Articles tagged with Neurons
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.
Researchers found that tau protein is necessary for beta-amyloid to cause brain cell degeneration in Alzheimer's disease. Tau-depleted neurons showed rapid microtubule turnover, suggesting potential resistance to neurodegeneration.
Researchers believe olfactory ensheathing cells from the nose hold potential to repair spinal cord injuries. These cells can be obtained from adult donors and offer a possible auto-transplantation method, resolving tissue availability issues.
A new autologous stem cell transplantation treatment has shown promising results in stabilizing the disability of 26 people with severe multiple sclerosis. The study found that 20 patients remained stable, while six showed mild improvement, with only three experiencing new brain lesions at one year after the transplant.
A study found that a certain form of the SCA6 gene affects the onset and severity of spinocerebellar ataxia, a disease characterized by loss of balance and coordination. Researchers analyzed 331 patients with SCA2 from Cuba and discovered significant variation in the SCA6 gene among those with earlier and later age-onset diseases.
A recent study using human stem cells has made significant breakthroughs in understanding the origin of Down syndrome, one of the most common causes of developmental disabilities. The research found a faulty genetic circuit that disrupts brain development, leading to a deficit in specific genes critical for neuronal growth.
A study led by Dr. George Ojemann identified 105 neurons with specific responses to different stages of memory, including encoding, storage, and retrieval. The findings highlight the complexity of individual neurons' role in memory and provide insights into brain regions involved in implicit memory recall.
Researchers have determined the three-dimensional structures of Eph and Ephrin proteins, which mediate bidirectional signaling between cells. This discovery holds promise for developing new cancer therapies by inhibiting or altering these protein interactions.
A team of scientists has successfully guided human embryonic stem cells to become precursor brain cells in a laboratory dish. Transplanted into baby mice, these cells further differentiated into neurons and astrocytes, paving the way for potential treatments of Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries.
A Dutch study found that long-term ecstasy use is associated with brain-cell damage in women, particularly in serotonin neurons. The effects of moderate ecstasy use on these neurons have not been studied, highlighting the need for further research.
Researchers at Stanford and Caltech have made a breakthrough in neural prosthetics, demonstrating that electrical signals from the parietal reach region can control movement and planning. The study enabled a monkey to control a cursor with its thoughts, paving the way for potential applications in helping severely paralyzed patients.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that maternal separation causes the death of brain cells. However, researchers discovered that fluoxetine, a type of Prozac, can reverse these changes and promote cell growth in the dentate gyrus of rats.
The amyloid beta protein found in plaques stimulates the production of toxic substances that attract new surrounding cells, causing brain cell death. Astrocytes, normally involved in maintaining brain structure, slow down these processes and protect against inflammation.
Researchers create self-assembled nanofibers resembling collagen fibrils in real bone, enabling mineralization and promoting cell attachment. The synthetic nanofibers offer potential applications in bone fractures, tissue regeneration, and electronics.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center have discovered the PTEN gene's role in regulating brain stem cells, finding that its absence disrupts normal growth and proliferation. The study suggests that PTEN is a critical regulator of brain stem cell behavior, which may contribute to tumor formation.
Researchers at UCSD suggest that naturally occurring molecules called beta-synucleins (b-synucleins) may inhibit the excessive accumulation of Lewy bodies, which are characteristic of Parkinson's disease. In mice studies, b-synuclein was shown to block the formation of these abnormal deposits.
Researchers at UT Southwestern discovered that traumatic brain injuries trigger a rapid and prolonged regeneration of neurons in mice, with long-term effects even in distant areas. This study suggests the potential to develop new treatments using adult stem cells to enhance injured brain capabilities.
A new study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that mild head injuries can cause permanent damage to the brain, with effects not felt for months. The research suggests that repetitive head injuries may be a factor in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Researchers have identified a novel mechanism for activating G-proteins without external stimulation, which supports cellular polarity in asymmetrically dividing cells. This discovery has significant implications for understanding disease mechanisms and developing novel therapies.
A recent Mayo Clinic study suggests that the full-length mutant protein is responsible for toxicity in Huntington's disease, challenging traditional theories of clip-and-release. This new understanding may lead to more effective therapies by targeting the aberrant interactions of the mutant protein.
Scientists have produced new adult neurons from precursor cells using a growth factor, which could potentially treat neurological diseases. The technique, supported by the NIH, involves introducing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) into the adult rat brain.
A new test measuring visual field responses to discordant images has provided clues about the brain activity underlying visual consciousness. The researchers found that binocular rivalry occurs at a lower level in the visual cortex, specifically in the primary visual cortex.
Researchers identified a small group of neurons responsible for issuing breathing commands within the preBotzinger Complex. Destroying these neurons in rats resulted in irregular breathing patterns and impaired oxygen control, suggesting they hold underlying causes of breathing disorders.
Researchers have found that aging rats exhibit fragmented behavioral rhythms, taking naps when they should be active. The study suggests that the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) cells, responsible for regulating circadian rhythms, may be losing their ability to mark time as individuals age.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have identified a protein that clears viruses from neurons in the spinal cord and brain stem but not those in the cerebral cortex. The study suggests that different combinations of antibody and T-cell immunity may be needed to control infection and recovery from encephalitis.
Scientists found that weakening cell death signal and blocking engulfment increases cell survival rates, with some cells surviving outright. This finding suggests modulating engulfment machinery could be an effective therapy for neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, and cancer.
A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found that a chemical called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) directly stimulates the brain's digestive control center, causing nausea and vomiting. Elevated TNF levels can lead to long-term changes in digestion function, resulting in persistent symptoms.
A new imaging technique reveals disrupted microcolumns in brains affected by Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, suggesting a link between microcolumn organization and cognitive impairment. The study found that the absence of microcolumns correlates with the number of fibrillary tangles, but not senile neuritic plaques.
Scientists have relieved pain in rats by dispatching molecular 'smart bombs' to selectively destroy certain nerve cells in the spinal cord, targeting faulty signaling by a small group of neurons. This approach targets just those nerve cells that send pain messages to the brain without causing side effects like morphine or surgery.
Phyllis I. Hanson, a researcher at Washington University School of Medicine, has been awarded a Keck Foundation grant to study the molecular machinery that neurons use to communicate. Her work may one day suggest treatments for neuromuscular and psychiatric disorders resulting from faulty communication between neurons.
Researchers from the University of Iowa have identified a feedback loop mechanism that could explain the prolonged nature of migraines. The discovery reveals that inflammatory agents released during a migraine stimulate certain neurons to increase calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP) secretion, leading to persistent pain.
Neuroscientist Michela Gallagher's research reveals that cognitive decline in old age is not caused by dying brain cells, but rather by the natural aging process. The study used rat models to show that neuron losses are confined to populations of cells with limited memory function.