Articles tagged with Sensory Neurons
Scientists identify distinct subsets of pain-sensing neurons responsible for detecting heat and mechanical pain, challenging conventional wisdom that the brain disentangles these sensations. The study's findings have potential implications for understanding and treating conditions like diabetic neuropathy.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals how a single disrupted gene can cause Angelman syndrome, a form of severe mental retardation. The researchers found that brain cells in mice with the condition lacked ability to strengthen or weaken connections, but that sensory deprivation could recover plasticity.
Researchers used microscopy to study neuron growth in Caenorhabditis elegans and found that certain neurons work backward from their destination. The discovery suggests that the brain is wired based on connectivity rather than absolute distance, providing an explanation for how the brain grows in proportion to the organism.
Researchers found that fruit flies use separate populations of neurons to detect wind and sound, allowing them to respond differently to each stimulus. This discovery provides insights into the complex sensory mechanisms of these tiny insects.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered that odors boost synthesis of a protein by acting on RNA in sensory neurons, altering gene expression. This finding has implications for understanding memory formation and higher-order learning in humans.
A repressive protein can promote plasticity in sensory neurons by activating translation in response to environmental stimuli. This process allows animals to adapt to persistent odors and reset their sensitivity.
Research reveals how value influences visual processing, with early regions of the visual cortex activated by more valuable stimuli. Frontal and parietal cortex areas track value differences to guide decision making.
Scientists have discovered that glial cells play a crucial role in regulating the activity of sensory neurons and enabling animals to perceive their environment. Without glia, sensory neurons are unable to coordinate an appropriate response to stimuli.
Researchers at NIST have developed an electronic nose that can recognize hundreds of chemical compounds with high accuracy and robustness. The device mimics the biological approach used by animals to detect odors, allowing it to generalize knowledge from familiar smells to unknown ones.
Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered that the signal transmission between neurons in the brain stem, which controls balance and breathing, is linear, unlike most other signals. The study sheds light on the mechanisms controlling these vital functions and may lead to new biotherapeutic agents.
Herpes simplex virus type I is kept under constant guard by the immune system, which actively holds the infection in check without destroying the neurons harboring it. CD8 T cells target infected sensory neurons with lytic granules that attack viral infections without killing the neurons.
Researchers have discovered that the brain uses a forward model to generate predictions about future movements, allowing for rapid and accurate control. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of neural prosthetic devices and could one day enable people with paralysis to control their limbs through thought.
During embryonic development, ephrin/Eph signaling helps regulate the growth of sensory and motor neurons. When this cross-talk is interrupted, motor neurons can mistakenly join sensory pathways, leading to a 'wiring disaster.' Researchers hope to use these findings to develop new treatments for spinal cord injuries
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston conducted the first empirical study on how populations of nerve cells in visual cortex adapt to changing images. The study's findings could lead to improved visual function following trauma or stroke.
Researchers at CSHL used a new technique to measure neural responses in awake rats, finding that only 5% of neurons react strongly to specific sounds. This discovery may help explain how we focus on one sound amidst noise and could inform ways to improve sound learning.
A mutation in the dynein protein may cause inherited neuropathy by disrupting cargo transport in sensory nerve cells, leading to severe proprioception defects and early-onset locomotion problems. This study provides crucial clues for developing better treatments for peripheral neuropathy.
Researchers have visualized cold-sensing fibers led by the gatekeeper protein TRPM8, revealing a single pathway for detecting various types of cold. The study provides evidence that TRPM8 is involved in several cold-sensing mechanisms, including pain and sensation.
Researchers identified specific chemical compounds that triggered aggressive behavior in male mice, shedding light on the neurological basis of behaviors. The study focused on high molecular weight proteins, which were found to activate sensory neurons in the vomeronasal organ, mediating aggressive responses.
Researchers at Rockefeller University found that elevated CO2 levels within the first five days of birth can alter a fly's carbon dioxide detection circuit. The circuit's genetic plan adjusts to real-world conditions, suggesting a general feature of the olfactory system.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute and Harvard University discovered a family of proteins in mouse urine that elicit aggression response in males. The protein family, comprising the major urinary protein (MUP) complex, is recognized exclusively in the vomeronasal organ and activates specific sensory receptor neurons.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals a subset of adult brain cells that can exhibit dynamic behavior, including elongation and morphing, unlike traditional adult axons. This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding neural recovery following stroke or other brain trauma.
