Articles tagged with Neurons
Researchers at Yale University have identified a protein that serves as the missing link in the chain of events leading to Alzheimer's disease. Blocking this protein with an existing drug has been shown to restore memory and synaptic density in mouse models of the disease. The findings offer strong hope for developing new treatments.
Researchers discovered a population of neurons in juvenile songbirds that enable the birds to recognize and learn vocal sounds. This finding could provide valuable insights into the neural mechanisms underlying human infant language acquisition.
A study published in Cell identifies a subset of proteins in the brain that persist for longer than a year, potentially revealing the molecular basis of aging. These long-lived proteins are thought to be the 'weakest link' in the aging proteome and may play a role in cellular aging.
A University of Michigan study found two critical components involved in the brain's cell clearing process: TRPML1 calcium channel protein and an alipid molecule. The researchers also identified a synthetic chemical compound that can activate TRPML1, potentially providing a drug target for combating neurological diseases.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes and UCSF uncovered a molecular process causing neurons to degenerate, a hallmark of conditions like Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. The study used human stem cells with genetic mutations, allowing for the comparison of diseased and healthy neurons.
Researchers find that protein phosphorylation slows down Parkinson's disease, contradicting the assumption that it triggers toxic aggregates. The study suggests a new approach for therapeutic development.
Researchers identified critical inhibitory neurons responsible for vision development in children. A new treatment approach uses an experimental drug compound to reopen the critical-period window and correct central vision disorders.
Researchers found that immune cells called monocytes are recruited to the brain in response to stress and promote anxiety-like behavior. Monocytes travel to specific regions of the brain, generating inflammation that causes anxiety.
A new gene therapy study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, shows reversal of Rett symptoms in fully symptomatic mice by delivering a healthy MECP2 gene to cells throughout the body and brain. The treatment improved motor function, tremors, seizures, and hand clasping in 65% of cells.
A recent study published in Neural Regeneration Research identified cell cycle-related genes as crucial factors in the development of neural tube defects. The research found that retinoic acid treatment differentially expressed three cell cycle-related genes: p57kip2, Cdk5, and Spin.
A study found that the loss of CHD5 gene in stem cells underlies severe forms of neuroblastoma, a potentially curable tumor. CHD5 is required for cellular transition from a stem cell to a mature neuron, and its reactivation may increase responsiveness to treatment.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that CHD5 is essential for stem cells to mature into neurons. In the absence of CHD5, stem cells are unable to silence certain genes and switch on those necessary for neuronal maturation. The study suggests restoring CHD5 in aggressive tumor cells could make them more treatable.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that neural stem cells can resist radiation and regenerate after damage, potentially restoring lost function in brain cancer patients and individuals with conditions like MS and PD. The findings may lead to new treatments for brain trauma and strokes.
A protein involved in nerve-cell migration is implicated in the spread of brain cancer, according to new research from the University of Illinois at Chicago. The study found that cadherin11 promotes cancer cell migration and invasion by regulating cell adhesion and movement.
A recent study has identified a third brain region, the orbital frontal cortex (OFC), critical for shifting between habitual and goal-directed actions. This discovery has important implications for understanding neuropsychiatric disorders where habit balance is disrupted.
Neuropathic pain is a daily reality for millions of Americans, but researchers have found a way to protect GABA neurons from oxidative stress, which may help alleviate the condition. By using an antioxidant compound, scientists were able to lower pain behavior and preserve GABA neuron populations.
Recent studies demonstrate that ethanol directly induces apoptotic cell death of neurons, leading to brain damage and cognitive deficits. The researchers found that ethanol activates the p53-related cell cycle arrest pathway, resulting in neuronal apoptosis.
A team of researchers has identified a gene mutation responsible for a severe form of pontocerebellar hypoplasia, a currently incurable neurodegenerative disease affecting children. A nutritional supplement, AICAR, bypasses the block that prevents protein synthesis, restoring neuronal survival.
Researchers at Duke University have created a novel method for genome tinkering using an RNA guide, allowing precise control over specific genes. The tool has potential applications in gene therapy and regenerative medicine, including reprogramming stem cells into neurons.
Researchers at Princeton University created enhanced proteins that respond quickly to changes in neuron activity, allowing for a more precise view of neuron signals. The new sensors can be customized to react to different rates of neuron activity, giving scientists a comprehensive understanding of brain-cell communication.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes discover that individual neurons' ability to flush out toxic proteins, not the buildup itself, contributes to Huntington's disease progression. A newly developed technology allowed them to see how different types of neurons respond to mutant huntingtin protein over time.
