Articles tagged with Neurons
A new study reveals key clues about the form of the most ancestral nervous system and how it first evolved. Researchers found that neurons, possibly the most complicated cell type ever to evolve, share similar structures with comb jellies and other ancient animal lineages.
A new study by neuroscientists at MIT's Picower Institute finds that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and motor cortex collaborate to update understanding and behavior when a task requires more steps. The ACC helps M2 adjust to new rules, but reduced activity leads to increased negative outcome encoding cells' activity in M2.
A team of researchers from The Mount Sinai Hospital has made a groundbreaking discovery into the genetic and molecular mechanisms that predispose individuals to Alzheimer's disease. They identified 21 candidate risk genes, including SPI1, which regulates microglia and AD risk.
Microglia that express the APOE4 gene cannot metabolize lipids normally, leading to a buildup of excess lipids that interferes with nearby neurons' ability to communicate. Restoring normal lipid metabolism in microglia may help treat some symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that 41% of schizophrenia patients met the criteria for frontotemporal dementia, a condition characterized by personality changes and behavioral alterations. The study suggests that targeting specific brain regions and neural structures may lead to improved treatment outcomes for this subgroup.
A recent study by McGill University researchers found that birds with higher numbers of neurons in the pallium, a brain region involved in memory and learning, are also more innovative. Longer development times in the nest may play a crucial role in the evolution of intelligence.
A novel subset of CD8+ regulatory-like T cells (CD8+TRLs) has been identified as 'first responders' to stroke, providing fast-acting and lasting protection. These cells reach the brain within 24 hours after stroke onset, releasing molecules that provide direct neuroprotective effects.
Researchers used magnetoencephalography to study age-related changes in gamma-band oscillations in the auditory cortex of typically developing children. The results showed that power increased with age and cortical localization changed, indicating an age-related shift in the balance between excitation and inhibition.
Researchers found that the brain's cortex uses principles of calculus to implement a 'stop' signal, allowing for quick and precise decision-making in goal-directed behaviors. The study reveals how the brain integrates learned rules with sensory information to guide actions.
Researchers have created a nanobody that can penetrate tough brain cell coatings and disrupt alpha-synuclein clumps, which contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. The nanobody, PFFNB2, shows promise in preventing disease progression in live mouse brains.
Researchers discovered that communication between two brain regions, parietal cortex and premotor cortex, is co-dependent on instantaneous timescales to represent and maintain working memory. This finding challenges previous understanding of working memory representation in the brain.
Researchers propose a novel paradigm using nanoscale nonlinear fluid dynamics to support recurrent neural networks in neuromorphic computing. The liquid film functions as an optical memory, enabling 'reservoir computing' capable of performing digital and analog tasks.
Neuroscientists have uncovered the step-by-step process of how calcium channels accumulate at active zones in neurons, a critical component of synaptic transmission. The study reveals that alpha2delta plays a key role in regulating Cac levels, and its function has important clinical effects on conditions such as epilepsy and nerve pain.
Biomedical engineers have created a novel 3D synthetic structure that mimics the extracellular matrix, guiding neural progenitor cells and promoting their differentiation. The results show promise for developing brain-healing treatments, including biogels that can repair and regrow brain tissue after a stroke or other trauma.
A new study has identified neurogliaform cells as key regulators of information flow between brain areas. These cells help separate current perception from past experiences, enabling smooth communication between brain regions.
Researchers from Rice University, Duke University, Brown University and Baylor College of Medicine developed a magnetic technology to wirelessly control neural circuits in fruit flies. They used genetic engineering to express heat-sensitive ion channels in neurons that control the behavior, and iron nanoparticles to activate the channels.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute have discovered a specialized neural circuit in zebrafish that enables recognition of conspecifics. This pathway, which runs from the retina to the thalamus, triggers shoaling behavior and regulates social approach and affiliation.
A unique study of brain activity found that sound during sleep prompts a robust response from the brain, except in one key area where alpha-beta waves are attenuated. The findings could help understand how information is processed by the brain in unconscious states.
Astrocytes in the thalamus play a key role in susceptibility to seizures after brain injuries. Targeting a specific protein, GAT3, in these cells may prevent long-term damage.
Researchers at Texas A&M University are developing mathematical models to predict and control cellular differentiation. They created a technique using mix-and-read assays, which allow for the detection of key signaling proteins in live tissues. This method enables researchers to gain a deeper understanding of how cells make decisions.
