Brain News and Research

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The human brain is the center of the human nervous system and is a highly complex organ. Enclosed in the cranium, it has the same general structure as the brains of other mammals, but is over three times as large as the brain of a typical mammal with an equivalent body size.

APOE4 and Microglia Together Drive Alzheimer's Protein Deposits

In healthy brains, immune cells called microglia patrol for damage, clearing away debris and harmful proteins. But in the presence of the APOE4 protein-;the most important genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease-;the same cells cause harmful inflammation and clumps of misfolded proteins, according to a new study by scientists at Gladstone Institutes.

5 Nov 2024

Novel Approach to Isolating and Quantifying EV Cargo for Disease Diagnosis

Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are examples of brain illnesses that begin to develop in patients far earlier than the onset of their initial clinical symptoms.

4 Nov 2024

The Role of Neural Crest Stem Cells in Cellular Reprogramming

Researchers at the University of Toronto have identified that neural crest stem cells, a group of cells located in the skin and other parts of the body, are the origin of reprogrammed neurons previously discovered by other scientists.

4 Nov 2024

MicroQuin's Space Research Paves Way for Potential Cancer Treatment

In October, we think pink, and for a good reason—one out of every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and each year, 2 million women are given this frightening diagnosis.

4 Nov 2024

Necroptosis Emerges as a Key Target in Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by a progressive loss of nerve cells leading to a decline in memory and cognition. A team of researchers at KU Leuven and VIB explored the molecular sequence of events in this cellular demise and identified specific inhibitors that could prevent the loss of nerve cells in different mouse models of the disease.

1 Nov 2024

Integrating Multiple Scales to Understand Brain Function

A long-standing goal of neuroscience is to understand how molecules and cellular structures on a microscale give rise to communication between brain regions at the macroscale. A study published in Nature Neuroscience now identifies, for the first time, hundreds of brain proteins that explain inter-individual differences in functional connectivity and structural covariation in the human brain.

1 Nov 2024

F-Actin Accumulation Impairs Brain Function in Aging Fruit Flies

Humans aren't the only ones who grow forgetful as they age -; fruit flies do, too. But because fruit flies have a lifespan of only about two months, they can be a useful model for understanding the cognitive decline that comes with aging.

29 Oct 2024

Key Regulator of Heart Repair

UCLA researchers identified the protein GPNMB as a key regulator in the heart’s healing process following a heart attack.

28 Oct 2024

Predicting Disease-Causing Protein Interactions with PIONEER

Researchers at Cornell University and Cleveland Clinic developed an open-access computational platform and online database that helps identify targetable interactions between proteins for therapeutic purposes.

25 Oct 2024

Zebrahub Offers Unprecedented Insight into Embryonic Development

When early cartographers undertook perilous expeditions to map unknown corners of the world with sextants, compasses, and hand-drawn diagrams, it's unlikely they imagined that someday anyone with an internet connection would have access to a seamless view of the entire planet from the comfort of their own home.

25 Oct 2024

New Study Links Cannabis Use to DNA Methylation Changes in Mental Health Pathways

Research reveals that frequent high-potency cannabis use alters DNA methylation, affecting mitochondrial and immune genes, with implications for mental health.

25 Oct 2024

Artificial Intelligence Designs Novel DNA Elements for Precise Gene Control

Using artificial intelligence, scientists at Yale University, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and The Jackson Laboratory have created thousands of novel DNA switches that can precisely regulate a gene's expression in many cell types.

24 Oct 2024

Simple Neural Circuit Controls Chewing and Appetite

Speaking, singing, coughing, laughing, yelling, yawning, chewing-;we use our jaws for many purposes. Each action requires a complex coordination of muscles whose activity is managed by neurons in the brain.

24 Oct 2024

Personalized Mini-Brains Provide Insight into Autism Spectrum Disorder

Using stem cells generated from patients with a rare and severe form of autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, Scripps Research scientists have grown personalized "mini-brains" (or organoids) to study the disorder in new detail.

24 Oct 2024

Discovery of RNA Brake Offers Insights into Neurodevelopmental Disorders

When a gene produces too much protein, it can have devastating consequences on brain development and function.

24 Oct 2024

New Study Uncovers How Viral Infections Trigger Pain, Identifies Potential Target for Relief

Findings indicate nociceptors detect viral nucleic acids, activating STING and TRPV1, highlighting new pain mechanisms in viral infections like HSV-1.

23 Oct 2024

Unraveling the Genetic Blueprint of the Deep Brain

Researchers have discovered 254 genetic variations that influence important “deep brain” structures, such as those that govern memory, motor skills, addictive behaviors, and more, in one of the biggest-ever investigations of DNA and brain volume.

22 Oct 2024

Advancements in Understanding Intestinal Hormone Secretion

A multi-institutional group of researchers led by the Hubrecht Institute and Roche's Institute of Human Biology has developed strategies to identify regulators of intestinal hormone secretion.

21 Oct 2024

Study Uncovers How MANF Protein Enhances Cellular Homeostasis and Longevity

McMaster University researchers have discovered a previously unknown cell-protecting function of a protein, which could open new avenues for treating age-related diseases and lead to healthier aging overall.

21 Oct 2024

A Novel Method for Improving Spatial Resolution in Transcriptomic Analysis

Existing spatial transcriptomics methods frequently lack the precision required to examine single cells in tissue samples, hindering their ability to reveal intricate biological information.

21 Oct 2024