Researchers found that Arg-Phe-amide-related peptide-1 modulates the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis by inhibiting kisspeptin-activated gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons. The study also revealed a potential role for gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone in regulating reproductive development.
Researchers discovered unique patterns of DNA methylation that emerge when neurons form new connections in children's developing brains, shedding light on the role of epigenomics in learning, memory, and mental illness. The study provides a new framework for understanding brain development and function.
Researchers found two distinct strains of alpha-synuclein that promote different patterns of misfolding, leading to unique sets of symptoms in neurodegenerative disorders. The study suggests that different structural shapes of the protein may contribute to co-occurrence of synuclein and tau accumulations in certain brain diseases.
Researchers developed a non-invasive brain stimulation technique using transcranial magnetic stimulation to improve language function in stroke patients with chronic aphasia. The technique demonstrated long-term improvement in language production, enabling continued development of language capacity months after treatment.
Researchers discovered the Arl13b gene plays a crucial role in guiding neuron formation and placement during early brain development. The study found mutations in this gene may contribute to brain malformations seen in Joubert syndrome and autism-like features.
Researchers at UCLA have found a possible link between histamine cells and the loss of hypocretin neurons in people with narcolepsy. The study suggests that an excess of histamine cells may cause the destruction of hypocretin cells, which is thought to contribute to the sleep disorder.
Researchers identified a key role for Scara1 in clearing amyloid beta from the brain, which may lead to a new therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's. In mouse models, Scara1 deficiency accelerated A-beta deposition and death, while upregulation enhanced clearance.
Two Salk studies reveal that neurons in area V4 of the visual cortex exhibit trade-offs between stimulus complexity and translation invariance. This challenges the existing understanding of neural processing, with implications for building more advanced computer systems and developing therapies for visual disorders.
Researchers discovered that individual oligodendrocytes can coat neurons with myelin for only five hours after birth. This finding could lead to new treatment strategies for multiple sclerosis, including targeting the blockages that prevent cells from producing myelin.
Researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology have developed a lab-on-a-chip that can detect cells with sub-cellular resolution, enabling early detection of diseases such as viruses and cancer. The device uses carbon nanotubes to measure electrical properties of cells, offering a non-invasive and quick method for disease diagnosis.
A team of NYU biologists found that a series of genes expressed in brain stem cells control the generation of neural diversity in the visual system of fruit flies. This process, known as a temporal cascade, ensures the sequential generation of different neural types.
Neuroscientists have developed a carbon nanotube probe that captures individual brain-cell signals, improving upon metal and glass electrodes. The new probe allows for more precise recordings of electrical signals from single neurons, enabling better understanding of the computational complexity of the brain.
A study by researchers at the University of Oregon reveals a novel stem cell mechanism in fruit flies that may help explain how neurons form in humans. The research shows how a select group of stem cells can create progenitors that generate numerous subtypes of cells, increasing neural diversity.
A high-fat diet in pregnant monkeys resulted in permanently changed brain cells controlling food intake, leading to increased body weight and preference for fatty foods in their offspring. This study suggests a potential long-term impact on human health.
Researchers describe 'chase and run' cell movement mechanism that explains process of metastasis. Cancer cells recruit healthy cells using small chemical molecules, promoting directional collective migration.
Researchers develop mathematical approach to understand synchrony in medical and ecological conditions, with potential applications in epilepsy and predator-prey systems. The formula analyzes indirect coupling in complex systems, enabling predictions and tests through experiments.
Glycans play a vital role in cellular communication, but disruptions in their behavior can lead to serious problems. Researchers found that glycans in NPC cells do not recycle properly, causing miscommunication and travel difficulties within the cell.
University of Michigan researchers have discovered how a defective gene in Down syndrome is regulated and its impact on neurological development. By studying fruit fly neurons, they identified two molecular pathways that converge to regulate the gene's abundance, offering a possible therapeutic approach to an aspect of the syndrome.
A multi-institutional team of researchers pinpointed the genetic traits of cells giving rise to gliomas, a common form of malignant brain cancer. They identified a core set of genes and pathways dysregulated during tumor progression, providing rich new potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
A new study found that people with narcolepsy have a large increase in the number of neurons producing histamine, which may contribute to symptoms like preserved consciousness during cataplexy and fragmented nighttime sleep. This discovery suggests that drugs reducing histamine signaling at night may improve sleep in narcolepsy.
