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Study identifies protein that acts like a volume dial for the release of neurotransmitters

Neuroscientists at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory have found that a protein acts like a volume dial for the release of neurotransmitters, the chemicals that neurons release across connections called synapses to stimulate muscles or communicate with other neurons in brain circuits.

6 May 2020

Using Multiplex Assays to Discover Biomarkers for Parkinson’s Disease

In this interview, Dr. Polinski and Dr. Atabakhsh discuss the importance of developing biomarkers for Parkinson’s and the partnership between MJFF and Abcam.

From Abcam 1 May 2020

Study reveals how general anesthesia works

Hailed as one of the most important medical advances, the discovery of general anesthetics - compounds which induce unconsciousness, prevent control of movement and block pain - helped transform dangerous and traumatic operations into safe and routine surgery.

27 Apr 2020

New neuromorphic memristor mimics the human brain in efficient learning

Only 10 years ago, scientists working on what they hoped would open a new frontier of neuromorphic computing could only dream of a device using miniature tools called memristors that would function/operate like real brain synapses.

20 Apr 2020

Researchers unveil electronics that mimic the human brain in efficient learning

A team has discovered how to use memristors to make a neuromorphic memristor, or "memory transistor," device

20 Apr 2020

Super-resolution microscopy offers insight into the synapses

When people think of glutamate, the first thing they remember is the flavor enhancer that is often used in Asian cuisine.

16 Apr 2020

Autism in males may result from problems in brain-based immune cells

Many cases of autism spectrum disorders may result from problems in immune cells that normally work to trim back unneeded brain connections in early life, suggests a new study led by scientists at Scripps Research.

15 Apr 2020

Temple researchers receive NIAID grant to study immunological synapse formation

Switching immune cells on is a critical step in combating infection. In the case of T cells, which are key players in immunity, this happens when dormant T cells circulating in the blood encounter a suspicious agent on the surface of specialized antigen-presenting cells.

14 Apr 2020

Large-scale proteomic analysis links glucose metabolism proteins and AD biology

In the largest study to date of proteins related to Alzheimer's disease, a team of researchers has identified disease-specific proteins and biological processes that could be developed into both new treatment targets and fluid biomarkers.

13 Apr 2020

Large-scale analysis links glucose metabolism proteins to Alzheimer's disease biology

A team has identified Alzheimer's disease-specific proteins and processes that could be used for treatment targets and biomarkers.

13 Apr 2020

Study shows how Toxoplasma infection causes seizures, psychiatric illness for some

Think about traffic flow in a city - there are stop signs, one-way streets, and traffic lights to organize movement across a widespread network. Now, imagine what would happen if you removed some of the traffic signals.

2 Apr 2020

Research shows how stress restructures the brain

Stress restructures the brain by halting the production of crucial ion channel proteins, according to research in mice recently published in JNeurosci.

25 Mar 2020

Drebrin autoantibodies trigger epilepsy

Certain forms of epilepsy are accompanied by inflammation of important brain regions. Researchers at the University of Bonn have now identified a mechanism that explains this link.

24 Mar 2020

BIN1 deficit leads to impaired spatial learning and memory

Bridging integrator 1, known as BIN1, is the second most common risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease, according to genome-wide studies of genetic variants. Yet, scientists know little about what this protein does in the brain.

11 Mar 2020

Study shows JNK protein as a stress sensor in synapses

New study from Eleanor Coffey's lab at Turku Bioscience Centre in Finland identifies that the JNK protein triggers nerve cells to withdraw their synapses when stressed.

11 Mar 2020

Researchers find link between interferon, neuroinflammation and synapse loss in Alzheimer's

When immunologist Dr. Wei Cao joined Baylor College of Medicine three-and-a-half years ago, her first project was to investigate how inflammation contributes to Alzheimer's disease.

5 Mar 2020

Discovery Of Gabaergic Synaptic Regulations Inside The Brain For A New Epilepsy Treatment

DGIST announced on February 12 that the joint research team of Professor Jaewon Ko and Professor Ji Won Um in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences found a new candidate target to treat epilepsy by regulating GABAergic synaptic functions

3 Mar 2020

Using 'mini-brains' to detect harmful neurodevelopmental effects of antidepressant

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have demonstrated the use of stem-cell-derived "mini-brains" to detect harmful side effects of a common drug on the developing brain.

21 Feb 2020

Researchers reveal new activity above the surface in brain-cell receptors

Like buoys bobbing on the ocean, many receptors float on the surface of a cell's membrane with a part sticking above the water and another underwater, inside the cell's cytoplasm.

7 Feb 2020

Analyzing cancer-specific alterations found in tumor's RNA

Researchers at EMBL-EBI were among the leaders of a large international consortium that carried out a joint analysis of data from over 1000 donors of more than 25 cancer types, studying data on their whole genomes along with tumor transcriptome data, which indicates the genes that are active within a tumor.

6 Feb 2020