Articles tagged with Neurons
Researchers found that morning cells set pace for entire system, resetting evening clock daily without changing its intrinsic speed. Flies' circadian clocks are conserved with mammals, but studying them provides valuable insights into human brain anatomy.
A study by researchers at the University of Chicago found that activating specific cells in the brain stem allows animals to suppress pain while performing essential tasks. This mechanism, known as
A study published by University of Iowa researchers has identified the CHIP protein as a crucial component in managing neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's and Alzheimer's. By suppressing misfolded proteins, CHIP may provide a promising route to therapy for these devastating brain disorders.
Researchers have discovered that NPY/AgRP neurons are crucial for regulating eating behavior and body weight. Eliminating these neurons in adult mice resulted in reduced appetite and significant weight loss, highlighting their importance in maintaining normal feeding behavior.
Researchers analyzed brain activity of rhesus monkeys to infer what they knew, finding novel nerve cells representing correct memory associations that persisted even after incorrect choices. Human memory relies on association, and behavioral performance may be influenced by external factors.
The study used repetitive triplet sequences of tones with alternating frequencies to explore how the brain perceives auditory streams. The researchers found that at intermediate frequency separations and speeds, listeners' perceptions shifted from a single stream to two separate streams.
Researchers have discovered that neural stem cells in adult mice can respond to Shh signaling and give rise to other neural cell types, including glial cells. The study also found that quiescent stem cells can self-renew after a year, with implications for tissue repair and cancer progression.
Researchers found that gene Math1 plays a pivotal role in forming neurons important for carrying hearing, vestibular, and balance signals. The gene is required for many components of a neuronal network that coordinates various sensations, including balance and position in space.
Researchers found that adult stem cell therapy significantly improves recovery of motor function and balance in an animal model of cerebral palsy. The treatment, which involves injecting stem cells directly into the brain, showed a 20% reduction in favoring the unaffected side and a 25% improvement in balance.
The study identifies aquaporin-4 as the target molecule of the NMO antibody, a significant finding that deviates from previous research on multiple sclerosis. The discovery may lead to the development of new therapies for neuromyelitis optica and other autoimmune disorders.
A team of researchers, including Brandeis University, is studying the role of glial cells in individual synapses and neural networks. The project aims to deepen understanding of glial cell function and its potential impact on diseases originating from malfunctioning glial cells.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that AgRP neurons play a crucial role in regulating eating behavior and body weight. The research found that these neurons are essential for acute regulation of eating, and their destruction leads to anorexia and changes in blood glucose levels.
Scientists have identified four sugar-coated faces made by stem cells as they develop into brain cells, which may help navigate the adult brain and repair brain injury or disease. These glycoconjugate markers could aid in functional recovery and controlling stem cell proliferation.
Scientists at EMBL and IRB-PCB found that disrupted genes in stem cells can lead to deadly tumors. The study shows that specific molecules control cell division and differentiation, and their disruption can result in cancer.
Researchers found that distinct brain regions were active when rats chose between environments associated with pups or cocaine. This discovery may provide insight into the neural basis of decision-making and preference formation in mammals.
Scientists have developed techniques to analyze the chemical composition of brain cells, enabling them to map the distribution of biologically important molecules like vitamin E. This breakthrough may lead to a better understanding of brain function in healthy and diseased brains.
Researchers found a strong association between orexin neurons and reward seeking behavior in rats. Orexin activation reinstated extinguished drug-seeking behavior and was related to preferences for cues associated with rewards.
Researchers have discovered that malfunctioning bone marrow cells can cause premature cell death and dysfunction in nerve cells, leading to neuropathy. The study provides a basis for understanding the dangerous nerve condition in diabetics and may eventually lead to a treatment.
Researchers have created a novel method to propagate mouse brain stem cells, which can either multiply without differentiating or become normal brain cells at the flip of a genetic switch. The technique combines epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor to promote cell growth, enabling scientists to study basic properties an...
Researchers found that astrocytes can generate seizure activity by releasing the brain chemical glutamate, which hypes up neurons and causes them to fire uncontrollably. This discovery offers new hope for treating epilepsy by targeting overlooked brain cells instead of just reducing brain function.
