Articles tagged with Neurons
Neurons in the striatum, responsible for emotions and movement, are selectively killed in Huntington's disease due to abnormally high calcium levels caused by mutant huntingtin protein. This discovery opens new areas for treatment of the disease.
Researchers have discovered that brain stem cells can be transplanted without being rejected by the immune system, thanks to their unique properties. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for eye diseases such as blindness.
Plant fertility depends on understanding how pollen tubes navigate towards egg cells. Researchers identified a key molecular signaling system involving gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) that guides pollen tube growth.
Researchers at the University of South Florida have discovered that stem-like cells from peripheral blood can promote functional recovery after a stroke. The study found that rats treated with these cells showed significant behavioral improvement and reduced hyperactive behavior compared to those receiving no cellular treatment.
Granzyme A, a double-headed protease, is assembled into a dimer with identical catalytic domains connected by a covalent disulfide bond. This unique configuration enables the enzyme to recognize specific sequences and activate cell death machinery in tumor cells and virally infected cells.
Researchers have successfully treated rats with spinal cord injuries using embryonic stem cells, which can potentially treat paralysis and degenerative nerve diseases. The treated rats regained ability to walk after nine weeks, with analysis revealing new myelin sheaths and growth factors that stimulated neuron formation.
Researchers have found a link between low nerve cell counts and inherited auditory neuropathy, a disorder affecting approximately 250,000 people. The study suggests that new therapies may be developed to prevent or treat the condition, potentially preserving existing nerve cells through stem cell research.
Researchers found that signals from the basal ganglia may be preventing intact visual areas from functioning properly. Disrupting basal ganglia activity could restore balance and treat visual neglect, a condition where patients perceive only half of their surroundings.
Kansas State University researchers successfully transplanted umbilical cord matrix stem cells from a pig into the brain of a live rat without triggering an immune response. The recipient cells survived for over six weeks and began to differentiate into nervous system cells, suggesting a new therapeutic option for Parkinson's disease.
Scientists have identified a new cell type, VENT cells, that migrate to the developing inner ear and mix with epidermal cells, contributing to the formation of complex tissues. The discovery, made by Dr. Paul Sohal, could explain how single cells give rise to distinct systems.
Researchers have developed a method to extend the shelf life of cultured fetal neural stem cells, enabling the generation of enough cells to treat diseases like Parkinson's and ALS. The study characterized long-term neural stem cell lines using gene chip analysis, which may help create customized cells for therapy.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine discovered a possible explanation for restless leg syndrome, finding that brain cells lacking enough iron may cause misfiring of neural signals. This discovery establishes RLS as a sensory motor disorder rather than a psychological one, offering hope for future treatments.
A team of researchers from Imperial College London has identified a protein called HSP27 that could help reduce cell death in the brain, potentially slowing down neuro-degenerative diseases. The study used transgenic mice with high levels of HSP27, which showed reduced mortality and neuronal cell death.
Researchers found that lithium significantly reduces production of beta amyloid, a key component of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that combination therapy with lithium and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may have an enhanced effect in reducing amyloid peptide accumulation.
Researchers found that older macaque monkeys have reduced GABA levels, leading to increased neuronal firing and decreased visual function. This study provides insight into the potential causes of age-related cognitive decline and may lead to the development of new treatments.
A University of Minnesota study has found that tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) significantly reduces injury associated with hemorrhagic strokes in rats. The bile acid crosses the blood-brain barrier and induces survival pathways while inhibiting destructive ones, leading to a 50% decrease in lesion volume.
A 50-amino-acid stretch of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) jams mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, starving cells of energy. This leads to neuronal death, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, according to Penn researchers.
A two-year follow-up study shows participants with advanced PD experienced improvements in tremor, stiffness, slow movement, and balance. The new cell therapy, Spheramine, provided a source of increased dopamine production, maintaining initial gains up to 24 months post-treatment.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that two cellular networks collaborate to control breathing, with one system responding to sensory feedback and another controlling stability. This finding has important implications for treating neurological disorders such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers found that newly made vesicles immediately head to the cell membrane, bypassing older vesicles, which could have implications for diseases like diabetes. The study sheds light on the processing of vesicles in secretory cells and their role in secretion.
