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Researchers discover how some brain cells transfer material to neurons in mice

Researchers at UC Davis discovered how oligodendrocyte-lineage cells transfer cell material to neurons in the mouse brain, providing a new mechanism for understanding brain maturation and finding treatments for neurological conditions. This discovery opens new possibilities for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and P...

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateApr 17, 2023

A new breakthrough in Alzheimer disease research - visualizing reactive astrocyte-neuron interaction

Researchers developed a new imaging technique that visualizes the interaction between reactive astrocytes and neurons in the brain, revealing a potential breakthrough in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and treatment. The study found that acetate promotes reactive astrogliosis, leading to dementia, and offers a new target for AD treatment.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalBrain·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 16, 2023

In sync brainwaves predict learning, study shows

A new study by NYU researchers found that students' brainwaves in sync with their classmates and teacher are more likely to learn better. The study used EEG to track brain activity during lectures, finding that synchrony between brainwaves predicted higher post-lecture test scores.

SourceNew York University·JournalPsychological Science·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 13, 2023

Whether physical exertion feels ‘easy’ or ‘hard’ may be due to dopamine levels, study suggests

Researchers found that dopamine availability in the brain affects people's self-assessment of physical effort and willingness to undertake future exertions. The study, which involved Parkinson's disease patients, suggests that dopamine level is a critical factor in helping people accurately assess how much effort a physical task requires.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·Journalnpj Parkinson s Disease·DateApr 12, 2023

The Lancet Neurology: Identifying ‘hallmark’ Parkinson’s disease protein build-up could aid early detection and pave way for improved diagnosis and treatment

Researchers identified a technique to detect abnormal protein deposits linked to Parkinson's disease, confirming its accuracy for early detection and characterisation. The α-synuclein seed amplification assay (αSyn-SAA) can identify people with Parkinson's disease and at-risk individuals prior to diagnosis.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 12, 2023

Mitochondria power-supply failure may cause age-related cognitive impairment

Researchers at Salk Institute discover that dysfunctional mitochondria at synapses fail to meet energetic demand, supplying either too much or too little power and potentially causing working memory impairment with age. Adherence to the ultrastructural size principle is essential for avoiding cognitive decline in aging brains.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalFrontiers in Aging Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 12, 2023

Alternative route used by specialized immune cells to colonize the embryonic brain suggests new approach to fighting fetal brain dysfunction

Researchers at Nagoya University found an alternative route for microglia colonization in the embryonic brain, suggesting a novel approach to combat diseases like fetal brain dysfunction. Macrophages can convert into microglia later in development, providing new insights into microglial plasticity and behavior.

SourceNagoya University·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 11, 2023

Untangling the mystery of sleep

A recent study has found that sleep is necessary for survival due to its role in regulating the body's homeostasis and preventing diseases. The research also shows that the brain disconnects from the environment during sleep, and that the gut plays a crucial role in this process.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateApr 11, 2023

An embarrassment of riches

Researchers found that Indigenous populations with limited food availability have slower brain aging, while industrialized populations experience faster cognitive decline. Beyond a certain point, excessive energy gain from food intake is associated with smaller brain volumes and faster aging.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 11, 2023

Four different autism subtypes identified in brain study

A new study from Weill Cornell Medicine has identified four clinically distinct groups of people with autism spectrum disorder, each with unique brain connection patterns and behavioral traits. The findings highlight the potential for personalized therapies tailored to individual subgroups, which may lead to more effective treatments.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateApr 7, 2023

Studying consciousness without affecting it

Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute have developed a new method to measure consciousness without external stimulation, using a breathing task internally prompted by the subject. This approach detected loss of responsiveness at lower concentrations of anesthetic than previous methods, suggesting it is more sensitive.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalBritish Journal of Anaesthesia·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2023

Novel immunotherapy delivery approach safe and beneficial for some melanoma patients with leptomeningeal disease

Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a novel approach to administer intrathecal and intravenous immunotherapy to treat leptomeningeal disease (LMD) in melanoma patients, showing promising results in improving survival rates and quality of life for some patients.

Fluid flow in the brain can be manipulated by sensory stimulation

A new study by Boston University researchers reveals that visual stimulation can induce large-scale changes in cerebrospinal fluid flow during wakefulness. The findings have implications for treating conditions like Alzheimer's disease, which are associated with declines in fluid flow.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2023

Molecular imaging offers insight into chemo-brain

A literature review published by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging reveals how nuclear medicine brain imaging can help evaluate biological changes causing chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment. The findings confirmed the impact of chemotherapy drugs on cognitive function and highlighted the utility of various SP...

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateMar 28, 2023

A readily available dietary supplement may reverse organ damage caused by HIV and antiretroviral therapy

A recent study found that the mitochondrial antioxidant MitoQ can reverse the detrimental effects of HIV and antiretroviral therapy on organs such as the brain, heart, and liver. The researchers used humanized mice infected with HIV and treated them with MitoQ for three months.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 24, 2023

How the brain's 'internal compass' works

A new study has uncovered the brain's internal compass, which helps it navigate changing environments. The research found that the brain uses a mechanism called 'network gain' to reorient itself after being disoriented, allowing for rapid recovery of its sense of direction.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 2023

Depressed, and aging fast

Researchers found that older adults with depression exhibit accelerated biological aging, poor physical and brain health, and worse cardiovascular health. This association suggests opportunities for preventive strategies to reduce disability associated with major depression in older adults.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalNature Mental Health·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 2023

NTU Singapore study shows new way to spur brain immune cells to clear toxic waste linked to Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers at NTU Singapore have found a way to spur brain immune cells to clear toxic waste linked to Alzheimer’s disease by targeting their metabolism. The study reveals a ‘metabolic switch’ in the brain’s immune cells that can be manipulated to improve their function.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

Mental fatigue can impair physical performance - study

A study by University of Birmingham's School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences found that mental fatigue impairs physical exercise performance. Researchers measured cognitive tasks on a group of 16 men and women, showing increased exertion during physical exercise among mentally fatigued participants.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalInternational Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2023

Fresh understanding of ageing in the brain offers hope for treating neurological diseases

Researchers have found a possible new target for therapies aimed at treating age-related neurological diseases by linking increased presence of immune cells to conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Microglia, specialized immune cells in the brain, can adopt a dysfunctional state that contributes to neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 8, 2023

How the Brain Senses Infection

A study published in Nature found that a small group of neurons in the airway play a pivotal role in alerting the brain about flu infections. The researchers also identified a second pathway from the lungs to the brain that becomes active later in the infection, which may hold promise for developing new treatments.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateMar 8, 2023

Putting out “the fire in the brain”

Researchers have developed a potential treatment for autoimmune encephalitis by creating an NMDA receptor fusion construct that neutralizes pathogenic antibodies. This innovative approach has shown promise in reducing signal transmission to neurons and may lead to improved treatment options for patients with this rare and serious disease.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalBrain·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 3, 2023

New Cleveland Clinic-developed screening tool can assess cognition issues in older adults

A new screening tool developed by Cleveland Clinic researchers can effectively detect mild cognitive impairment, early Alzheimer's disease, and other related dementias in older adults. The tool has been shown to identify 90% of patients with mild cognitive impairment, offering a potential solution for early detection and prevention.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·DateMar 1, 2023

Parental investment may have aided evolution of larger brains

A review of evidence suggests that increased parental energy investment in young offspring may have facilitated the evolution of larger brains in some species. This is particularly true for warm-blooded species, which tend to invest more energy in their young through actions such as egg production and lactation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 28, 2023