A study published in Chinese Medical Journal explores the use of artificial intelligence to identify potential medications for treating glaucoma. Researchers used AI models to predict the effectiveness of small-molecule compounds targeting RIPK3, a key signaling molecule involved in programmed cell death.
Researchers at TU Wien found that retinal ganglion cells retain their ability to produce different signals even after blindness. These intrinsic properties are stable and can be utilized in retinal implants, leading to better stimulation strategies for blind patients.
A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that the colour of light has a limited impact on the human internal clock and sleep. The researchers exposed volunteers to different coloured lights, including blueish and yellowish lights, to determine their effect on the body.
Researchers used a stellate ganglion block to restore the sense of smell in patients with long-COVID, showing near 100% resolution of phantosmia in some patients. The treatment was effective in improving symptoms for up to 49% of patients at three months.
Researchers found that brain circuits in 'deep-blind' zebrafish are fully functional and can drive normal visual behavior through direct stimulation. This study challenges the long-held assumption that neural development depends on visual experience.
A study published in Science reveals that ganglia in the neck region are responsible for disrupting melatonin production and causing sleep disturbances in people with heart conditions. Researchers found that macrophages accumulate in the ganglion, leading to inflammation and scarring, which can be treated with drugs.
Glaucoma researchers identify mitochondria as a key source of energy for optic nerve cells, and restoring balance can protect these cells from damage. The study suggests enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis may be a promising treatment strategy.
Researchers generated cochlear avatars from stem cells, recreating hair cell function and transmitting electrical signals. This breakthrough enables the investigation of sensorineural hearing loss mechanisms and potential treatments.
A new UCI-led study shows that repeated stress accelerates aging of the eye, leading to retinal ganglion cell death and visual defects. The research highlights the importance of early diagnosis and prevention in managing age-related diseases like glaucoma.
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.
Researchers at Aalto University have discovered a dedicated neural pathway in the retina that can detect even the dimmest shadows possible. This breakthrough could lead to unprecedented resolution in probing visual diseases.
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.
A UT Dallas team analyzes how pain is generated by nociceptors in human dorsal root ganglia neurons using spatial transcriptomics. This provides neuroscientists with a better understanding of which genes are expressed in DRG neurons, helping to clarify why proposed treatments struggle to produce results in humans.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discover that Antabuse helps improve sight in mice with retinal degeneration by reducing hyperactive retinal cells. The treatment may one day lead to better therapies for humans with inherited diseases like retinitis pigmentosa.
Researchers have discovered that sigma 1 receptor plays a crucial role in protecting retinal ganglion cells from damage in glaucoma. The protein enables astrocytes to secrete supportive factors for neurons, improving their survival and function.
Researchers compared microscopic inner ear structures of two main bat groups, revealing extra neurons and specialized ear structures that align with a split in bat evolution. This discovery provides the first physical evidence to support genetic data on the split of bats into two major groups.
Rare fossils from the Cambrian period confirm the presence of an ancestral frontal domain in arthropods, which gives rise to crucial neural centers involved in decision-making and memory. The discovery also sheds new light on the evolutionary origin of visual systems in arthropods.
Researchers discovered that CaMKII is a key regulator of the survival of retinal ganglion cells, which process visual information. Gene therapy reactivating CaMKII provided robust protection against vision loss in multiple disease and injury models.
Scientists discover gene therapy that protects optic nerve cells and preserves vision in mouse models of glaucoma. The study suggests a way forward for developing neuroprotective therapies for glaucoma, a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness.
Neurons in the mouse visual thalamus establish strong functional connections only with one retina, not with both, resolving contradictory results from previous studies. The dominant eye is determined by a clear selection of input, and non-dominant eye signals are weak or inactive.
A new AI-powered algorithm, WeakGCSeg, accurately detects and tracks ganglion cells in the retina, surpassing human expertise. This technology enables early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases like glaucoma, improving treatment options.
Researchers discovered a unique UV-A-light-sensing system in flatworms, allowing them to coordinate movement and arousal. This finding may help illuminate the development and evolution of distinct light-sensing systems in single organisms.
