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Caffeine therapy benefits developing brains of premature babies

For many, starting the day off with caffeine from a cup of coffee is a must. In neonatal intensive care units, or NICUs, premature babies born under 29 weeks are given a daily dose of caffeine to ensure the best possible start to life.

12 Dec 2018

New method helps better understand pathological development of ALS

The neurodegenerative disease ALS causes motor neuron death and paralysis. However, long before the cells die, they lose contact with the muscles as their axons atrophy.

12 Dec 2018

Study reveals role of brain mechanism in memory recall

Whether it's the pleasant experience of returning to one's childhood home over the holidays or the unease of revisiting a site that proved unpleasant, we often find that when we return to a context where an episode first happened, specific and vivid memories can come flooding back.

12 Dec 2018

Scientists use water molecules to track electrical activity of nerve cells

Researchers have discovered a new way to monitor electrical activity in nerve cells; by observing water molecules surrounding neuronal membranes.

11 Dec 2018

New method uses water molecules to unlock neurons' secrets

Neurons are brain cells that communicate with each other by sending electrochemical signals along axons. When a neuron is about to release a signal - in the form of an electric charge - it allows ions to pass through its membrane via ion channels.

11 Dec 2018

New study reveals yin-yang personality of dopamine

For decades, psychologists have viewed the neurotransmitter dopamine as a double-edged sword: released in the brain as a reward to train us to seek out pleasurable experiences, but also a "drug" the constant pursuit of which leads to addiction.

11 Dec 2018

Imagination can help overcome fear and anxiety-related disorders, shows study

Imagine a barking dog, a furry spider or another perceived threat and your brain and body respond much like they would if you experienced the real thing.

11 Dec 2018

Ezogabine treatment reduces motor neuron excitability in ALS patients, study shows

Brian Wainger, MD, PhD, of the Healey Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital presented initial, top-level results of a recently completed phase 2 clinical trial of ezogabine (also called retigabine) on December 9 at the Motor Neurone Disease Association annual meeting in Glasgow, Scotland.

11 Dec 2018

Neuronal activity in the brain allows prediction of risky or safe decisions

Full risk or preferably the safe option? Based on the neuronal activity in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, it is possible to predict what action will be chosen next: If the activity of specific neurons remains low, a risk will be taken again at the next opportunity.

9 Dec 2018

New EU-funded project provides insight into how the brain develops

The human brain is comprised of billions of different types of cells. These cells are then organized into sophisticated networks, each of which determines a specific function of the brain. But how do the neurons, or nerve cells that form these networks, find the right network? And what happens when they don’t?

6 Dec 2018

Individual neurons located within the brain have implications for psychiatric diseases

Everyone makes little everyday mistakes out of habit--a waiter says, "Enjoy your meal," and you respond with, "You, too!" before realizing that the person is not, in fact, going to be enjoying your meal.

6 Dec 2018

Researchers create new light-activated tools for controlling neurons

By enabling super-fast remote control of specific cells, light-activated proteins allow researchers to study the function of individual neurons within a large network - even an entire brain. Now one of the pioneers of 'optogenetics' and colleagues have created two new tools - protein pores which when illuminated allow Ca2+ into cells or K+ out - for switching neurons on or off using light.

6 Dec 2018

Functional ultrasound imaging can reveal brain activity maps of mice for specific behaviors

In a study published in Neuron, Emilie Macé from Botond Roska's group and collaborators demonstrate how functional ultrasound imaging can yield high-resolution, brain-wide activity maps of mice for specific behaviors.

5 Dec 2018

Scientists understand how sounds can incite fear

How is it that a sound can send a chill down your spine? By observing individual brain cells of mice, scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory are understanding how a sound can incite fear.

5 Dec 2018

Cedars-Sinai research identifies neurons that play role in how people recognize errors

New research from Cedars-Sinai has identified neurons that play a role in how people recognize errors they make, a discovery that may have implications for the treatment of conditions including obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia.

5 Dec 2018

Single workout can improve metabolism for up to 2 days

Lounging around all weekend may weigh heavy on the minds of the health conscious. But these sedentary stretches may not affect the waistline, provided they're preceded by a bit of exercise.

4 Dec 2018

Study shows for the first time how a specific cell gene affects transformation of others

An international team of seven institutions from Spain and the US including the University of Valencia has discovered for the first time that the biological activity of the c-MYC gene is necessary so that cell reprogramming occurs, that is, the process by which a specialised cell -for example, a neuron- is transformed into a different cell type.

30 Nov 2018

Researchers elucidate central mechanisms of salt-induced hypertension through sympathetic activation

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease worldwide, and approximately 40% (1 billion) of adults aged 25 and above have been diagnosed with hypertension. A positive correlation between salt intake and blood pressure has long been postulated.

30 Nov 2018

Study reveals why mitochondria are often strangely shaped inside the brain

Columbia neuroscientists have discovered why mitochondria, tiny power generators that keep our cells healthy, are often strangely shaped inside the brain.

28 Nov 2018

Early-life stress in mice hinders neuron development, causing attention problems

Women are roughly twice as likely as men to develop depression, anxiety and other stress-related problems, including difficulty with attention, and new research from Brown University neuroscientists sheds light on the biological reasons why.

28 Nov 2018

Neuron News and Research

Caffeine therapy benefits developing brains of premature babies

New method helps better understand pathological development of ALS

Study reveals role of brain mechanism in memory recall

Scientists use water molecules to track electrical activity of nerve cells

New method uses water molecules to unlock neurons' secrets

New study reveals yin-yang personality of dopamine

Imagination can help overcome fear and anxiety-related disorders, shows study

Ezogabine treatment reduces motor neuron excitability in ALS patients, study shows

Neuronal activity in the brain allows prediction of risky or safe decisions

New EU-funded project provides insight into how the brain develops

Individual neurons located within the brain have implications for psychiatric diseases

Researchers create new light-activated tools for controlling neurons

Functional ultrasound imaging can reveal brain activity maps of mice for specific behaviors

Scientists understand how sounds can incite fear

Cedars-Sinai research identifies neurons that play role in how people recognize errors

Single workout can improve metabolism for up to 2 days

Study shows for the first time how a specific cell gene affects transformation of others

Researchers elucidate central mechanisms of salt-induced hypertension through sympathetic activation

Study reveals why mitochondria are often strangely shaped inside the brain

Early-life stress in mice hinders neuron development, causing attention problems

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