Neurons News and Research

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NIH scientists show how neurons in the eye may use math to differentiate moving objects

Our eyes constantly send bits of information about the world around us to our brains where the information is assembled into objects we recognize. Along the way, a series of neurons in the eye uses electrical and chemical signals to relay the information. In a study of mice, National Institutes of Health scientists showed how one type of neuron may do this to distinguish moving objects.

8 Mar 2016

Researchers identify how Zika virus may cause microcephaly in fetuses

Working with lab-grown human stem cells, a team of researchers suspect they have discovered how the Zika virus probably causes microcephaly in fetuses. The virus selectively infects cells that form the brain's cortex, or outer layer, making them more likely to die and less likely to divide normally and make new brain cells.

7 Mar 2016

Long-term exercise may benefit Spinal Muscular Atrophy patients

Long-term exercise appears to be beneficial for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) like mice, suggesting a potential of active physiotherapy for patient care; according to a study published today in the Journal of Physiology.

6 Mar 2016

Allen Institute, Blue Brain Project collaborate to develop simulation-based tools to study neurons

The Allen Institute for Brain Science and the Blue Brain Project are deepening their collaboration. Today, the US-based Allen Institute is releasing a set of 40 computer models of neurons from the mouse visual cortex, created using tools developed by the Swiss-based Blue Brain Project at EPFL. Using Blue Brain technology, the researchers were able to reproduce the physiology and electrical activity of the neurons with an extremely high level of detail.

4 Mar 2016

Study shows bromances can improve men’s health, reduce stress

Male friendships, portrayed and often winked at in bromance movies, could have healthful effects similar to those seen in romantic relationships, especially when dealing with stress, according to a new study of male rats by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley.

4 Mar 2016

Cardiac reprogramming could shrink heart scar tissue, improve patients' heart function

Patients with heart failure often have a buildup of scar tissue that leads to a gradual loss of heart function. In a new study published today in the journal Cell Stem Cell, researchers from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine report significant progress toward a novel approach that could shrink the amount of heart scar tissue while replenishing the supply of healthy heart muscle.

4 Mar 2016

New research sheds light on circadian rhythms

New research sheds light on how the rhythms of daily life are encoded in the brain. Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have discovered that different groups of neurons, those charged with keeping time, become active at different times of day despite being on the same molecular clock.

3 Mar 2016

Ohio State study shows sustained stress erodes memory

Sustained stress erodes memory, and the immune system plays a key role in the cognitive impairment, according to a new study from researchers at The Ohio State University.

2 Mar 2016

New model could help to better understand extreme events in the brain

Physicists at the Universities of Bonn and Oldenburg have developed a model whose behavior - although based on strict rules - can apparently change spontaneously. There are also changes of this type in nature, for example, in the development of migraine attacks or epileptic seizures.

27 Feb 2016

Novel mitochondria-specific ceria nanoparticles can effectively suppress neuronal cell death

The brain is an enormous network of communication, containing over 100 billion nerve cells, or neurons, with branches that connect at more than 100 trillion points. They are constantly sending signals through a vast neuron forest that forms memories, thoughts and feelings; these patterns of activity form the essence of each person.

27 Feb 2016

Rockefeller research reveals vital new component of system responsible for regulating food intake

The molecular intricacies of hunger and satiety, pivotal for understanding metabolic disorders and the problem of obesity, are not yet fully understood by scientists. However, new research from The Rockefeller University reveals an important new component of the system responsible for regulating food intake: a hormone called amylin, which acts in the brain to help control consumption.

27 Feb 2016

Scientists develop new optical technique to observe neurotransmitter activity of individual synapses

Columbia University scientists have developed a new optical technique to study how information is transmitted in the brains of mice. Using this method, they found that only a small portion of synapses -- the connections between cells that control brain activity--may be active at any given time.

26 Feb 2016

Antidepressant paroxetine suppresses inflammation in people with HIV-related cognitive impairment

In a small, placebo-controlled clinical trial, Johns Hopkins physicians report that the antidepressant paroxetine modestly improves decision-making and reaction time, and suppresses inflammation in people with HIV-associated cognitive impairment. The researchers say they believe this is the first time that a SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) has been shown to improve key measures of cognition in people with HIV in a controlled study.

26 Feb 2016

Study provides pathways to understand complex neurological disorders

Scientists have now described the engineering of a bright red fluorescent protein-based voltage indicator, providing pathways to understanding complex neurological disorders. Designated as FlicR1 (fluorescent indicator for voltage imaging red), these indicators enable imaging of the electrical activity of many genetically targeted neurons with high spatial and temporal resolution.

25 Feb 2016

Children with autism can develop speech, gestures by listening to different speech sounds

Children with autism and other similar conditions often have difficulties in several areas of communication. A new doctoral thesis in linguistics from the University of Gothenburg shows that these children can develop speech, gestures and a sense of rhythm and melody by listening to various speech sounds.

24 Feb 2016

Longer, more intense period of rehabilitation may boost recovery after stroke or traumatic injury

Cognitive and functional recovery after a stroke or traumatic injury requires intense rehabilitative therapy to help the brain repair and restructure itself. New findings by researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine report that not only is rehabilitation vital - in an animal model, rats with cortical injury that did not receive intensive rehab did not rebuild brain structure or recover function - but that a longer, even more intense period of rehabilitation may produce even greater benefit.

23 Feb 2016

Neurons News and Research

NIH scientists show how neurons in the eye may use math to differentiate moving objects

Researchers identify how Zika virus may cause microcephaly in fetuses

Long-term exercise may benefit Spinal Muscular Atrophy patients

Allen Institute, Blue Brain Project collaborate to develop simulation-based tools to study neurons

Study shows bromances can improve men’s health, reduce stress

Cardiac reprogramming could shrink heart scar tissue, improve patients' heart function

New research sheds light on circadian rhythms

Ohio State study shows sustained stress erodes memory

New model could help to better understand extreme events in the brain

Novel mitochondria-specific ceria nanoparticles can effectively suppress neuronal cell death

Rockefeller research reveals vital new component of system responsible for regulating food intake

Scientists develop new optical technique to observe neurotransmitter activity of individual synapses

Antidepressant paroxetine suppresses inflammation in people with HIV-related cognitive impairment

Study provides pathways to understand complex neurological disorders

Children with autism can develop speech, gestures by listening to different speech sounds

Longer, more intense period of rehabilitation may boost recovery after stroke or traumatic injury

Pitt experts lead gene therapy clinical trial in Parkinson's disease patients

Study unravels physiological signature of fear memory within prefrontalamygdala networks

Briviact (brivaracetam) approved for treatment of partial onset seizures in patients with epilepsy

Study provides new insights into Retigabine drug

Human iPSCs: A Full Guide to Advanced in Vitro Models and Applications 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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