Articles tagged with Neurons
Researchers discovered hundreds of genes that bind to CREB and zif268, a crucial step towards understanding neural plasticity. The study's online database provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms behind learning and memory.
Researchers found that stem cells can induce a protective effect in brain tissue damaged by stroke, reducing ischemic injury. The study reveals that microglia cells also play a protective role in this reaction.
A Brandeis University study shows that the circadian neuronal network in fruit flies functions as a dynamic system that enables insects to adjust their behavior according to seasonal changes. The researchers discovered that two groups of neurons, morning cells and evening cells, alternate as master clocks depending on day length and se...
Neurobiologists found that richer individuals are slower to learn associating a stimulus with financial reward, leading to slower brain responses in reward areas. The study also measured marginal utility of money, finding greater wealth reduces the likelihood of picking up coins on the street.
A recent study found that reducing calorie intake later in life can induce health and longevity benefits similar to lifelong calorie reduction. The researchers discovered that certain drugs mimic this effect, which may lead to the development of new
Scientists at MIT have developed a way to reversibly silence brain cells using pulses of yellow light, potentially leading to the development of optical brain prosthetics. The method could enable specific treatments with few or no side effects, offering new hope for neurological and psychiatric diseases.
A leading theory of neural coding has been challenged by a Weizmann Institute research team, suggesting that brain function may be more dependent on chance than previously thought. The study found no evidence to support the idea that specific patterns of activity in neurons encode cognitive information.
Researchers have discovered that neural progenitor cells derived from human fetal stem cells can protect the vision of animals with degenerative eye disease. The new findings suggest novel ways to preserve vision in humans with no effective treatments.
A new study identifies a key molecular pathway in neurons that contributes to brain cell degeneration, a process linked to conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy. The Rho protein plays a crucial role in this destruction of neurons, and blocking its activity can prevent cell death.
Neurobiologists have found that DNA methylation is necessary for forming memories and regulates the activity of genes involved in memory formation. The study suggests that epigenetic regulation has a significant impact on behavioral changes brought about by environmental stimuli.
Functional connectivity MRI studies revealed that lower brain connectivity regions correlate with impaired visual field perception in neglected stroke patients. The study provides new insights into the neurological details of spatial neglect, highlighting the value of MRI in studying behavioral symptoms.
Researchers found two basic categories of cells: those that stay the same size but have drastically different energy needs based on mammal size, or cells that grow larger in larger mammals. This discovery sheds light on how organism size affects cell life span and function.
Researchers found that obese mice's brains don't detect critical fat hormone levels, but the rest of the metabolic pathway remains responsive. SOCS-3 may be responsible for this loss of sensitivity to leptin, a hormone regulating energy balance.
Researchers discovered that cortical inhibitory cells suppress communication by receiving more stimulation from the thalamus and reacting strongly due to faster response time. This finding helps explain early stages of brain processing, memory, language, cognition, and sheds light on epilepsy causes.
Researchers discover that enhancing proteasome function can recover UPS function and improve cell viability in HD model and patient cells. This breakthrough suggests a potential therapeutic approach to address the underlying protein misfolding disorder of HD.
Researchers create a super-thin membrane, 50 atoms thick, that can sort individual molecules with high efficiency. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize dialysis, fuel cells, and neuro-stem cell cultivation.
Researchers develop a fluorescent marker to distinguish between mitochondria in neurons and glial cells, providing insights into neurodegenerative diseases. The study sheds light on the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in aging and neurological disorders.
Scientists have developed a potential neuroprotective treatment using a decoy peptide that tricks the toxic enzyme calpain, preventing over-excited receptors in the brain from causing cell death. The technique may lead to new drugs for stroke and Alzheimer's patients.
Researchers identify neural and signaling mechanisms responsible for hallucinogen effects by studying the activation of 5-HT2A receptors in the brain. The findings may advance understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders treated with existing pharmacological treatments.
Researchers at UCLA suggest that the brain uses physical changes to cells to monitor time, rather than a clock-like mechanism. The team's computer model showed that the brain-cell network can encode time through the context of preceding events, which was tested in a study with research volunteers.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center successfully cultured stem cells from human bone marrow that can differentiate into neurons and other central nervous system cells. These cells exhibit behaviors similar to those derived from brain tissue, suggesting a promising approach for treating brain disorders and tumors.
