Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
Researchers found that men have a greater sensitivity to fine detail and rapidly moving stimuli, while women excel at distinguishing colors. This difference is attributed to the presence of more neurons in the visual cortex of males.
Researchers used an experimental cancer drug to treat abnormal brain cell growth in mice with neurofibromatosis 1. The study showed that early treatment can prevent learning disabilities in these children by promoting normal neural stem cell development.
A new study reveals that brain clock oscillations are driven by cellular metabolism, which affects the production and flow of chemical energy in cells. The researchers found that redox reactions in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) oscillate on a 24-hour cycle, opening and closing channels of communication in brain cells.
Abnormalities in mitochondrial length promote neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, while optimal length is essential for maintaining cellular health. The study reveals a complex interplay between proteins DRP1 and actin, which are affected by defective tau protein.
Scientists at UCLA and the Technion have identified two brain regions that encode vowel pronunciation. The discovery may lead to new technology that verbalizes unspoken words of people paralyzed by injury or disease.
Researchers use new approaches to analyze individual brain cells, shedding light on the root causes of chronic pain and memory loss. They found that the chemical imprint of pain occurs in only a few cells, holding promise for developing new treatments.
Researchers at Vienna University of Veterinary Medicine discovered UCP2's primary expression in immune cells, with increased levels during T-cell proliferation. This finding may have significant implications for the development of treatments for immune disorders.
A study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison uses computational approach to determine individual predictability in group conflict. The research proposes a novel estimate of 'cognitive burden,' or minimal amount of information needed to make predictions, using sparse coding principles.
Researchers at UCLA have identified a novel molecule, ephrin-A5, that inhibits new connections between neurons, limiting brain recovery after stroke. Blocking this molecule promotes axonal sprouting and functional recovery in mouse models.
Scientists have successfully controlled monkey behavior using optogenetics by activating specific brain cells with blue light. This breakthrough could lead to the development of therapeutic treatments for neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and depression.
A Vanderbilt-led team is developing a microbrain bioreactor to improve drug testing by replicating the human brain's complex chemical communication and molecular trafficking. The device will test new therapies for stroke, obesity, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that neural precursor cells protect the young brain against high-grade gliomas, especially glioblastoma, by inducing stress-induced cell-death in tumor cells. The cells release substances that activate TRPV1 ion channels in the tumor cells, leading to their death.
Researchers have found that alpha-synuclein protein build-up inside neurons leads to misfiring due to calcium fluxes, a new insight into Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
A new study published in Radiology found that sodium accumulation in the brain correlates directly with disability in multiple sclerosis patients. The research used 3 Tesla sodium MRI to detect abnormal sodium concentrations in specific brain regions and throughout the whole brain.
Johns Hopkins researchers found a cause-and-effect relationship between the Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) gene and its impact on glia cells in the brain. The study suggests that abnormalities in these support cells could contribute to schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have identified two key regulatory proteins critical to clearing away misfolded proteins that accumulate and cause neurodegeneration in Huntington's disease. PGC-1alpha and TFEB provide a new therapeutic target for treating the disease, offering hope for its treatment.
A study published in Neuron found that a brain region involved in empathy, the temporoparietal junction (TPJ), is linked to individual differences in altruism. The size and activation of this region predict an individual's setpoint for altruistic behavior.
Researchers mapped gut-brain signaling after protein-rich meals to limit food intake. Peptides from digested proteins block opioid receptors, suppressing hunger and glucose release in the intestine.
A diabetes drug called metformin has been found to promote the growth of new brain cells and enhance spatial memory formation. The study's lead author suggests that the widely used medication may also offer cognitive benefits for people with Alzheimer's disease, independent of its effects on blood sugar control.
Hermit crabs have an underdeveloped sense of smell compared to vinegar flies, but humidity enhances their olfactory system. They primarily respond to water-soluble polar odorants like acids and aldehydes.
Recent annual citation reports confirm Cell Press's position as a leading publisher of highly cited research and reviews. The flagship journal Cell has increased its impact factor by 9% since 2005, maintaining its status as the premier research journal in its field.
