Articles tagged with Neurons
A team led by UMass Amherst scientist Margaret Stratton is studying the calcium-sensitive protein CaMKII to understand long-term memory and its potential therapeutic applications. The research has far-reaching implications for treating neurologic diseases, cardiac dysfunction, and infertility.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai found that estrogen can prevent symptoms of delirium in mice with urinary tract infections, reducing IL-6 levels in the blood and protecting neurons. The study suggests estrogen may be a tool to mitigate delirium, particularly in older women with UTIs.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard University have developed a new optogenetics-based tool to manipulate neuron excitability using light. By altering the electrical capacitance of cell membranes, they can change how strongly neurons respond to electrical input, with potential applications in learning, aging, and brain disorders.
Researchers identified a genetic variant linked to digestive disturbances in patients with Chagas megaesophagus, a disorder characterized by esophageal dilation and loss of motility. The study suggests that increased interferon-gamma production leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, contributing to the development of the disease.
Researchers from the Salk Institute have found that deteriorating neurons from people with Alzheimer's disease undergo a late-life stress process called senescence, leading to brain inflammation and neurodegeneration. By targeting these senescent cells with therapeutics, scientists hope to prevent or treat Alzheimer's disease.
Chronic social defeat stress impairs brain reward function, leading to severe social avoidance. A subset of susceptible mice exhibit heightened activity of lateral septum neurotensin neurons, which inhibit centers encoding social rewards.
The UNC School of Medicine lab, led by Bryan L. Roth, MD, PhD, solved the high-resolution structures of drug-like compounds bound to designer brain cell receptors, paving the way for more effective therapeutics for neuropsychiatric illnesses.
The study reveals that non-coding regions near sloppy-paired genes are essential for temporal transcription factor expression and that Notch-signaling regulates the transition to subsequent TTFs. This mechanism couples temporal patterning with neuron generation, providing insights into brain diversity.
Inducing a hibernation-like state in mice using Q neuron activation has been shown to protect kidneys from oxygen deprivation and avoid harmful side effects. This technique could lead to new methods of performing heart surgery with reduced organ damage.
Researchers found that IGF1 gene therapy increases kisspeptin expression and GnRH release, and alters microglial cell numbers, suggesting a potential protective effect against reproductive decline. This could lead to new strategies for optimizing lifespan and combating age-related health problems in women.
Research reveals TBX3 as a fate determinant controlling hypothalamic KNDy neuron development and puberty onset. Multiple TBX3 mutants fail to form phase-separated condensates, leading to delayed puberty in UMS patients.
Scientists used single-cell integrative secretion profiling technology to map the interaction between neurons and immune cells, revealing heterogeneity in secreted factors and their roles in regulating neuronal function. The study found that infiltrating macrophages inhibit neuronal secretion of exosomes, while microglia promote neuros...
Researchers found that deleting a copy of the Arid1b gene in specific brain cells decreased inhibitory signaling, leading to changes in synaptic properties and connectivity. The study suggests that this gene may be a key target for therapeutics in treating autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers discovered that cephalopods develop their large nervous systems using similar mechanisms as vertebrates, with a focus on the retina. This study provides insight into the developmental process of these intelligent creatures and could lead to new discoveries about human brain development.
A team of researchers has created a detailed map of the octopus's visual system, classifying different types of neurons in the brain. The study provides clues to the evolution of brains and visual systems more broadly, with potential implications for understanding human brain complexity.
Researchers discovered a specific population of brainstem neurons controlling sickness behaviors in mice, including reduced eating and movement. Inhibiting these neurons blunted the effects of inflammation on behavior, highlighting the link between the immune system and neural pathways regulating behavior.
A new study found that gestational exposure to the flame retardant FM 550 resulted in altered brain development in newborn rats, with effects more pronounced in male offspring. The study also showed evidence of mitochondrial disruption and dysregulated choline and triglyceride levels in brain tissue.
Researchers have uncovered the neural mechanisms behind sound perception, finding that the brain predicts expected sounds and responds to unexpected ones. The study provides insights into how the healthy brain learns complex skills and may offer clues for understanding neural disorders like schizophrenia.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have made a breakthrough in understanding schizophrenia by analyzing individual brain cells. The study identified specific neurons and networks affected by the disease, suggesting that targeting these areas could lead to new treatment options.
Researchers from University of Warsaw create spiking neuron using photons to mimic biological brain's behavior. This achievement paves the way for photonic neural networks that process information faster and more efficiently than conventional systems.
