Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new brain-machine interface that directly delivers electrical signals from the brain to muscles, enabling complex movement of a paralyzed hand. The device was tested on monkeys and showed promising results, with potential applications for paralyzed patients.
A team studied mice with a mutated form of alpha-synuclein, finding that injected clumps accelerated disease onset and severity. The clumps seemed to hijack brain signals, spreading throughout the brain.
Researchers analyzed 1,000 genes in human and mouse brains, finding high similarity and only 5% difference among humans. The dataset offers insights into neural evolution, cell-to-cell communication, and species-specific functions.
A 'brain-only' mutation has been discovered that causes hemimegalencephaly (HMG), a condition characterized by an enlarged and dysfunctional half of the brain. This mutation is limited to brain tissue and contributes to overgrowth, intellectual disability, and severe epilepsy.
Scientists have discovered rules that relate genes to a neuron's electrical properties and shape, increasing the likelihood of predicting brain structure and function without measuring every aspect. This breakthrough increases the feasibility of modeling the brain in silico and ushering in a new era of predictive biology.
A recent study reverses many Fragile X syndrome symptoms in adult mice using a new compound CTEP. The study found that pharmacologic inhibition of mGlu5 receptor can correct FXS symptoms, including learning and memory deficits and auditory hypersensitivity.
A new study published in Nature has disproved the theory that pigeons' navigation skills are linked to iron-rich nerve cells in their beaks. Macrophages, specialized white blood cells, were found to contain tiny balls of iron instead, contradicting earlier research.
University of Oregon scientists create a new gene tool that allows researchers to control protein synthesis with a pinpoint UV laser beam. The tool enables the study of gene function at precise times and regions in embryonic development, revealing new insights into developmental biology and brain research.
Researchers found that stimulating specific neurons can reverse age-related memory defects in fruit flies, which may have implications for human memory disorders. The study used functional cellular imaging to monitor neuron activity and showed that cold-activated ion channels can rescue intermediate-term memory.
Researchers at CU Boulder have discovered a protein complex involving toll-like receptor 4 and myeloid differentiation protein receptor 2 that triggers unwanted neuroinflammation in response to morphine. This finding has implications for developing new drugs to increase morphine effectiveness while preventing abuse.
Researchers at Rutgers University found a protein defect that leads to axtaxia-telangiectasia, a degenerative disease affecting cerebellum and brain function. Treating the defective protein with TSA restored motor coordination in mice, suggesting potential reversal of symptoms.
The University of Bonn team has successfully derived brain stem cells directly from connective tissue in mice, which can reproduce and be converted into various types of brain cells. This method is faster, safer, and associated with a lower risk of tumors compared to existing approaches.
Researchers have successfully harnessed neurons in mouse brains, allowing them to at least partially control a specific memory. The study advances understanding of how memories form and offers new insight into disorders such as schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The SpikerBox is a low-cost, open-source bioamplifier that allows users to amplify and listen to neurons' electrical activity. This tool has been developed by Backyard Brains to make neuroscience education more accessible.
Researchers have identified a critical mechanism of neuron death in intestinal inflammation that appears relevant to IBD. Blocking the 'pannexins' molecule was shown to prevent gut neuron death in animal models.
A study of a rare neurodegenerative disease has uncovered a mechanism that destabilizes the homeostatic balance of brain cells, leading to fluid accumulation. The discovery identifies a protein GlialCAM as an ion channel subunit regulating chloride ions and potentially paving the way for new treatments.
Researchers found that honokiol down-regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes in microglia via Klf4, a protein regulating DNA. Honokiol also reduces inflammation and neuronal death by targeting Klf4 and pNF-kb.
Princeton scientists have identified unique neural activity sequences in the brain's posterior parietal cortex that help form short-term memories used for decision-making. These sequences correspond to whether a mouse turns left or right in a maze, allowing researchers to predict its future actions.
Researchers at Linköping University identified seven key transcription factors that specify the creation of 34 neuron groups in a fruit fly's antenna. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms that diversify neurons and keep them diverse, crucial for future nerve cell cultivation and replacement.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to test whether neurons communicate individually or as groups. The method filters signals to determine if neurons collaborate flexibly within milliseconds. This breakthrough has the potential to reveal dynamic cell assemblies involved in planning and controlling behavior.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered a critical process in understanding the degeneration of brain cells sensitive to Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that targeting this process could lead to alternative therapies for treating AD, including drugs that protect neurons from degeneration.