Researchers identified ghrelin as a hormone that stimulates feeding when introduced to specialized brain cells. Increased ghrelin levels in response to weight loss or reduced caloric intake lead to increased appetite and eating in both mice and humans.
Researchers discovered that normal nerve cells can use IRES to produce large quantities of protein, mimicking viral behavior. This switch allows for massive production of specific proteins like ELH hormone, potentially impacting learning and memory processes in the brain.
A researcher has found a new cell type, VENT cells, that can give rise to all four major types of human tissue. This discovery challenges the existing understanding of human development and opens up new avenues for research into diseases such as Hirschsprung's disease and esophageal reflux disease.
A new laser-based technique could aid in drug design and testing for various neurological disorders, enabling the discovery of compounds to block cocaine poisoning effects. The technique allows researchers to study signal transmission between cells and identify potential therapeutic agents.
Researchers found that intermittent fasting reduced degeneration of nerve cells and improved glucose regulation in mice with mutant huntingtin. This suggests that fasting may forestall the development of Huntington's disease in humans.
The discovery of neurofibromin regulation may help develop targeted therapies to block neurofibromin degradation in NF1 patients and treat cancers with amplified Ras activity. Nf1 heterozygous cells show increased sensitivity to growth factors, suggesting even diminished neurofibromin levels can affect normal cell behavior.
Researchers discovered that a mutated gene associated with early onset dystonia helps manage protein folding and is normally used as a quality control mechanism. TorsinA's failure to function correctly may lead to protein aggregation, causing neuron malfunction, which is linked to various movement disorders.
Researchers found that the mahoganoid gene mutation causes neural damage similar to prion diseases, including loss of neurons and accumulation of astrocytes. The study suggests a link between protein metabolism defects and neurodegeneration in spongiform encephalopathies.
A team of researchers has identified a gene, Pet-1, crucial for serotonin neuron development, which is associated with abnormal anxiety and aggression in mice. The discovery provides a valuable animal model for understanding the causes of mood disorders and developing new treatments.
Researchers have discovered a new source of stem cells in the umbilical cord, which can be obtained through a non-invasive method. The cord matrix stem cells have been shown to differentiate into neurons and glia, exhibiting telomerase activity and producing nerve-cell specific traits.
Researchers found that calorie-restricted diets reduced levels of proteins linked to cell death and increased beneficial protein ARC, which prevents neuron death. The findings have significant implications for alleviating memory loss and mental declines associated with aging.
New research from University of Minnesota presents promising findings on unrelated donor transplants, including a study showing improved survival rates and quality of life for leukemia/lymphoma patients. Another study explores the use of bone marrow-derived stem cells to treat Parkinson's disease.
Researchers from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that the Nf1 gene is essential in endothelial cells, explaining why patients with NF1 are prone to cardiovascular problems. The discovery may lead to new therapeutics for NF1 and provide validation of an animal model for the disease.
Researchers have developed a comprehensive understanding of crayfish locomotion, revealing an intricate eight-module system that integrates signals from each segment and the brain. This complex neural network is likely to be found in other animals, including insects and humans.
Scientists identified the arcuate nucleus in the hypothalamus as a key regulator of body weight, using a new method pioneered by OHSU researchers. Introducing peripheral hormone PYY 3-36 led to a significant reduction in food intake in both mice and humans, with participants feeling less hungry and eating fewer calories.
Researchers found that stimulating the prefrontal cortex in rats reduces fear responses by mimicking the brain's safety signal. The study suggests a new approach to treating anxiety disorders by using transcranial magnetic stimulation to control fear.
Researchers found that estrogen replacement therapy improved memory performance in rats with ovaries removed, but not when specific cholinergic neurons were destroyed. The study suggests that estrogen may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's-related dementia in postmenopausal women by affecting these neurons.
Researchers discovered that nociceptive neurons trigger group feeding behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans, a species of worm. The findings build on earlier research and have potential relevance to understanding human eating behaviors and obesity.
Researchers are continuing their five-year study on lentiviruses, a deadly viral infection, at Ohio State University. The project aims to identify the factors responsible for enhancing the viruses' infection of the nervous system.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine trained macaque monkeys to recognize changes in a display screen, rewarding them with juice for correct responses. The study found that neurons in the visual cortex increased activity when an event was likely to occur, allowing primates to develop expectations and prepare accordingly.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that visual stimulation causes neurons to sprout new branches, a process that requires increased activity of certain proteins and decreased activity of others. The study provides insights into how visual stimulation guides the development of normal brain architecture.
