Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
Bioengineers at the University of California, Berkeley, have shown that physical cues can replace certain chemicals when nudging mature cells back to a pluripotent stage. The researchers found a four-fold increase in the number of cells that reverted back to an embryonic-like state compared with cells grown on a flat surface.
Researchers have discovered how an ALS mutation kills neurons and developed a therapeutic strategy to block this neurodegeneration. They used human skin cells from patients and converted them into neurons, finding that the abnormal genetic expansion causes cell death, dysregulated gene expression, and RNA toxicity.
Researchers measured levels of proteins in cerebrospinal fluid to predict cognitive impairment, identifying biomarkers that signal potential development of Alzheimer's disease up to five years before symptom onset. The study offers a potential tool for guiding earlier use of treatments and testing new drugs.
Researchers have developed a new therapy that targets the C9ORF72 gene mutation causing dementia and ALS. The stem cell-based approach manipulates brain cells in test tube studies, discovering compounds that counteract the genetic glitch.
Researchers at Salk Institute create technique to activate proteins in brain using light, allowing precise control over neuronal activity and enabling study of specific proteins. The method expands genetic code of mammals and opens possibilities for optically regulating protein modifications and interactions.
Scientists at the University of Washington have identified a population of neurons in the brain that tell the brain to shut off appetite. In mouse trials, activation of these neurons led to immediate loss of appetite and reduced food intake.
Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that specific cells in the fruit fly brain respond to food odors, predicting how much flies like a given odor. By manipulating these neurons, researchers can influence fly behavior, shedding light on human obesity and food choice.
Researchers found that transplanted stem cells guide neural stem cells to the injured brain site via a neurovascular matrix, promoting functional recovery. The study presents evidence for a new concept of stem-cell mediated brain repair, offering a potential treatment for traumatic brain injury.
Researchers at RIKEN Brain Science Institute found that autophagy mediates the formation of amyloid beta plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that autophagy might be a potential drug target for treating the disease.
Scientists have redefined the MECP2 protein's role in Rett syndrome, discovering it acts as a global activator rather than repressor. This new understanding can lead to novel therapies for the disease, targeting the AKT/mTOR pathway to reverse symptoms.
Scientists discovered a function of sNPF, a neuropeptide, in regulating both sleep and food intake in Drosophila. Activating sNPF led to rapid sleep induction, with flies sleeping on food sources for days. This study provides insight into the interaction between sleep and metabolism.
Researchers are developing a drug to prevent inflammation around implanted electrodes, which causes brain cells to degenerate and compromise the blood-brain barrier. Testing is underway to determine if administering the drug can improve outcomes and extend the lifespan of brain implants.
Researchers have successfully grown large numbers of patient-specific brain cells in the lab using small biopsies, which express natural protective agents. These cells may be used to treat a range of neurological conditions and could potentially cross the blood-brain barrier to deliver targeted therapies.
Researchers discovered a mechanism by which damaged mitochondria signal their own destruction, allowing cells to thrive. The 'eat me' signal involves cardiolipins and a protein called LC3, opening doors to potential research into cures for Parkinson's disease.
A team of neuroscientists has identified a specific area in the visual cortex called V4 that is involved in creating illusory contours. The brain's neural activity in this region correlates with the perception of these illusions, which are thought to be an evolutionary adaptation for detecting predators or prey.
A new study by Yale researchers found that the body's energy-producing mitochondria play a crucial role in regulating appetite and obesity risk. Dynamic changes in mitochondria can either spur or stop obesity, highlighting the importance of mitochondrial plasticity in maintaining healthy energy levels.
Researchers used iPSCs from nonhuman primates to develop neural cells depleted by Parkinson's disease, eliciting only a minimal immune response. This breakthrough suggests autologous transplantation could be a viable option for humans, offering promise as a treatment for the disease.
Research led by Robert Gros and Marco Prado found that heart cells release the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to regulate heart activity, in addition to nervous systems. The findings suggest that this non-neuronal system may play a crucial role in counterbalancing sympathetic activity and boosting parasympathetic signaling.
Scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have uncovered a new mechanism by which influenza viruses infect cells, utilizing the protein neuraminidase instead of hemagglutinin. This discovery may have implications for developing immunity against the flu and could lead to new treatments.
Researchers from China Medical University discovered that overexpressing the cytoglobin gene in SH-SY5Y cells enhances their resistance to cobalt chloride-induced hypoxia. This breakthrough finding has significant implications for developing gene therapy treatments for hypoxic-ischemic neurological diseases.
Researchers are investigating the links between maternal nutrition, BPA exposure, and offspring obesity. Studies aim to understand how neural development in the womb can lead to overeating and obesity later in life.
The study highlights the importance of autophagic and lysosomal activity in ischemic neurons, providing nutrition and energy for their survival. Upregulating cell autophagy or inhibiting autophagy may help eliminate abnormal components in cells after ischemic brain injury.
Liping Chen's study found that Shuyusan-containing serum increased survival rates of SH-SY5Y cells, reduced Bax expression, and elevated brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA expression. The effect was more pronounced at high doses.
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.