Researchers have identified a functional neuronal connection between retinal neurons and the brain's Cluster N region in migratory birds. This link suggests that migratory birds use their visual system to detect the geomagnetic field, supporting the hypothesis that they can 'see' the magnetic field.
Scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center found that brain areas process signals as progressive waves, coordinating a collective pattern from millions of neurons. This challenges traditional models and has the potential to help understand Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and Alzheimer's.
Researchers found that genes in the adult brain can be silenced or unsilenced by regulating gene accessibility without changing DNA sequences. This discovery has significant implications for studying gene function and neuronal physiology.
Scientists have identified the TRPM8 receptor as responsible for sensing cold, which also mediates pain perception. The study provides a target for treating acute and chronic pain.
Research reveals how interneurones process information from senses and brain to control movement, with persistent sodium current playing a critical role. Abnormal regulation of this current may impair motor command integration, affecting normal movement patterns.
Researchers found that both chemical and mechanical stimuli trigger the same messenger molecule, cAMP, in olfactory nerve cells. This suggests that mechanosensitivity exists in all mammals, including humans, without a septal organ, enhancing our ability to smell and synchronizing breathing with inhaling.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that motion-sensitive neurons can perform both integration and segmentation tasks, but not simultaneously. They can access information from other neurons to recover true direction of motion, suggesting a flexible processing mechanism.
Researchers found that microRNA-9a regulates neural development in fruit flies, controlling the precise production of sensory organ precursor cells. mir-9a also represses transcription factor Senseless to regulate neuronal precursor cell numbers in Drosophila and potentially in mammalian neurogenesis.
Researchers at UCSF discover spineless gene's role in controlling dendritic branching patterns in fruit fly neurons. The findings suggest the gene may convert primordial patterns for different neuron types, potentially contributing to neurological disorders like autism.
Scientists mimic worm brains and fish jaws to develop brain-inspired sensors and gain insight into human memory formation. Researchers also explore biological inspiration for legged robots, prosthetics, and tissue engineering.
A recent Carnegie Mellon University study has verified synaptic plasticity in a living animal's brain for the first time, pointing to future avenues for understanding the learning process. The research reveals that experience-dependent changes occur in AMPA receptors at specific synapses, altering their properties and subunit composition.
Olfactory sensory neurons expressing the MOR23 odor receptor responded differently to lyral concentrations and reaction times varied between 500 milliseconds and five seconds. The study adds a new layer to understanding the olfactory system's response to odors, suggesting finer-tuned responses in the brain.
Researchers found that the Runx1 gene is essential for the development and function of nociceptive sensory neurons, which are responsible for sensing pain. The study reveals that Runx1 regulates the specification of these neurons and their wiring, providing a genetic basis for chronic pain.
Researchers studied individual neurons in cats' neocortex to understand multisensory integration, finding that many neurons can respond to multiple senses. The findings suggest that early sensory experiences play a significant role in shaping brain circuitry, with potential implications for treating disorders such as autism and dyslexia.
The study found that dopamine-releasing neurons respond more strongly to neutral odor stimuli after training, indicating a newly formed sensory association. The findings suggest that the mechanisms for learning and environmental stimulus evaluation are similar in mammals and fruit flies.
A study by Romo and de Lafuente found that the medial premotor cortex plays a crucial role in sensory perception, particularly in touch. The researchers used macaque monkeys as subjects and found that activity in this region correlated with the intensity of the stimulus, regardless of whether the monkey consciously felt it or not.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover that inhibitory neurons in visual cortex 'talk' with excitatory neurons to keep balance of chemical signals, excluding surrounding neurons. This fine-scale network organization enables the brain to focus attention on specific stimuli rather than all visual inputs.
In rats with spinal cord injury, third order neurons in the thalamus abnormally fire signals without incoming stimuli. Targeted molecular agents suppress these rogue neurons' activity, reducing phantom pain.
Researchers found that grasshopper auditory neurons respond optimally to specific stimulus ensembles that differ from natural sounds but overlap with components of mating calls. This challenges the efficient coding hypothesis and suggests a weighted ensemble of natural stimuli based on behavioral relevance.
