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Scientists show ability to grow specific neurons for treatment of optic neurodegenerative diseases

Scientists have demonstrated the capacity to grow specialized neurons that relay visual data to the brain, creating a source of cells for future treatments of glaucoma and other optic neurodegenerative diseases.

9 May 2017

Study findings suggest how progranulin deficiency causes frontotemporal dementia

In a recent study in Human Molecular Genetics, researchers from VIB and KU Leuven led by prof. Philip Van Damme, reveal a novel function for progranulin in lysosomes: it acts as chaperone of the lysosomal protease cathepsin D. The results were obtained in collaboration with Prof. Paul Saftig from the University of Kiel.

8 May 2017

Texas A&M researchers aim to develop one drug that treats pain, memory and nicotine addiction

Although pain, memory and nicotine addiction may not seem to be related, they actually share a common player: the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

5 May 2017

Study sheds light on neural mechanisms of Fragile X syndrome

A collaboration between scientists in Belgium, the United States, Norway, France and the UK has resulted in a study that sheds light on the neural mechanisms of Fragile X syndrome.

5 May 2017

Easing cellular traffic jams in Huntington’s disease may save brain cells

Working with mouse, fly and human cells and tissue, Johns Hopkins researchers report new evidence that disruptions in the movement of cellular materials in and out of a cell's control center - the nucleus- appear to be a direct cause of brain cell death in Huntington's disease, an inherited adult neurodegenerative disorder.

5 May 2017

Discovery of signaling pathway offers new functional framework for treating schizophrenia

Neuroscientists at Tufts University School of Medicine have discovered a new signaling pathway that directly connects two major receptors in the brain associated with learning and memory – the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (a7nAChR) – which has significance for current efforts to develop drugs to treat schizophrenia.

4 May 2017

New synthetic retina could offer new hope to visually impaired people

A synthetic, soft tissue retina developed by an Oxford University student could offer fresh hope to visually impaired people.

4 May 2017

Scientists uncover thousands of human genes that are expressed differently in the two sexes

Men and women differ in obvious and less obvious ways -- for example, in the prevalence of certain diseases or reactions to drugs. How are these connected to one's sex? Weizmann Institute of Science researchers recently uncovered thousands of human genes that are expressed -- copied out to make proteins -- differently in the two sexes.

4 May 2017

Detailed images reveal how regulatory proteins affect function of brain receptors

Scientists at Columbia University have obtained the first detailed images of interactions between the AMPA receptor and molecules that regulate chemical signaling in the brain.

3 May 2017

Lost function of genes impairs development of motor skills in maturing mice

Scientists report in Neuron the lost function of two genes prevents infant laboratory mice from developing motor skills as they mature into adults. Researchers also suggest in their study that people with certain motor development disabilities be tested to see if they have mutant forms of the same genes.

3 May 2017

IU researchers develop new method to grow inner ear tissue from human stem cells

Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have successfully developed a method to grow inner ear tissue from human stem cells - PhDa finding that could lead to new platforms to model disease and new therapies for the treatment of hearing and balance disorders.

3 May 2017

Scientists map genetic changes that help drive aggressive brain tumor

University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers and collaborators have mapped genetic changes that help drive an aggressive tumor as it develops in the brain – helping to lay the foundation for targeted treatment of the disease.

3 May 2017

ARVO 2017 to showcase latest advances in treatments for eye disease and blindness

The Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology is the largest gathering of eye and vision researchers in the world, with over 11,000 attendees from more than 75 countries.

2 May 2017

Researchers uncover new potential target for treating spinal muscular atrophy

Though spinal muscular atrophy in its most severe form remains incurable and fatal in early childhood, researchers are sustaining a multipronged counterattack for patients and their families. The first treatment for the disease gained U.S. market approval in December.

2 May 2017

Researchers create new tool that reveals insights into cellular development

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have created a new tool to describe the many possible ways in which a cell may develop. Rooted in the mathematical field of topology, the tool provides a roadmap that offers detailed insight into how stem cells give rise to specialized cells.

2 May 2017

Powerful pain medicine may help reduce vision damage of glaucoma

The tip of our optic nerve is typically the first place injured by glaucoma. Now researchers want to know if the powerful pain medicine (+)-pentazocine can help avoid the damage.

2 May 2017

Newly discovered molecule plays central role in appetite control mechanisms

A newly discovered molecule increases appetite during fasting -- and decreases it during gorging. The neuron-exciting protein, named NPGL - apparently aims to maintain body mass at a constant, come feast or famine. An evolutionary masterstroke, but not great news for those looking to trim down -- or beef up for the summer.

28 Apr 2017

New software wrapper boosts ability of existing neuron tracing algorithms

Putting a turbo engine into an old car gives it an entirely new life--suddenly it can go further, faster. That same idea is now being applied to neuroscience, with a software wrapper that can be used on existing neuron tracing algorithms to boost their ability to handle not just big, but enormous sets of data

27 Apr 2017

Experts aim to develop noninvasive technology that accelerates learning

The adage "put your thinking caps on" might evoke visions of an elementary classroom, where a teacher has just admonished cherubic little learners about to embark on a particularly difficult academic adventure.

26 Apr 2017

Study underscores need for genetic screening to improve safety of experimental stem cell treatments

Regenerative medicine using human pluripotent stem cells to grow transplantable tissue outside the body carries the promise to treat a range of intractable disorders, such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease.

26 Apr 2017

Neurons News and Research

Scientists show ability to grow specific neurons for treatment of optic neurodegenerative diseases

Study findings suggest how progranulin deficiency causes frontotemporal dementia

Texas A&M researchers aim to develop one drug that treats pain, memory and nicotine addiction

Study sheds light on neural mechanisms of Fragile X syndrome

Easing cellular traffic jams in Huntington’s disease may save brain cells

Discovery of signaling pathway offers new functional framework for treating schizophrenia

New synthetic retina could offer new hope to visually impaired people

Scientists uncover thousands of human genes that are expressed differently in the two sexes

Detailed images reveal how regulatory proteins affect function of brain receptors

Lost function of genes impairs development of motor skills in maturing mice

IU researchers develop new method to grow inner ear tissue from human stem cells

Scientists map genetic changes that help drive aggressive brain tumor

ARVO 2017 to showcase latest advances in treatments for eye disease and blindness

Researchers uncover new potential target for treating spinal muscular atrophy

Researchers create new tool that reveals insights into cellular development

Powerful pain medicine may help reduce vision damage of glaucoma

Newly discovered molecule plays central role in appetite control mechanisms

New software wrapper boosts ability of existing neuron tracing algorithms

Experts aim to develop noninvasive technology that accelerates learning

Study underscores need for genetic screening to improve safety of experimental stem cell treatments

Neuroscience - Third Edition eBook

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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