Neurons News and Research

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Study reveals the role of alpha-synuclein in Parkinson’s disease

In people affected by Parkinson’s, clusters of alpha-synuclein or α-synuclein, also referred to as the “Parkinson’s protein,” are detected in the brain.

6 Jul 2020

Harvard neurobiologists provide new insights into the mystery of scent

The premiere of the movie Scent of Mystery in 1960 marked a singular event in the annals of cinema: the first, and last, motion picture debut "in glorious Smell-O-Vision."

3 Jul 2020

Lab-grown 'mini-brains' can be infected by SARS-CoV-2 virus

A multidisciplinary team from two Johns Hopkins University institutions, including neurotoxicologists and virologists from the Bloomberg School of Public Health and infectious disease specialists from the school of medicine, has found that organoids (tiny tissue cultures made from human cells that simulate whole organs) known as "mini-brains" can be infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

1 Jul 2020

Scientists develop novel image processing techniques to reduce processing time

Researchers have created novel image processing techniques for microscopes that can decrease the time for post-processing by up to several thousand-fold.

1 Jul 2020

Study may help design effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease

Neurons in the brains of such people are being depleted gradually and inevitably, resulting in the characteristic loss of cognitive function and memory.

29 Jun 2020

A focused approach to imaging neural activity in the brain

When neurons fire an electrical impulse, they also experience a surge of calcium ions.

29 Jun 2020

Method can help detect specific glial cells integral to synapses

The brain contains two types of cells. Glial cells receive less attention for their significance in the function and disease of the brain than other neurons.

From Brown University 26 Jun 2020

Researchers discover new druggable pathway linked with tuberous sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a neurological disorder causing non-cancerous tumors, called cortical tubers, to grow throughout the brain and body, as well as other conditions like epilepsy and autism.

25 Jun 2020

Genetic dysfunction of brain astrocytes promotes head pain in familial migraine

Neuroscientists of the University of Zurich shed a new light on the mechanisms responsible for familial migraine: They show that a genetic dysfunction in specific brain cells of the cingulate cortex area strongly influences head pain occurrence.

25 Jun 2020

Astrocytes may play a key role in neurodegenerative disorders

According to a new research performed in rodents, cells that usually nurture nerves may actually destroy them following a brain injury.

From New York University (NYU) 24 Jun 2020

Alzheimer's: New Gene May Drive Earliest Brain Changes

A newly discovered Alzheimer's gene may drive the first appearance of amyloid plaques in the brain, according to a study led by researchers.

23 Jun 2020

Scientists substantiate the existence of concept cells in the brain

For the first time, a team of researchers from Lobachevsky University has theoretically validated the existence of concept cells.

19 Jun 2020

Novel silicon-based antioxidant agent may prevent kidney failure and Parkinson's disease

Oxidative stress is the result of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and can be damaging to cells and tissues.

From Osaka University 19 Jun 2020

Study reveals mechanism by which propionic acid induces brain disorders

Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI, headed by Suh Pann-ghill) announced on the 11th that the research team led by Dr. Mun Ji-young revealed the mechanism of autism induced by an imbalance of human gut microorganisms.

19 Jun 2020

cryo-EM images reveal proteins involved in brain activity

When the body continues to perform its daily biological processes neurotransmitters, regulate the level of electrical activity inside the brain.

18 Jun 2020

Gut bacteria may modify host animal's behavior, influence food choices

Gut bacteria are tiny but may play an outsized role not only in the host animal's digestive health, but in their overall well-being.

18 Jun 2020

Solving A Parkinson's Disease Puzzle Through Protein Design

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in everything and the receptors have been a longstanding target for treating disorders like Parkinson's disease.

17 Jun 2020

Fish Oil May Help With Depression

A study shows that patient-derived adult stem cells can be used to model major depressive disorder and test how a patient may respond to medication.

17 Jun 2020

Activating specific neurons can trigger hibernation-like state in mice

In Sci-Fi movies, astronauts often enter an inactive state in "hibernation chambers" to cross the vastness of space.

15 Jun 2020

Inhibitory interneurons excite the developing brain, study finds

Brain function depends on inhibitory cells that balance or 'brake' excitation. These neurons allow the brain to process information and also prevent runaway seizures.

15 Jun 2020