Articles tagged with Nervous System
Compulsive behaviours are common across many mental health conditions, where people repeat actions despite negative consequences. New research in rats suggests that triggering inflammation in the striatum may shift behaviour toward more deliberate decision-making, rather than habit.
Estrogen activates previously unknown pathways in the colon, triggering pain and increasing sensitivity to certain foods. This explains why women are more likely to suffer from IBS and provides potential new ways to treat the condition.
Researchers at UVA Health System discover how traumatic brain injury increases Alzheimer's risk and find a potential prevention strategy using a hollowed-out virus to deliver repair supplies. The approach could help limit neurodegeneration and potentially prevent other neurological diseases.
A team of researchers has reconstructed how the cerebellum establishes its connections with the rest of the brain during earliest stages of life. The work describes the phases in which these neural connections emerge, expand, and are refined, offering a comprehensive map of cerebellar projections across the mouse brain.
Researchers at Pitt and UPMC Children's Hospital discovered a biomarker of complicated pediatric traumatic brain injury, which may serve as dynamic indicators of post-injury recovery. The study found that children with TBI had a different epigenetic profile compared to those with orthopaedic injuries.
Dr. Paul Lucassen's research on adult neurogenesis reveals the link between early life experiences, lifestyle factors, and depression/dementia risk. His work has implications for therapeutic approaches to brain health and disease.
The UBC robotic platform helps scientists understand how the brain keeps us standing by mimicking delays in sensory feedback. By tweaking forces and adding short delays, the robot reveals that our sense of space and time work from the same playbook.
A cross-sectional study found that US population faces significant challenges with nervous system disorders, impacting 180.3 million people, mainly due to stroke, Alzheimer's disease, diabetic neuropathy, and migraine conditions.
Researchers at Tulane University discovered a new nerve cell signaling mechanism that can turn on pain signaling after injury, potentially leading to safer treatments. The discovery of enzyme vertebrate lonesome kinase (VLK) offers a new way to influence cell behavior and could simplify drug development.
A recent University of Michigan study sheds light on the critical protein Sarm1, which controls both nerve breakdown and regeneration. The research found that blocking Sarm1 boosts nerve regeneration but only if it preserves a delicate balance between protection and repair.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Michele Ardolino is bridging scientific fields to unlock the mechanisms behind effective immune responses in cancer patients. They will study the interactions between the immune system, nervous system, and gut microbiome to design more personalized treatment strategies.
Researchers used high-resolution imaging to map brain regions involved in regulating body's energy needs and sensing internal conditions. The study replicated previous findings and expanded upon them, confirming connections between brain areas that help manage the body's needs and sense what's happening inside.
Spanish researchers at UMH have developed a new generation of visual neuroprosthesis capable of bidirectional communication with the cerebral cortex. The system uses a small external camera to capture images, which are processed electronically and converted into electrical stimulation patterns sent to the occipital cortex. Participants...
A recent study by Sora Shin has identified a shared brain circuit that contributes to both aggression and self-harm in individuals with a history of early-life trauma. The research found that pain, including emotional pain, can serve as a gateway for these behaviors to emerge.
A UC Merced biologist found that activating neural signals can selectively remove cancer symptoms in planarian flatworms, which could change how doctors treat cancer and age-related diseases. The study may also shed light on degenerative conditions linked to aging.
Researchers have discovered a key role for the Frazzled protein in fruit fly neural circuits, revealing how it helps neurons form reliable connections. The study showed that when Frazzled is missing or mutated, neurons fail to form proper electrical connections, leading to communication breakdowns.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute have revealed a fundamental model for how neural activity during development builds properly working connections. Neural activity plays a crucial role in maturing synaptic active zones, allowing them to send the right amount of chemical signals at the right times.
A collaborative team at Scripps Research is creating the first atlas of interoception, a process by which the nervous system monitors physiological signals to maintain vital functions. The team aims to build a comprehensive framework for mapping internal sensory pathways using $14.2 million NIH funding.
A groundbreaking study by Florida Atlantic University researchers found that working with service dogs can slow cellular aging in female veterans. The study, which involved female veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, revealed promising biological benefits associated with service dog training.
Researchers use microchips with human tissue to study brain damage caused by sepsis and neurodegenerative diseases, finding that the blood-brain barrier breaks down under stress. The technology also reveals how pericytes support the barrier and may lead to new treatments for preserving or introducing these cells.