Researchers have developed a real-time brain-scanning speller that allows people with paralysis to engage in unscripted conversations. The technology uses fMRI and mental tasks to encode thoughts letter-by-letter, enabling back-and-forth communication.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have generated a human model of Huntington's disease from patient skin cells, providing a more accurate and faithful replication of the disease. This new model will help scientists better understand the development of Huntington's and identify potential therapeutic approaches.
A team of scientists has generated a human model of Huntington's disease directly from the skin cells of affected patients, providing a new tool for researchers to study the disease and test potential therapies. The re-created neurons will help understand what disables and kills brain cells in people with HD.
Cedars-Sinai researchers created a laboratory model for Huntington's disease using induced pluripotent stem cells from patients' skin cells. The 'disease in a dish' model allows scientists to test therapies directly on human Huntington's neurons, offering a new pathway to identifying treatments.
Researchers at the Buck Institute have corrected the genetic mutation responsible for Huntington's Disease using human induced pluripotent stem cells. The corrected cells generated normal neurons in a mouse model of the disease, offering new hope for cell therapy treatments.
Researchers have identified a process by which misfolded proteins, such as alpha-synuclein, travel from sick to healthy cells in the brain, leading to the progression of Parkinson's disease. The study provides new insights into the disease's pathology and offers potential targets for disease-modifying treatments.
Researchers in Japan have concluded that adult-derived induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells demonstrate similar survival and neural differentiation capabilities when transplanted into mouse cochleae. However, iPS cell transplantation is associated with a risk of tumor growth, highlighting the importa...
Researchers discovered a key brain receptor that regulates gastric emptying and food intake. Mice lacking this receptor showed accelerated obesity and faster food consumption.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that neurons controlling hunger are also linked to cocaine addiction, contradicting the common assumption that food is a type of drug of abuse. The researchers discovered that mice with decreased interest in food showed increased interest in novelty-seeking and cocaine.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have created cells that mimic the blood-brain barrier, a filter that separates the brain from circulating blood. These cells hold promise for streamline drug discovery and modeling neurological diseases.
Researchers found that neurons follow a simple pattern described by a power law, which explains their tree-like shape and efficient wiring. This pattern is supported by the growth of newborn olfactory neurons in the adult brain.
A new gene-silencing strategy has reversed core symptoms of Huntington's disease in animal models, suggesting a potential treatment approach for the neurodegenerative disorder. The therapy, involving antisense oligonucleotides, produced sustained benefits with minimal side effects.
A new study proposes a communication routing strategy in the brain that mimics the American highway system, with select hubs forming the influential network known as the 'rich club'. This network provides quick and effective communication between billions of brain cells, with long-distance neural pathways favoring rich club connections.
Researchers have developed a device that delivers a genetically engineered neurotrophic factor directly to the brain, treating neurological symptoms in laboratory rats. The study found significant protection against toxicity and reduced striatal lesion size, suggesting promising therapeutic potential for Huntington's disease.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes successfully transformed skin cells into brain cells using Sox2 gene, potentially leading to better models for testing drugs for devastating neurodegenerative conditions. The breakthrough could accelerate drug development and reduce risks associated with human trials.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have identified a brain receptor called Gpr17 that appears to play a central role in regulating appetite. Blocking the action of this protein, which is also found in humans, could lead to new drugs for preventing or treating obesity.
Researchers have found an imbalance between neuronal excitation and inhibition in individuals with Angelman syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by seizures, cognitive delay, and severe intellectual disability. This imbalance may underlie the high seizure activity observed in AS patients.
Microglia, the brain's emergency workers, use a long-lasting glutamate-driven calcium wave to detect injuries, allowing them to trace the signal backwards until they reach the site of damage. This discovery could lead to new treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Researchers at NYU have discovered a new role for non-master pacemaker neurons in regulating circadian rhythms. By studying fruit flies, they found that these neurons suppress signaling of master pacemaker neurons during the evening, allowing them to fire and wake up the fly.
