Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
A University of Ottawa neuroscientist has led a Canadian research team to discover how neural stem cells integrate signals from different cell types and decode them. The study found that low daughter cell numbers trigger activation, while high numbers keep them in quiescence, offering new insights into cellular relationships and potent...
Columbia scientists identified specialized neurons in the brains of mice that monitor food intake and decide when to stop eating. These neurons are located in the brainstem, process complex signals, and integrate information from multiple sources to determine fullness, leading to new potential treatments for obesity.
Scientists from DZNE found that preventing brain inflammation may help treat Alzheimer's disease. The study, published in Immunity, suggests that inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome can reduce neuroinflammation and help microglia clear harmful amyloid-beta deposits.
Researchers create 3D-printed model to understand how neurons form networks and mature in neurological disorders. The nanostructured arrays guide neural network growth and directionality, influencing neuronal maturation.
A study on fruit fly larvae revealed the presence of neurons with mechanoreceptors in their peripheral taste organs, allowing them to sense food texture. This discovery sheds light on the complex process of tasting texture and highlights the importance of multisensory contributions in food perception.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a novel high-performance organic electrochemical neuron that responds within the frequency range of human neurons. The device was integrated with artificial touch receptors and synapses to create a complete perception system, enabling real-time tactile signal sensing and processing.
Tobias Ackels' research reveals that mammals can differentiate between odor sources at lightning speed, using a temporal dimension to orient themselves in space. This ability is encoded in the output of the olfactory bulb and could be used for early detection of dementia.
Elizabeth Hillman, a pioneer in imaging method development, is leading the new Department of Imaging Sciences at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The department aims to develop innovative new imaging and measurement approaches that will enable groundbreaking scientific studies and improve patient care.
Researchers have created a detailed structural map of GABA A receptors in the human brain, revealing how they assemble and interact with drugs. The study provides new insights into treating epilepsy, anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and paves the way for customized therapies.
A brain-computer interface has enabled a person with tetraplegia to control a virtual quadcopter by thinking about moving their unresponsive fingers. This technology provides unprecedented control, allowing the user to maneuver through a virtual obstacle course and potentially enabling remote work and social interactions.
Researchers introduced a novel approach to enhance reservoir computing, incorporating a generalized readout that offers improved accuracy and robustness compared to conventional methods. The new method uses a nonlinear combination of reservoir variables to uncover deeper patterns in input data.
Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed a new training technique for highly efficient AI methods, inspired by biological neurons that use short voltage pulses to communicate. This approach enables spiking neural networks to be trained using conventional methods, resulting in improved accuracy and reduced energy consumption.
Developing neurons rely on multiple signaling pathways to migrate from the germinal zone. An antagonistic circuit between Netrin-1 'pushing' and Siah2 'pulling' ensures proper cerebellum development by balancing adhesion and guidance cues.
Scientists at Indian Institute of Science have found how diverse neurons across different brain regions work together to control chronic pain in mice. The lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) plays a key role in driving chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, allowing mice to cope with or suppress pain.
The study reveals that directional connections propagate signals in a downstream flow, leading to more complex activity patterns. Mathematical models also suggest that modularity and connectivity interact to foster dynamical complexity.
Researchers have identified 11 genes affected by PFAS exposure, which could serve as markers to detect neurotoxicity. The study found distinct molecular structures within each type of PFAS drive changes in gene expression, highlighting the need for individual investigation.
Researchers developed a new tool to measure biological aging in individual cell types, providing insights into diseases like Alzheimer's and liver pathologies. The study found that certain brain cells and liver cells show signs of accelerated aging, making it a better tool for detecting diseases.
A new NIH-funded study uses advanced genetic analysis tools to map how aging affects different brain cell types. The results show that some cells, like hormone-controlling cells, undergo more age-related changes in genetic activity than others.
A preclinical study led by Weill Cornell Medicine scientists found that estrogen surges promote binge drinking in females, causing them to 'pregame' and consume large quantities of alcohol. The study identifies a neural circuit in the brain where estrogen increases activity, leading to enhanced binge drinking behavior.
A clinical trial showed that an antibody blocking Nogo-A protein improves motor function in patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries. The treatment led to significant improvements in voluntary muscle activation and everyday life functional independence. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings.
Researchers found that SYM2081 suppressed mast cell degranulation and proliferation in mouse models and human skin samples, paving the way for new topical treatments to prevent itching and inflammation. The study suggests that activating GluK2 could be a promising way to prevent rosacea and other inflammatory skin conditions.
