Articles tagged with Neurons
Researchers have identified a viral protein, VP16, as the molecular key that prompts herpes simplex virus to exit latency and cause recurrent disease. The study provides a molecular target for designing improved HSV vaccines and treatments, which could also be used in cancer therapy.
Researchers at Salk Institute uncover how the brain uses attention to bring salient details into focus and filter out background clutter. By exploiting the center-surround organization of receptive fields, the brain separates task-relevant information from irrelevant clutter.
A study by MIT researchers found that inhibiting a key brain enzyme in mice reversed schizophrenia-like symptoms, offering potential new drug treatments. The discovery provides insight into the DISC1 gene's role in regulating GSK3B activity and its impact on neural stem cells.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have made a significant discovery in the fight against type 1 diabetes, using adult stem cells to induce liver cells to produce insulin. The study found that a specific gene called neurogenin3 is critical for this process.
A team of researchers has discovered that the enzyme AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is crucial for the survival of neural stem cells that produce new brain cells. This finding opens up new avenues for improving brain function and health by modifying AMPK activity.
A new study reveals that reward-induced stimulus pairing can elicit visual learning in adults without conscious awareness of the stimulus presentation or reward contingencies. This suggests that automatic reinforcement mechanisms rather than directed attention drive improvements in sensory skills.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a nanotech coating that can help brain implants operate longer and improve treatment for various diseases. The coating, made of three components, enables electrodes to interface more smoothly with the brain, reducing tissue damage and improving signal transmission.
A new MIT study sheds light on the underlying neural mechanism of macular degeneration, revealing that deprived neurons respond equally to stimuli at both preferred and non-preferred locations. The findings suggest a relatively passive response to visual deprivation.
Researchers at the University of Calgary have identified a new stress response mechanism in the brain, where stress triggers a protein that removes the ability to slow down the stress response. This finding may lead to a better understanding of the changes in sensitivity to stress resulting from chronic exposure.
Researchers discovered that the locust brain encodes turbulent plumes of odor molecules using surprisingly little neural machinery. The findings suggest a new theory on how animals smell, proposing that individual neurons preserve almost full information about precise temporal dynamics of odors.
Researchers discovered that capsaicin, found in chili peppers, triggers a desensitization process in pain receptors, allowing them to adapt to painful stimuli. This adaptive response enables the receptor to continuously respond to varying stimuli, leading to a shift in responsiveness threshold.
Researchers at Northwestern University identified a key molecular relationship between SIRT1 and heat shock factor 1 that helps protect cells from damage. By activating this pathway, it may be possible to manipulate lifespan and treat age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Scientists have successfully derived brain stem cells from human embryonic stem cells, providing a continual in vitro supply of diverse types of neural cells. These cells can serve as an inexhaustible source for studying neurodegenerative diseases and possible active agents directly in human neural cells.
A new study reveals that molecular motors in cells operate in a highly coordinated manner to move internal cargo and transport organelles. The findings provide insight into the mechanisms that instruct motor movement, potentially leading to therapies for neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS and Usher syndrome.
Scientists have long debated the function of microsaccades, but researchers at the Salk Institute found they are actively controlled by the superior colliculus. The study reveals that individual neurons in this area are highly specific about which microsaccade directions and amplitudes they command.
A recent Penn study showed that sleep strengthens neural connections in the brain, leading to improved memory formation. The research discovered that a key molecule called NMDAR plays a crucial role in this process, allowing calcium ions to flow into cells and trigger enzymes that strengthen connections during sleep.
Researchers found that extra copies of the LIS1 gene can cause problems, including smaller brains and developmental abnormalities. Studies in mice and human patients revealed a link between the duplicated gene and brain diseases such as schizophrenia and autism.
A study funded by NIH found that astrocytes, not neurons, contribute to the urge to sleep when wakefulness is prolonged. The release of adenosine from these support cells causes sleep-inducing effects that can be inhibited by caffeine.
A new study from McGill University finds that MCH neurons are activated during sleep and could be important in regulating the sleep state. The study provides deeper understanding of the sleep-wake cycle and vital insight into the basis of sleep disorders such as narcolepsy.
