Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
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.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience identifies GABA as a key player in regulating energy balance, leading to leaner mice with increased energy expenditure and resistance to diet-induced obesity. The discovery suggests that targeting GABA release may be an effective strategy for tackling obesity and metabolic disease.
Scientists at Boston Children's Hospital have identified the Otx2 protein as a key factor in triggering brain plasticity, allowing the brain to rewire and adapt. This discovery has implications for understanding developmental disorders like autism and potential treatments for improving learning and cognitive function.
A new study from Indiana University and the University of Montreal provides a model for understanding random synchronization in brain neurons. The findings suggest that spontaneous neural activity can help the brain remain flexible and responsive to external events, potentially leading to better treatments for conditions like epilepsy.
Researchers at the University of California-Irvine have discovered that adult stem cells in the mammalian brain originate from ependymal cells lining the ventricles. These cells can be coaxed into dividing, providing a promising approach to treating neurological disorders and injuries such as Parkinson's disease and stroke.
Researchers created a laboratory model to study Alzheimer's disease mechanisms at the molecular level. The model found that amyloid beta peptides cause a 'leaky' membrane, disrupting normal impulse transmission and leading to cell toxicity.
Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered the key nerve connections that enable flies to maintain a steady gaze while flying and responding to obstacles. This finding could lead to improvements in technical control systems for autonomous air vehicles.
Mutations in PS1 and PS2 proteins disrupt calcium ion flow, leading to increased amyloid beta production. The study identifies the inositol trisphosphate receptor as a potential target for new therapeutic options.
Briscoe's work revealed a novel mechanism that allows cells to integrate time of exposure and concentration of Shh to mount a graded response, leading to a paradigm shift in understanding cell identity specification. His research has far-reaching implications for the control of cell identity in various contexts.
Scientists have discovered that inhibiting an enzyme involved in programmed cell death can protect brain regions from neurodegeneration in living birds. The research has the potential to help develop clinical strategies for treating strokes and human age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and dementia.
A recent study published in Neuron reveals that the brain's decision-making region encodes information associated with the magnitude and delay of rewards. This finding sheds light on why humans and animals prefer immediate over delayed rewards, known as temporal discounting.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School and Brandeis University used a full-genome RNAi screen to identify genes essential for brain development in neurons. The study revealed unexpected roles for genes involved in signaling, protein trafficking, and cytoskeletal proteins.
Researchers discovered that statins increase the development of oligodendrocytes from glial progenitor cells, a crucial reservoir for brain cell customization. The findings suggest potential benefits and risks associated with statin use in brain health and dementia prevention.
Researchers found that humans prefer novel stimuli over familiar ones and associate novelty with activation of the ventral striatum, a region linked to reward anticipation. This suggests humans use novelty as a substitute for true choice uncertainty.
Researchers at Rutgers University discovered a protein that suppresses cell division in brain cells, effectively 'putting the brakes' on Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that when this brake fails, dementia results.
Researchers have genetically programmed embryonic stem cells to become nerve cells when transplanted into the brain, resulting in tangible therapeutic improvement in mice with stroke. The new nerve cells integrate into the existing network and provide cognitive benefits.
Researchers discovered that BK channels become abnormally active after a seizure, leading to neuronal overexcitability, which may be associated with epilepsy development. A BK channel antagonist reversed abnormal excitability, offering new hope for individuals suffering from epilepsy.
Researchers identified two peptides, NORQ and Hcrt, as crucial regulators of stress-induced analgesia in mice. The peptides interact with each other to modulate pain perception, suggesting a potential link to medical conditions caused by excessive stress.
Scientists are using a powerful supercomputer to create a model of normal human language that can read, comprehend, and repeat basic words. The 'Chatter Box' project aims to understand how the brain supports language function and how it breaks down after brain damage.
A new study reveals that ownership increases value by enhancing the salience of possible loss, explaining the aversion to parting with possessions. The endowment effect is linked to increased activation in brain regions associated with predicted gain and loss.