Articles tagged with Neurons
Hopkins researchers identify NKCC1 as key player in maintaining high chloride levels in odor-detecting cells. The same transporter facilitates secretion of digestive juices and communication between the nose and brain. This finding sheds light on how our bodies process smells and could lead to new understanding of neurological functions.
Researchers at UCF have found a compound that improves adult human stem cells' ability to develop into brain cells, offering hope for treating Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases. The study's findings also suggest potential for improving vision in patients with glaucoma.
Researchers at NYU found that pacemaker neurons transmit signals to target cells and modulate light sensitivity, generating a circadian rhythm in visual sensitivity. This discovery may lead to the identification of genes that can be used to treat sleep disorders and jet lag.
Researchers identified HIP14 as a key enzyme in palmitoylation, a process essential for normal nervous system function. The discovery sheds light on mechanisms underlying diseases like Alzheimer's and Huntington Disease.
A genetic defect has been found to confer risk of major depression and resistance to SSRI drug therapy. The study identified a novel molecular mechanism underlying dysfunction in serotonin neurotransmission, which may explain the development of depression and other psychiatric disorders.
Research by Texas Agricultural Experiment Station scientists has shown that citrus compounds called limonoids targeted and stopped neuroblastoma cells in the lab. The finding is promising not only for its potential to arrest cancer but also because limonoids induce no side effects, according to Dr. Ed Harris.
Researchers identified Lmo mutants in Drosophila that showed increased response to cocaine, indicating a potential link between the fly's internal clock and drug sensitivity. The study found that Lmo-related proteins are present in key areas of mammalian brains, suggesting implications for understanding human addiction.
Researchers at UCI created oligodendrocyte cells from human embryonic stem cells that can function in a living system, forming myelin patches and restoring sensory and motor function. The study shows great promise for treating spinal cord injuries and diseases.
A study suggests that consuming antioxidant-rich foods, particularly apples, may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Quercetin, found in apples' skin, has shown stronger protective effects against neurotoxicity compared to vitamin C.
Researchers find adenosine controls timing of neural activity in developing visual system, shedding light on disorders like fetal anti-convulsant syndrome. The discovery could lead to new therapeutic approaches, such as recreating spontaneous waves of activity for adult retinas.
A Northwestern University team discovered that mutant Huntingtin protein aggregates bind to the proteasome machine, preventing complete degradation of proteins and leading to disease. This interference causes a cumulative negative effect, resulting in the buildup of damaged proteins.
Researchers discovered that patients with medically intractable epilepsy may develop new adult brain cells post-operatively. This cell generation could be the cause of recurring seizures and provide a potential target for future treatment and prevention strategies.
Researchers at UCSD successfully treated muscle spasms in rats with ischemic spinal cord injury using brain cell transplants. Fifty percent of the animals experienced significant improvement in motor function.
Researchers discovered a brain region, lateral intraparietal (LIP) area, plays a key role in subjective decisions about actions. Monkeys trained to play a game against computer opponent adopted the same strategy as humans, suggesting similar neural processes are at play.
The study found that inclusion bodies in Huntington's disease are beneficial coping responses, sequestering mutant huntingtin protein and prolonging neuron survival. The researchers used robotic microscopy to track changes in individual neurons over time, enabling them to identify factors that predict cell fate.
Researchers found neural patterns in adult ferrets' visual cortex correlated with images viewed, but not in young ferrets. Adult ferret brains showed 80% processing activity even in darkness, suggesting the basis of comprehending vision may differ in young and old brains.
Researchers found that chronic exposure to morphine makes nerve cells more sensitive to stress, leading to increased anxiety and disrupted sleep patterns. The study suggests that this sensitivity may play a role in the cycle of addiction that causes drug abusers to continue seeking drugs.
The Wisconsin team developed two assays for botulinum toxin, including a real-time test and a cell-based assay that can screen millions of chemicals. The new technology could lead to the development of drugs that act like a prophylactic to confer protection from botulinum poisoning.
Researchers from UC Davis uncover the mechanism of mitochondrial fusion, a normal process that can lead to programmed cell death if disrupted. The study sheds light on two neurodegenerative diseases affecting nerve cells in the eyes and limbs.
GM1 gangliosidosis causes brain cells to self-destruct due to excessive accumulation of fatty molecules in lysosomes and disrupted protein folding. The St. Jude team found that the endoplasmic reticulum is triggered by GM1 accumulation, leading to a cell's emergency response and eventual death.
