Neurodegeneration News and Research

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Neurodegeneration is the umbrella term for the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, including death of neurons.

Researchers analyze motor protein movement in neurons

A thread-like highway, called microtubule tracks, allows motor proteins to transport cargo inside neurons.

21 Jan 2022

Study unearths novel mechanism coordinating the assembly of cell components

A group of researchers recently unearthed vital information on how gene expression is orchestrated.

2 Dec 2021

Robust electron microscope provides mechanistic insight into protein degradation

Proteins are the building blocks of all living things and numerous studies are carried out to determine how these proteins are made and their function.

19 Nov 2021

Tough protein connects directly with neurons to cause damaging inflammatory reaction in the brain

Neuroinflammatory diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury, have been linked to deposits of a tough protein known as fibrin, derived from the blood clotting factor fibrinogen.

9 Nov 2021

Specific amino acids act against neurodegenerative processes, says study

Dementia is a condition that involves severe loss of cognitive function.

26 Oct 2021

New insights into the role of fat cells in cognitive decline and neurodegeneration

Findings published this week reveal new insights into the role of fat cells in cognitive decline and neurodegeneration, according to a study that involves the oxidant amplification loop led by Marshall University scientists.

22 Oct 2021

Viral diseases likely to contribute to neurodegeneration, says study

Scientists from DZNE revealed that certain viral diseases can contribute to neurodegeneration.

21 Oct 2021

Researchers identify 14 genes responsible for obesity

Promising news in the effort to develop drugs to treat obesity: University of Virginia scientists have identified 14 genes that can cause and three that can prevent weight gain. The findings pave the way for treatments to combat a health problem that affects more than 40% of American adults.

4 Oct 2021

Study adds two new genetic variants to the list of glutamate receptor mutations

Researchers from Northwestern Medicine distinguished different variants of the gene GRIK2 that induces nonsyndromic neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD).

27 Sep 2021

Bacteria-derived curli amyloid fibril promotes neurodegeneration in the host

Increasing evidence points to the fact that gut microbiota performs a vital role in regulating the advancement of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

9 Sep 2021

Study identifies C9orf72 repeat expansion using novel genetic marker

Research offers a new genetic tool to pinpoint C9orf72 repeat expansion-carrying frontotemporal lobar degeneration from huge population-based cohorts.

25 Aug 2021

Novel genome-editing technology to mitigate Alzheimer’s disease

Around 500,000 patients in China alone are considered to be living with a hereditary form of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

19 Aug 2021

Novel technique quantifies protein droplets involved in neurodegenerative diseases

Some proteins in cells can separate into small droplets like oil droplets in water, but faults in this process may underlie neurodegenerative diseases in the brains of older people. Now, Rutgers researchers have developed a new method to quantify protein droplets involved in these diseases.

16 Aug 2021

Study discloses neuroprotective properties of aromatic turmerone and its derivatives

Scientists discovered that aromatic turmerone and its derivatives have a direct effect on the dopaminergic nerves.

16 Jul 2021

Making memories necessitates a lot of DNA breakage

The urgency to remember a dangerous experience requires the brain to make a series of potentially dangerous moves: Neurons and other brain cells snap open their DNA in numerous locations--more than previously realized, according to a new study--to provide quick access to genetic instructions for the mechanisms of memory storage.

7 Jul 2021

Naked mole rats' unique DNA repair mechanism helps prevent cancers, dementia

Scientists say naked mole rats - a rodent native to West Africa - may hold the key to new treatments for degenerative diseases such as cancer and dementia.

11 Jun 2021

Developing computational tools to illuminate how genetic factors impact the brain

Liang Zhan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Pitt's Swanson School of Engineering, received a $500,000 CAREER award from the National Science Foundation to develop computational tools that improve our understanding of the human brain.

From University of Pittsburgh 8 Jun 2021

Single biomarker in the blood can accurately indicate underlying neurodegeneration

Levels of a protein called neurofilament light chain (NfL) in the blood can identify those who might have neurodegenerative diseases such as Down's syndrome dementia, motor neuron disease (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia, when clinical symptoms are not definitive.

8 Jun 2021

Study identifies DNA alterations that underpin brain and cognitive decline in the elderly

According to a new mathematical model published recently in eLife, Alzheimer’s disease has some important similarities with healthy aging.

20 May 2021

Study identifies single protein key to regulating sex differences in Parkinson’s disease

Neuroscientists have found that a single protein is critical to controlling sex disparities in the brain’s susceptibility to age-related neuron loss.

From University of Pittsburgh 29 Apr 2021