Articles tagged with Neurons
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.
Scientists have identified a genetic switch called hairy that helps oxygen-deprived cells survive by suppressing non-essential activity. The study, using fruit flies as a model, reveals how this metabolic slowdown occurs and may hold clues for human cell survival under low-oxygen conditions.
Researchers have identified genes that control cell death as contributing to age-related hearing loss. The study used mice to chart the activity of over 22,000 genes, finding eight genes involved in the apoptotic process whose activity differed between normal and hearing-loss mice.
Researchers discovered a new therapeutic target for pain control, identifying a protein that acts in pain-sensing neurons to convert chemical messengers into ones that suppress pain. The protein, PAP, is eight times more effective at suppressing pain than morphine and has longer-lasting effects.
Researchers discovered GPR91 receptor's role in unchecked vascular growth leading to vision loss in common diseases. The receptor may also help preserve neurons and prevent cancer growth by blocking blood vessel expansion.
A novel case of coexisting small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and villous adenoma in the ampulla of Vater is reported. The patient underwent Whipple's operation, but unfortunately died from pneumonia three months post-surgery.
A study by Baylor College of Medicine researchers reveals a critical function of the MeCP2 protein in regulating neuronal behavior, particularly in relation to stress, aggression, and obesity. The findings demonstrate that MeCP2 is essential for tempering neural responses, enabling appropriate behavior in novel social situations.
Dr. Sanjay Kumar, a UC Berkeley bioengineer, has been awarded a $1.5 million NIH New Innovator Award to investigate the role of mechanical forces in human health and disease. His research aims to understand how cells process biophysical cues, which could lead to the development of new chemotherapeutic drugs for brain tumors.
A glitch in iron transport may underlie Type IV mucolipidosis (ML4) and related symptoms like mental retardation and diminished motor abilities. The same deficit is also implicated in aging and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, leading to potential new avenues for treatment.
Researchers discovered a genetic connection between neurons and immune response cells in roundworms, showing that specific neurons can regulate immune responses. This finding could lead to new approaches to boost innate immunity against different pathogens.
A unique case of gastric cancer combined with adenocarcinoma, choriocarcinoma, and neuroendocrine cell carcinoma has been reported. The prognosis for this rare type of gastric cancer is poor, as seen in the case where the patient died due to hepatic failure.
Researchers found that our brains use the timing of visual input to recognize objects, even when they appear differently. By analyzing neural activity in monkeys, they demonstrated that the brain can learn to confuse similar images through temporal contiguity, leading to improved object recognition.
Researchers used an engineered virus to deliver a glowing protein into newborn brain cells in an animal model of Parkinson's disease, revealing most cells are glial and do not form neurons. Further gene delivery experiments showed no effect on neuron formation but increased the number of oligodendrocytes supporting neurons.
Researchers at Durham University have developed two synthetic molecules that can direct stem cells to 'differentiate' into specific tissue types, improving the reliability of experiments and potentially reducing animal use. The new molecules, EC23 and EC19, are more stable than natural compounds currently used in laboratory research.
Researchers investigate how much alcohol exposure during fetal development can lead to facial malformations, brain damage, and other lifelong issues. Exposure to just a few glasses of wine in early pregnancy increases cell death, resulting in irreversible damage to the fetus's face and possibly its brain and spinal cord.
A Monash University scientist has discovered that appetite-suppressing cells in the human brain degenerate over time, leading to increased hunger and potential weight gain. The research found that free radicals attack these cells after eating meals rich in carbohydrates and sugars.
Mosquitoes avoid DEET because of its bad smell, which is detected by specific neurons on their antennae. The study corrects long-standing erroneous dogma about DEET's mode of action, providing new insights into the development of more effective repellents.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch have found that shutting down gastrin-releasing peptide receptors can dramatically suppress neuroblastoma tumor formation and slow its spread. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new therapies for this devastating disease.
Dr. Edwin Monuki will study choroid plexus epithelial cells, which produce cerebrospinal fluid to promote normal nervous system health and function. Success in generating these cells could lead to clinical therapies and screens for new drugs for neurological disorders.