A recent study published in Nature Medicine reveals that Treg cells limit brain damage after a stroke by blocking neurotoxin production and modulating lymphocyte and microglia action. This discovery offers potential treatments for preserving crucial functions and treating other types of brain damage.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified a compound that liberates cholesterol trapped in cells, shedding light on its transport and suggesting a possible therapeutic target for NP-C disease. The findings show improved liver function and decreased neurodegeneration in mice treated with the compound.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that stable proteins within the nucleus's control structures can become damaged with age, leading to impaired function and contributing to cellular aging. This discovery provides new insights into the aging process and may lead to novel approaches for treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientists are using slices of living human brain tissue to identify new stroke therapies by blocking anoxic depolarization, a wave of death that engulfs and engorges brain cells. The study aims to find treatments that can delay or prevent the destructive electrical activity, potentially improving treatment options for strokes.
Researchers successfully used an engineered herpes virus to block tumor formation in mice by targeting and killing apparent cancer stem cells. The study suggests that early-stage cancer precursor cells with stem-cell-like properties may explain how some cancers form and are treatment resistant.
Researchers discovered that long stretches of DNA containing many genes are silenced in cells as they mature, rather than individual genes. This epigenetic modification, called LOCKS, plays a crucial role in cell differentiation and development.
Researchers have identified a crucial biochemical step involved in nerve cells' response to DNA damage. Cdk5 activation is necessary before ATM can function in neurons, suggesting it as a potential drug target for neurodegenerative diseases. This discovery sheds light on the underlying mechanisms of ataxia telangiectasia and other neur...
Research reveals that a competition between the two sides of the brain causes it to become asymmetrical. A protein known as Fgf8 acts as a magnet to attract nerve cells to one side, while another protein Nodal teams up with it to trigger asymmetric development.
A study published in Neuron found that conflict with the majority opinion triggers a neural response in the brain's error-monitoring system, leading to long-term conforming adjustments. This mechanism is based on reinforcement learning and reinforces social conformity by signaling the most fundamental social mistake.
Researchers at Children's National Medical Center have identified a specific group of precursor cells that develop into the amygdala, a critical brain region for emotional processing. The discovery sheds light on how the amygdala forms during development and could help understand autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Researchers at Hebrew University have made significant breakthroughs in reversing brain birth defects in animal models by using stem cells to replace defective brain cells. In their study, Prof. Joseph Yanai and his team demonstrated that stem cells can induce the host brain to produce large numbers of stem cells, repairing damage and ...
Dr. Joshua Maurer's research aims to unravel the tricks of neuronal wiring using zebrafish. He seeks to replicate brain-like interactions on a glass surface, allowing real-time observation of neuron growth and guidance. This knowledge could lead to better nerve repair strategies in humans.
Researchers identified impaired energy metabolism as a key factor in the initiation of amyloid beta plaques in Alzheimer's disease. This discovery provides new insights into the pathogenesis of AD and highlights the potential for developing new preventative and therapeutic approaches.
Researchers at the University of Rochester found that humans make optimal decisions when their unconscious brain processes information. A test revealed that people's brains subconsciously gather data and reach a confidence threshold before reporting a decision to the conscious mind.
Carbon nanotubes form extremely tight contacts with neuronal cell membranes, creating shortcuts between neurons for enhanced excitability. This breakthrough has the potential to treat traumatic brain injuries, Parkinson's disease, and severe depression by bypassing faulty brain wiring.
Researchers found that when we see an object, multiple motor programs are involuntarily activated, competing for control. The brain uses a common mechanism to filter out irrelevant information, allowing us to execute precise movements.
Five Brown University faculty, including neuroscientist David Berson and brain scientist John Donoghue, have been elected as fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. They were recognized for their contributions to various fields, including visual neuroscience, marine ecology, and cell biology.
Cancer cells and nerve cells share a common way to survive by inhibiting apoptosis through glucose metabolism. This pathway allows both cells to evade death and proliferate uncontrollably in cancer cells but is essential for nerve cell survival.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have discovered that a previously unknown molecule controls the movement of organelles within cells. This finding has significant implications for understanding neurological diseases and developing new approaches to fighting pathogens.
Researchers have successfully transplanted de-differentiated fat (DFAT) cells into animal models, promoting functional recovery and motor function after spinal cord injury. The study suggests that DFAT cells could be a source for cell replacement therapy to treat central nervous system disorders.
