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UCL scientists find new way to artificially control paralyzed muscles using light

A new way to artificially control muscles using light, with the potential to restore function to muscles paralysed by conditions such as motor neuron disease and spinal cord injury, has been developed by scientists at UCL and King's College London.

7 Apr 2014

Harvard stem cell scientists discover potential treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Harvard stem cell scientists have discovered that a recently approved medication for epilepsy may possibly be a meaningful treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-Lou Gehrig's disease, a uniformly fatal neurodegenerative disorder. The researchers are now collaborating with Massachusetts General Hospital to design an initial clinical trial testing the safety of the treatment in ALS patients.

4 Apr 2014

Endurance sport keeps both muscles and nerves fit

Endurance sport does not only change the condition and fitness of muscles but also simultaneously improves the neuronal connections to the muscle fibers based on a muscle-induced feedback.

3 Apr 2014

Human motor neurons can be quickly generated from stem cells, say researchers

Researchers report they can generate human motor neurons from stem cells much more quickly and efficiently than previous methods allowed. The finding, described in Nature Communications, will aid efforts to model human motor neuron development, and to understand and treat spinal cord injuries and motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

2 Apr 2014

Cedars-Sinai earns grant to conduct clinical trial of gene therapy product for patients with Lou Gehrig's disease

The Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute has received a $2.5 million grant from the Department of Defense to conduct animal studies that, if successful, could provide the basis for a clinical trial of a gene therapy product for patients with Lou Gehrig's disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

2 Apr 2014

Researchers identify possible mechanism for re-growing damaged nerve fibres in central nervous system

A new discovery suggests it could one day be possible to chemically reprogram and repair damaged nerves after spinal cord injury or brain trauma.

1 Apr 2014

Experimental anticancer compound appears to reverse behaviors associated with schizophrenia

Johns Hopkins researchers say that an experimental anticancer compound appears to have reversed behaviors associated with schizophrenia and restored some lost brain cell function in adolescent mice with a rodent version of the devastating mental illness.

1 Apr 2014

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

Neuron News and Research

UCL scientists find new way to artificially control paralyzed muscles using light

Harvard stem cell scientists discover potential treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Endurance sport keeps both muscles and nerves fit

Human motor neurons can be quickly generated from stem cells, say researchers

Cedars-Sinai earns grant to conduct clinical trial of gene therapy product for patients with Lou Gehrig's disease

Researchers identify possible mechanism for re-growing damaged nerve fibres in central nervous system

Experimental anticancer compound appears to reverse behaviors associated with schizophrenia

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

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