Neuron News and Research

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Closer to deciphering the 'language of the brain'

The moment we open our eyes, we perceive the world with apparent ease. But the question of how neurons in the retina encode what we "see" has been a tricky one. A key obstacle to understanding how our brain functions is that its components-neurons-respond in highly nonlinear ways to complex stimuli, making stimulus-response relationships extremely difficult to discern.

1 Apr 2011

Researchers develop new virus-based nerve-tracing technique

If, as Shakespeare's Juliet declared, a rose by any other name smells as sweet - to you and to me and to anyone else who sniffs it - then one might assume that our odor-sensing nerve cells are all wired in the same way. Alas, they are not, according to a new study from scientists at The Scripps Research Institute.

31 Mar 2011

Major breakthrough in brain signal processing

A team of Neuroscientists from NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, have made a major breakthrough in understanding how signals are processed in the human brain.

28 Mar 2011

Scientists discover how neurons communicate with each other

There are billions of neurons in the brain and at any given time tens of thousands of these neurons might be trying to send signals to one another. Much like a person trying to be heard by his friend across a crowded room, neurons must figure out the best way to get their message heard above the din.

28 Mar 2011

Scientists discover how odors are detected and processed by brain

Researchers seeking to unravel the most ancient yet least understood of the five senses - smell - have discovered a previously unknown step in how odors are detected and processed by the brain.

28 Mar 2011

Biologists decipher molecular code regulating availability of brain channel linked to neuronal excitability

A key question in protein biochemistry is how proteins recognize "correct" interaction partners in a sea of cellular factors. Nowhere is that more critical to know than in the brain, where interactions governing channel protein activity can alter an organism's behavior.

23 Mar 2011

Researchers discover a type of 'cellular bilingualism' in brain

A team of researchers from the University of Montreal and McGill University have discovered a type of "cellular bilingualism" - a phenomenon that allows a single neuron to use two different methods of communication to exchange information.

18 Mar 2011

Enzo Life Sciences introduces ELISA system to detect SMN protein

Enzo Biochem, Inc. and the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation today announced that Enzo's wholly owned subsidiary, Enzo Life Sciences Inc., has launched a unique immunoassay system which can be used for the identification and detection of Survival Motor Neuron protein.

16 Mar 2011

New insight into neurodegenerative disorders

Research into how the brain transmits messages to other parts of the body could improve understanding of disorders such as epilepsy, dementia, multiple sclerosis and stroke.

15 Mar 2011

Scientists discover cerebrospinal fluid proteins are essential for brain building

Proteins in fluids bathing the brain are essential for building the brain, discover scientists in a report published March 10 in the journal Neuron. The finding promises to advance research related to neurological disease, cancer and stem cells.

14 Mar 2011

Study sheds light on how signals from CSF help drive neural development

Cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid found in and around the brain and spinal cord, may play a larger role in the developing brain than previously thought, according to researchers at Children's Hospital Boston.

11 Mar 2011

Professor utilizes $300,000 N.Y. grant to study adult neural stem cells

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering Deanna Thompson is utilizing more than $300,000 in New York state funding as part of the state stem cell research program, NYSTEM, to study adult neural stem cells.

10 Mar 2011

New study sheds 'light' on intricate brain cell connections responsible for anxiety

A new study sheds light--both literally and figuratively--on the intricate brain cell connections responsible for anxiety.

10 Mar 2011

Researchers transform human embryonic stem cell into neuron that dies early in Alzheimer's disease

Northwestern Medicine researchers for the first time have transformed a human embryonic stem cell into a critical type of neuron that dies early in Alzheimer's disease and is a major cause of memory loss.

4 Mar 2011

Neuralstem announces initiation of NSI-189 Phase Ia trial for major depressive disorder

Neuralstem, Inc. announced that the first subject was dosed yesterday in a Phase Ia trial to evaluate the safety of its drug, NSI-189, which is being developed for the treatment of major depressive disorder and other psychiatric indications. NSI-189 is the lead compound in Neuralstem's neurogenerative small molecule drug platform. This phase of the trial is in healthy volunteers and seeks to determine the maximum tolerated single dose.

2 Mar 2011

Scientists discover new way to generate human motor nerve cells

Scientists have discovered a new way to generate human motor nerve cells in a development that will help research into motor neurone disease.

2 Mar 2011

Study: Rare genetic mutations may provide clues to improve treatment for schizophrenia

Scientists are eyeing a rare genetic glitch for clues to improved treatments for some people with schizophrenia - even though they found the mutation in only one third of 1 percent of patients.

25 Feb 2011

Special issue of Neuron journal provides new insight into recent advances in addiction research

Addiction is a brain disease that destroys lives, devastates families and tears at the very fabric of society. Effective prevention and treatment of addiction requires a clear understanding of the complex brain mechanisms that underlie addictive behaviors, and research has provided a fascinating view of how substance abuse hijacks neuronal circuits involved in reward and motivation and causes profound and persistent changes in behavior.

24 Feb 2011

UCI study details benefits of physical activity, diet, relationships, fun and spirituality

Getting more exercise, spending time outdoors and helping others are among the activities that can be as effective as drugs or counseling in treating an array of mental illnesses, including depression and anxiety, according to a UC Irvine study.

23 Feb 2011

CAMH introduces mobile research lab to study mental health, addictions in communities across Ontario

Today, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health launched Canada's first mobile research laboratory to study mental health and addictions in communities across Ontario.

23 Feb 2011

Neuron News and Research

Closer to deciphering the 'language of the brain'

Researchers develop new virus-based nerve-tracing technique

Major breakthrough in brain signal processing

Scientists discover how neurons communicate with each other

Scientists discover how odors are detected and processed by brain

Biologists decipher molecular code regulating availability of brain channel linked to neuronal excitability

Researchers discover a type of 'cellular bilingualism' in brain

Enzo Life Sciences introduces ELISA system to detect SMN protein

New insight into neurodegenerative disorders

Scientists discover cerebrospinal fluid proteins are essential for brain building

Study sheds light on how signals from CSF help drive neural development

Professor utilizes $300,000 N.Y. grant to study adult neural stem cells

New study sheds 'light' on intricate brain cell connections responsible for anxiety

Researchers transform human embryonic stem cell into neuron that dies early in Alzheimer's disease

Neuralstem announces initiation of NSI-189 Phase Ia trial for major depressive disorder

Scientists discover new way to generate human motor nerve cells

Study: Rare genetic mutations may provide clues to improve treatment for schizophrenia

Special issue of Neuron journal provides new insight into recent advances in addiction research

UCI study details benefits of physical activity, diet, relationships, fun and spirituality

CAMH introduces mobile research lab to study mental health, addictions in communities across Ontario

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