Scientists develop new animal model to study Parkinson's disease, tracing protein spreading in brain regions. The experiment reveals clues on mechanisms underlying pathological progression.
Scientists have developed two new indicator molecules that can visualize the activation of auto-aggressive T cells in the body, shedding light on the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis. The indicators enable researchers to track T cell activity and activation patterns in real-time, offering new avenues for drug development.
Researchers have identified a new compound class that promotes neuroblastoma cell differentiation, which can stop tumor cells from dividing and growing. This breakthrough could lead to the development of novel treatments for high-risk childhood cancer.
Researchers at North Carolina State University discovered the neural mechanism behind cockroach aversion to glucose in roach baits. This genetic trait helps roaches reject baits made with glucose, a common ingredient in roach-bait poison.
Defects in cellular trash removal processes lead to toxic protein build-up and neuronal damage in Gaucher disease, mirroring Parkinson's disease pathology. Researchers suggest targeting mitochondrial function to develop treatment strategies for both diseases.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a molecular mechanism underlying cocaine addiction and identified a promising new anti-addiction drug. The compound, CGP3466B, blocks cravings for cocaine in addicted mice by preventing GAPDH from entering the nucleus to trigger cell death.
Researchers at Newcastle University have discovered a molecular mechanism that enhances attention and reduces cognitive noise in the brain. By manipulating glutamate coupling to NMDA receptors, they improved perceptual abilities and increased the fidelity of neural responses.
Scientists at Cambridge's Department of Chemistry have mapped the pathway that generates 'aberrant' forms of proteins, which are at the root of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's. The breakthrough opens up possibilities for a new generation of targeted drugs and earlier diagnosis of neurological disorders.
A new tool developed by UT Arlington physicist Samarendra Mohanty has the potential to map and track neuronal interactions in the brain. The fiber-optic, two-photon, optogenetic stimulator uses low-energy near-infrared light to precisely excite neurons, allowing researchers to understand how brain connections function.
Researchers used induced pluripotent stem cells to create a disease-in-a-dish model of ataxia telangiectasia, a rare genetic disorder causing neurodegeneration and immune system failure. The study identified potential new therapeutic drugs that can increase ATM protein activity and improve DNA repair.
Researchers used low doses of leukemia drug nilotinib to clear toxic proteins from mouse brains affected with Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The treatment improved movement and functionality in treated mice compared to untreated ones, offering a promising therapeutic strategy for these diseases.
McGill University researchers have discovered the three-dimensional structure of the Parkin protein, which protects neurons from cell death due to damaged mitochondria. The study's findings suggest that designing mutations in Parkin could provide better protection for nerve cells and potentially slow disease progression.
Neuroscientists at Johns Hopkins discovered that progenitor cells in the adult brain are highly dynamic, transforming into cells that insulate nerve fibers and help form scars. These cells communicate with each other to maintain a regular distribution throughout the brain and spinal cord.
A new study in mice reveals that the timing of gene mutation during thalamus development significantly affects TSC-like behavioral symptoms and disease severity. The research highlights the importance of the thalamus in brain function and suggests a potential target for future treatments.
Researchers found that increasing parkin levels in fruit flies extended their life span by more than 25 percent, reducing damaged proteins and improving mitochondrial function. The study suggests that boosting cellular 'garbage disposal' could delay the onset of aging-related diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Researchers have developed a method to convert skin cells into neural progenitor cells without passing through the pluripotent stem cell stage. This breakthrough allows for the production of specific types of neural cells, enabling rapid drug screening and modeling of neurological diseases such as ALS and spinal muscular atrophy.
Researchers have discovered a method for physical diagnosis of schizophrenia by collecting tissue from the nose through a simple biopsy. This finding could lead to a more accurate diagnosis and early detection of the disease.
Researchers developed a statistical modeling approach to assemble and evaluate the fitness of individual neurons, identifying diverse yet robust populations as the most successful. This method can help understand the importance of neuronal diversity and predict how alterations in neuron variability impact function.
Researchers identified key differences in gene expression between rock- and sand-dweller brains during development and used small molecules to manipulate developmental pathways. The study showed that competing molecular signals during brain development generate natural and adaptive differences in the telencephalon earlier than thought,...