All articles tagged with #neurobiology
Researchers using post-mortem brain tissue and single-cell genomics identified two brain cell types—excitatory neurons and microglia—that show altered gene activity in depression, strengthening the view of depression as a brain-based disorder and suggesting new avenues for cell-targeted therapies.
A Rutgers University study reveals how the human brain integrates fast and slow neural signals through white-matter pathways, influencing cognitive performance and linked to genetic and molecular features, with implications for understanding brain disorders.
A study identified three rare genetic variants significantly associated with ADHD, linking them to neuronal functions and brain development, and showed that these variants, along with common variants, contribute additively to the disorder's risk and impact socioeconomic outcomes.
A 25-year study reveals that superagers, individuals over 80 with memory skills of much younger people, have unique brain features such as resistance to Alzheimer's-related proteins, higher neuron concentrations, and less inflammation, which may explain their preserved cognitive abilities and could lead to new brain health interventions.
Scientists at Cardiff University have identified eight new genes associated with schizophrenia through the largest exome-sequencing study to date, providing new insights into the disorder's genetic basis and potential pathways for future treatments.
Scientists at Northwestern University studied 290 super-agers over 25 years and found that their exceptional memory and brain health are linked to unique brain structures, personality traits, and resistance or resilience to Alzheimer’s-related proteins, offering insights into promoting cognitive longevity.
Steven Rose, a neurobiologist and political activist known for his reductionist approach to memory and his critique of genetic determinism, has died at 87. He was influential in science education through the Open University and authored significant works challenging sociobiology, advocating for environmental and developmental influences on human behavior. Rose combined scientific research with passionate political activism, emphasizing the importance of democratic access to scientific knowledge.
British journalist Rowan Hooper explores a fictional future where neurobiological advancements could enable humans to connect their brains to those of animals, allowing experiences like seeing through a rat's eyes or flying like a bird, raising intriguing possibilities and ethical questions.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have found that a drug called PNA5 may help prevent cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease by reducing inflammation in the brain. In studies on mice, PNA5 improved memory and slowed brain cell loss by calming overactive immune cells known as microglia. While promising, further research is needed to confirm the drug's safety and efficacy in humans. This development offers hope for addressing the cognitive symptoms of Parkinson's, which currently lack effective treatments.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified the neural mechanism behind the shaking behavior of wet dogs and other hairy mammals. By studying mice, they discovered that the Piezo2 gene and C-LTMRs mechanoreceptors are crucial for this behavior, which is triggered by stimuli like water or oils. The study mapped the sensory signal pathway from the skin to the brain, providing a detailed understanding of this natural drying tactic.
A study by University of California San Diego researchers has found that brain overgrowth in utero is linked to the severity of autism symptoms. Using brain cortical organoids (BCOs) created from stem cells of toddlers with autism, the study revealed that larger BCOs correlated with more severe social and language difficulties. This discovery could lead to prenatal identification and potential therapies for autism.
A new study in Autism Research reveals that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have lower physiological responses to touch but report higher ratings for both pleasant and unpleasant touch sensations compared to typically developing individuals. This highlights a complex relationship between subjective experience and physiological response in people with ASD, which may impact their social interactions and quality of life. The study underscores the need for further research to better understand sensory processing in ASD and its implications for diagnosis and therapy.
New research from Monash University suggests that the psychedelic drug psilocybin, found in 'magic' mushrooms, could help treat anorexia nervosa by breaking rigid thought patterns and enhancing cognitive flexibility. Animal model studies showed that psilocybin helped rats maintain a healthy body weight and adapt better to learning tasks. The study identified the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor as crucial for these cognitive benefits, paving the way for future human trials.
A study by researchers at the University of Tübingen has shown that crows can plan and control the number of calls they make, demonstrating advanced numerical competence and vocal control. The crows were able to produce a specific number of calls in response to visual or auditory stimuli, indicating they form an abstract numerical concept to plan their vocalizations. This ability suggests sophisticated communication potential in crows.
A new genetic study involving over 1.2 million individuals has identified 95 genetic regions associated with the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including 80 previously unidentified loci. The study, published in Nature Genetics, also pinpointed 43 genes that may play a role in causing PTSD. The findings confirm the genetic underpinnings of PTSD and provide potential targets for future prevention and treatment strategies. The research highlights the importance of diversity in genetic studies and aims to address the inequity in PTSD research by partnering with African scientists.