Articles tagged with Sensory Neurons
Scientists have identified five distinct subtypes of sensory neurons in the colon that carry signals to the brain, with different subtypes responding to gentle and intense forces. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of gastrointestinal conditions and inform the development of more effective therapies.
Researchers boosted inhibitory interneuron activity in Fragile X mice, reducing hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli. The study found that even young mice with Fragile X had lower PV neuron density and functional decoupling, but treatment restored excitatory neuron function and reduced hypersensitivity.
Researchers used a new transgenic mouse model to study the impact of oxidative stress on neurons and blood vessels, revealing that high levels of stress can cause sensory neuron degeneration and cardiac hypertrophy. This combination is associated with Friedreich's ataxia, a progressive neurodegenerative disease.
A team led by Carmen Birchmeier has investigated the process of swallowing in more detail, revealing that sensory cells in the vagus nerve play a key role in detecting mechanical stimuli in the esophagus. This understanding could lead to better treatments for swallowing disorders, including malnutrition and weight loss.
PolyU researchers have developed optoelectronic graded neurons that can perceive dynamic motion, achieving an information transmission rate of over 1000 bit/s. This breakthrough enables highly accurate motion recognition, surpassing conventional image sensors by up to 99.2% accuracy.
Researchers aim to understand how neurons receive signals for taste and touch sensations, exploring potential emotional correlations. The study will investigate the organization of brain circuits supporting these intersections, with implications for health and disease.
A new study found that ocean acidification is causing Dungeness crabs to physically sniff less and have decreased ability to detect food odours. This loss of smell may be partially explaining the thinning of crab populations, as reduced food detection could impact energy availability for reproduction.
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 discovered that sensory cells in the spinal cord's central canal can detect bacteria in cerebrospinal fluid and trigger an inflammatory response to fight brain infections. These 'taste' receptors recognize bitter substances, such as those from Streptococcus pneumoniae, and increase cytokine production to combat pathogens.
Researchers identify 'thermal cortex' in posterior insular cortex of mice brains, finding specific cold-responding neurons for warmth and vice versa. The discovery sheds light on temperature perception and may help understand complex surface structures and brain diseases.
A study at Nagoya University found that specific neurons in fruit flies process and distinguish between different courtship songs, differing between species. The researchers used calcium imaging to determine how these neurons respond to different courtship songs, finding that the responses varied between species.
Researchers discovered a single protein called Gr8a that plays an inhibitory role in mating decision-making, helping flies avoid inter-breeding with the wrong partner. The findings provide insight into how signal production and perception are tied together, shedding light on pheromone communication.
Scientists found that neurons actually fall silent above a certain level, with the most sensitive ones dropping off first. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that neurons plateau in activity above odor concentrations, and suggests a more complex encoding of smells at different levels.
Scientists have identified genes that enable proprioception, a crucial sense for coordinated movement and balance. The discovery could lead to better understanding of neurological disorders such as spinal cord injuries, scoliosis, and hip dysplasia, ultimately enabling the development of novel therapies.
Two studies by Harvard Medical School scientists show that the spinal cord and brainstem process touch information as it travels to higher-order brain regions. These findings highlight the importance of these areas in integrating and processing tactile stimuli.
Researchers discovered stem cells in mouse dorsal root ganglia (DRG) with the potential to regenerate lost sensory neurons and glia. These cells, known as satellite glia, can become activated and generate new glia and, to a lesser extent, neurons after injury.
Scientists have created an extensive new map of the brain's olfactory circuits, revealing a complex system that processes different aspects of odor information. The map suggests the existence of parallel neural circuits dedicated to assessing smell identity, pleasantness, and origin, offering new insights into olfactory processing.
A team from UNIGE and EPFL discovered that too much or too little motivation can blur sensory information and affect decision-making. In a state of hyper-motivation, rodents performed poorly, while moderate motivation led to optimal choice. These results open up new perspectives in learning methods.
Scientists discovered a novel neural mechanism that accompanies unconsciousness, masking sensory inputs with spontaneous activity. The auditory cortex's response to sounds is indistinguishable from its own internal activity under anesthesia.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered that tufted cells in the olfactory bulb are better at recognizing smells than mitral cells. This finding sheds light on how the brain processes sensory information, including smell intensity and identity.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a previously unknown barrier that separates the bloodstream from smelling cells in the upper airway of mice, which may hinder the effectiveness of vaccines. The BOB barrier also allows antibody-secreting plasma cells to produce neutralizing antibodies locally.
