Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
A new study from the University of Cambridge found that amino acids, found in proteins like egg whites, stimulate orexin neurons more than other nutrients. This discovery has implications for understanding obesity and sleep disorders.
Scientists at the University of Georgia have developed a new method to create neural crest cells, precursors of bone cells, smooth muscle cells, and neurons, using a single-step process that reduces production time by half. The method uses small molecules to activate specific signaling pathways, increasing consistency and reducing costs.
Researchers found that TDP-43 binds to NF-kB p65 in spinal cords of ALS patients, promoting inflammation and killing neurons. Treatment with an agent blocking p65 activity eased disease symptoms in a mouse model.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute and MIT have developed a novel surface that enables tripling of human embryonic stem and induced pluripotent stem cell growth in culture. This breakthrough eliminates the need for mouse feeder cells, reducing contamination risks and increasing efficiency.
Researchers at RIKEN Brain Science Institute discovered a key mechanism for degrading ubiquitinated protein aggregates in brain cells. This process is mediated by the phosphorylation of p62, which triggers selective autophagy and degradation of protein aggregates.
Researchers discovered that crocin in saffron exerts protective effects on brain cells and prevented damage in models of MS. The study also found a link between an ancient virus and cell stress leading to inflammation in the disease.
A study led by Johns Hopkins behavioral neuroscientist Eric Fortune found that the brain prefers cooperative activity over solo ones, as demonstrated in plain-tailed wrens' duet songs. The research has implications for programming autonomous robots and understanding human social behavior.
A new study by Rutgers neuroscientist Bonnie Firestein suggests that increased production of protein cypin may prevent long-term brain damage after a stroke. Cypin helps nerve cells survive, while excessive PSD-95 accelerates cell destruction and inhibits recovery.
Researchers have discovered that a mutation in the CLN3 gene disrupts protein trafficking, leading to lysosome overflow and neuronal death in Batten disease. The findings may form the basis for a new therapy by targeting the kinase function of CLN3.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes discovered a protein form linked to Huntington's disease that influences symptom timing and severity. The study offers new avenues for treating not only Huntington's but also similar conditions like Alzheimer's and type 1 diabetes.
A recent brain imaging study using lucid dreaming has linked neural activity to specific body motions in dreams. The study offers a promising approach towards 'dream reading' by analyzing patterns of brain activity.
Scientists have determined that master transcription factors control gene expression in response to signaling pathways, tailoring cell state and function. This discovery sheds light on disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
A potential new drug target has been discovered to stop debilitating effects of MS by preventing brain cell death caused by granzyme B. The target is the M6PR receptor, which allows granzyme B to enter neurons and wreak havoc.
A new brain stimulation technique has been developed that makes real-time adjustments in response to Parkinson's disease dynamics, potentially improving symptoms. The study found that this approach alleviated motor symptoms and reduced abnormal neural activity more efficiently than standard deep brain stimulation.
Researchers developed a method to optimize ion channel activity, reversing abnormal neuronal function and pathology in epilepsy. The study suggests this approach may be useful for other brain diseases and organs with excitable cells.
A protein that promotes neuron growth and blood vessel formation appears to halt brain degeneration in a genetic disease, according to Northwestern University research published in Nature Medicine. The study suggests a link between aging and the development of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, a disease causing cerebellum degeneration.
Scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center have improved upon their previous efforts to isolate stem cells for treating multiple sclerosis and rare childhood diseases. The new method resulted in a four-fold increase in myelin coating, making these cells promising candidates for future clinical trials.
Researchers developed a new method for reprogramming human cells into stem cells, increasing efficiency by 100-fold and producing high-quality cells faster. This breakthrough has potential applications in medicine, such as organ replacement, bone replacement, and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Neural signals related to reinforcement and punishment are widely distributed throughout the entire human brain, challenging previous notions of specialized brain structures. The study's findings suggest that both positive and negative outcomes directly influence neural processing, with adaptive value for optimizing cognitive processes.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a patented MRI technology that allows them to non-invasively track neural stem cells in living brains. This breakthrough could inform the development of new treatments for brain injuries, stroke, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological disorders.