A study led by Imperial College London researchers discovered that certain types of stress induce sleep in mice, which subsequently relieves anxiety. The findings suggest that a specific set of neurons detected and responded to stress hormone levels, inducing both NREM and REM sleep.
Researchers have identified a neural circuit responsible for detecting 'affective' touch and influencing social behavior in mice. Activation of this circuit triggers social bonding, while disruption leads to reduced social interaction.
A study by Michigan Medicine researchers has identified oncostreams, highly active cells connected to brain tumor growth and invasion. The team found that eliminating Collagen 1 production from tumor cells reduces tumor aggressive behavior. This discovery could lead to novel therapeutic targets for treating lethal brain tumors.
Duke researchers identify DDX3X gene as crucial for neuron formation and brain development, with dosage-dependent defects leading to developmental disabilities. The study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying DDX3X syndrome and related disorders, potentially paving the way for therapies.
Researchers discovered a link between the astrocytic urea cycle and Alzheimer's disease memory loss. The study found that the urea cycle helps clean up toxic amyloid-beta aggregates, but its activation also causes the production of harmful byproducts, leading to neuronal death.
Researchers describe a mechanism by which inhibitory neurons in a specific brain region suppress nausea-causing excitatory neurons. Activating these inhibitory neurons with the chemical messenger GIP eliminates nausea behaviors in mice, offering an alternative approach to reducing nausea.
Researchers developed a low-cost 3D model of the brain to study SARS-CoV-2's neurological effects. The adapted virus replicates 30 times more efficiently in astrocytes than neurons, highlighting the importance of these cells in central nervous system infection.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich found that centrosome protein composition differs between cell types, leading to disease relevance. A specific protein's location is crucial for its role in neuronal diseases.
Researchers from the University of Bath have made significant breakthroughs in understanding how a type of gene regulates essential nerve cells. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in controlling brain development and function, particularly during embryonic development and early life.
Researchers at the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre discovered that brain area communication is dynamic and changes over rapid timespans, with influences varying on a fast timescale. This finding suggests that cortical areas may control different aspects of processing in downstream regions over very short time spans.
A study led by Brigham and Women's Hospital investigators has revealed that alpha-synuclein plays a dual role in Parkinson's disease, interacting with both vesicles and P-body structures. This new understanding may lead to targeted treatments for the disease, with ongoing genetic studies aiming to identify optimal therapeutic targets.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified LIPE, a lipase that degrades triglycerides, as a promising candidate therapeutic target for Parkinson's disease. Inhibiting LIPE reduced alpha-synuclein inclusions and alleviated neurodegeneration in patient-derived neurons and a C. elegans model of toxicity.
A new platform mimics live cellular environment to guide stem cell differentiation outside the body. Researchers from Chung-Ang University developed a novel platform based on metal-organic frameworks, which offers advantages over conventional methods for in vitro stem cell differentiation.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a tiny, flexible neural probe that can record and stimulate neural activity while minimizing injury to surrounding tissue. The probe is ideal for studying peripheral nerves or the spinal cord, where traditional probes may not fit due to its small size and flexibility.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba used worms to discover a single neuron that regulates sleep patterns by tracking intracellular calcium ion currents. The study found that artificial activation of this neuron can induce immediate sleep, shedding light on the mechanisms behind sleep-wake transitions.
A new study by Scripps Research scientists reveals that the immune protein CSF1 may contribute to feelings of anxiety during alcohol withdrawal, leading to relapse. The discovery suggests that targeting CSF1 could be a good strategy for treating alcohol use disorder.
A team at the University of Tokyo discovered that syntaxin protein plays a vital role in storing memory in the nervous system, influencing the migratory behavior of nematodes. The study found that altering syntaxin can lead to reversed behavior, allowing worms to choose whether to approach or avoid salt concentrations.
A new study reveals that combinations of multiple genetic factors determine the risk and severity of symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Researchers analyzed 37,375 individuals from 11,213 families to understand how rare mutations and common genetic variation contribute to ASD.
A recent study at UC San Francisco discovered that fragmented tau protein in diseased neurons could be a new target for existing drugs, potentially improving diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's. The researchers found that measuring the fragments in cerebrospinal fluid may help distinguish between different forms of dementia.
A new Northwestern University study reveals ketamine's fast-acting antidepressant effects by increasing activity in existing newborn neurons, offering hope for a faster-working treatment with fewer side effects.