Researchers have discovered a small, Smac-like molecule that can encourage the death of cancer cells without harming normal cells. The compound mimics the natural protein Smac, which normally regulates cell death in healthy cells.
Researchers have identified novel compounds that show promise in treating neuroblastoma and glucose-deprived tumors, while also developing new assays to measure the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Additionally, scientists outline best methods for determining the health benefits of diet and exercise.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia have discovered a new category of multi-potent cells called VENT cells, which play a critical role in development and contribute to the formation of various human tissues. The discovery challenges long-held notions about what type of cells form specific types of tissue.
A University of Toronto study discovered precursor cells within the adult pancreas that can make new pancreatic cells, potentially providing a plentiful supply of beta cells for transplant treatments. The research also found that these cells can generate both beta cells and neurons, challenging existing dogma on development.
A UCI study discovered a new brain protein, NPS, that regulates sleep and anxiety. The findings suggest that NPS can be a target for new drugs to treat sleep disorders and anxiety.
A study published in Neuron found that the activation of PKG-II enzyme is crucial for the internal clock to signal the completion of nighttime processes and enter the day. Disrupting this enzyme's activity leads to a significant phase delay in circadian rhythm, effectively forcing the clock back in time.
Researchers found that administering CD34+ cells to mice with stroke damage led to increased new blood vessel growth and improved neural regeneration through the production of growth factors. The findings provide direct evidence for the importance of angiogenesis in repairing stroke damage.
Fetal stem cells have shown promise in treating stroke damage, outperforming adult cells and overcoming embryonic cell limitations. Researchers are now exploring the potential of these cells to aid recovery after a stroke.
Researchers found minor molecular abnormalities in Huntington's disease cells, but only specific groups degenerate and die. The study suggests that therapies for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's may need to address multiple cellular processes.
Researchers found six different mutations in the ATP1A3 gene, which can cause permanent tremors and loss of muscle control. The mutations disrupt the protein's ability to pump sodium and potassium across neurons, leading to neuronal death.
Researchers define two groups of pacemaker neurons driving breathing rhythm, with calcium channels playing critical role in gasping mechanism. Under hypoxia, sodium-driven pacemakers become essential for baby's survival, suggesting a potential link to SIDS risk factors.
Scientists Gary Bokoch and colleagues discovered the mechanism by which Rac is released from RhoGDI, revealing a critical role for p21-activated kinase (Pak) in regulating cell motility. This breakthrough offers insights into tumor growth, immune responses, and neurological diseases.
A laser-based microscopy technique has confirmed and redefined the controversial 'astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle' hypothesis for brain energy metabolism. The study reveals that neurons and astrocytes interact to burn oxygen and glucose, with astrocytes providing lactate fuel after glucose is converted from the bloodstream.
A study by UC Berkeley neuroscientists found that fruit flies have taste receptors similar to humans, with four types devoted to sweet and bitter flavors. The researchers mapped the taste receptor nerve cells into the brain, revealing a map both of location and type of taste.
Researchers at Yale University have created a detailed map of the relationship between odor receptors and neurons in fruit flies. The study reveals that different receptors respond to varying numbers of odors and can even be inhibited by certain smells, providing valuable insights into the human olfactory system.
Researchers found that leptin signaling is necessary for regulating body weight homeostasis in mice. The study revealed that leptin receptors on POMC neurons play a key role in this process, and their absence leads to increased fat mass.
Researchers at Stanford have developed a chip that uses chemicals to stimulate neurons, offering new possibilities for treating age-related macular degeneration. The device has the potential to deliver small amounts of drugs precisely where they're needed and enable real-time chemical analysis of living tissues.
Researchers successfully induced neuronal cells from bone marrow stromal cells, offering a potential treatment option for neurological disorders. The findings have significant implications for the development of regenerative medicine techniques.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have found that a compound blocking AMPA glutamate receptors can dampen excitotoxic brain injury in premature infants. The study suggests topiramate may be useful in preventing cerebral palsy and epilepsy in newborns.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have successfully transformed human fat cells into functional nerve cells using a cocktail of growth factors and induction agents. The newly formed cells demonstrated characteristics similar to developing neuronal tissue and responded similarly to normal nerve cells under certain conditions.
