Neurodegenerative Diseases News and Research

RSS

Lactate activates multiple genes that modulate neuronal activity

A genome-wide study led by Dean Pierre Magistretti sheds light on the mechanisms through which lactate regulates long-term memory formation and neuroprotection.

12 Feb 2019

RNAs are involved in protein aggregation and neurodegenerative diseases, research reveals

New research reveals RNAs, which are crucial for cells to produce proteins, are also involved in protein aggregation, where proteins do not fold properly and 'clump' together into aggregates. If cells cannot clear these away, they become toxic and prevent cells working properly.

8 Feb 2019

Protein supplement L-norvaline may lead to neurodegenerative diseases

People taking the protein supplement L-norvaline should be aware of its potential for harm, scientists say. L-norvaline is an ingredient widely used in body building supplements and is promoted as a compound that can boost workouts and aid recovery.

8 Feb 2019

Hibernation spurts of hamsters hold clues to better treatments for Alzheimer's disease

Syrian hamsters are golden-haired rodents often kept as house pets. Cold and darkness can cause the animals to hibernate for 3-4 days at a time, interspersed with short periods of activity.

7 Feb 2019

Understanding ‘prodromal’ phase in Parkinson’s may prevent disease from developing

In the past 25 years it has become clear that some symptoms of Parkinson's disease occur decades before the development of motor symptoms and clinical diagnosis, and that monitoring these emerging symptoms may provide important insights into the origin and development of the disease.

6 Feb 2019

NanoView Biosciences launches first product for accurate characterization of exosomes

NanoView Biosciences, Inc. today launched its first product, the ExoView™ platform, to enable the accurate identification and characterization of exosomes. The platform is on display this week at the SLAS2019 International Conference & Exhibition in Washington, DC.

From Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) 5 Feb 2019

CIRM announces funding for UCI researchers to develop new treatment for Huntington’s disease

Following a California Institute for Regenerative Medicine Independent Citizens Oversight Committee meeting held last week, University of California, Irvine researchers learned they will receive $6 million in funding to support the continued development of a promising new treatment for Huntington's disease

5 Feb 2019

New research describes genetic switches that ignite axon formation

While the neural architecture responsible for the transmission of electrical impulses has been known for more than a century, the basic biology behind how a neuron acquires its one and only axon -- a fundamental component of how neurons communicate -- remains a mystery.

5 Feb 2019

Researchers link protein clusterin to many facets of cardiometabolic syndrome risk

During a study spanning nearly a decade, researchers at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Cancer Center have linked the protein clusterin - for the first time -- to many different facets of cardiometabolic syndrome risk through its actions in the liver.

4 Feb 2019

Research could potentially lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases

Scientists from the University of Sheffield have identified new messenger molecules shuttled between cells which could help to protect the survival of neurones - potentially leading to new treatments for MND .

1 Feb 2019

A new step in decoding cell-to-cell communication

Cells in our bodies have the ability to speak with one another much like humans do. This communication allows organs in our bodies to work synchronously, which in turn, enables us to perform the remarkable range of tasks we meet on a daily basis.

1 Feb 2019

New study may help develop corrective mechanisms for neurodegenerative diseases, ischemia

In the last decade, there has been a growing body of experimental data confirming that neural networks are the minimal functional unit of the nervous system.In the last decade, there has been a growing body of experimental data confirming that neural networks are the minimal functional unit of the nervous system.

29 Jan 2019

Mechanism of inflammation initiation through NLRP3 inflammasome activation revealed

Inflammation is the response of our immune system to infection and harmful environmental effects. On one hand, it is beneficial as it defends our body against microbes. On the other hand, excessive inflammation leads to serious diseases.

28 Jan 2019

Researchers unlock key process in human cells that contributes to cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and aging

Monash researchers have unlocked a key process in all human cells that contributes to diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative diseases as well as ageing.

24 Jan 2019

Groundbreaking tool helps visualize neuronal activity with near-infrared light

A new, groundbreaking tool for visualizing neural activity has implications for understanding brain functions and disorders, according to new research by University of Alberta scientists and a team of international collaborators.

22 Jan 2019

New approach to reduce toxic protein production in ALS

Patients with ALS frequently have a string of repeated DNA code in the cells of their brain, carrying hundreds to thousands of copies within the gene C9orf72.

22 Jan 2019

Blood marker could aid in early prediction of Alzheimer's progression

Years before symptoms of Alzheimer's disease manifest, the brain starts changing and neurons are slowly degraded. Scientists at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research and the University Hospital Tuebingen now show that a protein found in the blood can be used to precisely monitor disease progression long before first clinical signs appear.

21 Jan 2019

Simple blood test reliably detects signs of Alzheimer’s damage before symptoms

A simple blood test reliably detects signs of brain damage in people on the path to developing Alzheimer's disease - even before they show signs of confusion and memory loss, according to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Germany.

21 Jan 2019

Scientists develop new gene therapy that prevents axon destruction in mice

Nerve axons serve as the wiring of the nervous system, sending electrical signals that control movement and sense of touch.

18 Jan 2019

Behavioral experiments confirm that additional neurons improve brain function

Most neurons in the human brain are generated from neural stem cells during embryonic development. After birth, a small reservoir of stem cells remains in the brain that keeps on producing new neurons throughout life.