Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
Researchers at EMBL identified specific type of neurons involved in mouse fear response, revealing complex brain circuitry. They used fMRI and genetic approaches to control neurons' activity, showing that fear can trigger active coping strategies instead of freezing.
Researchers found that exercising obese rodents showed restored signals of satiety in hypothalamic neurons, leading to decreased food intake. The study's findings suggest a new paradigm for physical activity and weight loss, reinforcing the importance of regular exercise.
Researchers found that human umbilical cord blood cells stabilized the brain cell environment and aided astrocyte survival after oxygen deprivation. However, the cells also had an impact on cytokine expression, sometimes suppressing inflammation and other times enhancing it.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed nanowire-based V-shaped transistors that can be inserted into cells without damaging them. These devices allow for the measurement of ion flux or electrical signals within cells, and can even be fitted with receptors to probe for specific biochemicals.
A study by Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience found that people's brains respond differently to others' actions based on their perceived intentions. When generous behavior is framed as benefiting the group, participants showed a stronger neural response, indicating a greater liking for the action.
New research reveals that abnormal huntingtin protein plays a crucial role in neurogenesis, challenging previous understanding of its function in adult neurons. The study demonstrates htt's involvement in cell division and neurogenesis, shedding light on the pathogenic mechanisms underlying Huntington's disease.
A study by Yale researchers found that a high-fat diet influences the brain's development, making some individuals more prone to obesity and others resistant. The study suggests that genetic and environmental factors, particularly maternal impact on the developing brain, play a critical role in determining vulnerability to obesity.
Scientists have discovered that neuroglobin protects cells from stroke damage, amyloid toxicity, and lack of oxygen. High levels of neuroglobin in brain neurons may buffer them against the effects of Alzheimer's disease-causing protein accumulation.
Electrical activity in developing brain cells influences the choice of neurotransmitter, altering behavior. Researchers found that tweaking genetic signals can change an animal's behavior by changing the transmitters neurons make and use.
A study reveals that an enzyme involved in multiple disorders also generates toxic protein fragments in Huntington's disease, causing neuron death. Researchers propose inhibiting MMP family members as a potential therapeutic strategy.
The novel peptide LifeAct allows for the visualization of actin in living cells, facilitating research into various diseases. This breakthrough technology has the potential to improve our understanding of actin's role in fundamental processes and its involvement in diseases such as polycystic kidney disease and invasive tumors.
Dr. Anthony-Samuel LaMantia's research identifies stem cells responsible for generating nerve cells involved in eating, reproduction, and social behavior. These cells are essential for understanding neurological and mental disabilities, such as autism, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have developed a functional implantable artificial salivary gland to treat xerostomia in cancer patients. The new treatment uses modified hydrogels to regenerate functional salivary acinar cells, restoring saliva production and improving oral health.
A team of investigators has identified a series of proteins that may make it easier to diagnose the more metastatic forms of prostate cancer. The study uncovers a protein named Siah2, which initiates a cascade of molecular events that turns a non-malignant tumor into a metastatic neuroendocrine tumor.
A new study suggests that a protein called SIRT1, found in specific neurons of the brain, is essential for maintaining normal body weight. Without this protein, mice on high-calorie diets gain more weight and are more susceptible to obesity.
Researchers have identified Pax6 as a critical genetic factor in human brain development, governing the differentiation of stem cells into various brain cell types. This discovery may lead to the creation of customized brain cells for therapeutic purposes.
Princeton University researchers are developing a new method for studying brain connectivity using genetically engineered viruses. The viruses, designed by Lynn Enquist's team, travel through the nervous system, tracing connections between neurons and reporting on their activity. This approach has significant implications for understan...
Researchers have made significant discoveries in the fields of atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease, revealing new insights into the role of neutrophils and hyperploidy. A study found that neutrophils contribute to atherosclerosis, while another discovered that hyperploid neurons are more prone to cell death in Alzheimer's disease.
The 2009 Journal Citation Reports reveals a surge in Impact Factors for Cell Press journals, with Cell Stem Cell and Cell Host and Microbe leading the charge. Cancer Cell also continues to grow, while Molecular Cell sees an impressive 13% increase, demonstrating the growing importance of these publications in the scientific community.