Researchers found that ion channels are physically bound to G proteins, allowing for precise targeting of electrical signals. This discovery could lead to the development of more efficient drugs for epilepsy and other nervous system diseases.
Two studies in Neuron shed significant light on how the brain processes numerical information and how it develops in children. The research found that the parietal cortex activates during perception of both abstract quantities and numerical symbols, suggesting an important role for this region in processing quantitative information.
A team of researchers found the cellular mechanism that prevents protein mutations and accumulation, a hallmark of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. This discovery may lead to new insights into neurological disease origins and potential therapeutic strategies.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota successfully used adult stem cells to replace the immune system and bone marrow of mice, offering a promising new therapy for people in the future. The study replicated previous findings and demonstrated that multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) can give rise to blood cells.
Researchers have isolated broad potential stem cells from amniotic fluid, which can give rise to various specialized cell types. These cells, named amniotic fluid-derived stem (AFS) cells, may represent an intermediate stage between embryonic and adult stem cells.
Researchers at the University of Vermont have clarified the cellular process responsible for signaling regional blood flow changes in the brain. Astrocytes play a crucial role in communicating with blood vessels through potassium ions, leading to rapid dilation and increased local blood flow.
During fasting, brain cells responsible for stimulating appetite make sure you stay hungry. The researchers revealed a link between active thyroid hormone in the brain and increases in an 'uncoupling' protein (UCP2) that boosts power-generating mitochondria, allowing the brain's hunger center to remain active.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience has identified two proteins, SDF1 and Ang1, as key triggers for neuronal migration and regeneration after a stroke. These molecular signals, released by newly formed blood vessels, promote post-stroke neuroblast migration, holding promise for developing new therapies to repair brain cells.
Research by Graham R. Huesmann and David F. Clayton reveals that activated caspase-3 protein is essential for memory storage and forms short-lived, localized synaptic processes. The findings provide direct evidence of a change in caspase-3's availability during memory formation.
A study published by Stanford University researchers found that the brain's neural activity can predict movement variability, contradicting the long-held assumption that consistency lies in muscle mechanics. The research suggests that flexibility and improvisation are key features of human movement.
Researchers discovered that the chemical language of nerve cells is determined by electrical activity in the developing nervous system. This finding suggests modifying nerve activity could be a treatment for various brain disorders.
Adult stem cells in a specific region of the mouse brain have a built-in mechanism to participate in the repair and remodeling of damaged tissue. The study's findings suggest that these cells may also exist in humans, potentially leading to new treatments for disorders like stroke and traumatic injury.
Researchers found that mice with severely damaged brains showed substantial mending within weeks after losing specific genes. The repair was attributed to neural stem cell 'escapees' that retained or restored the gene activity, enabling regenerative potential.
Researchers have identified two molecular receptors in fruit flies that detect carbon dioxide, a key factor in attracting blood-feeding insects. This finding could lead to the design of insect repellents to combat global infectious diseases.
Botulinum toxins bind to neurons, disrupting communication and leading to paralysis. The new study provides a structural glimpse of how these toxins recognize receptors on human neurons, offering a promising target for designing drugs to block their action.
Researchers used a natural protein called BMP4 to inhibit glioblastoma, a deadly human brain cancer, in mice by targeting stem-cell-like clusters that feed the cancer. The treatment was successful in stopping cancer growth and improving survival rates.
A team of researchers from Baylor College of Medicine has found a key component in the formation of long-term memory in fruit flies. The study showed that increased calcium influx into mushroom body neurons parallels the creation of new synapses associated with long-term memory, and can be blocked by specific laboratory techniques.
A team of researchers at UCSD School of Medicine has identified a genetic regulatory pathway that controls the choice between proliferation and differentiation in neural cells. Defects in this pathway result in brain malformations, such as Dandy-Walker malformation, which affects motor development and causes progressive skull enlargement.