A study published in Nature has identified a gene that protects certain brain and retinal neurons from oxidative stress, leading to neurodegeneration. The research, led by Dr. Susan Ackerman, found that mice with a mutation in the Aif gene experience severe oxidative stress, causing neuronal death.
Scientists at Oregon State University have made a groundbreaking discovery about the role of micro-RNA in regulating gene expression. Micro-RNAs are found to cut messenger-RNAs in half, interfering with their function and controlling the process of cell differentiation.
Researchers have identified two compounds, NAP and SAL, that can prevent ethanol's disruption of L1-mediated cell adhesion, a critical process for brain development. These findings bring the study of fetal alcohol syndrome closer to effective interventions.
Researchers find anaesthetics induce sleep by locking onto GABA-A receptors in the tuberomammillary nucleus, a small area of the brain controlling breathing and temperature. This discovery could lead to new anaesthetics providing better recovery for patients.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute found that Nr-CAM expression is associated with human melanoma and colon cancer development, contributing to tumorigenesis. The gene's role in cell proliferation and tumor formation was confirmed through DNA microarray analysis and animal studies.
A recent brain mapping experiment provides significant new support for the theory that attention is the glue that cements visual information together, helping to solve the 'binding problem' in neuroscience. The study found increased activity in the parietal region when individuals were presented with multiple objects at once.
A team of scientists has discovered a mechanism for neuron-specific expression of Pcdh proteins, allowing individual neurons to generate distinct combinations of genes and proteins. This discovery may underlie the specificity of neural connectivity.
A study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center researchers identifies the melanocortin system as a key player in regulating body weight. The discovery sheds light on how appetite suppressant drugs like fenfluramine work, offering new insights into the complex interactions between serotonin and melanocortin systems.
Scientists have identified a key trigger of neuron death in Parkinson's disease, stroke, and traumatic brain injury, which can be prevented by blocking its release from mitochondria. The study found that preventing PARP activation and blocking AIF release protects cells from dying.
Researchers have designed rough-surfaced, fuzzy polymers to mesh with neurons, improving contact with brain tissue. The polymers' unique surface can fine-tune electrical signal conduction, enabling more efficient neural communication for brain-computer interfaces.
The robotic microscope enables repeated analysis of cellular changes, allowing scientists to identify factors predicting cell fate and guide investigation into neurodegeneration. With the microscope, researchers can analyze 300,000 cells in just 15 minutes, reducing laborious tasks and eliminating bias.
Researchers from The Neurosciences Institute and Arizona State University successfully implanted electrodes in monkey brains to decode neural signals controlling arm movements. This breakthrough technology aims to restore movement to individuals with paralyzed arms through a 'neural bypass'.
Researchers found that cord blood cells improved neurological function in rats with traumatic brain injury, suggesting a new approach for treating this condition. The cells helped promote brain self-repair by stimulating trophic factors and cytokines, which led to better movement, balance, and reflex responses.
A team of scientists discovered a brain signal that encourages us to continue working on tasks to receive rewards. Abnormal activity in this signal may contribute to conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder or drug abuse.
Researchers aim to develop autonomous intelligent network and systems that can perform coordinated actions without human intervention. The goal is to create a 'commander' giving broad operational orders, while agents work together to overcome complex challenges, such as distributed signal processing and wireless communication.
Directed antisense expression has been shown to moderate feeding behavior and weight gain in various animal models. This regulatory effect is attributed to the suppression of genes involved in energy homeostasis, ultimately leading to changes in food intake and body weight.
Researchers discovered an autoimmune response to GAD65 enzyme leading to excess glutamate and brain damage in children with juvenile Batten disease. The study suggests immunotherapy may slow progression of the disease, which is fatal by late teens or twenties.
A team of NYU biologists developed a new method to silence neurons by controlling electrical activity, revealing the central role of electrical activity in governing circadian rhythms. The breakthrough may lead to more effective treatments for diseases caused by aberrant electrical activity.
Scientists studied glutamate receptors, finding that experimental drugs regulate desensitization by binding to a separate site. This knowledge may lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other disorders.