Researchers identified how and where the brain processes frequency-modulated sound signals, which are crucial for understanding language and speech. The study found that these signals begin in the midbrain region of the brain, a surprising discovery that could help with hearing-related disorders.
Research reveals that repeated stress affects memory by reducing glutamate receptors in the prefrontal cortex, impairing high-level cognitive processes. The study provides critical insight into how chronic stress influences mental illnesses and offers potential targets for prevention and treatment.
A new study suggests that egocentric behavior in children is linked to an immature prefrontal cortex, rather than a lack of understanding of fairness. Researchers found age-related increases in strategic decision-making between ages 6-13 years, with improved impulse control and brain activity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
Researchers discovered a simple nervous system linking stinging cells and light-detecting nerve cells in Hydra magnipapillata, suggesting that light-sensing capabilities predated eye evolution. The study found that Hydras fire their stingers less in bright than in dim light, indicating the presence of light-sensitive neurons.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center used fMRI to study brain activity before and after monkeys learned new memory tasks. They found that a small group of neurons specialized in the new task were activated while retaining existing information.
The study reveals that the REST molecule acts as an adapter for genetic switches, coupling molecular on-off switches with neural genes to regulate neuronal development. This mechanism is essential for proper brain function and may be linked to cancer and other diseases.
Researchers have found a brain mechanism that coordinates eye and arm movements, which may have implications for rehabilitation and prosthetics. The study used macaque monkeys to examine the neurological activity of the posterior parietal cortex, finding coherent patterns of firing in regions specialized for moving eyes or arms.
A new on-off switch for hormone production has been discovered in the brain by Dr. Gil Levkowitz's team, which regulates corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) release. The switch involves a protein called Otp that activates CRH genes and regulates receptor variants, potentially contributing to stress-related disorders.
Researchers have developed a light-controlled neural inhibitor that can inhibit pain-sensitive neurons. The compound QAQ acts as a photosensitive switch, and its conformation can be altered by light, enabling it to bind to specific receptors on nerve cells.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have discovered that dorsal root ganglion neurons can create thick, healthy nerves without provoking an immune response. This breakthrough could lead to better treatment options for the over 350,000 patients with serious nerve injuries in the US each year.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a protein mutation that disrupts the protective function of DJ-1, a key player in preventing neuronal death in Parkinson's disease. This finding may lead to new treatment strategies by targeting this error in the protein.
Researchers at EMBL and IGBMC discovered a ring-like structure in the Elongator protein complex, which holds tRNA in place while introducing chemical modifications to DNA. This ensures accurate protein production. The findings also suggest that the complex employs tools and tricks to perform its tasks inside cells.
A Wayne State University researcher is developing a model to focus on the causes of everyday MS symptoms. The goal is to provide more effective treatments and improve daily functioning for patients.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that certain proteins, called extremely long-lived proteins (ELLPs), last a lifetime without being replaced. Damage to these proteins weakens the ability of transport channels to safeguard the cell's nucleus from toxins, leading to cellular aging.
A new approach to lung tissue development could provide a virtually limitless supply of donor lungs while avoiding rejection. The method involves decellularizing an organ and recellularizing it with stem cells from the recipient, potentially overcoming the need for donor organs.
New technique allows scientists to observe development of brain cells for first time, shedding light on disease mechanism. The study could lead to new treatment options by understanding how these cells develop and function.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have successfully converted mouse skin cells into neural precursor cells with high efficiency. This breakthrough could potentially refute the need for pluripotency and offer a more direct way to generate specific cell types for therapy or research.
Researchers at OHSU have discovered a critical link between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Rett syndrome, a neurological disorder affecting one in 10,000 baby girls. The study found that mutant neurons in the brainstem fail to produce BDNF, leading to breathing difficulties and other symptoms.
Researchers discovered a novel intracellular signaling pathway controlling stress-induced CRH gene expression, revealing a key role for Orthopedia protein in stress adaptation. This regulation is critical for neuronal adaptation and failure to activate or terminate the CRH response can lead to chronic pathological conditions.
Neural stem cell derivatives from human pluripotent stem cells are prone to chromosomal instability, particularly with chromosome 1q, which has been linked to blood cell cancers and pediatric brain tumors.
