Articles tagged with Axons
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.
A new mechanism regulating axon pathfinding has been identified in zebrafish embryos, suggesting that neuronal activity can influence brain connectivity. The research found that optogenetic stimulation of an inhibited N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor was necessary for axons to properly cross the midline.
A Yale research team identified a gene that can spur regeneration of axons in nerve cells severed by spinal cord injury when eliminated. The study found over 580 genes potentially involved in regeneration, with one gene, Rab27, leading to successful axon regeneration in mice.
Researchers identify KIF5A as a new gene associated with ALS, implicating the role of cytoskeletal defects in axon communication. The discovery suggests the cytoskeleton as a potential target for new drug development and may lead to improved treatments for familial and sporadic ALS.
A new study reveals that QNZ-46 can protect the brain from damage caused by excessive glutamate release in stroke. The novel drug targets the source of damaging glutamate, leading to a reduced risk of myelin breakdown and functional deficit in white matter.
A team of researchers at IST Austria found that the specialized ion channels in PV+-BCs neurons are gated to optimize both fast signalling and energy efficiency. This discovery resolves a major contradiction about how these neurons generate signals, finding that they are more energy-efficient than previously thought.
Researchers find that L1-CAM grips and slips on laminin to steer axons to their final destination. Disruption of this system leads to CRASH syndrome, a brain disorder characterized by neural disabilities.
Researchers discovered that characteristic patterns of the myelin layer are determined early on and can be adjusted by nerve cells. The team found that the speed of signal transmission through an axon is partly determined by the number and length of myelin segments.
A study by Columbia University researchers found that loss of Rbfox genes disrupts the assembly of the axon initial segment, crucial for neurons to fire action potentials. The team identified the Rbfox-controlled splicing of the Ankyrin-G gene as a key factor in this process.
Researchers at UC San Diego have identified a new genetic pathway that plays an active role in neuron damage regeneration. The discovery of the PIWI-interacting small RNA (piRNA) pathway could offer therapeutic targets for helping neurons regrow after traumatic injuries and stroke.
Scientists uncovered new insights into the regulatory network behind axon termination, a crucial process in neuron development. The study found that RPM-1 signaling is required to regulate growth cone collapse and microtubule stability during axon termination.
A new Penn Medicine study found that female axons are smaller and have fewer microtubules, making them more susceptible to concussion. Women athletes are more likely to experience concussions and worse outcomes than men, possibly due to these anatomical differences.
Researchers have developed a three-compartment system to culture neurons preserving the nerve's structure. They found that viruses can escape silencing through stress-mediated slow and fast processes. The slow process is triggered by neuron stress, while the fast process involves viral tegument proteins.
A team of Japanese and US scientists have created a microdevice that successfully forms axon fascicles in the lab, similar to those seen in the brain. This innovation could provide insights into brain development and disease prevention by studying the formation of fascicles.
Scientists have discovered that axon damage leads to shrinking dendritic spines and rising excitability in neurons, but also found that blocking gene activity with netrin-1 can reverse these changes. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatments for brain injury patients.
A team of scientists at Boston Children's Hospital has developed a therapeutic cocktail that promotes axon regrowth after spinal cord injury or stroke, resulting in improved fine motor skills. The treatment showed significant improvement in mice with either condition, with error rates dropping to 30% and 46% respectively.
Researchers have discovered a new role for an enzyme called Axundead in promoting axon degeneration. However, blocking its function preserved the integrity of injured axons and allowed them to maintain signal transmission within the brain's complex circuitry for weeks.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered rapid microscopic swelling along the axons of rodent brain tissue after laboratory-induced mild traumatic brain injury. The study found that these swellings are reversible and disappear within minutes, which could lead to improved treatment for concussions.
Researchers at The Ohio State University have discovered that blows to the head can cause small swellings along the length of neuronal axons. This finding provides novel mechanistic insights into the initial stage of a new type of neuronal plasticity in health and disease.