A team of researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine has discovered a natural toxin, PAR-polymer, responsible for most tissue and organ damage after a period of blood oxygen loss followed by restored blood flow. The toxin triggers cell death through a process called parthanatos, which can be prevented with potential new treatments.
A study published in the Journal of Biology found that chemotherapy drugs can cause long-term damage to brain cells, killing neural stem cells and oligodendrocytes, and impairing neural stem cell division. This may explain the adverse neurological side effects observed in some cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that VIP synchronizes biological clocks, clarifying its role alongside GABA. Without VIP, cells lose synchrony, indicating its coordinator function.
A study reveals human-specific sequence changes in DNA sequences regulating nerve cell adhesion molecules, leading to the uniquely human features of brain development and function. The researchers identified accelerated evolution of conserved noncoding sequences near genes involved in neuronal cell adhesion.
Researchers tracked brain activity in rats while they tasted water, salt water, and sugar water, finding that a formerly disliked taste became pleasurable when the rats were deprived of salt. This study provides new insights into how the brain processes pleasure and has implications for understanding eating disorders and addiction.
Researchers identified 'sociality' neurons in bird brains, which promote positive affiliation and are more active in gregarious species. The study's findings have implications for understanding social behavior in animals, including humans.
A study published in BMC Biology found that G-CSF protein reduces the size of the affected brain area by a third when injected four hours after a stroke, and restores motor functions in rats. Regular delayed injections of G-CSF starting up to three days after experimental stroke are also effective.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have identified a novel pathway that influences the timing of nerve-cell production, favoring neuron over astrocyte formation. This discovery may provide insights into diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and autism.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a critical protein player in cell communication, which controls calcium flow into cells. This finding sheds new light on the rare cognitive disorder Williams-Beuren syndrome, associated with overly social behavior and spatial learning defects.
A study finds that the mutant huntingtin protein disrupts energy metabolism, leading to neurodegeneration in Huntington's disease. Researchers discovered that PGC-1a levels are lower in affected cells, suggesting a protective role for the protein.
A study published in NeuroImage found structural abnormalities in the planum temporale of individuals with Williams syndrome, which may explain their enhanced auditory skills. Despite smaller brain volumes, the temporal lobe was found to be of normal volume, suggesting that other factors contribute to their unique abilities.
Researchers discovered that food anticipation activates key hunger centers in the brain, while satiety circuits respond to the first bites of food. The study sheds light on the intricate processes governing appetite regulation and suggests a potential link between hormones like leptin and brain activity.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston discovered that curcumin blocks the activity of gastrointestinal hormone neurotensin, implicated in colorectal cancer development. Curcumin reduces IL-8 production, accelerating tumor growth and metastasis.
A specific taste receptor, Gr66a, has been identified as responsible for the detection of caffeine's bitter taste in fruit flies. The receptor plays a crucial role in mediating caffeine's perception and is also involved in the processing of other methylxanthines.
Researchers found that slow theta oscillations tune into high-gamma waves, allowing areas of the brain to coordinate activity and transmit information. This coupling enables top-down executive processes like attention and memory to be connected to low-level perceptions and actions.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are studying the mechanisms that underlie neuronal synchronization, which is thought to be involved in perception and consciousness. The study aims to understand how normal gamma oscillations are generated and how alterations in this synchrony contribute to schizophrenia.
Researchers at Harvard University have identified two compounds, LTB4 and LXA4, that stimulate stem cell growth in the brain. These findings may lead to new therapeutic approaches for neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
Researchers found that increasing brain levels of the enzyme ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (Uch-L1) can reverse lapses of memory in Alzheimer's mice. This suggests that Uch-L1 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and could be a new target for therapy.
A new study suggests that constant lighting in NICUs can disrupt the development of premature babies' biological clocks. Researchers found that newborn mice exposed to constant light were unable to maintain coherent rhythms and had difficulty establishing a regular activity cycle.
A novel proteomics study has shown that proteins regulating brain-cell activity behave like volume controls, allowing for incremental levels of activity. This 'homeostatic plasticity' enables neurons to adapt to changing environments.
Researchers discovered that brain neurons combine economic value and spatial information to control decision-making behaviors, contradicting the previous pure economic view. This study has implications for understanding human disorders such as addiction, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.