The collaboration aims to identify genes and novel drug targets related to the onset and progression of Huntington's disease. The team will use induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with HD to screen for drugs that might delay, prevent, or reverse the devastating condition.
Researchers at University College London have identified a new mechanism for how polycomb proteins repress the wrong genes in embryonic stem cells. The discovery has significant implications for tissue engineering and cell differentiation, as it reveals how polycomb proteins control gene activity through interaction with short RNAs.
Movshon and Stanford's William T. Newsome receive award for their decades-long research on how the brain reconstructs images to support perception, linking perception to specific neural activity
A new study by MIT researchers has identified two distinct brain circuits involved in habitual learning. The dorsolateral and dorsomedial striatal circuits show different patterns of activity as rats learn to navigate a maze, with the dorsolateral circuit becoming more active with repetition and the dorsomedial circuit playing a key ro...
Researchers found that certain 'multitasking' neurons in monkeys' brains are best at making correct identifications in both car and animal categories. This ability to 'multitask' allows the brain to re-utilize neurons for different tasks, potentially leading to a better understanding of disorders like autism and schizophrenia.
A mutation in the TRPA1 gene has been identified as the cause of familial episodic pain syndrome (FEPS), a rare inherited pain disorder. The research proposes potential treatment options using pharmacological compounds that inhibit the mutant channel.
A team of researchers has developed a more consistent method for isolating pancreatic islet cells from brain-dead donors using ductal injection, resulting in three type 1-diabetes patients becoming insulin-independent. The study's success rate surpasses the standard 50% with an impressive 80% clinical islet transplantation rate.
Researchers found neural tissue has imbalanced levels of proteins, specifically torsinA and torsinB, which may explain why certain diseases affect specific organs. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of how genetic mutations impact different cell types.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a natural self-repair mechanism that kick-starts after spinal-cord injuries, offering promising new treatments. Serotonin receptors remain active after injury, but are permanently turned on, contributing to muscle spasms; blocking these receptors could help alleviate symptoms.
Researchers found that CDP-choline can reduce cell death and ceramide levels, preventing damage when exposure to alcohol is stopped. The study suggests a potential preventive measure for fetal alcohol syndrome.
Researchers discover mutant strain of gum disease-causing bacteria that can activate autophagy, a cellular process that breaks down waste products and plaques associated with neurodegenerative diseases. This finding could lead to novel therapeutics for treating Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other diseases.
Researchers from the University of the Basque Country have identified a new mechanism for amyloid peptide-induced neuronal death. By blocking specific receptors, neurons can be protected from lethal effects, paving the way for novel therapies to slow Alzheimer's progression.
Researchers at MIT and Hebrew University identified specific classes of neurons in songbirds that match those in mammalian basal ganglia. The study suggests that the same brain circuits underlie learning in both species, with implications for human biology and disorders like Parkinson's disease.
A Stanford-led team has solved the mystery of how functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals are produced, confirming earlier assumptions about their relationship to neural excitation. The breakthrough enables researchers to study brain-wide impact of changes in neural circuitry using blood-flow fMRI combined with optogenetics.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered a direct link between neural activity in an insect's brain and changes in behavior. The findings suggest that cockroaches can control their speed with their brains, which could inspire the development of more adaptive robots for search and rescue and space exploration.
Researchers at U of T discovered a new view on how living cells use DNA to generate genetic messages, resolving a decade-old gap in understanding. The 'splicing code' helps predict and prevent diseases such as cancers and neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers found differences in brain patterning as early as 48 hours after fertilization, before neurogenesis begins. They successfully altered the brain of a rock-dwelling fish embryo to resemble a sand-dwelling fish embryo using chemical manipulation.
Researchers found that the brain's frontal cortex plays a key role in processing abstract knowledge, enabling individuals to adapt behaviors based on past learning. The study used fMRI to investigate how the brain achieves flexibility in solving unfamiliar problems.
A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has identified a promising new drug target for Alzheimer's disease: the beta-2 adrenergic receptor. The receptor is activated by amyloid-beta, leading to increased activity in affected neurons and eventual cell death.
New research identifies a brain circuit that enables humans to make choices with high long-term benefits by delaying reward. The study found that vividly imagining the future reduces impulsive choice behavior, suggesting the anterior cingulate cortex plays a key role in dynamic adjustment of preference functions.
