Research on nerve cells and the circuits they form. Covers neural mapping, brain development, the striatum, and single-neuron recording.
Researchers at NYU College of Dentistry developed a gene therapy that regulates sodium ion channel activity to alleviate chronic pain. By targeting the specific region where CRMP2 binds to NaV1.7, they were able to reduce sodium influx and quiet down neurons, providing relief from pain in cell and animal studies.
A multidisciplinary team of scientists has revealed the existence of a brain circuit involved in sensing and regulating inflammation. The circuit detects inflammatory hormones in the blood and organizes the immune response through the vagal complex and parabrachial nucleus.
Researchers discovered lactate's role in helping neural stem cells develop into specialized neurons. Lactate sends signals to cells, modifying and strengthening neuronal functions. The study provides insight into lactate signaling in the nervous system, with potential applications for preventing or controlling cognitive diseases.
Research in rats suggests that loss of immune cells late in gestation may factor into the onset of maternal behavior. Depletion of microglia, a type of immune cell, sped up care for rat newborns in non-mom female rats.
Mutations in parkin gene break down contacts between lysosomes and mitochondria, disrupting essential metabolite supply to mitochondria. Restoring these contacts may represent a new therapeutic opportunity for Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers from Osaka University developed a fluorescent sensor to visualize Pcdh interactions in live neurons, allowing for the first time to observe dissociation of these interactions. This technique has potential applications in understanding brain disorders such as autism and epilepsy.
A new MIT study reveals that analyzing brain wave patterns can help doctors determine when patients are at risk of entering a deeper state of unconsciousness during surgery. By tracking these patterns, anesthesiologists may be able to prevent postoperative cognitive impairments and reduce the risk of complications.
Researchers have captured never-before-seen images of the CALHM1 pore, which assembles into a circular channel with flexible arms resembling octopus tentacles. The discovery reveals how fatty molecules stabilize and regulate the channel, offering potential insights into its role in taste perception and Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists found that cooling or warming the striatum region slows down or speeds up activity patterns, which correlates with rats' timing judgements. This provides evidence for the 'population clock hypothesis', suggesting that brains use decentralized and flexible sense of time.
A cluster of neurons in the brains of fruit flies has been found to control visual aversion to scary objects. The researchers discovered that these neurons release a chemical called tachykinin, which regulates vision when feeling afraid.
Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered that orexin neurons directly influence emotional state through pupil size. This finding opens new avenues for medical treatment and diagnosis of sleep disorders like narcolepsy and other neurological conditions.
Researchers discovered that a specific group of glucose-sensing neurons in the brain, known as GI neurons, play a crucial role in maintaining blood glucose balance. These neurons are activated when glucose levels are low and inhibited when levels are high, helping to regulate whole-body glucose levels.
Researchers at TUM developed a new approach to measure human brain activity using microelectrodes and awake brain surgery. They found individual neurons specialize in handling specific numbers, providing insights into cognitive functions and developing solutions for brain function disorders.
A research group at Nagoya University used AI to determine that Piezo plays a crucial role in controlling the mating posture of male fruit flies. Inhibition of Piezo led to an ineffective mating posture, resulting in decreased reproductive performance.
Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have identified a group of nerve cells involved in creating negative emotional states and chronic stress. The neurons, which are sensitive to oestrogen levels, were mapped using advanced techniques such as Patch-seq, Neuropixels, and optogenetics.
Researchers discovered COVID-19 causes brain cells to fuse, initiating malfunctions that lead to chronic neurological symptoms. This cell fusion process has not been seen before and may be a major cause of neurological diseases.
A University of Ottawa team has discovered a vital role for the VGLUT3 transporter protein in modulating the development of Huntington's disease. The study shows that blocking glutamate release through this protein can lead to an amelioration of the disease progression, offering new hope for potential treatment approaches.
A team of neurobiologists has found that fruit flies possess glial sheath structures similar to those in vertebrates, enabling rapid transmission of nerve impulses. The study reveals the evolution of these structures and their role in supporting neuronal function.
Researchers at Beckman Institute found fetal exposure to PCBs made it harder for mice to recover from sound-related trauma. Oxidative stress appears to be key mediator of the effect, suppressing auditory system's ability to heal.
Researchers discovered a protein complex called FERRY that plays a crucial role in transporting messenger RNA in neurons. The study provided evidence of the transport of mRNA using Early Endosomes (EEs) and a novel mode of binding RNA via coiled-coil domains.