Researchers at UCLA discovered a link between nighttime death and sleep apnea caused by the loss of brain cells. Studies in rats suggest that the human brain also loses specialized neurons responsible for breathing during sleep, leading to severe breathing disruptions.
Researchers found that a combination of precursor cells and gene therapy led to significant improvements in functional recovery from spinal cord injury. The treatment promoted myelination, resulting in improved mobility and electrical activity in the affected area.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that neuropeptide Y (NPY) and cholecystokinin (CCK) peptides trigger different responses in taste bud cells, helping the brain distinguish between bitter and sweet tastes. The study's findings provide new insights into how our brains process taste information.
Researchers found that heterotrimeric G proteins regulate cell division orientation, influencing brain size. Impairing Gβγ signaling leads to overproduction of neurons, potentially contributing to inherited disorders like microcephaly or macrocephaly.
Researchers investigate estrogen and estrogen-like drugs' ability to protect brain cells after a stroke. Preliminary data suggest that these substances can help traumatized cells survive and encourage stem cell maturation into new brain cells.
Scientists found that interleukin-12 allows some immune cells to bypass normal regulation and cause damage to the myelin coating in nerve cells, contributing to MS symptoms. The discovery may lead to new treatments for MS by inhibiting IL12 and restoring the function of T-regulatory cells.
Researchers discovered that bound NADH molecules rotate more slowly, affecting fluorescence levels in diagnostic tests. This finding resolves long-standing inconsistencies and enables better interpretation of quantitative data from diagnostic techniques.
The retina's dynamic adaptation allows it to prioritize unusual features over routine ones, improving predictive coding and enhancing the ability to pick out new information. This process occurs rapidly, often within a few seconds of exposure to a novel environment, and is observed in both salamanders and mammals.
Researchers identified a cell receptor called Ephrin-B2 as the key used by the Nipah virus to unlock cells, allowing them to develop vaccines and drugs to block viral entry. The discovery could help prevent infection and outbreaks of this deadly virus.
Researchers at UCI identified a protein called prokineticin 2 (PK2) that directs new neurons created from adult stem cells to specific brain regions. This discovery could lead to targeted therapies for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as well as stroke and other brain injuries.
Researchers successfully treated a laboratory model of GM1 – gangliosidosis using genetically modified bone marrow cells that produce an enzyme breaking down excess GM1. The treatment restored the activity of degenerating brain cells, suggesting a potential cure for this neurodegenerative disease.
Researchers found that cells in the caudal region of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) synchronize their gene-expression rhythms to dawn, while those in the rostral SCN exhibit an opposite response. This suggests that synchronous gene expression may be a hallmark of short-day acclimation, while regional de-synchrony increases on long days.
A recent study using fruit flies has revealed the role of the dFMRP protein in regulating actin dynamics, which is crucial for neuron formation. This research holds promise for a better understanding of fragile-X-syndrome and brain development.
Scientists found that mobile genetic elements, known as LINE-1, play a role in brain diversification by introducing new gene expressions and influencing cell function. This process is unique to the brain and leaves other organs unaffected.
Researchers have discovered that glial cells in roundworms play a crucial role in forming tubes around neurons, similar to myelination in the human brain. This process is essential for neuron function and is also similar to the process of myelination, which is critical for healthy nerve impulses.
Raw garlic activates TRPV1 and TRPA1 ion channel proteins in pain-sensing neurons, detecting temperature and pain. The loss of allicin when garlic is cooked accounts for the change in pungency.
Researchers discovered that rat brains exhibit distinct responses to a six-hour delay in the light schedule, with one region adapting quickly and another taking several days. The study suggests that this difference in response is due to the neurotransmitter GABA, which affects brain regions differently.
A single protein, REST, directs the transformation of embryonic stem cells into mature nerve cells by keeping genes off in non-neuronal tissues. The study reveals fundamental details of how stem cells retain developmental plasticity.
A new study reveals that neurons in a bird's brain region, analogous to the mammalian prefrontal cortex, selectively fire when birds are told to remember and stop firing when they are told to forget. This suggests that the avian brain may be capable of executive control, similar to humans.
A study by McMaster University found that children's brains are less adept at judging speed in slow motion due to immaturity. As a result, adding speed to a pitch helps them perceive it more accurately. The research, set to be published in July, was triggered by a correlation between eye problems and perception.
