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Potassium boost improves walking, prolongs survival in mouse model of Huntington's disease

Tweaking a specific cell type's ability to absorb potassium in the brain improved walking and prolonged survival in a mouse model of Huntington's disease, reports a UCLA study published March 30 in the online edition of Nature Neuroscience. The discovery could point to new drug targets for treating the devastating disease, which strikes one in every 20,000 Americans.

31 Mar 2014

Mirror neuron system faulty in schizophrenia patients

An imaging study suggests that a faulty mirror neuron system could underlie the social dysfunction seen in patients with schizophrenia.

27 Mar 2014

Scientists discover role of protons in neurotransmission

While probing how organisms sense gravity and acceleration, scientists at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) and the University of Utah uncovered evidence that acid (proton concentration) plays a key role in communication between neurons.

27 Mar 2014

Study points to potential culprit that kills motor neurons in ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is marked by a cascade of cellular and inflammatory events that weakens and kills vital motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The process is complex, involving cells that ordinarily protect the neurons from harm. Now, a new study by scientists in The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital points to a potential culprit in this good-cell-gone-bad scenario, a key step toward the ultimate goal of developing a treatment.

27 Mar 2014

Stem cell research opens doors to potential new treatments for bipolar disorder

What makes a person bipolar, prone to manic highs and deep, depressed lows? Why does bipolar disorder run so strongly in families, even though no single gene is to blame? And why is it so hard to find new treatments for a condition that affects 200 million people worldwide?

26 Mar 2014

New subcellular mechanism identified for fast transmission in basket cells of the brain

In his third major research paper since December 2013, IST Austria Professor Peter Jonas together with his collaborator, postdoc Hua Hu, identifies a new subcellular mechanism for reliable, fast transmission in the so-called basket cells of the brain.

25 Mar 2014

Sea lions exposed to toxin in algae develop form of epilepsy that is similar to humans

California sea lions exposed to a toxin in algae develop a form of epilepsy that is similar to one in humans, according to a new study led by Stanford University School of Medicine researchers.

19 Mar 2014

Scientists discover key mechanism that guides balance and limb movements

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have discovered an important mechanism underlying sensory feedback that guides balance and limb movements.

17 Mar 2014

Scientists discover molecular mechanism that actively regulates memory loss

In order to function properly, the human brain requires the ability not only to store but also to forget: Through memory loss, unnecessary information is deleted and the nervous system retains its plasticity.

17 Mar 2014

Researchers map visual system amplifier that is directly activated by walking or running

Whether you're a Major League outfielder chasing down a hard-hit ball or a lesser mortal navigating a busy city sidewalk, it pays to keep a close watch on your surroundings when walking or running.

17 Mar 2014

Research reveals that hippocampus stores memories by their temporal context

Before I left the house this morning, I let the cat out and started the dishwasher. Or was that yesterday? Very often, our memories must distinguish not just what happened and where, but when an event occurred - and what came before and after.

17 Mar 2014

Researchers identify novel protein that explains how biological clocks regulate human sleep

In a series of experiments sparked by fruit flies that couldn't sleep, Johns Hopkins researchers say they have identified a mutant gene - dubbed "Wide Awake" - that sabotages how the biological clock sets the timing for sleep.

17 Mar 2014

Brain-mapping experiment proves that schizophrenia patients have impaired ability to imitate

According to George Bernard Shaw, "Imitation is not just the sincerest form of flattery - it's the sincerest form of learning." According to psychologists, imitation is something that we all do whenever we learn a new skill, whether it is dancing or how to behave in specific social situations.

17 Mar 2014

Scientists uncover how inflammation and lack of oxygen cause brain damage

Scientists have uncovered how inflammation and lack of oxygen conspire to cause brain damage in conditions such as stroke and Alzheimer's disease.

14 Mar 2014

Schizophrenia patients show abnormal brain activity when imitating simple hand gestures

14 Mar 2014

Researchers find that brain cell regeneration may alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is the most widespread degenerative neurological disorder in the world. Over five million Americans live with it, and one in three senior citizens will die with the disease or a similar form of dementia. While memory loss is a common symptom of Alzheimer's, other behavioral manifestations - depression, loss of inhibition, delusions, agitation, anxiety, and aggression - can be even more challenging for victims and their families to live with.

12 Mar 2014

Research to identify exact mechanisms behind preterm birth and fetal brain injury

An inflammatory protein that triggers a pregnant mouse's immune response to an infection or other disease appears to cause brain injury in her fetus, but not the premature birth that was long believed to be linked with such neurologic damage in both rodents and humans, new Johns Hopkins-led research suggests.

6 Mar 2014

Stem cells from patients offer model, drug-discovery platform for early-onset form of Alzheimer's

Harvard stem cell scientists have successfully converted skins cells from patients with early-onset Alzheimer's into the types of neurons that are affected by the disease, making it possible for the first time to study this leading form of dementia in living human cells. This may also make it possible to develop therapies far more quickly and accurately than before.

5 Mar 2014

Neuroscientists unlock a piece of puzzle in fight against Lou Gehrig's disease

Keck School of Medicine of USC neuroscientists have unlocked a piece of the puzzle in the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease, a debilitating neurological disorder that robs people of their motor skills.

4 Mar 2014

Biostatistics provides clues to understanding autism: an interview with Dr Knut M. Wittkowski, The Rockefeller University

The incidence of autism spectrum disorders has increased sharply since it was first described 60 years ago. Today, ASD affects more than 1% of all children in the U.S. and about half of them develop a life-long disability.

3 Mar 2014

Neuron News and Research

Potassium boost improves walking, prolongs survival in mouse model of Huntington's disease

Mirror neuron system faulty in schizophrenia patients

Scientists discover role of protons in neurotransmission

Study points to potential culprit that kills motor neurons in ALS

Stem cell research opens doors to potential new treatments for bipolar disorder

New subcellular mechanism identified for fast transmission in basket cells of the brain

Sea lions exposed to toxin in algae develop form of epilepsy that is similar to humans

Scientists discover key mechanism that guides balance and limb movements

Scientists discover molecular mechanism that actively regulates memory loss

Researchers map visual system amplifier that is directly activated by walking or running

Research reveals that hippocampus stores memories by their temporal context

Researchers identify novel protein that explains how biological clocks regulate human sleep

Brain-mapping experiment proves that schizophrenia patients have impaired ability to imitate

Scientists uncover how inflammation and lack of oxygen cause brain damage

Schizophrenia patients show abnormal brain activity when imitating simple hand gestures

Researchers find that brain cell regeneration may alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

Research to identify exact mechanisms behind preterm birth and fetal brain injury

Stem cells from patients offer model, drug-discovery platform for early-onset form of Alzheimer's

Neuroscientists unlock a piece of puzzle in fight against Lou Gehrig's disease

Biostatistics provides clues to understanding autism: an interview with Dr Knut M. Wittkowski, The Rockefeller University

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