A recent study published in IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering found that high signal heterogeneity from different retinal ganglion cells is essential for efficient transmission of visual information. The research team discovered that certain types of retinal ganglion cells respond similarly to electric ...
Researchers have successfully regenerated human retinal ganglion cells in a laboratory dish using lessons learned from rodent models. The discovery could lead to new methods of screening for drugs and genes impacted by glaucoma, potentially offering hope for vision loss patients.
Scientists inserted a green-light receptor gene into the eyes of blind mice and, a month later, they regained sight. The researchers aim to develop this therapy for humans within three years, potentially restoring their ability to read or watch video.
A team led by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet neurobiologist Laura Busse investigated how the brain processes visual stimuli. They found that most types of retinal ganglion cells transmit information to the visual thalamus, but with selective processing and weighting at the first neuronal waystation.
Researchers at IUPUI have developed a way to create more-mature models of the human retina using human stem cells and astrocytes. These findings will guide the development of a lab-grown model of glaucoma, enabling researchers to study the disease in greater detail.
Researchers at Princeton University have created detailed maps of neurons using a quarter-million video game players, discovering six new neuron types. The Eyewire Museum showcases the intricate beauty of neural circuits, providing a valuable resource for neuroscientists worldwide.
A multi-disciplinary team of researchers has received a $9 million grant to develop enhanced infrared light technology for treating diseases such as cardiac arrhythmias, high blood pressure, asthma, and diarrhea. The technology aims to stimulate or inhibit electrical signals in the nervous system with laser precision.
A new biomarker, GDF15, has been identified as a potential predictor of vision loss in glaucoma patients. The biomarker, which measures stress to cells rather than cell death, was found to be elevated in mice and humans with glaucoma, correlating with disease severity.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia are exploring the potential of (+)-pentazocine to prevent vision damage in glaucoma patients by activating sigma-1 receptors in astrocytes. The study aims to understand how increased pressure affects astrocyte behavior and develop new therapies to protect neurons.
A cost-effectiveness study on selective biopsy of the sentinel ganglion in cutaneous melanoma found no improvement in health outcomes. The technique is not recommended over removing the primary tumour followed by monitoring, regardless of tumour thickness or timeframe.
Researchers have discovered that stem cell secretions, called exosomes, can promote survival of retinal ganglion cells in rats, which could lead to potential therapies for glaucoma. The study found that exosome-treated retinal ganglion cells maintained function and lost fewer cells after optic nerve injury.
Chelating zinc has been shown to promote survival of neurons in the retina and stimulate repair of damaged nerve fibers. In a mouse model, researchers saw dramatic levels of axon regeneration after using zinc chelators.
A small study found an abnormality involving the retina that may account for altered vision in regular cannabis users. The study used pattern electroretinography to measure retinal ganglion cell function and found a significant delay in transmission of action potentials.
A study reveals that neurons in the human eye work together to correct errors and improve visual signal accuracy. The research used a mathematical model to analyze retinal ganglion cell activity and found that collective signals are more reliable than individual cell signals.
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 have discovered a 520-million-year-old fossilized nervous system, providing the most detailed example yet found. The fossil, from southern China, has revealed individual nerves visible for the first time in a fossil of this age.
Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a method to efficiently turn human stem cells into retinal ganglion cells, a type of nerve cell that transmits visual signals. The breakthrough could lead to the development of cell transplant therapies for glaucoma and multiple sclerosis patients.
Researchers at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute used 'brainbow' technique to tag retinal ganglion cell terminals, revealing individual terminals from multiple cells in mature mouse brains. The study challenges traditional understanding of neural development and connections between the retina and brain.
A new image-guided treatment has been shown to provide sustained relief for chronic migraine sufferers, allowing them to require less medication. The treatment involves injecting a numbing agent into the sphenopalatine ganglion, a nerve bundle associated with migraines, and results in a 36% decrease in pain scores.