Researchers identify abnormal sugar modifications linked to depressive behaviors, offering potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Chronic stress disrupts sugar chains in the prefrontal cortex, triggering depression.
A topical formulation has been shown to reduce the incidence of hand-foot neuropathy in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, improving quality of life. The cream, developed at UMH, acts directly on neurosensory pain receptors, reducing hypersensitivity and tolerance to chemotherapy.
The study found that a specific spinal circuit is involved in both ejaculation and arousal, and integrates sensory inputs to adjust its output based on the animal's internal state. The researchers also discovered that Gal⁺ neurons receive sensory input from the penis and can trigger ejaculation, but their effects are suppressed by brai...
Researchers used ultraflexible probes to track neurons in the visual cortex of mice for 15 consecutive days, revealing that millisecond rhythms explain how the brain maintains a stable picture of the world. The findings provide new insights for brain-computer interfaces, sensory prostheses and therapies for neurological disease.
A study published in eBioMedicine identified a specific immune response that controls Oropouche virus infections and prevents neurological damage. B cells produce antibodies quickly, helping to neutralize the virus and prevent its spread to the central nervous system.
Researchers found that lung cancer cells can form functional synapses with neurons, supporting their growth and survival. Disrupting glutamate signalling led to lower tumour burden and longer survival in experimental mice, highlighting promising therapeutic targets.
A new exosome-based therapeutic agent has been developed to treat traumatic CNS injuries, alleviating neuronal apoptosis and restoring glial homeostasis. The treatment, SeNExo, promotes neuronal repair and reduces oxidative damage, showing potent therapeutic benefits in mouse models.
Despite long-held assumptions, a new study reveals that the brain's somatosensory cortex holds a stable 'body map' even after limb loss. The findings have significant implications for treating phantom limb pain and restoring sensation in prosthetic limbs via brain-computer interfaces.
Researchers found that cancer cells break down nerve protective covers, triggering chronic inflammation and immune exhaustion, making treatment resistant. Targeting the nerve injury pathway can reverse this resistance and improve treatment response.
A new multi-institutional study confirmed that the NSD2 protein can be targeted with a new drug, blocking it effectively reprogrammed DNA structure, reversed and prevented cancer growth in preclinical models of KRAS-mutant lung and pancreatic cancers. Targeting the brain-liver pathway with electronic wearables could prevent cancer-asso...
Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science have discovered that excessive GABA produced by astrocytes impairs fear extinction in PTSD. A new brain-permeable drug called KDS2010 has reversed PTSD-like symptoms in mice, providing a promising therapeutic approach.
Laminin-411 protein and its derived peptide A4G47 exhibit pro-myelinating activity in oligodendrocytes, promoting myelin sheath formation. This discovery advances understanding of myelin sheath formation and potential applications for treating demyelinating diseases.
A specific 'anti-reward' brain circuit becomes hyperactive during cocaine withdrawal, driving discomfort and pushing users back toward the drug. However, this circuit may also serve as a protective mechanism, potentially helping to develop new therapies targeting emotional pain of withdrawal.
Researchers at Duke University School of Medicine have identified a new system linking the microbiome to the brain, which influences behavior and appetite. The discovery was made by detecting flagellin in gut bacteria, triggering an appetite-suppressing signal to the brain.
A new analysis of a 500 million-year-old fossil suggests that arachnids, including spiders and scorpions, evolved in the ocean before adapting to land. The discovery was made by studying the brain and nervous system of an ancient marine arthropod called Mollisonia symmetrica.
Researchers at The University of Osaka discovered a key neuroendocrine pathway underlying the seasonal shift in insect reproduction. The brain peptide corazonin plays a suppressive role in reproduction under short-day conditions, allowing insects to prepare for winter.
Researchers found that inhibitory neurons born later in brain development mature faster than those produced earlier, ensuring a balanced neural network. This regulation is controlled by genetic mechanisms and may contribute to developmental disorders.
New research suggests that blurry, color-limited vision in early childhood can contribute to the development of key brain pathways. The study proposes that such limited vision allows the brain to specialize in certain processing units, which later develop into distinct pathways for color and fine spatial detail.
Dr. Danielle Beckman's research uses animal models to understand how viruses like COVID-19 trigger neurological damage and accelerate Alzheimer's disease. Her work has established critical connections between viral infections and neurodegenerative processes.