Chandelier cells, a type of inhibitory interneuron, develop their connections differently than other neurons. Researchers found that only synapses on axon initial segments contain molecules, while the rest appear empty throughout development.
Researchers discovered a brain subgroup that triggers binge-like eating when activated, leading to weight gain. Stimulation of this area with specific neurons or hormones increased food intake, but reduced it after stimulation stopped.
A study by Queen Mary University of London found that axonal loss in multiple sclerosis (MS) is not the sole cause of chronic disability. The researchers discovered a substantial loss of synaptic connections in the MS spinal cord, which may drive disability. This new understanding could help identify targets for new treatments.
Scientists at UCLA's Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research have discovered a new role for netrin1 in organizing axon growth during embryonic development. The study reveals that netrin1 acts locally, guiding axons to form a normal functioning nervous system.
Researchers have mapped transport in mammalian axons for the first time, revealing a crucial protein called MAP2 that regulates molecular movement. The discovery provides new insights into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Scientists at WashU Medicine have implicated SARM1 in the self-destruction of axons, a process that leads to nerve cell damage in neurodegenerative diseases. The study suggests that blocking this pathway could slow or prevent disease progression and has implications for treating peripheral neuropathy.
A Drexel University-led study found that Fragile X granules linger in the hippocampus of adult humans, expanding the age range for treatment. The study suggests that therapies targeting both dendrites and axons could be effective in treating symptoms of Fragile X syndrome and potentially other autism-related disorders.
Axon degeneration is a major contributor to neurological diseases. A new study reveals that axons coordinate each other's destruction, creating a ripple effect of neuron death. Blocking this communication can slow degeneration by up to 10 times.
Researchers have discovered a natural molecule that can repair damaged axons, the thread-like projections carrying electrical signals between cells. The molecule, fusicoccin-A, harnesses 14-3-3 activity to stimulate axon growth, offering a promising strategy for treating brain and spinal cord injuries.
A recent study in mice suggests that protecting axons may prevent the development of neurological problems associated with TBI. The researchers used mice with a genetic mutation that protects axons and found that they did not develop vision or cognitive problems after blast-related TBI.
Researchers identified a characteristic feature of oligodendrocyte myelination, which selectively targets axons from specific brain regions. This discovery may provide insights into neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis and suggest new avenues for understanding higher brain function.
Scientists at Boston Children's Hospital discovered a defect in mitochondrial recycling in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a genetic disorder associated with autism. The study found that two existing classes of drugs, carbamazepine and mTOR inhibitors, can enhance autophagy and replenish healthy mitochondria.
Researchers have identified a new target for treating neurodegenerative diseases: Rolofylline, which alleviates learning and memory deficits in mice with aberrant Tau proteins. The drug re-establishes neuronal activity despite pathological Tau aggregates.
Researchers studied nerve regeneration in roundworms and discovered a signaling pathway that induces nerves to regenerate. This pathway is also involved in clearing dying cells, suggesting a potential target for improving human recovery from nerve injury.
Researchers discovered that RIPK1 damages neuronal axons by disrupting myelin production, leading to axonal degeneration and hallmark ALS symptoms. The findings suggest that inhibiting RIPK1 activity may halt the progression of ALS and provide new therapeutic options.
A novel imaging technique allows visualization and monitoring of structural alterations in neuronal networks after traumatic brain damage, stroke, or aging processes. This enables detection and characterization of diseases like dementia, epilepsy, and metabolic disorders.
A biomedical engineer from the University of Houston is using a $1.2 million grant to develop technology platform for axonal regeneration in nervous system. The goal is to understand how shifts in chemical gradients affect axonal growth, with potential applications for neurodegenerative diseases and neural prosthetics.
Researchers have clarified the beneficial function of a brain protein associated with prion diseases, revealing its role in maintaining nerve cell insulation. The study found that properly folded proteins play a crucial role in keeping axons insulated, enabling rapid nerve signal propagation.