Scripps Research scientists created an AI model called MovieNet that processes videos by mirroring brain processes, recognizing visual scenes and distinguishing subtle changes. This breakthrough has the potential to transform fields like medical diagnostics, autonomous driving and more.
Researchers at NYU Pain Research Center have found a new receptor for nerve growth factor that plays an important role in pain signaling. The discovery holds promise for finding new treatments for arthritis and other forms of inflammatory and cancer pain without the side effects of recent therapies.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Columbia University identified a mini-brain within the heart with its own nervous system that controls the heartbeat. This discovery challenges current views on how the heartbeat is controlled and may lead to new insights into heart diseases and treatments.
A study by ULiège researchers reveals two distinct mechanisms behind neuronal degeneration, which act simultaneously to ensure reliable modulation of neuronal signals. This discovery sheds light on the principles of neuromodulation and has implications for improving artificial systems such as robots and AI devices.
Researchers at ISTA and Columbia University developed a technique using adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) to track a frog's nervous system throughout its metamorphosis, shedding light on the neural circuit and behavior changes during this transition. The breakthrough can help usher amphibian neurobiology into a new era.
A team of scientists has pinpointed a critical neural circuit for female sexual rejection, revealing how the brain integrates signals to shape behavior. The ventromedial hypothalamus, specifically progesterone-sensitive neurons in the anterior VMH, play a crucial role in determining whether a female accepts or rejects mating attempts.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have found that the hunger hormone leptin can direct neural development in a leptin receptor-independent manner. This discovery suggests a novel role for leptin in specifying the development of neural circuits involved in autonomic regulation and food intake.
Researchers at UCL found that excess brain volume loss with amyloid-targeting immunotherapies is associated with therapy effectiveness, not harm. The 'amyloid-removal-related pseudo-atrophy' or ARPA phenomenon suggests that removal of amyloid plaques may be the cause of observed brain changes.
A new model of neuronal circuit provides insight into how the brain handles short-term memory and guides eye movement. The study used a simplified artificial circuit based on the architecture of the zebrafish brainstem network to predict activity in the system.
Researchers at the Salk Institute identified a specific brain circuit responsible for slowing anxious breathing, connecting the frontal cortex to the brainstem. This discovery may offer a scientific explanation for the beneficial effects of practices like yoga and mindfulness on alleviating negative emotions and could lead to the devel...
Researchers aim to shed light on how hearing impairment affects auditory perception, particularly in complex environments. They will use animal models to examine neural mechanisms contributing to difficulties in sound localization.
Scientists have successfully used optogenetics to control seizure activity in living human brain tissue, opening doors to new treatments for epilepsy and other neurological diseases. By switching off specific neurons with light pulses, researchers can prevent seizures from occurring, providing a less invasive alternative to surgery.
A new metabolic compound called BHB-Phe has been discovered to regulate appetite and body weight by interacting with neurons in the brain. BHB-Phe influences feeding behavior and reduces body weight in mice, while its related compound Lac-Phe also promotes weight loss.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered a variant of TMEM16F protein that enhances the spread of Parkinson's pathology, potentially leading to new treatments. The study found that cells with the mutation secrete more pathological α-synuclein, which can form Lewy bodies and damage brain cells.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that TYK2 transforms tau into a toxic protein contributing to Alzheimer's disease. Partially restraining TYK2 could be a strategy to reduce tau levels and toxicity.
University of Cincinnati researchers highlight the importance of emergency consent in acute stroke trials due to time-sensitive nature and high mortality rate. They argue for more efficient alternatives to traditional informed consent, emphasizing patient autonomy and beneficence.
Researchers identify BNC2 neurons that rapidly respond to food cues and inhibit hunger, alleviating negative feelings associated with appetite. The discovery expands the classic model of hunger regulation and may provide new therapeutic targets for obesity and metabolic disorders.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes created a new mouse model to study Alzheimer's disease, transplanting human neurons into mouse brains. The study found that immune cells called microglia cause harmful inflammation and clumps of misfolded proteins when interacting with the APOE4 protein.
Scientists have developed a polymer-based therapeutic for Huntington’s disease, which disrupts protein interactions to preserve cell health. The treatment successfully rescued neurons and reversed symptoms in mouse studies, showing promise as a potential delay or reduction of disease onset.
A team of researchers at the University of Toronto has discovered a unique stem cell type, the neural crest stem cell, which can be reprogrammed into different cell types. This discovery challenges longstanding theories in cellular reprogramming and highlights the potential of these cells for stem cell transplantation to treat disease.
