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Researchers investigate how to prevent the onset of schizophrenia using mouse model

Although predisposing processes occur earlier, schizophrenia breaks out at young adulthood, suggesting it might involve a pathological transition during late brain development in predisposed individuals.

9 Sep 2019

GABA neurons affect the circadian clock

Researchers from Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine and Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine have collaborated to uncover the role of GABA-ergic neurons or the inhibitory neurons in the functioning of the central circadian clock of the body.

9 Sep 2019

Study offers hope for people suffering from chronic pain

When you experience severe pain, like breaking or shattering a bone, the pain isn't just felt at the sight of the injury.

9 Sep 2019

Message transfer between mammal neurons regulated by 'clamp'

A fundamental question in nerve biology brings to mind a race car at the starting line: The engine is revving, but the brake is on. The system is ready to go, but under tight control.

9 Sep 2019

Mesh electronics could make brain stimulation the new therapeutic norm

Implantable brain electrodes have been around for quite some time now, both for diagnosing and treating neuropsychiatric conditions like Parkinson’s disease. However, one limitation of conventional probes is their size and rigidity, compared to the soft, gelatinous consistency of the brain.

6 Sep 2019

New pathological mediator of ALS found

A research collaboration based in Japan has found a new pathological mediator of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which could have further implications for understanding the molecular breakdown that gives rise to the neurodegenerative disease that affects nearly half a million people around the world.

3 Sep 2019

Discovery of second gene responsible natural short-sleep

Sleep is a crucial part of human health. Piling up a chronic sleep debt by consistently sleeping less than is needed for a fully rested feeling causes a number of illnesses, including heart disease, cancer and autoimmune conditions.

1 Sep 2019

Lab-grown brain organoids and the brains of preemie babies generate similar electrical impulses

Brain organoids — also called mini-brains — are 3D cellular models that represent aspects of the human brain in the laboratory. Brain organoids help researchers track human development, unravel the molecular events that lead to disease and test new treatments.

30 Aug 2019

Hyperactive signaling pathway blocks cell division in the aging brain

Scientists from Basel have investigated the activity of stem cells in the brain of mice and discovered a key mechanism that controls cell proliferation.

29 Aug 2019

Researchers shed new light on how the brain constructs itself

The cerebral cortex acts as the control center of our cognitive processes. During embryogenesis, dozens of types of neurons with distinct functions come together to form the circuits that drive our thoughts and actions.

29 Aug 2019

Using 3D nanoparticle printing to fabricate ultra-high density neural probes

Carnegie Mellon University's Rahul Panat, an associate professor of mechanical engineering, and Eric Yttri, an assistant professor of biological sciences, have received a $1.95 million R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health to use a low-cost, rapid additive manufacturing method to create a new class of high-density neural probes to record neurological data.

29 Aug 2019

UC San Francisco scientists identify second 'short sleep' gene after 10-year search

After a decade of searching, the UC San Francisco scientists who identified the only human gene known to promote "natural short sleep" -- lifelong, nightly sleep that lasts just four to six hours yet leaves individuals feeling fully rested -- have discovered a second.

28 Aug 2019

Supervised exercise following concussion improves recovery, study suggests

After a sports-related concussion, traditional recovery recommendations have previously called for weeks or months of rest, depending on the duration of a person's symptoms.

28 Aug 2019

Researchers uncover how the brain remembers motor sequences

Ever wondered what was going on in the brain of John Coltrane when he played the famous solo on his album Giant Steps? Researchers at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Japan, and Western University, Canada, have succeeded in visualizing how information is represented in a widespread area in the human cerebral cortex during a performance of skilled finger movement sequences.

28 Aug 2019

Traumatic brain injuries could be healed using peptide hydrogels

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) –– defined as a bump, blow or jolt to the head that disrupts normal brain function –– sent 2.5 million people in the U.S. to the emergency room in 2014, according to statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

27 Aug 2019

Failure of glial cells in the brain triggers epileptic seizures, study finds

Epileptic seizures can happen to anyone. But how do they occur and what initiates such a rapid response?

27 Aug 2019

Strong memories formed by "teams" of neurons firing in synchrony

Almost everyone knows how it feels to remember things for decades on end – and also how it feels to forget where you left your car keys. The answer to this strange paradox could be simple, according to a new study from Caltech. The researchers found that that the brain recruits a higher number of neurons which fire impulses in a synchronized manner to form and store strong memories over long periods.

26 Aug 2019

Caltech researchers determine how memories form and fade

Why is it that you can remember the name of your childhood best friend that you haven't seen in years yet easily forget the name of a person you just met a moment ago? In other words, why are some memories stable over decades, while others fade within minutes?

25 Aug 2019

Unraveling the secret itch pathway

Itching is among the most persistent of skin sensations, requiring an immediate response. However, scientists say it is a protective sensation that stimulates the individual to eliminate parasites and other irritating substances from the skin.

23 Aug 2019

Reliable response of cortical neurons amidst noise and chaos

Neurons communicate with each other by sending out rapid pulses of electrical signals called spikes. At first glance, the generation of these spikes can be very reliable: when an isolated neuron is repeatedly given exactly the same electrical input, we find the same pattern of spikes.

22 Aug 2019