Articles tagged with Axons
Researchers have created a comprehensive atlas of the primary motor cortex, a region that controls movement across mammalian species. The detailed map classifies millions of neurons into different cell-type categories, providing a crucial foundation for understanding brain diseases such as ALS.
A recent NIH study identifies oligodendrocytes as a key player in maintaining energy levels within axons, which are essential for long-distance communication. The research discovered that oligodendrocytes release an enzyme called SIRT2, which increases mitochondrial activity and provides a local power boost to axons.
Researchers have developed a new interface technology that can provide natural sensory feedback from robotic prosthetics to amputees, reducing abnormal sensations and cognitive burden. The innovation uses ultra-small recording sites and molecular guidance cues to stimulate sensory axons selectively, improving control of robotic limbs.
Researchers at Bar-Ilan University have developed a novel method for rapid repair of peripheral nerve injuries using nerve guidance conduits filled with engineered aligned collagen gels and NGF-coated magnetic particles. This technique has shown improved axon growth and functional motor restoration in rats with peripheral nerve injury,...
Researchers found that a protein called CXCL12 attracts growing nerve fibers and keeps them entrapped at the injury site. This prevents regeneration in the central nervous system. Eliminating the receptor for CXCL12 improved axonal regeneration, offering a potential starting point for new drugs.
Researchers at MGH have discovered the role of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs) in forming amyloid beta in axons and neuronal processes. The study suggests that targeting sigma-1 receptors or inhibiting palmitoylation may reduce Abeta production, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's d...
A new study reveals that protein Rab2 is essential for effective nerve cell signaling in the central nervous system. The researchers found that when Rab2 is absent or dysfunctional, signal molecules accumulate in axons like a traffic jam.
Researchers found that a new remyelinating drug called indazole chloride improved vision in mice with multiple sclerosis by inducing remyelination and mitigating damage to the optic nerve. The study highlights the importance of early treatment to mitigate axon damage and recover 75-80% of original function.
A genetic mutation in the Gga3 gene may be more common among African Americans with late-onset Alzheimer's disease, leading to a 'traffic jam' of enzymes in axons. This discovery provides a possible strategy for early diagnosis and targeted treatments, as well as potential biomarkers for detection.
A study published in Science Advances reveals a genetic program essential for 3D vision and motor coordination in mice. The discovery sheds light on the regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway by Zic2, which is crucial for bilateralism and has implications for understanding pathologies such as spina bifida.
Scientists have used gene therapy to regenerate damaged nerve fibers in the eye, potentially leading to new treatments for glaucoma. The technique stimulated regeneration and protected retinal neurons from cell death, offering hope for protecting vision loss.
A UCLA study reveals that a mother's gut microbiota plays a crucial role in fetal neurodevelopment. The research found that depleting the maternal gut microbiota during pregnancy disrupted fetal brain development, including reduced axon growth and impaired sensory behaviors.
A new study found that reduced transportation of RNA by protein TDP-43 disrupts neuron function, leading to stunted axon extension in both ALS and FTLD. The discovery provides a potential target for new treatments.
Researchers at the University of Münster discovered glial cells' active role in controlling signal transduction speed and precision. The study found that glial cells form membrane processes between axons, preventing electrical coupling and ensuring accurate neuronal signaling.
A study by Makoto Sato and colleagues from Kanazawa University reveals that a gene called Dscam regulates the repulsion between neurons in fly brains, leading to the formation of columnar structures. This finding supports the radial unit hypothesis, which describes the development of the cerebral cortex in mammals.
A research team identified a mechanism to control myelin sheath restoration after injury or in multiple sclerosis, regenerating damaged sheaths with theophylline. The study found significant recovery of myelin sheaths in both peripheral and central nervous systems, promoting efficient remyelination.
Biologists at the University of Bayreuth have discovered a unique form of rapid regeneration in zebrafish neurons. Mauthner cells, responsible for escape behavior, can regenerate their axons within a week after injury. This finding disproves the widely accepted view that these cells are unable to regenerate.
A new study from Peter Reddien's Lab at Whitehead Institute has identified muscle cells that serve as guideposts to help regrow axons from the eyes to the brain in regenerative flatworms. The discovery sheds light on neural circuit regeneration in adults and could have implications for understanding human brain or nerve damage.
Researchers at Temple University Health System use Lin28 to fuel axon regrowth in mice with spinal cord injury or optic nerve damage, enabling repair of the body's communication grid. The study shows significant improvements in coordination and sensation after Lin28 treatment.