Researchers at UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute developed a mouse model showing that mutant HD proteins exert influence on nearby brain cells, which interact with target cells to spark disease. The study provides direct genetic evidence for the role of cellular interactions in Huntington's disease progression.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory developed a functional brain model with 1 million neurons and 16 terabytes of storage. This achievement marks a major breakthrough in neural networking, enabling faster processing speeds and increased computational power.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified a key gene involved in regulating sleep duration, which could lead to new approaches to treating sleep irregularities. The study found that mutations in this gene affect the amount of sleep individuals need and can even impact life span.
Researchers at Stanford University have successfully differentiated human neural progenitor cells into insulin-producing cells that can respond to glucose. These cells were then transplanted into immunocompromised mice and produced human insulin when stimulated by glucose, paving the way for potential treatment of type I diabetes.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a new method to transform human neural stem cells into insulin-producing cells. The breakthrough could potentially lead to new ways of transplanting insulin-producing cells into people with diabetes and provide a cure for the disease.
Researchers discovered defects in astrocytes, crucial support cells for brain health, in a patient with vanishing white matter disease. The study sheds light on the disease's mechanisms and may lead to treatment development.
Researchers used a new brain-mapping technique to study the neural connections involved in sleep regulation. The study found that neurons producing orexin, which helps keep animals awake, receive inhibitory signals from sleep-active neurons and reinforcing signals from wakefulness-activated neurons.
Researchers found a key gene, sec15, that plays a crucial role in brain wiring and cell contact choices. The study used sophisticated genetics to analyze the fruit fly brain, revealing aberrant wiring patterns and protein misplacement in neurons lacking sec15.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that prolonged neural activity in the brain's arousal centers triggers the release of adenosine, leading to feelings of drowsiness. Caffeine works by blocking this process, allowing people to stay awake.
Stanford researchers found that louder neurons outcompete quieter ones for space, forming larger branches and more connections. Regularly firing neurons in stimulating environments tend to create longer, more complex arbors.
A team of researchers from Case Western Reserve University propose an alternate view on the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), suggesting that neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) may be protective against oxidative stress. NFT-bearing neurons can survive for decades, and their presence may be a response to reduce oxidative damage.
Microglial cells are highly dynamic, constantly sampling their environment and interacting with neurons. In response to cerebral hemorrhage, microglial cells rapidly rush to the injured site, shielding it and decomposing damaged tissue.
Steve Finkbeiner, a Gladstone investigator, has won the prestigious Lieberman Award for his groundbreaking research on Huntington's disease. The award includes $150,000 in funding to build on his findings using a custom-designed robotic microscope that tracks changes in cells over long periods.
Researchers found a unique organization of inputs on hypocretin neurons in mice, where excitatory nerve junctions outnumber inhibitory contacts by almost 10 fold. Stressors like fasting excite these neurons, leading to insomnia and associated metabolic disturbances, including obesity.
Researchers have identified the KMO enzyme as a potential therapeutic target for Huntington's disease, with a chemical compound already available to inhibit its activity. The discovery could take research in a new direction towards microglial cells, which are thought to play an important role in the progression of the disease.
Researchers at UCSD have identified a vital step in cellular migration that could lead to new therapeutic interventions for autoimmune diseases. The study found that alpha4 integrins recruit enzymes to block Rac activity only at the rear of a crawling cell, maintaining directional movement.
Researchers have discovered that the human circadian clock is organized in a complex network of groups performing different functions, contrary to previous beliefs. This new understanding has significant implications for health, safety, and economic benefits, particularly in addressing jet lag and sleep-related issues.
The study reveals that VIP peptide is essential for synchronizing the brain's biological clock, which regulates daily rhythms in behavior and physiology. Mice lacking VIP suffered from internal desynchrony, while adding VIP restored synchronicity.
A new study reveals that separate populations of neurons respond to narrow ranges of orientations, enabling the brain to recognize objects viewed from different angles. The research found that adaptation effects occur when subjects are presented with adapting images and then tested with identical images at varying orientations.
Researchers found decreased calcium responses in olfactory receptor cells from patients with bipolar disorder. These findings may provide new targets for drug development and improve treatment predictions.