A genetic modification has prolonged the life of mice with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by boosting antioxidant production. The discovery offers new hope for treating ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientists have visualized individual neurons in rat brains that are activated during associative learning tasks, providing direct evidence of convergent activation. This finding sheds light on how the brain changes as a result of experience and has implications for understanding plasticity.
A study found that ascorbic acid supplementation in diabetic rats improved myenteric neuron density by 14% and cellular area by 4.4%, suggesting moderate neuroprotection.
Researchers at Brandeis University have discovered a specific set of wake-promoting neurons in fruit flies that are analogous to cells in the human sleep circuit. The study found that these neurons play a crucial role in regulating sleep-wake cycles and that targeting them could lead to the development of more effective sleep treatments.
Researchers at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine discovered a link between chronic pain and brain rewiring in complex region pain syndrome (CRPS). The study found changes in the brain's white matter, which dispatch messages between neurons, contributing to the condition.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a brain circuit that suppresses appetite and induces weight loss. The study found that blocking serotonin receptors in specific neurons can normalize abnormal metabolism and prevent obesity-related disorders.
Parkin protein prompts neuronal survival by clearing damaged mitochondria. Researchers found that Parkin translocates to mitochondria upon damage, sending them to autophagosomes for degradation. This process prevents damaged mitochondria from triggering cell death.
A team of Carnegie Mellon researchers has developed a new computational model that sheds light on the brain's processing of natural scenes. The model analyzes patterns in images and statistically characterizes them to determine which patterns are most likely associated with each other, enabling the brain to make sense of visual stimuli.
Researchers from GU/GUMC presented numerous studies on learning, facial recognition, and social interaction in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, they explored ways to improve cognition and reduce brain lesions in stroke survivors using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) techniques.
Scientists have discovered a new clue for understanding how misfolded proteins cause cell death in Huntington's disease. The study found that polyQ-expanded proteins interact with and trap other proteins, leading to a breakdown in protein quality control, which may contribute to the disease's toxicity.
Researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center have identified microRNA-146a as a crucial regulator of inflammation and disease-related neuropathology in Alzheimer's disease. The study found that miRNA-146a targets the messenger RNA of an anti-inflammatory regulator, promoting brain cell inflammation.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have developed a new method for identifying proteins that give a cell type its unique identity, offering a breakthrough in cellular analysis. This technique, translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP), can distinguish between any type of cell in any tissue, with applications for research int...
Dr. Mariano Belluscio, a graduate research scientist at Rutgers University, has been awarded the Pew Latin American Fellows Program in Biomedical Sciences. He explores neural activity patterns in memory and planning, shedding light on fundamental mechanisms of brain function.
A high-fat diet during pregnancy produces permanent changes in the offspring's brain, leading to overeating and obesity early in life. The research found that rat pups born to mothers on a high-fat diet had more neurons producing orexigenic peptides, stimulating appetite and weight gain.
Researchers at USC have identified Ryk protein as a key regulator of neural stem cell differentiation into neurons. The study provides insight into potential therapies for neurodegenerative disorders and cancers, with implications for regenerative medicine and cancer treatments.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have developed a new treatment approach for neuroblastoma using T-lymphocytes with an artificial receptor that targets cancer cells. The treatment showed promise in early clinical trials, with one patient achieving complete remission and others experiencing stable disease for over a year.
A study found that mast cells stimulate tumor growth in neurofibromatosis type 1 by recruiting other cell types and blood vessels to the tumor. A drug called Gleevec, already prescribed for cancer, curbs tumor growth in a mouse model of the disease.
Researchers have discovered 3-substituted indolones with neuroprotective properties, offering promising therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative conditions. The compounds are more efficacious than existing treatments and display no cytotoxicity at high doses.
Researchers discovered patterns of brain activity that underlie our ability to see and understand three-dimensional object structure. Higher-level visual regions represent objects as spatial configurations of surface fragments, which are encoded by individual neurons tuned to respond to specific surface fragment substructures.
Researchers used transcranial magnetic stimulation to restore some experience of color in a patient with 'blindsight', a condition where people don't consciously see but can detect objects. The breakthrough suggests that even damaged parts of the brain, like V1, are not essential for visual awareness.
Advances in nerve repair, miniature implantable medical devices and proton therapy were showcased at the AVS 55th International Symposium. Researchers developed new technologies to print cells for artificial organs and created microscopic medical devices that can deliver drugs and monitor health.