A new study suggests that increasing energy supply within injured spinal cord nerves could promote axon regrowth and restore motor functions. Researchers found that enhancing mitochondrial transport helped remove damaged mitochondria from injured axons, replenishing undamaged ones to rescue the energy crisis.
A new collaborative study has developed a way to measure microscopic axons using MRI, revealing unprecedented accuracy and opening up new research possibilities. The method overcomes the long-standing challenge of probing axons non-invasively inside a living brain.
Researchers reveal a key role for astrocytes in facilitating inhibitory neuron growth into the lateral geniculate nucleus during early brain development. Without retinal inputs, astrocyte function is disrupted, leading to the absence of inhibitory interneurons.
Researchers at University of Notre Dame have identified a strategy to support nerve regeneration after brachial plexus injury. The study found that chemotherapy treatment can help stabilize axon invasion, allowing severed sensory axons to penetrate the spinal cord barrier.
Researchers found that defective primary cilia can modulate connectivity between neurons during brain development and cause JSRD. Dysfunctional cilia affect axonal tract malformations in JSRD.
Scientists at DZNE have discovered a protein called RhoA that regulates nerve cell growth by pulling the brake, potentially leading to new approaches for spinal cord injury treatment.
Researchers at Tohoku University have identified a new pathological mediator of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that could lead to further understanding of the disease's molecular breakdown. The study found that a mutated version of FUS gene causes toxic gain of function, leading to axonal branching and degeneration.
A single protein, syt-17, is crucial for axon growth and regulation of synaptic communication. Removing the protein blocks axon development, while overproducing it accelerates growth.
Scientists at DZNE have identified a group of proteins that help regenerate damaged nerve cells, potentially leading to new treatments for spinal cord injuries. These proteins, part of the 'cofilin/ADF' family, drive growth and regeneration in both young and adult neurons.
Injured axons trigger Schwann cells to build specialized actin spheres, breaking down and removing damaged fragments to start regeneration. Oligodendrocytes can also generate actin structures with induced VEGFR1 expression, promoting central nervous system healing.
Researchers have discovered that Schwann cells can spread myelin across multiple axons, overturning the traditional understanding of these cells' function. This finding could lead to new gene-therapy techniques to repair damaged myelin in peripheral nervous system disorders like Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Physicists at Saarland University have developed a mathematical model that describes how biological systems can measure and regulate their length. The model explains how neurons can determine their own length and can be generalized to other biological systems, including trees, humans, and cells.
A new study published in PNAS reveals that the HERV-W envelope protein drives CNS microglial cells to damage myelinated axons in MS patients. Clinical trials have shown promising results with temelimab, an ENV-neutralising antibody that blocks the retrovirus's activity.
Researchers at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute have made a breakthrough in understanding how neurons navigate to their targets, potentially leading to treatments for spinal cord injuries and motor disorders. The study discovered that Sonic hedgehog molecules act like breadcrumbs to guide axons towards specific locations.
Researchers at The University of Tokyo have grown a working model of a cerebral tract in the lab, mimicking the connections between neurons in the brain. The model, created using induced pluripotent stem cells, demonstrates how axons can grow and form bundles to connect separate cognitive tasks.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have identified a gene mutation that causes motor axon misrouting, leading to improper connection with muscles. The study reveals how p190 acts as a blinder to guide axons outside of the spinal cord, shedding light on the intricate mechanisms of cell signaling and development.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that axons use a 'battering ram' approach to enter the spinal cord wall during early development, contradicting a widely-held hypothesis. This discovery could lead to new strategies for repairing brachial plexus injuries and regenerative therapies.
Researchers have discovered that removing arginase 2 enzyme reduces neuron death and degeneration of nerve fibers in the retina after optic nerve injury. The study found that deleting this enzyme decreases inflammation and promotes recovery, suggesting it as a potential treatment target.
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers suggests that axon growth cones can make decisions locally and function semi-autonomously without the cell body. This challenges traditional dogma about neurons, proposing a more intricate web of decision-making and the existence of semi-independent units.
Researchers have discovered genetic switches that ignite axon formation, revealing the role of PTBP2 and SHTN1 genes. The study shows how alternative splicing enables neurons to produce long axons, essential for neural communication.
A new study published in Cell suggests that targeting immune cells called natural killer cells may help clear out damaged axons and promote healthy regrowth, potentially decreasing chronic neuropathic pain. The findings could lead to a greater understanding of the mechanisms behind neuropathic pain and improve treatment options.