Researchers from Penn Vet discovered that a species of parasitic worms can evade the mammalian urge to scratch an itch by blocking the sensation, allowing it to enter the body undetected. The study found that activating specific neurons can block the entry of these parasites, preventing their dissemination through the body.
Researchers have developed Rastermap, a visualization tool that enables scientists to uncover activity patterns in thousands of neurons. The tool sorts neuronal activity into clusters based on similarity and maps them onto a graphical representation, allowing for the identification of patterns that can be further tested in the lab.
Researchers found that female mouse models of Rett syndrome have a mosaic-like distribution of cells expressing wild-type and mutant MeCP2 protein, leading to dysregulated genes. The study also discovered an unusual disease progression, with females having more dysregulated genes at the pre-symptomatic stage than later on.
A team of scientists, led by Anne Bang, is working to establish clearer connections between genes and their effects on brain function and mental health. They will use high-throughput screening technology to study over 100 genes in brain cells.
A new magnetic gene therapy technology allows for precise control of specific brain circuits non-invasively with magnetic fields. The technology has shown promise in reducing abnormal movements in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease, and may have potential applications for treating psychiatric disorders and chronic pain.
Researchers found lower neuron density in regions of the cerebral cortex responsible for tasks like memory, learning, and problem-solving in children with autism. In contrast, other brain regions like the amygdala showed increased neuron density, suggesting unique promise in characterizing individuals with autism.
A study by TIFR Mumbai and collaborators has identified the ventral hippocampus as a critical brain region in mediating the anxiolytic effects of psychedelics like DOI. The researchers found that targeting parvalbumin-positive interneurons in this region is key to reducing anxiety behavior.
Researchers have developed a promising new drug, RI-AG03, that successfully targets and blocks both major aggregation-promoting 'hotspots' of the Tau protein. The peptide-based approach shows significant potential in preventing the build-up of Tau proteins and neurodegeneration, addressing a critical gap in current treatments.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered estrogen's fast actions are mediated by the coupling of ER-alpha with ion channel protein Clic1, controlling chloride ion flux and enabling rapid neuronal responses. This finding sheds light on estrogen's role in regulating various physiological processes.
A new brain-mapping neurotechnology called Single Transcriptome Assisted Rabies Tracing (START) has been developed to map the brain's intricate neuronal connections. The technique combines two advanced technologies to resolve cortical connectivity at the resolution of transcriptomic cell types, enabling the identification of distinct p...
A mouse model study led by Ohio State University researchers reveals the importance of DNA loops and protein complex cohesin in nerve cell regeneration. The study's findings could lead to new treatments for nerve injuries by understanding how chromatin organization affects gene expression.
A team of researchers from Bonn and Tübingen has discovered that individual nerve cells in the medial temporal lobe recognize the number zero as a numerical value. The study found that neurons respond to both Arabic numerals and empty sets, but not both simultaneously.
A recent study by FAU researchers reveals how the brain coordinates food intake to ensure we receive the right amount of energy. The hypothalamus, a control center in the brain, triggers behaviors like eating and satiety through a complex mechanism involving four teams of neurons that work together like relay runners.
Researchers have identified the lateral septum as a key region in the brain that regulates feeding behavior, leading to the development of new anti-obesity strategies. The study found that GLP-1R agonists like liraglutide activate neurons in this region to suppress appetite and reduce body weight.
Researchers have found evidence for place cells in zebrafish brains, allowing them to create internal maps of their environment. The brain region, telencephalon, is also thought to be analogous to the mammalian hippocampus and plays a key role in spatial orientation, social networks, and memory.
A new algorithm, inspired by the nervous system's matchmaker, pairs drivers with riders in a way that maximizes everyone's happiness. The algorithm creates near-optimal pairings while preserving privacy, making it suitable for everyday applications.
A study at Karolinska Institutet reveals that morphine activates a 'morphine ensemble' of neurons in the brain, leading to pain relief. This understanding may help develop new strategies to treat pain without triggering addiction and overdose.
Researchers have developed novel photoacoustic probes for neuroscience applications, enabling visualization of neurons in specific brain regions. The probes use a combination of protein and synthetic dye to bind to chemicals and emit sound waves that can be detected by imaging equipment.
Researchers at University of California - San Diego have discovered a link between environmentally induced autism and altered neurotransmitter expression in the brain. The study suggests that manipulating these neurotransmitters early in development can prevent autistic-like behaviors.