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Researchers identify B immune cells that promote axon myelination in developing neurons

Neurons are specialized cells of the nervous system that communicate using electrical signals, which propagate down long, wire-like projections called axons. The conduction of these signals requires myelin, a fatty substance that surrounds axons in much the same way that plastic coating surrounds an electrical wire.

13 Mar 2018

NIH-funded researchers use CRISPR to rapidly find new genetic suspects behind ALS, FTD

NIH-funded researchers at Stanford University used the gene editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 to rapidly identify genes in the human genome that might modify the severity of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia caused by mutations in a gene called C9orf72.

13 Mar 2018

Impaired transport processes in neurons contribute to neurodegenerative disorders

Two partners have to find their way to each other in order to transport substances to the remote ends of special nerve fibers to maintain their function. If this partnering process is disturbed, the cells may die in the worst case, resulting in neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or spinal muscular atrophy.

9 Mar 2018

Your stress can rub off on others

In a recent study, scientists found that when exposed to another individual’s stress, the brain reacts as it does to real stress.

9 Mar 2018

Scientists uncover detailed map of the brain circuits behind thirst and satiety

Scientists uncovered a high-resolution map of the wiring inside the mouse brain's thirst center. With these blueprints, they could trick mice into becoming light or heavy water drinkers.

8 Mar 2018

Boosting the brain's immune cells may prevent or reduce severity of Alzheimer's disease

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Research Institute researchers have published two new studies in Neuron that describe how TREM2, a receptor found on immune cells in the brain, interacts with toxic amyloid beta proteins to restore neurological function.

8 Mar 2018

High-resolution fMRI provides clues about age-related memory differences

As we get older, it's not uncommon to experience "senior moments," in which we forget where we parked our car or call our children by the wrong names. And we may wonder: Are these memory lapses a normal part of aging, or do they signal the early stages of a severe disorder such as Alzheimer's disease? Currently, there's no good way to tell.

8 Mar 2018

Individual damaged nerve cells cause neurodegenerative diseases

If the sense of smell disappears, this can indicate a disease such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. However, unlike previously assumed, general degenerations in the nervous system do not play a leading role in the loss of the sense of smell with increasing age, but individual nerve cells or classes of nerves are decisive.

7 Mar 2018

Research shows how interaction between nervous and immune systems occurs in lung infections

When the body is fighting infection, the immune system kicks into high gear. But emerging evidence hints at the involvement of another, rather surprising, player in this process: the nervous system.

5 Mar 2018

Plymouth researcher receives grant to further investigate causes of hereditary neuro-tumors

The University of Plymouth will be continuing its research into the advancement of neuro-tumor treatments thanks to more than £100,000 from Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity and Sparks, the medical research charity.

5 Mar 2018

Scientists find algorithm for brain simulations on exascale systems

An international group of researchers has made a decisive step towards creating the technology to achieve simulations of brain-scale networks on future supercomputers of the exascale class.

5 Mar 2018

Study sheds light on neuronal responses in ALS

In a recent study, scientists have linked changes in the size of motor neurons to the onset of symptoms in motor neurone disease (ALS).

5 Mar 2018

Comprehensive computer models accurately capture diversity of neurons

The Allen Institute for Brain Science has produced the first comprehensive, publicly available database of predictive neuron models, along with their corresponding data.

2 Mar 2018

Neuroscientists discover novel mechanism of action behind schizophrenia

An international team of researchers led by a Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine scientist has uncovered a novel mechanism in which a protein--neuregulin 3--controls how key neurotransmitters are released in the brain during schizophrenia.

21 Feb 2018

Researchers create minuscule, light-powered wires to modify electrical signaling between neurons

The human brain largely remains a black box: How the network of fast-moving electrical signals turns into thought, movement and disease remains poorly understood. But it is electrical, so it can be hacked--the question is finding a precise, easy way to manipulate electrical signaling between neurons.

21 Feb 2018

Study finds novel therapeutic strategy that preserves neuromuscular synapses in ALS mouse model

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, causes lethal respiratory paralysis within several years of diagnosis. There are no effective treatments to slow or halt this devastating disease.

21 Feb 2018

Lab-grown cerebellar cells may help explain how ASD develops at molecular level

Increasing evidence has linked autism spectrum disorder with dysfunction of the brain's cerebellum, but the details have been unclear. In a new study, researchers at Boston Children's Hospital used stem cell technology to create cerebellar cells known as Purkinje cells from patients with tuberous sclerosis complex, a genetic syndrome that often includes ASD-like features.

19 Feb 2018

Researchers uncover how excess calcium may influence development of Parkinson’s disease

Researchers have found that excess levels of calcium in brain cells may lead to the formation of toxic clusters that are the hallmark of Parkinson's disease.

19 Feb 2018

Deletion of specific enzyme leads to improvement in memory and cognitive functions

A new study in mice has made a possible breakthrough in Alzheimer’s research. The team of researchers at the Cleveland Clinic has noted that deleting a single enzyme can reverse the deposition of harmful plaques in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. This could improve cognitive functions as demonstrated in lab mice. The study appeared this week in the latest issue of the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

17 Feb 2018

Research funded by NIH grant aims to discover crucial role of 'invisible' cells

Neurons are the star of the show in brain science, but they don't work alone to process information. In new research funded by a $1.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, a team at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory aims to discover the likely crucial role of the supporting cast member with a stellar-sounding name: the astrocyte.

9 Feb 2018

Neuron News and Research

Researchers identify B immune cells that promote axon myelination in developing neurons

NIH-funded researchers use CRISPR to rapidly find new genetic suspects behind ALS, FTD

Impaired transport processes in neurons contribute to neurodegenerative disorders

Your stress can rub off on others

Scientists uncover detailed map of the brain circuits behind thirst and satiety

Boosting the brain's immune cells may prevent or reduce severity of Alzheimer's disease

High-resolution fMRI provides clues about age-related memory differences

Individual damaged nerve cells cause neurodegenerative diseases

Research shows how interaction between nervous and immune systems occurs in lung infections

Plymouth researcher receives grant to further investigate causes of hereditary neuro-tumors

Scientists find algorithm for brain simulations on exascale systems

Study sheds light on neuronal responses in ALS

Comprehensive computer models accurately capture diversity of neurons

Neuroscientists discover novel mechanism of action behind schizophrenia

Researchers create minuscule, light-powered wires to modify electrical signaling between neurons

Study finds novel therapeutic strategy that preserves neuromuscular synapses in ALS mouse model

Lab-grown cerebellar cells may help explain how ASD develops at molecular level

Researchers uncover how excess calcium may influence development of Parkinson’s disease

Deletion of specific enzyme leads to improvement in memory and cognitive functions

Research funded by NIH grant aims to discover crucial role of 'invisible' cells

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