A team of researchers has identified a mechanism that contributes to the degeneration of axons in multiple sclerosis, leading to permanent neurological deficits. They found that minuscule ruptures in the cell membrane allow calcium ions to enter the neuron, disrupting its balance and ultimately killing it.
Scientists have developed a gene therapy that blocks axon destruction in mice, suggesting a therapeutic strategy to prevent the loss of peripheral nerves in multiple conditions. This breakthrough could help prevent peripheral neuropathy, a disease affecting 20 million people in the US, and other neurodegenerative disorders.
The study found that the cerebellum influences reward processing and social behaviors, which could lead to new treatments for addiction. The researchers used optogenetics to activate cerebellar neurons connected to the ventral tegmental area (VTA), triggering pleasurable behaviors in mice.
Researchers created a 3D printed scaffold that mimicked natural anatomy and boosted stem cell-based treatment for spinal cord injuries. The implants supported tissue regrowth, stem cell survival, and axon outgrowth in rats, leading to significant functional motor improvement.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have devised a new method called Axon-seq to study axons and better understand the pathological development of ALS. The method reveals significant differences in RNA profiles between healthy cells and those with mutated SOD1 genes, which causes ALS.
Researchers discovered that small, spherical mitochondria inside brain cells help neurons grow and form proper connections. This unique shape is tied to the neuron's shape and allows for optimal calcium uptake, driving healthy axonal growth and cellular communication.
Mature oligodendrocytes have been found to be capable of remyelinating damaged axons, suggesting a potential new target for treating multiple sclerosis. This discovery opens up new avenues for slowing or reversing the disease by promoting the activity of these cells.
Researchers found that mutations in specific genes also attack sensory neurons, leading to new insights for preventing or reversing ALS. Sensory neurons' axons exhibit similar pathological changes as motor neurons, making them a potential target for discovering and testing molecules to treat ALS.
Researchers identified 'navigator' neurons that play a key role in establishing the olfactory map and correcting faulty connections. These neurons, which only exist during early development, undergo exuberant axon growth and have distinct molecular signatures.
Researchers found structural changes in myelin sheaths triggered by environmental factors can lead to autoimmune attacks that cause MS. The study suggests even minor changes in local conditions may precipitate the disease.
Researchers found specific physical changes to axons speed up neural transmission, leading to higher cognitive abilities. Axon myelination increased significantly during adolescence, corresponding with a dramatic increase in signal conduction velocity.
Researchers have found a way to overcome the barrier that prevents damaged neurons from regrowing after spinal cord injury. By turning back the neurons' clocks and reactivating growth patterns, they were able to reconnect severed spinal cord nerves and induce new axons to regrow across the scarred tissue.
Scientists have discovered a three-pronged treatment that stimulates axon growth through scar tissue in rodents, potentially leading to therapies for humans. The approach triggers axon growth and transmission across damaged tissue, opening doors to restoring connections in people with spinal cord injury.
Researchers have discovered a three-pronged recipe to regenerate severed nerve fibers across complete spinal cord injuries, replicating conditions that promote growth during development. The treatment involves delivering growth factors and proteins to reanimate the genetic program for axon growth and create a permissive environment.
Researchers at Nagoya University have identified a signaling cascade involved in the regeneration of damaged nerves in roundworms, which shares similarities with the recognition and engulfment of apoptotic cells. This discovery may lead to pharmaceutical interventions to treat conditions like brain and spinal cord injuries.
Researchers at Princeton University discovered that rabies virus uses a distinct transport process to reach neuronal cell bodies, contrasting with other neuron-invading viruses. Emetine, a protein synthesis inhibitor used to treat amoebic dysentery, efficiently blocks rabies virus transport by immobilizing endosomes carrying the virus.
A team of Japanese and American scientists have identified shootin1 as a key molecule in axon guidance, converting chemical cues into mechanical force. The study found that even slight concentration gradients in nectin-1 induce significant changes in shootin1 phosphorylation, guiding the axon with remarkable sensitivity.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have identified a key enzyme that drives neuron death in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and ALS. The enzyme histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) modifies a molecular motor that triggers signaling agents to travel down the axon, killing the neuron.
Researchers at UC San Diego have found that axon geometry is crucial in information flow, with a 'refraction ratio' of 0.92 indicating optimal balance between signal latency and refractory period. This discovery has implications for understanding neurological disorders like autism and developing more brain-like artificial neural networks.
New research on sea lamprey reveals the evolutionary roots of myelinating glia, cells responsible for insulating axons and enhancing neural communication. The study's findings suggest that myelin evolved to facilitate fast signal transmission in smaller axons of jawed vertebrates.