Researchers have discovered a new method to enhance brain waste clearance by precisely stimulating the lymphatics under skin on the neck and face. This non-invasive approach may offer a safer alternative to current treatments for age-related neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.
A joint research team from POSTECH and Hanyang University developed a personalized stimulation control mechanism using evoked compound action potential feedback mechanisms to treat urinary disorders. This technology enables precise adjustment of tibial nerve stimulation in real-time, based on individual nerve responses, improving patie...
Research highlights potential link between microplastics in ultra-processed foods and brain health, with possible connections to depression and dementia. The studies propose a novel hypothesis connecting ultra-processed food consumption, microplastic exposure, and mental health outcomes.
A new technique using focused sound waves and microbubbles has shown great promise in treating debilitating brain lesions called cerebral cavernous malformations. The approach has halted the growth of lesions almost entirely, offering a potential paradigm shift in treatment.
Researchers have found that promoting glucose metabolism in glial cells can relieve inflammation and photoreceptor degeneration in Alzheimer's patients. This discovery presents an exciting new therapeutic target for treating neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has committed $18.1 million to support research projects aligned with its Pathways to Cures roadmap, which aims to stop MS, restore function, and end the disease. The funding includes 16 research grants and 28 training fellowships in the US and internationally.
A study on novice passengers during and after zero-gravity parabolic flights reveals that their parasympathetic nervous system function plays a crucial role in shaping their space travel experience. The research highlights the need for assistance to be provided to space tourists to mitigate potential effects.
Scientists investigate whether living neurons can transport light through their axons, which would significantly change current models of the nervous system. If successful, it could have major implications for treating brain diseases and healing the brain.
A new study from the University of Sydney found that poor oral health is significantly associated with higher instances of migraines and abdominal/pain in women. The research identified specific oral microbes correlated with certain pain conditions, including fibromyalgia.
Researchers at Nagoya University have discovered a unique sound stimulation technology that alleviates motion sickness, reducing symptoms by up to a minute of stimulation. The device stimulates the inner ear with a specific wavelength of sound, activating the vestibular system and improving balance.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have identified a small molecule drug that targets a specific serotonin receptor, showing promise as a treatment for sarcopenia. The study suggests that this neurotherapeutic can improve muscle strength by activating motor neurons to fire more effectively.
Researchers created a fiber computer that can be integrated into clothing to track health conditions and physical activity. The technology achieved an average accuracy of 70% when individually operated, but increased to nearly 95% when connected collectively.
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have discovered that histone deacetylase 8 (HDCA8) inhibits the conversion of Schwann cells into their repair phenotype, slowing down peripheral nervous system recovery. Removing HDAC8 accelerates regeneration and restores sensory function.
A new device has been designed to effectively treat cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) by navigating complex venous anatomy and removing large thrombi. The device features controllable axial and longitudinal maneuverability, improving clinical outcomes for patients with CVST.
Researchers examine how stroke patients develop post-stroke sensory reweighting (PSR) to improve walking and balance. PSR is a critical factor in determining patient outcomes, with those who develop it experiencing better balance and reduced risk of falls.
Researchers discover immune cells regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating glucagon production in the pancreas. This complex neuroimmune-hormonal circuit reveals a new way the body maintains stable glucose levels, especially during periods of low energy.
Researchers found that wearable devices can identify, differentiate, and predict flares in IBD by analyzing circadian patterns of heart rate variability, heart rate, oxygenation, and daily activity. The study showed that these metrics changed up to seven weeks before flares developed, enabling continuous disease monitoring.
A new study reveals evidence of electrical signaling and coordinated behavior in choanoflagellates, the closest living relatives of animals. This finding offers key insights into the early evolution of animal multicellularity and nervous systems.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified Hsc70 as a vital chaperone protein that ensures SNAP-25's proper functioning in neurotransmission. The study sheds new light on the underlying mechanics of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
The InteReg project aims to create interactive biomaterials that instruct cells to regenerate after brain or spinal cord injuries, potentially treating MS and other neurological disorders. The project, funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation, brings together experts in biology, chemistry, medicine, and polymer research.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo discover that the patterns of spontaneous activity and stimulus-evoked response are similar in lower visual areas of the cerebral cortex but gradually become independent as one moves to higher visual areas. This orthogonal relationship helps explain how sensory perception remains stable despite co...