Researchers identified structural features and cell types in the retina that may act as key factors in glaucoma progression. Within seven days of elevated eye pressure, some retinal ganglion cells underwent significant rearrangements, such as reductions in number and length of dendritic branches.
Inhibition of NgR expression reduces apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells in diabetic rats by inhibiting Rho kinase, indicating a potential therapeutic target for glaucoma and related diseases. Upregulation of NgR is associated with increased cell apoptosis and visual extinction.
Researchers have discovered that spiral ganglion stem cells in the inner ear can regenerate and differentiate into mature spiral ganglion cells, neurons, and glial cells. This breakthrough finding makes these stem cells a promising source of replacement cells for therapies aimed at regenerating neural structures in the inner ear.
Researchers have made significant progress in creating artificial vision that mimics the retina's natural response to movement. By targeting specific cells, they were able to reproduce natural patterns of activity, bringing closer the goal of restoring high-fidelity vision to blind individuals.
Researchers investigated percutaneous microballoon compression for trigeminal neuralgia, finding that a 2-minute compression period can suppress pain transduction. However, long-term compression is ideal for patients with recurrent trigeminal neuralgia to reduce complications and increase success rates.
Researchers successfully delivered adeno-associated virus serotype-5 (AAV-5) to the rat trigeminal ganglion, demonstrating transduction efficiency in sensory neurons. The study's findings support the use of AAV-5 based gene therapy approaches for evaluating target proteins and potential treatments for trigeminal pain disorders.
The study found that melatonin receptor 1 expression is significantly reduced in the caudal spinal nucleus, leading to an attenuated regulatory effect on pain. This breakthrough discovery has implications for understanding pain transmission and developing new treatments.
Researchers have found that oligomeric proanthocyanidin has a protective effect on retinal ganglion cells against oxidative stress-induced injury, providing potential treatment for neural diseases. The compound, enriched in grape seeds, shows promise in preventing cell death in optic neurodegenerative conditions.
Researchers at Washington State University have made a breakthrough in repairing damaged brain cells using the active compound of chili peppers. The discovery has potential to provide relief for concussions and other health effects seen in athletes and head-injury victims.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine have devised a treatment that prevents optic nerve injury in glaucoma by exposing mice to low levels of oxygen. The study found that preconditioning induced tolerance protects against neurodegenerative disease, with mice losing only 3% of retinal ganglion cell bodies after 10 weeks.
Researchers found that surgery to snip nerves related to the sympathetic nervous system on both sides of the chest can help control dangerous incessant ventricular arrhythmias. Four out of six study patients completely responded with no more arrhythmias, and one patient had a partial response.
Researchers have identified a crucial part of the nervous system whose malfunction may account for an increased risk of death from heart failure. The cardiac ganglion plays a key role in regulating vagal tone reaching the heart.
Scientists are investigating a novel treatment approach for traumatic optic nerve damage, with the goal of preventing permanent vision loss. By targeting an enzyme that regulates adenosine production, researchers hope to strengthen the body's natural anti-inflammatory response.
Researchers have discovered that retinal ganglion cells receive visual information from amacrine cell dendrites running along the null-direction, allowing for directional selectivity. This mechanism relies on asymmetric synapses and inhibitory influences between neighbouring amacrine cells.
Researchers at the Salk Institute mapped the neuronal circuitry connecting photoreceptors with retinal ganglion cells, revealing computations in individual neurons and shedding light on the neural code used by the retina. The study aimed to improve retinal implants and understand visual processing.
The discovery of Sox2, a protein that regulates stem cell formation, is crucial for spiral ganglion neuron development. The study's findings may lead to the regeneration of these nerve cells, potentially revolutionizing cochlear implant technology and biological treatments for hearing loss.
Researchers found that individual receptive fields have irregular shapes but interlock to form a regular lattice, enabling high-resolution vision. The nervous system operates with higher precision than previously thought, overcoming potential problems with uneven visual coverage.
A new study shows that an anesthetic injection into nerves in the neck can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night awakenings in breast cancer survivors. The treatment, called a stellate ganglion block, was shown to provide lasting relief for most patients.