Researchers at Yale University have developed a method to target specific populations of nerve cells in the brain using viruses. By injecting an adeno-associated virus into the brain, they can trigger the expression of a jellyfish gene that glows green in certain neurons. This approach has significant potential for the treatment of neu...
Researchers identified more than 500 proteins contained in the midbody structure necessary for normal cell division. Inactivating these proteins led to cytokinesis defects, causing abnormal cell division, which can lead to diseases such as cancer, birth defects, and neurological disorders.
Justin Crowley receives a $240,000 award to study neural circuit formation in the primary visual cortex. His research aims to understand how neurons form functional connections during development, which could lead to treatment options for nervous system damage caused by traumatic injury or disease.
A study by University of Washington researchers exposes the existence of two distinct circadian clocks within the mammalian brain, one tied to an internal schedule and another influenced by external light-dark cycles. The discovery sheds new light on how artificial day-night cycles can disrupt physiological rhythms in mammals.
A subset of neural stem cells has been identified as having the ability to track malignant brain tumors called gliomas. The researchers found that astrocytic progenitors express a chemokine receptor called CXCR4, which is attracted by stromal-cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) secreted by glioma cells.
Researchers have discovered a way to convert adult bone marrow cells into brain stem cells, which could potentially restore functioning in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. The process eliminates ethical and logistical issues associated with fetal tissue use and allows for quick conversion within a few weeks.
A recent study by Dr. Edward Scott and colleagues found that donor cells containing a Y chromosome were present in the brains of three women up to 6 years after bone marrow transplantation. This suggests that bone marrow could be used as a therapeutic source of readily harvestable cells for nerve cell regeneration.
Researchers analyzed brains of deceased men with Parkinson's disease and found a significant decrease in neurons compared to those without the disease. The study suggests that neuron loss starts approximately 13 years before diagnosis, paving the way for potential preclinical intervention.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that nitric oxide attaches to parkin protein, reducing its ability to mark proteins for destruction. This process may contribute to Parkinson's disease progression, providing a potential new target for treatment.
A new study provides support for the ancient origin of the MT visual center in primates, suggesting it evolved early in primate evolution. The researchers used optical imaging to analyze the brain structure of a small nocturnal primate called the galago and found similarities with monkey brains.
Rett Syndrome researchers successfully introduced the 'Rett protein' into post-mitotic neurons, reversing symptoms in mice. This breakthrough could pave the way for new treatments and potentially even cures for Rett Syndrome, a devastating neurological disorder primarily affecting girls.
Research reveals leptin rewires neural feeding circuits by suppressing appetite-stimulating neurons and enhancing those that decrease hunger. The study suggests a cause-and-effect relationship between neuronal changes and behavioral changes, potentially contributing to obesity.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have created a new gel-like substance that guides neural cells through channels, providing a greater surface area for neural stimuli transmission. This breakthrough could lead to stronger signals in regenerated nerves, paving the way for regenerative medicine applications.
Dr. Edward R. Perl, a renowned UNC neuroscientist, has been awarded the longest-running federal grant for pain research since 1957. His federally supported exploration of pain sensation's biological basis helped him become the first to document the existence of nociceptors.
Researchers at McGill University have identified 209 proteins involved in the cellular uptake process, shedding light on protein interactions and disease mechanisms. The study provides a comprehensive molecular inventory of clathrin-coated vesicles, with broad implications for various fields in biology and medicine.
Researchers mapped rat brain activity, finding that cells in sensory borders share information from multiple senses. The discovery may explain how individuals adapt to sensory loss and improve their remaining senses.
Researchers have discovered that a compound used to treat sepsis also protects vital brain cells from programmed cell death. The finding opens the possibility of creating a new compound with similar effects without increased bleeding side effects.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute find normal cellular prion protein essential for prion diseases like BSE, and inducing neurotoxicity without scrapie prions triggers catastrophic outcomes. This discovery highlights the complexity of prion pathogenesis and challenges existing therapeutic approaches.
Researchers at Northwestern University have successfully grown nerve cells using an artificial three-dimensional network of nanofibers, a technique important in regenerative medicine. The innovative scaffold directs cell differentiation, driving neural progenitor cells to become neurons and not astrocytes.
In a breakthrough study, UCSD researchers discovered that Cdk5 phosphorylates and inactivates the protein doublecortin, leading to defective neuronal migration and lissencephaly. The findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying this severe brain disorder.