A novel brain cell type, named theta off-ripples on (TORO), has been discovered in the hippocampus, playing a key role in the formation of memories. TORO neurons are activated during sharp wave ripples and inhibit other brain areas, propagating SWR information broadly in the brain.
Researchers developed an in vitro stem cell model to map disease risk variants in human neurons, which could provide insights into the biological mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric disorders. The study focuses on mapping cis-regulatory elements linked to psychiatric disease heritability.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine identified a chemical compound that stops the final events in the pathway linked to brain cell death in Parkinson’s disease. The compound, PAANIB-1, blocks the protein parthanatos without affecting its other critical activities, potentially halting neurodegenerative progression.
This study shows how specific brain regions control the immune response during acute stress, highlighting the detrimental effect on fighting off infection. Researchers found that acute stress prompts a major migration of immune cells, diminishing an immune response to viruses like COVID-19 and influenza.
A recent study out of the Complexity Science Hub Vienna developed a mathematical and computational framework for analysing neural activity in C. elegans, a tiny worm used to study neural activity. The study proposes a way to unmask the roles of neurons by using more natural perturbations.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a key molecular mechanism behind memory linking and identified an FDA-approved drug that can restore this brain function in middle-aged mice. The study suggests a potential early intervention for dementia and strengthening human memory in middle age.
A new study by Bar-Ilan University researchers reveals that synchronized brain activity is crucial for information transfer between brain regions. Increasing synchronization improves transmission and processing of information, while decreasing it impairs cognitive function. This finding may contribute to the development of treatments f...
A study led by Tel Aviv University researchers reveals a common mechanism underlying genetic mutations associated with autism, schizophrenia, and other neurological disorders. The discovery points to an experimental drug developed by the team as a potential treatment for these conditions.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown mutation in a child with epilepsy that affects the functioning of ion channels, which are crucial for brain function. The mutation has been found to decrease the function of normal proteins as well, highlighting the importance of studying genetic mutations.
A study by Kyushu University researchers has analyzed the development and genetic profile of a set of cells that construct the brain's immune system. The findings reveal that meningeal macrophages develop in the same way as other microglia, but perivascular macrophages originate from meningeal macrophages after birth.
Two preclinical studies have identified potential new therapies for patients with Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome (AHDS), a brain development disorder that causes severe intellectual disability and movement problems. A gene therapy approach has shown promise in improving cognitive and motor functions, while repurposing a common drug may ...
A novel preclinical drug has been developed to inhibit the kinase enzyme Cdk5, which is implicated in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions. The drug, 25-106, is brain-permeable and shows promise in altering neurobehavior in mice with anxiety-like behavior.
Researchers have developed a new training method for machine learning models to perform blood cell counts, reducing manual annotation work. The U-Net model achieves high accuracy in segmenting images with multiple cell types, promising a simpler and cheaper alternative to traditional cell analyzers.
Researchers discovered that neurons carrying a mutation in the Nf1 gene are hyperexcitable and suppressing this hyperactivity with lamotrigine stops tumor growth in mice. The study provides an explanation for why some people with NF1 lack optic gliomas or neurofibromas, highlighting the critical role of neurons in tumor biology.
A team of researchers has developed a novel method using infrared imaging to assess glymphatic function, which is crucial for understanding neurological conditions. The technique allows for the measurement of temporal dynamics of glymphatic functions and provides insights into brain fluid exchange and clearance.
Researchers found that jellyfish's stinging cells evolved by repurposing a neuron inherited from a pre-cnidarian ancestor. This discovery provides insights into the emergence of new cell types and the evolution of biodiversity, suggesting that co-option of ancestral cell types was an important source for new cell functions.
Researchers suggest a novel neuroimaging technique can unveil Alzheimer's disease secrets and predict symptom risk. The 'neuromelanin-sensitive MRI' method provides insights into the brain's noradrenergic system, linked to aggressive behavior and cognitive decline.
A receptor protein called insulin receptor is pivotal for brain stem cell longevity, according to a Rutgers study. The researchers also found that the same protein plays a crucial role in sustaining brain cancer cells.
Researchers identified a key brain circuit in the anterior thalamus that helps us hold information in mind. In a study of mice, enhancing this circuit's activity improved their ability to navigate a maze and reversed memory loss with artificial stimulation.
A study found a connection between learning and memory deficits in children with Joubert Syndrome and defects in the hippocampus. The researchers used animal models to create a genetic mutation that mimicked the human disease, revealing key findings about the role of primary cilia in brain development.