Researchers found lower serum TDP-43 levels in patients with C9orf72 repeat expansion or motoneuron disease, distinguishing them from other FTD subtypes. This study suggests TDP-43 as a potential biomarker for diagnosing specific FTD subtypes, enabling patient-specific interventions.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have developed a new tool to measure proteins in brain cells, revealing how brain activity remodels the physical structure of neurons. The study found that certain proteins related to DNA packaging play a key role in gene expression changes after neural activity.
Conscious perception of sound generates specific neuronal assemblies in the brain, differing from spontaneous brain activity. Under anesthesia, similar assemblies are present but lack sound-specificity, highlighting the importance of cortical creativity in sensory processing.
A new study found that SARS-CoV-2 causes significant neuron damage and inflammation within a week of infection in rhesus macaque monkeys. Aged animals with Type 2 diabetes experienced worse virus-induced neurological damage, raising concerns about potential spikes in neurodegenerative diseases.
A recent study led by Dr. Luis Cuello and Alain J. Labro found that a known Shaker channel mutation differs structurally from its human counterparts, with implications for drug development and ion transport mechanisms. The research reveals a unique conformation of the W434F mutant that is distinct from wild-type channels.
Researchers discovered that zinc can restore the functioning of proteins affected by mutations in the GNAO1 gene, leading to severe mental and motor disabilities. By reactivating hydrolysis, zinc enables neurons to communicate correctly with their environment.
The CMU Array, a new microelectrode array, offers customized treatments for neurological disorders by allowing for three-dimensional sampling and ultra-high-density configurations. This technology has the potential to transform how doctors treat conditions like epilepsy and limb function loss.
Researchers found significantly larger neurons in the brain's memory region of SuperAgers compared to cognitively average peers, individuals with early-stage Alzheimer's disease, and younger individuals. These larger neurons were spared from tau tangles, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, suggesting they may maintain structural integrity.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that brain stimulation combined with a nose spray containing nanoparticles can improve recovery after ischemic stroke. The treatment increased cognitive and motor functions, and weighed more quickly than those treated with TMS alone.
Researchers are studying COVID-19's impact on the sense of smell, finding that SARS-CoV-2 attacks support cells in the nose, leading to olfactory disorders. Potential treatments include gene scrambling fixes, platelet-rich plasma injections, and olfactory implants.
A University at Buffalo-led study suggests the huntingtin protein is involved in neuronal injury and regeneration. The research found that HTT moves from the injury site to the cell body, carrying components necessary for survival.
A new study by Grant Brown and Braeden Donaldson found that juvenile convict cichlids exposed to high-risk alarm cues have brains 16% larger compared to low-risk groups, with noticeable increases in olfactory and optic bulbs. The brains revert to normal size after removal of the alarm cues.
Researchers found a specific CAPRIN1 gene mutation linked to impaired protein production, leading to autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, language impairments, and muscle weakness. The study also identified similar symptoms in patients with early-onset ataxia and myasthenia.
Neuroscientists at Sainsbury Wellcome Centre discovered that individual neurons in the visual cortex of mice are modulated separately by attention and running. The study found that spatial attention and running influence neurons independently, with different dynamics.
Researchers discovered specialized direct contact sites between microglial cells and developing neurons, regulating brain development. Inhibiting these interactions disrupts normal cerebral cortex structure, highlighting microglia's crucial regulatory role in brain development.
Scientists developed a laser-based zebrafish model to simulate traumatic brain injuries and identify molecular targets for treatment. The model revealed the importance of microglia activation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain recovery.
A mutation in the TMEM163 zinc transporter gene has been definitively linked to hypomyelinating leukodystrophy, a rare and often fatal neurological disorder. The study's findings provide new insights into the role of zinc in normal brain development, injury, and disease.
Researchers found that bird neurons consume three times less glucose than mammalian neurons, allowing for high cognitive abilities and complex brain structures. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary advantages of birds' brains.
A team of researchers has designed in silico molecular probes to track the progress of a misbehaving protein linked to neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and FTD. The probes can detect TDP-43 aggregates at high resolution, paving the way for early diagnosis.
Researchers discovered a gene called nervy that helps fruit flies respond to socio-environmental signals to stop fighting. The study's findings have implications for understanding aggression in humans and potentially treating psychiatric disorders like Parkinson's disease.
Researchers studied axolotls to understand brain regeneration, finding similarities between development and regeneration processes. They discovered a rejuvenated state of development during regeneration, which could lead to improved treatments for severe injuries in humans.
