Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
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.
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.