Researchers identified a new pathway of stem cell activity in the subventricular zone of the human brain, which targets the prefrontal cortex in newborns. This discovery challenges previous reports that suggested neural stem cells remain active into adulthood.
A new human genetic mutation, C9ORF72 repeat expansion, is identified as the most common cause of ALS and frontotemporal dementia. This mutation explains at least a third of all familial cases in Europeans and nearly half of all cases in Finland.
A team of researchers at McGill University developed a new device that can float over cell surfaces without touching them, allowing for the study of cellular processes such as cancer cell formation and neuron alignment. The device uses quadrupoles to create force fields and deliver molecules selectively to cells.
A multidisciplinary approach using laser technology has been successfully employed to fabricate tiny scaffolds for cell delivery and growth in damaged neural tissue. This study demonstrates the potential of direct laser writing in tissue engineering, enabling precise control over scaffold design and structure.
A new class of stem cell-like radial glial cells has been identified in the spinal cord, which may offer a fresh avenue for therapies to treat spinal cord injury and disease. These cells were discovered using the Allen Spinal Cord Atlas and display a unique progenitor phenotype.
A new imaging technique allows researchers to assess nerve damage and healing in live patients, providing a non-invasive method for diagnosing nerve injuries. The technique uses lasers to create images of individual neurons' insulating sheaths, revealing the extent of myelin loss and recovery.
A University of Alberta-led team has expanded the fluorescent highlighter palette to track calcium ions in single cells, providing a full-color view of intracellular communication. This breakthrough enables better visualization of neuronal activity and may aid pharmaceutical researchers in determining drug efficacy.
A new study identifies a novel link between neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's disease pathology, revealing that an inflammatory mediator enhances A² protein plaque formation. The research also highlights the potential therapeutic target of NOS2 inhibition for treating AD.
A team of UBC researchers found nearly double the density of capillaries in brain tissue from Alzheimer's mouse models and human samples compared to healthy individuals. This 'neo-angiogenesis' may lead to a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, allowing harmful substances to enter the brain.
Researchers found that elevating free radical levels suppresses appetite in obese mice by activating satiety-promoting neurons. This process is driven by hormones leptin and glucose, which signal the brain to modulate food intake.
Researchers have found that Parkin, a protein linked to early-onset Parkinson's disease, regulates how cells take up and process dietary fats. This discovery suggests that defective Parkin may contribute to the development of some cases by changing fat levels in the body.
Researchers found that a genetic switch in master neurons inhibits the proper functioning of protective cell stress responses, accumulating misfolded and damaged proteins. Restoring this natural ability could offer a new target for therapy, improving cellular health and quality of life.
Researchers have created brain nerve cells affected by Parkinson's using skin samples from a patient with the most progressive form of the disease. This breakthrough study enables scientists to model the condition in a laboratory, shedding light on why certain nerve cells die.
Research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory reveals that fruit flies' mushroom body neurons represent odors in a consistently sparse fashion, with patterns of firing being randomly distributed within the brain area. This finding suggests that the fly's brain uses sparsity to form accurate memories.
A NIST research team has created a potential solution to capturing cells using electric fields while keeping them alive. Their innovative technique, involving polyelectrolyte and fibronectin layers, reduces cell exposure time and improves long-term function, enabling up to week-long survival rates.
Researchers discovered that stress induces a re-wiring in the brain, impairing endocannabinoids' ability to regulate food intake and contributing to enhanced food drive. Blocking stress hormones prevented this effect, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for manipulating food intake.
A new study uses advanced analysis to predict reaction time by assessing neural firing rates in the brain. The research found that the degree of neural activity advancement at the 'go' cue significantly affects reaction time.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have developed a new technique to rapidly access brain landmarks, enabling better brain maps and insights into how the healthy brain works. The technique speeds up long-distance signaling by mapping myelination levels, shedding light on brain evolution and function.
Researchers have identified a key gene that enables the brain to continue growing while other organs shut down in fetal development. This genetic link may hold clues for understanding intra-uterine growth restriction and its potential links to metabolic disease later in life.
Researchers develop a method to convert human skin cells into neurons, offering a potential shortcut for generating replacement therapies. The new approach has already yielded insights into Alzheimer's disease and could be used for testing new drug candidates.