Researchers discovered that monkeys perceive vibration frequency by analyzing neuronal firing patterns, particularly in the first 250 milliseconds. The findings suggest a complex process where attention to the initial response dominates perception, with subsequent firings becoming less significant.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have discovered TRPV3, a protein that detects warm temperatures through skin cells, not sensory neurons. The receptor is activated by both thermal heat and the compound camphor, leading to new insights into pain sensation and potential drug targets.
Researchers have discovered that marine snails and humans share identical cellular mechanisms for learning and memory, which could lead to breakthroughs in understanding age-related memory loss and developing interventions for people with memory disorders. The study may also shed light on the role of protein synthesis in long-term memory.
Researchers at Pitt University successfully reversed peripheral neuropathy in diabetic mice using gene therapy based on HSV vectors, delivering neurotrophic factors to affected neurons. The approach restores lost nerve endings and prevents progression of neuropathy, with promising results for potential human treatment.
A UCSD study uncovers how neurons in the brain sort information from electrical impulses, enabling coherent perception. Different neurons specialize in processing specific portions of the information, mimicking a musician reading their part in an orchestra.
Scientists successfully deleted primary afferent neurons expressing vanilloid receptor 1, leading to potential breakthroughs in pain management. The study aims to provide new avenues for treating chronic pain by targeting the TRPV1 receptor.
Olfactory sensory neurons can adapt to odorant stimulation, but the ability to enhance long-term survival after stimulation has been unclear. Researchers found that odorants stimulate the Erk/MAP kinase/CREB pathway, leading to cell survival and dynamic long-term adjustment to sensory information.
A new study published in Neuron reveals that the brain processes continuous dimensions such as size and luminance in distributed regions of the cortex. The researchers observed that there is considerable overlap between local brain regions and no single region uniquely selective for one particular stimulus.
Researchers discovered a gene, CREST, crucial for normal brain connections formed in response to sensory experiences. The study revealed that mice lacking the CREST gene develop abnormally in response to calcium ions and experience learning disorders.
Scientists have discovered that touch input plays a crucial role in guiding the normal maturation of the pain sensitivity system during development, contradicting the long-held assumption that it is an innate process. This finding has important implications for understanding chronic pain and may lead to new therapeutic methods.
Researchers studied neurons in the olfactory bulb and found that they only undergo subtle changes in response to environmental stimuli. These findings challenge previous theories of brain rewiring and may offer insights into disorders such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found B-vitamins to be effective in treating various painful conditions, including neuropathic pain. The study suggests that B1, B6, and B12 inhibit chemical- and heat-induced pain and activate the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, which contributes to their analgesic effects.
A new study reveals that the human brain can distinguish between thousands of chemicals using a 'fingerprint' pattern, while another discovery sheds light on pheromone-detecting neurons in mice that identify potential mates and social status. These findings may also aid in understanding animal communication and behavior.
The study shows that pheromones trigger unique neural excitation patterns in the brain, providing vital information about sex discrimination and social behavior. Individual neurons respond to specific animals based on their genetic identity, suggesting a complex pheromonal system.
Researchers at Imperial College London identified a neural signal called WNT-3 that helps form connections between sensory and motor neurons in the spinal cord. The discovery has important implications for understanding neural regeneration following spinal injury.
A University of Toronto researcher discovered that embryonic motor systems are largely intrinsic to central nervous systems, with rhythmic movements developing even when deprived of sensory input. This suggests that these movements are coded in the intrinsic properties of neurons, sufficient to drive coordinated movement.
A brain protein linked to narcolepsy helps regulate bodily sensations and modulate sensory input from the body. Hypocretin-2 was found to inhibit activity of neurons associated with pain and temperature sensation, suggesting a potential mechanism connecting wakefulness and sensory modulation.
David Julius, PhD, has made a groundbreaking discovery about the capsaicin receptor, VR1, which mediates responses to painful stimuli. His work builds on the pioneering research of Edward R. Perl, who first identified nociceptors as responsible for pain perception.
Researchers have identified a multigene family of candidate pheromone receptors expressed by sensory neurons in the vomeronasal organ, which may recognize different classes of pheromones. The discovery could lead to understanding of innate behaviors and mating behaviors in mice.