Research found that low oxygen levels in infants due to sleep apnea can lead to dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, resulting in high blood pressure. The study's findings may contribute to the development of novel therapies for patients with hypertension who do not respond well to treatment.
Rice University engineers developed ultraflexible nanoelectrodes that can deliver high-resolution stimulation therapy with minimal scarring and degradation. The devices showed precise spatiotemporal stimulus control, enabling the development of new brain stimulation therapies for patients with impaired sensory or motor functions.
Researchers found that a combination of amyloid burden and blood markers of abnormal astrocyte activation can predict Alzheimer's disease progression. Testing for these biomarkers may help identify patients at risk, enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment.
A unique microcircuit in fruit flies' visual system transforms a single type of neuronal input to compute direction selectivity, with no inhibitory neurons present. The discovery reveals a striking example of the multilayered mechanisms of inhibition and excitation in the brain.
In a breakthrough study, researchers discovered that the neuropeptide DH31 regulates reproductive dormancy in insects, controlling juvenile hormone production. This finding could lead to the development of new technologies to control agricultural pests and infectious disease vectors.
A team of scientists has developed an automated algorithm to reconstruct the shape of each neuron inside a light microscopy image using deep learning. This breakthrough addresses the challenge of generalizing algorithms across diverse species, brain locations, developmental stages, and microscopy image sets.
A multidisciplinary team led by Hong Chen successfully induced a torpor-like state in mice using ultrasound, which also worked on rats. The researchers found that stimulating the hypothalamus preoptic area with ultrasound activated neurons and induced changes in body temperature and metabolism, allowing for the preservation of energy.
A study by researchers from the University of Tsukuba found a key molecule involved in sleep homeostasis also plays a critical role in circadian behavior. The SIK3-HDAC4 pathway modulates the length of the circadian period through NMS-producing neurons, contributing to the sleep/wake rhythm.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute found that ghrelin activates specialized nerve cells in the amygdala, promoting food consumption and conveying hunger feelings. The study uncovers the physiological processes behind feeding behavior, which may lead to novel therapeutic approaches for eating disorders.
A recent study by Carolyn Elya reveals the molecular mechanisms behind summiting behavior in infected fruit flies. The researchers discovered that hormonal axes mediate this behavior, and that fungal cells invade the fly's brains during summiting.
Glioblastoma steals cognitive faculties as it spreads, but its insidious ability to infiltrate neighboring networks may be its undoing. Researchers found neural activity can restructure connections in surrounding tissue, causing decline. The drug gabapentin blocks this growth-causing activity in mice with glioblastoma.
A new study from University of Michigan suggests that the perception of not enough food can be sufficient to slow aging in flies. The researchers induced hunger in flies through various methods, including altering amino acid levels and using optogenetics, and found that these flies lived significantly longer than controls.
Researchers identified the structure of a special type of amyloid beta plaque protein associated with Alzheimer's disease progression. Lecanemab, an approved AD treatment, can bind and neutralize these small aggregates, potentially slowing cognitive decline in patients with early AD.
Researchers developed a self-organizing system that models key cellular processes involved in embryogenesis, shedding light on the self-organization of ectodermal cells during neurulation. The study could inform ways to prevent or counteract central nervous system birth defects by optimizing human ectodermal development.
Researchers found that a specific neuropeptide affects two separate groups of neurons, promoting aggressive behavior in fruit flies. This discovery provides new insights into the complex mechanisms of neuronal communication using neuropeptides.
Researchers found that three specialized Kenyon cell subtypes in honey bees evolved from a single, multifunctional ancestor, potentially offering insights into human behavior. Transcriptome analysis revealed comparable similarity between the Kenyon cell subtypes of sawflies and honey bees.
Researchers at UVA Health System have made a breakthrough discovery about the role of microglia in seizure disorders. The study suggests that enhancing microglial activity could be a promising approach to preventing and managing seizures, offering new hope for patients who don't respond to existing treatments.
Researchers discover that brain cells die from lack of energy when autophagy, a natural cleaning process, malfunctions. Compounds boosting NAD levels can improve neuron survival and combat age-related neurodegeneration.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai created computational models to bridge the gap between
New research shows that rhythmic brain activity helps organize transient bursts of activity in the brain to maintain short-term connections. Brain rhythms coordinate overlapping populations of neurons to store different pieces of information at the same time.