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.
Sensory neurons in human skin have been found to regulate melanocytes, influencing pigmentation and cell survival. The study identified a protein called RGMB as a key factor promoting melanocyte survival and darkness.
Researchers developed an epigenetic activator TTK21 to aid spinal cord regeneration in mice 12 weeks after severe injury. Treatment improved axon sprouting, sensory axon growth, and halted retraction of motor axons, leading to potential breakthroughs for human patients.
A team of researchers from Japan successfully reconstructed common brain input signals from the firing rates of neurons using a method called superposed recurrence plot. This breakthrough has significant implications for artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and potential treatments for mental health disorders.
Researchers used Neuropixels probes to measure the activity of synaptically connected retinal and midbrain neurons, revealing a mosaic-like neural connection. The study provides new insights into visual processing and strengthens our understanding of blindsight.
A new study reveals how the C. elegans worm integrates environmental cues and internal states to guide food-seeking behavior, highlighting a potentially universal mechanism for nervous system integration. The research team found that internal states, such as hunger, can influence the expression of key smell receptors in sensory neurons.
Researchers have identified a stream of messages between fat tissue and the brain, revealing a previously unknown pathway for adipose tissue to communicate with the brain. The discovery suggests that sensory neurons play a crucial role in regulating fat metabolism and may hold potential for treating obesity and metabolic diseases.
A new study published in Frontiers found that excessive blue light exposure can alter cellular functions in fruit flies, potentially leading to accelerated aging. The researchers discovered changes in metabolites essential for cell function and communication between neurons.
A team of researchers at Harvard Medical School has made new strides in understanding the basic biology of internal organ sensing, revealing spatial maps of neurons in the brain stem responding to feedback from internal organs. The study found that inhibition within the brain plays a key role in selectively responding to organs.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that a thermometer-like brain circuit promotes midday siestas on hot days. The study, which used fruit flies as a model organism, identified absolute heat receptors in fly heads, leading to increased midday sleep in flies and potentially humans.
Researchers developed nanometric photodiodes that can bind to nerve cell surfaces and activate them with infrared light, allowing for selective stimulation of individual neurons. This technology has the potential to study the nervous system in-depth and develop targeted therapies for neurological diseases.
A new study published in Nature reveals that microglia cells change their molecular state to match neighboring neurons, influencing neural circuit function. The researchers found that different types of cortical neurons recruit specific numbers of microglia, which then adapt to the neuron's environment.
A new study found that individual details of a memory are parsed and stored elsewhere, in the prefrontal cortex. This separation ensures that exposure to any cue is sufficient to activate the prefrontal cortex for recall of the whole memory.
Researchers at Scripps Research have identified a protein in sensory nerves that detects mechanical itch, which could lead to better drug treatments for chronic itch conditions. The discovery was made by Ardem Patapoutian and his team, who found that PIEZO1 is expressed in two types of sensory neurons implicated in chemical itch.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have discovered a novel neural mechanism involved in causal inference that helps the brain detect object motion during self-motion. This discovery may have applications in designing artificial intelligence devices and developing treatments for brain disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
Researchers at UNIGE found that olfactory neurons change their identity based on expressed receptors and past experiences. The study reveals a wide range of identities among these neurons, which adapt rapidly to different levels of stimulation.
Scientists used fMRI to detect burst-suppression events in anesthetized animals and found its spatial distribution varies between primates and rodents. This phenomenon is linked to the brain's sensory areas, with certain regions showing resistance to anesthesia-induced suppression.
A study by researchers at the University of Innsbruck discovered that the Cranial Sensory Ganglia in vertebrates shares a common genetic origin with Bipolar Tail Neurons found in tunicates. This finding suggests that Hmx, a gene conserved across evolution, played a crucial role in the formation of highly specialized sensory organs.
Researchers at Hokkaido University discovered that ATP secreted from sensory neuron-interneuron crosstalk triggers inflammation spread across joints, acting as a neurotransmitter and inflammation enhancer. Blocking this pathway prevents the spread of inflammation.