Researchers discovered that astrocytes, which normally nourish and protect neurons, deliver a lethal package containing ceramide and PAR-4 when neurons start producing excessive amyloid protein. This process may contribute to brain-cell death and shrinkage in Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem have successfully generated neuronal cells from stem cells of Fragile X patients, paving the way for restoration of normal gene expression. The study identified a chemical compound, 5-azaC, that can clear methyl groups and reactivate FMR1 gene expression in both stem and neuronal brain cells.
A team of physicists and biologists discovered that protein Cdc42 oscillates throughout yeast cells, regulating shape and function. This oscillatory mechanism may be a general strategy among all self-organizing biological systems.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have identified a cellular mechanism underlying tinnitus development after exposure to loud noises. The study suggests that specific potassium channels contribute to nerve cell over-activity, leading to constant noise sensation.
A team of scientists has discovered a new family of six genes that regulate mitochondrial transport in neurons, which is crucial for brain activity and viability. The proteins are highly expressed in the nervous system and may be involved in neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed an automated technique to record electrical activity from neurons in the living brain, offering insights into brain cell activities. The robotic system detects cells with 90% accuracy and can determine a cell's shape and genetic profile.
Embryonic stem cells have a rapid suicidal response to DNA damage, eliminating them from the developing embryo. This adaptation prevents mutations from harming the organism and allows scientists to harness their potential for therapeutic use.
Research by IRB Barcelona scientists reveals that glycogen accumulation in neurons is toxic, causing brain damage and reducing lifespan in both flies and mice. This finding has significant implications for understanding Lafora progressive myoclonic epilepsy and other neurodegenerative diseases.
A new drug, BL-7050, is being developed to manage resistant chronic pain caused by nerve or tissue damage. The medication targets potassium channels to prevent hyper-excitability and induce calm in neurons, offering relief to millions of sufferers.
Researchers have discovered that immune cells in the brain use a two-tier approach to combat infections, sending signals to neighboring cells while focusing their attack on infected cells. This finding may help researchers develop new treatments for brain tumors and autoimmune diseases.
Researchers found that low Nav1.1 levels disrupt brain cell electrical activity, leading to memory problems and cognitive decline. Restoring Nav1.1 levels improves learning, memory functions, and lifespan in AD-mice.
Karl Deisseroth, Edward Boyden, and Feng Zhang received the $10,000 award for developing optogenetics to control neural circuits. This technique has revolutionized neuroscience by allowing selective stimulation of neurons associated with behaviors.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology developed a device called Flywalk that measures insect responses to odor signals, revealing specific brain regions for processing attractants and deterrents. The study shows that flies process attractive odors differently depending on gender and reproductive status.
Researchers found that alpha-synuclein protein aggregates in ring structures within neuron membranes, causing cell damage and symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The study provides a step-by-step explanation of how these aggregates form and offers hope for developing drugs to slow disease progression.
Research identifies specific genetic mechanism underlying autism and fragile X syndrome, suggesting gene dosage disruption as key factor in autism development. The study found a strong overlap between autism candidate genes and those linked to fragile X syndrome, with implications for therapy and diagnosis.
Researchers found aged mice showed disrupted sleep behavior and weakened brain network activity in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), a brain area responsible for setting sleep-wake cycles. Individual SCN cells also exhibited more severe changes, suggesting a new understanding of aging's effects on the brain.
Brown University researchers found that RNA editing enzyme activity varies with temperature, affecting fly behavior in mating and daily routines. High or low self-editing levels can create different personalities, such as wallflowers or pick-up artists, highlighting the significance of this process in animal behavior.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a novel target for treating stress-linked disorders: a protein called HDAC6. By modulating glucocorticoid signaling in serotonin neurons, HDAC6 may provide a path towards resilience to stress.
Scientists at Lund University have identified a new stem cell type in the adult brain that can form various cell types, including neuronal cells. The discovery holds promise for treating neurodegenerative diseases and stroke by harnessing the stem cell's repair mechanisms.
Researchers at Lund University have identified a new stem cell in the adult brain that can proliferate and form several different cell types, including new brain cells. The discovery has great potential for developing methods to heal and repair brain injury and disease.