In a new study, researchers found that when brain cells are starved, they turn to self-cannibalism through autophagy, which increases hunger signals and makes diets ineffective. Blocking this process may lead to weight loss and improved energy balance.
A scientist at the Gladstone Institutes has discovered a way to convert human skin cells into brain cells, offering new hope for regenerative medicine and personalized drug discovery. The breakthrough discovery allows for efficient and robust methods to transform adult skin cells into neurons capable of transmitting brain signals.
Researchers at Brown University discovered how bats can distinguish between target echoes and background clutter using subtle changes in sound intensity. By delaying their neural response to weaker echoes, bats can effectively 'defocus' clutter, maintaining a clear image of the target.
A signaling pathway plays a key role in determining the type of new neurons generated from postnatal neural stem cells. The study found that sonic hedgehog signaling, which is active in specific locations within the subventricular zone, influences neuron production and can redirect adult stem cell fate.
Researchers at Caltech created an artificial neural network out of DNA, exhibiting brain-like behavior by recalling memories based on incomplete patterns. The DNA-based neural network consists of four artificial neurons made from 112 distinct DNA strands and demonstrated correct responses in a mind-reading game.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a new strategy to improve the development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) by fusing two proteins. This approach increases efficiency and purity, decreases tumor formation risk, and simplifies the process, making it more feasible for human transplantation.
Scientists successfully induced non-REM sleep in mice by controlling the activity of orexin neurons using a light-activated protein. The study provides clues to the underlying cause of narcolepsy, a disorder characterized by abnormal sleep and muscle weakness.
Researchers at Hebrew University have successfully identified and isolated 'organizer' cells in human embryos, which are responsible for determining the shape of the embryo during development. This breakthrough could lead to better understanding of embryonic development and potential applications in treating spinal damage.
A new study found that hyperactivation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) amplifies Huntington's disease by promoting neuronal death and reducing cell survival. The findings suggest that AMPK could be a therapeutic target for the treatment of HD.
Kristopher Nazor, a Scripps Research Institute scientist, has been awarded a pre-doctoral fellowship from Autism Speaks Foundation to investigate the genetic form of autism known as Fragile X Syndrome. He will use pluripotent stem cell technology to understand how neural development is affected in this disorder.
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research discovered SAGA's importance in fruit fly development, targeting different genes by interactions with transcription factors. SAGA regulates transcription elongation and is associated with paused polymerase II on developmentally regulated genes.
Leptin's antiobesity effects are attributed to modulation of inhibitory output via GABA neurons, which suppress appetite and energy expenditure.
Scientists at Emory University School of Medicine have discovered that high doses of progesterone can inhibit the growth of neuroblastoma cancer cells. In laboratory research, progesterone was found to cut tumor growth in half over eight days without causing harm to healthy neurons.
Researchers examined the brain of a person with object agnosia, revealing that damage to a specific area can affect distant cortical regions. The study suggests that neural plasticity is possible even when the brain is damaged in adulthood.
Researchers found that SUMO proteins can hinder the formation of insoluble protein clusters, a hallmark of Parkinson's disease. The study suggests that sumoylation, the process by which SUMO molecules attach to alpha-synuclein, may play a role in preventing protein aggregation.
A study published in Cell Transplantation investigated the optimal routes for transplanting neural stem/progenitor cells in animal models of spinal cord injury. Intralesional injection was found to be the best method, with high cell survival rates and no complications. This method holds promise for treating other disorders
Researchers found that neurons can prefer multiple signals simultaneously and choose based on competing signals. This discovery could lead to more efficient brain implant design for treating neurological disorders.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have demonstrated direct conversion of a non-heart cell type into a heart cell by RNA transfer. This breakthrough approach, called Transcriptome Induced Phenotype Remodeling (TIPeR), offers potential for cell-based therapy for cardiovascular diseases and personalized scre...
Researchers have identified Foxp2 as a gene that helps regulate the wiring of neurons in the brain, leading to insights into speech and language disorders. The study found that altering Foxp2 levels impacts the length and branching of neuronal projections, which modulates brain connectivity.
Researchers at Salk Institute use genetically embedded tools to study neural stem cell differentiation and protein activity in brain cells. The technique, described in a recent study, may aid in the development of regenerative medicine and help scientists understand the mysteries of stem cells.