Research reveals chronic pain changes brain activity in response to acute pain, predicting worsening of ongoing back pain. The nucleus accumbens plays a key role in this process, with altered activity patterns in patients compared to healthy controls.
Scientists have discovered that residual glioblastoma cells have different properties than those found in the tumor mass, making them more mobile and resistant to treatment. This breakthrough could lead to new therapeutic approaches against this aggressive brain cancer.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that leptin and insulin work together in specific neurons to regulate blood sugar levels and female fertility. The study suggests a functional redundancy between the two hormones, implying that one can compensate for the lack of the other.
Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center discovered that brain stem cells in the subventricular zone are characterized by Protein Tlx, which stimulates gene activity. When Tlx is increased, tissue stem cells turn into cancer stem cells, leading to glioblastoma formation.
Johns Hopkins researchers discovered that a tail module in a calcium channel protein controls its sensitivity to calcium, potentially leading to neurodegenerative diseases. This finding has implications for conditions like schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's.
Researchers have created a way to implant an inorganic device into a cell wall without damaging it, allowing for up to a week of observation. The 'stealth' probe mimics natural gateways in the cell membrane and integrates smoothly into membranes, enabling electrical access to the inside of cells.
Research reveals that brain damage to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex impairs judgment of harmful intent, leading to more lenient moral judgments for attempted harms. The study suggests that patients with VMPC damage primarily evaluate actions based on outcomes rather than intentions.
Research suggests that microglia, immune cells in the brain, play a significant role in neuron loss during Alzheimer's disease. Stressed nerve cells secrete chemical messengers that attract microglia, leading to inflammation and elimination of neurons.
A molecule called Rab35 acts as a switch to activate the fast-track recycling pathway, allowing cargo to be rapidly selected and transported. Defects in this trafficking pathway can lead to numerous diseases, including high cholesterol and neuropathies.
A new treatment to restore brain cells damaged by stroke has passed the safety stage of a clinical trial led by UC Irvine neurologist Dr. Steven C. Cramer. Patients showed no ill effects after receiving sequential growth factors that encourage neuron creation in stroke-damaged areas of the brain.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have discovered that the loss of Ube3A enzyme disrupts the brain's ability to fine-tune neuronal connections, leading to developmental deficits in Angelman syndrome. This finding also suggests a connection between Ube3A and autism spectrum disorders, paving the way for new therapeutic targets.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that restricting genetic splicing variants decreases as embryonic stem cells differentiate into specialized cells. This finding provides new insights into the complex process of neural differentiation and potential implications for human development.
Researchers propose that MeCP2 affects the entire genome in neurons, leading to increased histone acetylation and spurious transcription of 'junk DNA'. This discovery challenges the previous view of MeCP2 as a target-specific transcription factor.
A key mechanism that makes certain brain cells become tumorous has been identified by researchers. The tumours occur most often spontaneously but can also be part of inherited disease Neurofibromatosis type 2.
Researchers at CSHL have identified a protein called Rac as the regulator of forgetting in short-term memories. Elevated Rac activity accelerates memory decay, while inhibition slows it down.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have found a protein controlling DNA accessibility responsible for the cells' developmental flexibility, offering insights into CHARGE syndrome and cancer metastasis. The study suggests that increased CHD7 levels may enhance metastasis in certain cancers.
A new study found that glial cells can switch from protecting neurons to killing them when triggered by proNGF. The process can lead to vision loss and blindness. Researchers hope to find ways to block proNGF's effects to prevent this damage.
Neurobiologists at the University of Maryland discovered that the brain's auditory cortex is more complex and chaotic than previously thought, with neighboring neurons creating different outputs. This disorder could indicate that the brain is far more adaptable than previously thought.
Scientists at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that adjacent neurons in the brain do not synchronize their action potentials, contrary to previous beliefs. This finding provides insight into how the brain processes information efficiently by introducing a 'decorrelated state' that allows for uncorrelated activity.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have identified a novel compound, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, that mimics the brain's growth factor and protects against neurological disease damage. The flavonoid compound shows potential as a new class of brain-protecting drugs with low chronic toxicity.
A study published in Developmental Cell has identified protease-activated receptors as crucial for neural tube closure, a process disrupted in congenital birth defects such as anencephaly and spina bifida. The research suggests that this PAR signaling system may regulate the integrity of tissue to prevent neural tube defects.