A study in mice funded by the National Institutes of Health shows that high-contrast visual stimulation can help regenerate optic nerve fibers, allowing for partial restoration of visual function. The research demonstrates that adult regenerated central nervous system axons are capable of navigating to correct targets in the brain.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have successfully restored multiple key aspects of vision in mice by coaxing severed optic-nerve cables to regenerate and re-establish connections with the brain. This breakthrough could potentially lead to future work on restoring vision in blind people.
Researchers at Northwestern University have identified a new framework for understanding the role of dopamine neurons in movement control and learning/reward. The study found two distinct populations of dopamine neurons, one carrying signals for motor control and movement, and the other transmitting signals about unpredicted reward.
A team of neuroscientists has mapped single neural connections over long distances in the brain, discovering that the wiring is more complex than previously thought. The results reveal connections 'skipping' layers, allowing for more efficient processing and potentially enabling specialized detection of visual features.
Researchers at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience developed novel approaches to study axonal excitability with unprecedented detail. They discovered that action potentials vary in shape depending on subcellular location and are influenced by potassium channel subtypes.
Researchers at Drexel University discover that motor proteins and sliding microtubules play a crucial role in guiding neurons to their correct destinations. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
Researchers at RIKEN Brain Science Institute discovered myosin-Va's role in directing neuron growth. The protein complex acts as a calcium sensor that tells new axon pieces where to go.
Researchers found that aging diminishes the mammalian central nervous system's ability to regenerate axons after a spinal cord injury. As a result, middle-aged adults already have a significantly reduced ability to regenerate compared to young adults.
Researchers at UCLA found that nerve cells regrow better when glial scarring is left intact, challenging the assumption that scars impede regeneration. The study revealed that glial scars can actually stimulate axon growth and regeneration, leading to new approaches for repairing spinal cord injuries.
Researchers used optogenetics to temporarily disconnect long-range axons, shedding light on the brain's internal communication. This study contributes to a better understanding of brain connectivity and its role in mental health diseases.
Researchers at Rockefeller University found that the cell body actively controls axon degeneration in embryos. The study reveals that a lack of NGF triggers a message within the cell that ultimately instructs the axon to die.
Researchers found two proteins that play a crucial role in axonal degeneration, the first part of neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery creates new avenues for finding ways to protect neurons from damage.
Researchers at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology found that enhancing neuronal activity through melanopsin and DREADD-Gq stimulates axonal regeneration in adult mice. This suggests a new approach to facilitate neural repair after CNS damage.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham have discovered a small molecule called nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) that causes a chain reaction of destruction within neuron cell processes. This finding may lead to new therapies for age-related neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have discovered a blood test for the SNTF protein, which may predict long-term cognitive impairments in concussion patients. The study suggests that even mild concussions can cause permanent damage to brain wiring, leading to cognitive impairment.
Researchers at Rockefeller University discovered a new signaling molecule, NELL2, that guides axons during critical brain development. The molecule directs commissural axons to the midline using Robo3 receptors, shedding light on axon guidance and potential treatments for horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis.
A recent study published in Neuron shows that brain layers facilitate the rapid development of neuronal circuits, but are not essential for establishing cell-type specific connections. The researchers used zebrafish as a model system to demonstrate this and found that layer formation is necessary for speeding up circuit assembly.
Researchers have identified a new protein, NELL2, that acts as a 'Do Not Enter' sign to guide axons across the midline of the spinal cord. This finding contributes to solving the mystery of axon guidance and may advance therapeutic approaches for neuronal repair.
Researchers have identified a mechanism that allows the nervous system to heal itself by correctly directing axons to reconnect. Using zebrafish with fluorescent proteins, they found that regenerating axons explore both correct and incorrect paths but are guided towards the proper direction by extracellular matrix components.
Scientists at RIKEN Brain Science Institute discovered that glial cells release phospholipid LysoPtdGlc, which repels pain-sensing axons and directs position-sensitive neurons to specific regions in the spinal cord. This lipid-based signaling system has potential as a therapeutic target for spinal cord injury.