Scientists have developed a reliable system to model and quantify protein aggregation's impact on cell viability, division, and aging. The study uses Escherichia coli bacteria and the AB42 peptide to predict protein aggregation's effects on cell aging, revealing potential natural chaperones that reduce this damage.
Researchers have discovered a gene called distal-less critical to the fruit fly's ability to receive and process smells. In humans, this gene has also been linked to autism and epilepsy. The study found that the gene plays a key role in generating and maintaining stem cells responsible for processing odors.
Jackson Laboratory researchers discovered a defect in RNA splicing process that contributes to neurological disease. A mutation in one copy of the U2 snRNA gene causes neurodegeneration, leading to movement problems and early neuron death in mice.
Researchers have discovered a key to stopping brain cancer cell growth and migration by inhibiting a specific signaling pathway. The study, published in Nature: Oncogene, shows that targeting the Mer pathway can make brain cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy and prevent them from escaping to other areas of the brain.
Researchers have discovered the unique walking mechanism of dynein, a critical motor protein in every cell. The 'drunken sailor' gait allows the protein to navigate obstacles while performing transport functions, potentially shedding light on neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have discovered a way to selectively target the glutathione pathway in brain cancer cells, making them more susceptible to chemotherapy. The breakthrough could potentially improve treatment outcomes for the nearly 45,000 people diagnosed with brain cancer each year.
Researchers found that specific brain areas underlie perception of different 3D structures, including convex and concave surfaces. Electrical stimulation of these areas influenced monkeys' choices and decision-making times.
Scientists at EMBL have developed a new method to observe enhancer activity during development, showing that specific chromatin modifications trigger gene expression. This breakthrough provides cell-type specific information on enhancer activity and gene status in multicellular embryos.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have produced neuron-by-neuron maps of the mouse brain's visual processing system, laying the groundwork for decoding brain circuitry using genetic research techniques. The study revealed specialized roles for different areas in processing visual information, including direction and fine detail.
Researchers found an abnormality in the early steps of auditory processing in the brain, called 'sampling', linked to dyslexia. Dyslexics exhibited enhanced responses to high-frequency rhythms that interfered with verbal memory.
A team led by University of Miami professor Akira Chiba has developed a novel methodology to examine protein-protein interactions in the fruit fly, allowing for the creation of a point-by-point map of these interactions. This breakthrough uses custom-built 3D FLIM imaging technology to visualize protein associations in live cells.
Honey bee swarms face a decision when finding multiple potential nest sites, using stop signals similar to those in primate brains to shorten dances and end the recruitment process. This cross inhibition helps ensure a single optimal site is chosen, avoiding deadlocks between equal-quality alternatives.
Researchers analyzed long-term imaging data to uncover coordinated anatomical changes in brain development across the cortex. They found that functionally connected regions mature together and exhibit tightly coupled patterns of growth, with notable differences between males and females.
Research suggests that surprising good or bad outcomes drive learning, with neurons in the lateral prefrontal cortex and caudate nucleus processing unexpected rewards and disappointments similarly. This finding may inform future therapies to accelerate re-learning in patients with brain damage.
A new study reveals that child abuse can alter brain activity, making children more vulnerable to anxiety and depression. The research shows that exposed children exhibit heightened responses to threat cues, potentially serving as an adaptive response but also increasing long-term vulnerability.
Researchers have identified a new pool of stem cells in the heart with long-term expansion capacity and ability to form various cell types, including muscle, bone, and neural cells. This discovery may lay the foundation for regenerative therapies to enhance tissue repair in the heart.
Researchers found that Dantrolene, a muscle relaxant, reduces the severity of walking and balance problems in mice with Huntington's disease. The drug prevents calcium-dependent toxicity in laboratory-grown neurons and protects coordination in mice with HD-like disease.
A recent study reveals that individuals with grapheme-color synesthesia exhibit increased activity in the brain's visual cortex, a finding that provides insight into the neural mechanisms underlying conscious awareness. The research also suggests that the brains of synesthetes may be more excitable than those without the condition.
Researchers discovered a cellular mechanism allowing brain cells to translate different diets into distinct activity patterns. The orexin/hypocretin neurons are stimulated by amino acids, but inhibited by glucose, revealing a complex 'push-pull' control by sugars and proteins.