Researchers are studying visual regions of the mouse brain as animals see and respond to different pictures or movies, with projects led by Vanderbilt University, UC Berkeley, and York University. The study aims to uncover how neurons react to optical illusions and how the brain interprets sensory information.
Researchers at Okayama University have created a new method to kill cancer cells using light-activated protein AR3, reducing the risk of adverse reactions. The approach uses green light to trigger apoptosis in targeted cells, offering a promising alternative to conventional treatments.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence discovered how a specific type of neuron can multiply two incoming signals in fruit flies. This finding provides insight into the algebra of neurons, which underlies various brain processes such as sound localization and visual motion detection.
Researchers found that the primary somatosensory cortex, traditionally thought to be a basic sensory center, plays a deeper role in decision-making and facilitates flexible behavior with experience. The study suggests an expanded role for this brain area in adaptive strategies.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered how 'polyglot' neurons encode and decode sensorimotor chatter, enabling the differentiation between motor and sensory signals. This breakthrough has vital applications in brain-computer interfaces and neuroprosthetics, where accurate decoding is crucial.
Scientists have identified a peripheral mechanism that allows fruit flies to quickly assess complex odors without costly synaptic computation. The fly's olfactory receptor neurons communicate through electrical interactions, enabling an energy-saving way to process meaningful odor blends.
A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis used machine learning to understand how locusts can consistently recognize smells despite environmental factors, finding that combining the activity of ON and OFF neurons provides a simple yet effective solution.
A new study by Georgia Tech researchers has found a novel pathway for understanding why debilitating side effects occur with cancer treatment. The findings suggest that the central nervous system is vulnerable to cancer treatment's adverse effects, and correcting any one may not be enough to improve human function and quality of life.
Researchers have uncovered how the brain processes sensory information, revealing new insights into perception and cognition. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding neurological disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and stroke, as well as targeted treatments and interventions.
A transdisciplinary research team at Göttingen Campus has found a new perspective on the rhythmic processes in the brain. They discovered that adapting interneurons can switch between very slow rhythms and fast rhythms, challenging previous assumptions about their function.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen studied how blocking certain enzymes affects brain adaptability in healthy and diseased mice. In healthy mice, inhibiting these enzymes blocked neuronal plasticity, while in stroke-affected mice, it restored lost plasticity.
Researchers at Salk Institute discovered that neurons deep in the brain's cortex process information from borders first, then send clues back to upstream areas. This supports the importance of the 'feedback' pathway for deciphering borders.
Researchers discovered a brain circuit that enables C. elegans worms to switch between foraging and feasting behaviors based on sensory information. The circuit involves a key neuron called AIA, which integrates food odor signals to influence the behavior.
Researchers used a machine-learning algorithm to identify differences in how the brain responds to various chemicals, including salt and benzaldehyde. The study provides insight into how brains process information and may help understand sensory processing disorders.
Researchers found that future goals are represented by a pattern of neural activity resembling previous visits, and this activity can re-emerge upon decision to target a location. The orbitofrontal cortex plays a key role in representing future goals during navigation.
Researchers at WashU Medicine identified a drug that helps sensory neurons regrow after spinal cord injury. The drug, fenofibrate, activated support cells and improved recovery by about twice as much as a placebo. This finding offers potential for repurposing an FDA-approved compound to restore sensory function.
Researchers discovered how neurons in a small area of the brain filter distracting signals to coordinate dexterous movements. The findings may hold lessons for building better prosthetics and robots that can fine-tune their movements based on sensory input.
A new study reveals that sensitive skin surfaces are overrepresented in the brain due to stronger connections between sensory neurons and brain stem neurons. This mechanism may explain why certain body parts, like hands and lips, are more sensitive than others.
Researchers at Washington University found that neurons in the primary visual cortex exhibit 'drift' over time, changing their responses to the same stimulus even without learning or experience. This discovery challenges the notion of stable neural activity in sensory cortices.
Researchers at the University of Bonn identified a genetic program in fruit flies that controls neuron development and protection. The program, which involves the WNK gene, has similar functions in humans and may hold the key to understanding and treating neurodegenerative diseases.