the first time. The study reveals that jumping spiders use different sets of eyes to process acuity and motion, requiring integration of inputs from multiple eyes in the brain.
Scientists have developed a novel probe that uses tarantula venom to visualize electrical activity in neurons and other cells. This breakthrough could help researchers better understand ion channel dysfunctions leading to conditions such as epilepsy and cardiac arrhythmias.
Researchers have developed a novel probe that reports on the electrical activity of cells using tarantula toxin, allowing for the observation of voltage-activated ion channels in live cells. This breakthrough has the potential to help scientists understand the function of specific ion channels and identify drug targets for neurological...
Researchers have observed a previously predicted pathway for ion permeation in potassium channels does not occur, revealing a fundamental physical principle that facilitates the channels' operation. The discovery uses advances in technology to show that pairs of potassium ions are stably formed and then passed through the channel.
A study reveals that distinct genetic mutations in neurodevelopmental disorders produce similar molecular effects, suggesting a one-size-fits-all therapeutic approach may be effective for conditions like seizures and ADHD. The research identifies shared molecular pathways involved in these diseases, providing new insights into their ca...
Researchers have made breakthroughs in understanding the interactions between botulinum neurotoxins and cells, paving the way for safer forms of Botox. By designing inhibitors or specific antibodies, scientists hope to prevent toxic interactions and engineer safer toxins for medical and cosmetic use.
Scientists discovered a new type of brain activity that forecasts when a spontaneous decision occurs more than a second in advance. The premotor cortex neurons can predict the rat's actions with remarkable accuracy.
Researchers have uncovered how pacemaker neurons are synchronized at dusk and dawn to maintain proper functioning of biological clocks. This understanding enhances knowledge of sleep-wake cycle regulation and offers promise for addressing related afflictions.
The NIH is developing an advanced electrode array system that will enable researchers to better understand how the brain works through unprecedented resolution and scale. The system, which will pack over 1,000 tiny electrodes, will allow scientists to simultaneously study thousands of neuronal cells in various brain regions during comp...
Researchers at Salk Institute will create an epigenetic map of each cell type in the brain, allowing for deeper understanding of neurons' identity and functional differences. The study aims to reveal possible windows into brain development and disease.
Four CSHL scientists will conduct research in the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies Initiative, aiming to map the human brain and understand brain disorders. The initiative seeks to develop transformative tools for studying the brain's structure and function.
Chronic alcohol exposure disrupts normal sleep cycle by over-activating brain chemicals. Targeted medications may help treat sleep issues related to alcohol use disorders, according to Boston University School of Medicine researchers.
Researchers found that patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can safely tolerate treatment with cells cultured from human placental tissue. Early signals also suggest the potential for repairing damaged nerve tissues, offering a new frontier in treatment for the disease.
Researchers used neural recordings to predict when a rat would give up waiting for a delayed tone. The findings suggest that individual brain cells cast votes for actions, but the outcome is not predetermined.
Researchers will merge biophysical and statistical approaches to create detailed computational models of neuronal activity. This could reveal insights into how proteins regulate computations in neurons, potentially shedding light on complex brain diseases.
Researchers found that the protein BRD4 plays a crucial role in regulating stem cell identity, holding promise for regenerating tissues and organs. The study suggests that inhibiting BRD4 could be used to reprogram stem cells into specific cell types, such as neurons.
A study published in Neuron found that neurons in the medial temporal lobe respond more strongly to blended faces when a subject recognizes the face as belonging to one person. The results suggest that conscious recognition plays a crucial role in whether neurons fire, rather than the raw visual stimulus.
A study on Gambel's white-crowned sparrows reveals how dying brain cells trigger the growth of new neurons each spring. The researchers hope to apply this knowledge to develop treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and depression.
A study published in PNAS reveals that a protein cross-linking enzyme interacts with a cell receptor to lock it in a closed state, reducing neuron signaling in neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's and Alzheimer's. The mechanism may provide insight into the development of new drug therapies for these conditions.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison found that the stiffness of surfaces on which stem cells are grown influences cell fate. A soft, brain tissue-like surface directed cells to become neurons, while stiffer surfaces favored the stem cell state.
A new study from Rutgers University-Newark reveals that the ability to persist in the face of personal setbacks may depend on how the news is delivered. The study found that when individuals perceive a loss of control, activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex is necessary to promote persistence.
Researchers reveal that archerfish actively control the dynamics of their water jets to hit targets at varying distances, employing a unique tool-using behavior. This adaptability has potential applications in human-built nozzles and industries.
Research finds that brain regions associated with learning and emotion regulation are activated when people perceive control over setbacks, promoting persistence. This knowledge has implications for education and treatment programs.