A team of scientists generated a molecular atlas of the Australian bearded dragon's brain, comparing it to mouse data. The findings suggest that both reptilian and mammalian brains evolved clade-specific neuron types from a common ancestral set, challenging popular views on brain evolution.
A new study reveals how a rare genetic mutation affects an enzyme involved in learning and memory, leading to enhanced activation and potential treatment options. Researchers have developed a method of protein analysis that enabled them to identify a potential treatment using existing medicine.
A new study reveals that the emergence of a new gene called PGBD1 is linked to the evolution of a new structure in nerve cells. PGBD1 controls paraspeckles, tiny structures that act like traps for RNAs and proteins, and its regulation is crucial for nerve cell development.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University develop a groundbreaking method to eradicate glioblastoma brain tumors by targeting astrocytes and starving them of energy. The study found that in the absence of these brain cells, tumor cells die and are eliminated, offering a promising basis for developing effective medications.
Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute discovered how a build-up of harmful protein starts to happen within neurons in Parkinson's disease. The research found that misfolded alpha-synuclein clumps on the surface of mitochondria, causing holes and interfering with energy production.
A new study from USC researchers uncovers the sequence of early molecular changes caused by APOE4, a discovery that may help identify potential treatment targets in the brain's blood vessels. The research reveals problems with the blood-brain barrier and synapses, leading to behavioral deficits and cognitive dysfunction.
A team of researchers from Ritsumeikan University in Japan has elucidated the mechanism behind the liquid-solid phase transition of FUS protein that leads to ALS. They discovered a new therapeutic target, arginine, which suppresses FUS aggregation and could delay ALS progression.
A study at MedUni Vienna identified a glycerol-3-phosphate shuttle system as an essential back-up in neurons, ensuring sufficient energy supply even when one regulatory system fails. The system follows a hierarchy, with deployment triggered by the failure of other two mechanisms to function adequately.
Scientists at Harvard Medical School have made a breakthrough in understanding how the brain forms spatial maps. A new study reveals that the gene Fos plays a crucial role in this process, helping the brain use specialized navigation cells to form and maintain stable representations of the environment. The findings provide new insights...
Researchers at CUNY Graduate Center explore how particles and cells give rise to large-scale dynamics that we experience as the passage of time. They found that the arrow of time emerges from simple interactions between pairs of neurons, not large groups. This discovery has implications for physics, neuroscience, and biology.
Researchers have identified a group of latent stem cells in the central nervous system of mice that respond to injury by dividing, migrating towards damaged areas, and differentiating into astrocytes. If similar cells exist in humans, they could provide a new therapeutic approach for treating spinal cord injuries.
A new study found that Alzheimer's disease damages a circuit that connects the vision processing centers of each brain hemisphere, leading to disrupted visual memory. The researchers discovered neurons that extend axons across the corpus callosum, which connect the hemispheres, and showed that these cells play a crucial role in synchro...
Researchers found that mosquitoes have co-expressed receptors in their neurons, allowing them to detect multiple types of human odors. This redundancy makes it difficult to eliminate mosquito attraction to humans using repellents or other methods.
Researchers at Lund University have developed a new method for studying Huntington’s disease by reprogramming skin cells into aged neurons. The results show several defects that explain some of the disease mechanisms in neurons from patients with Huntington’s disease, including problems with protein breakdown and recycling. This innova...
The NeuRRAM chip demonstrates wide range of AI applications with equivalent accuracy while reducing energy consumption by up to 70% compared to traditional compute platforms. It also supports various neural network models and architectures, enabling diverse AI applications on edge devices.
Researchers developed a peptide that can be administered through nasal spray to reduce seizure activity and protect neurons in both Alzheimer's and epilepsy. The A1R-CT peptide inhibits neurabin, a protein that prevents the overactivation of neurons, allowing for increased action by adenosine receptors.
Scientists at OIST Graduate University discovered the neural circuitry that enables juvenile zebra finches to learn songs through social interaction with a tutor. The locus coeruleus-caudomedial nidopallium circuit plays a crucial role in attention and arousal, guiding the bird's focus on the tutor's song.
Researchers found that astrocytes can transfer their mitochondria to damaged neurons after a brain hemorrhage, stimulating the production of an enzyme that neutralizes free radicals. This treatment showed improved neurological recovery in mice, but not if the mitochondria were without the protective enzyme Mn-SOD.
Research led by Drs. Yuhai Zhao and Walter J Lukiw reports a pathway from the gut to the brain that contributes to Alzheimer's disease development. Adequate dietary fiber intake can prevent this process. The study suggests a potential means to modify the abundance of microbes in the microbiome.