Osaka University researchers identified a specific group of cells in the nucleus accumbens that signal when mice have made a mistake. Blocking these cells' signaling impairs future decision-making, highlighting the importance of this brain pathway in learning from mistakes.
A study found that practicing music and active listening can alter cognitive decline in healthy seniors by promoting brain plasticity. The researchers discovered an increase in grey matter volume in four brain regions involved in high-level cognitive functioning.
Researchers at UCLA Health discovered that astrocytes, traditionally considered the brain's support system, are involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder-related behaviors. The study suggests that targeting both neurons and astrocytes may be effective for OCD treatment.
Researchers found that players' brains respond differently to human and machine opponents, with desynchronization indicating active calculations. The study suggests that training with machines may not replicate the experience of playing against humans.
Research suggests astrocytes integrate external sensory inputs with internal states to modify calcium signaling towards neurons. This process could be crucial for behavioral responses and memory formation.
A recent study found that heavy alcohol use changes signaling pathways in the brain, affecting cognitive functions like decision-making and impulse control. The mechanism involves the brain's immune system and the molecule interleukin 1β, which regulates inflammation and neurotransmitter release.
Researchers at Nagoya University found that localized IDH wild-type histologically diffuse astrocytomas have a poor prognosis similar to the most malignant types of brain and spinal cord tumors. This highlights the importance of proper clinical diagnosis and treatment for patients with gliomas.
Researchers found that a group of amino acids influence brain development, leading to severe effects after birth if nerve cells are starved. The study showed that mice with low levels of essential amino acids developed microcephaly and exhibited long-term behavioral abnormalities similar to those in autism spectrum disorders.
Researchers have developed a multidisciplinary approach using a new microscope, artificial intelligence algorithm, and voltage indicators to better measure brain activity. The technique enables the imaging of up to 100 neurons at a time, far surpassing previous limits.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have identified a new cell type, named F-Cell, that plays a crucial role in touch sensing in fruit flies. The study published in Nature Cell Biology reveals that F-Cells are recruited to tactile hairs and participate in sending signals to neighbouring epidermal cells.
A new study by Cedars-Sinai investigators has determined that the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) plays a primary role in weighing value-based choices, such as choosing which book to read or which slot machine to play. The discovery could help understand neurological disorders like addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Researchers found that chloride ions bind to sweet taste receptors and evoke a taste sensation. The study suggests that low concentrations of Cl- can produce a 'light' sweet taste sensation via the T1r in the taste buds.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that dedicated hyperbaric oxygen therapy is more effective in reducing pain and healing patients with fibromyalgia caused by traumatic brain injury. The treatment resulted in significant improvements in 2 out of 5 patients, including improved pain threshold tests and quality of life indicators.
A study published in Neuron reveals the intricate neural mechanisms underlying fragmented feeding behavior in mice. The researchers identified three key populations: ARC AgRP neurons regulating non-feeding behavior, LH GABA neurons mediating feeding initiation, and DR GABA neurons maintaining feeding duration.
A new MIT study explains how the brain manages general and specific components of working memory, enabling flexibility in task demands. Spatial Computing theory proposes that distinct spaces in the cortex govern rule-based control, allowing for dynamic reshaping of memory representations.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have discovered that the orientation of a single amino acid in peptides can direct activation to specific neurons, influencing communication among brain cells. This finding has far-reaching implications for understanding and regulating signaling processes in the brain.
Glaucoma researchers identify mitochondria as a key source of energy for optic nerve cells, and restoring balance can protect these cells from damage. The study suggests enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis may be a promising treatment strategy.
Scientists have identified a key molecular mechanism linking gene expression to synaptic plasticity in the aging human brain. The study reveals that age-related reductions in neurotransmitter receptor genes contribute to alterations in synaptic function, providing potential targets for Alzheimer's disease therapy.
A study found that gestational iron deficiency may contribute to cognitive impairments like autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities. Researchers identified a specific embryonic neuronal progenitor cell target for GID, which disrupts interneuron development.
A new UC Davis study has identified 194 significantly different genes in the brains of people with autism, with many linked to brain connectivity, immune response, and inflammation. The research also found age-dependent differences in genes related to synaptic function and cell loss.