Tag

Neurons

All articles tagged with #neurons

science1 month ago•5 min saved

Sex-Specific Gene Activity Mapped Across Brain Cells

A single-cell analysis of over a million brain cells from six cortical regions in 30 people found subtle but widespread sex differences in gene activity, with more than 100 genes showing consistent sex-related expression patterns. Sex accounts for less than 1% of overall gene-expression variation, but these molecular signatures could help explain why risks for conditions like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's differ by sex and how hormonal environments might modulate brain biology across life.

via Nature|

#brain #cortex #gene-expression

science2 months ago•6 min saved

New Neuronal IDOL Target Could Cut Alzheimer's Plaque Burden

Researchers at Indiana University identified neuronal IDOL as a new drug target for Alzheimer’s, showing that reducing IDOL activity in brain neurons lowers amyloid plaques and APOE levels, while boosting receptors that regulate APOE and amyloid. The neuron-focused approach produced stronger effects than targeting microglia, suggesting a potential multi-benefit therapy. Next steps include preclinical safety testing and evaluating whether IDOL blockade preserves synapses and reduces tau pathology.

via SciTechDaily|

#alzheimers-disease #amyloid-plaques #apoe

health-and-medicine3 months ago•6 min saved

AI reveals causal gene networks fueling Alzheimer's progression

A new AI-based system called SIGNET maps causal gene regulatory networks across six brain cell types in Alzheimer's brains, revealing extensive gene rewiring—especially in excitatory neurons—and identifying hub genes that could serve as early diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets.

via ScienceDaily|

#alzheimers-disease #gene-regulation #health-and-medicine

neuroscience4 months ago•10 min saved

Memory's Dual Libraries: Distinct Neuron Groups Encode Content and Context

A Bonn-led study finds that the human brain stores memory content and its context in separate neuron populations—content neurons fire for specific items, context neurons for the task or situation—whose coordinated interactions enable flexible recall through pattern completion.

via SciTechDaily|

#context #hippocampus #memory

science4 months ago•3 min saved

Reversing Anxiety in Mice by Repairing a Brain Circuit

Researchers discovered that rebalancing activity in a specific amygdala circuit in mice can reverse anxiety and social withdrawal, highlighting a potential target for mental health treatments.

via SciTechDaily|

#amygdala #anxiety #brain-circuits

health6 months ago•6 min saved

Chronic Stress Impairs Brain Blood Flow and Raises Dementia Risk

Researchers at Penn State discovered that stress-sensitive type-one nNOS neurons regulate brain blood flow and neural activity; their loss due to chronic stress may contribute to brain health decline and neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, highlighting a new environmental risk factor.

via Neuroscience News|

#brain-blood-flow #dementia #health

health6 months ago•5 min saved

Schizophrenia Associated with Unique Neuron Morphology

A study found that individuals with schizophrenia have smaller and differently shaped neurons in the brain's anterior cingulate cortex, with neuron size correlating to hallucination severity, suggesting potential biological markers and targets for future treatments.

via PsyPost|

#anterior-cingulate-cortex #brain-cells #health

science6 months ago•2 min saved

New Brain Rebalancing Technique Reverses Anxiety and Depression in Mice

Scientists at the Institute for Neurosciences have discovered that restoring balance to specific neurons in the amygdala can reverse anxiety and social withdrawal behaviors in mice, opening new possibilities for targeted treatments of affective disorders.

via ScienceDaily|

#amygdala #anxiety #brain

science7 months ago•2 min saved

Scientists Discover New Neural Connection

Scientists have discovered a new type of connection between neurons called dendritic nanotubes, which can transport molecules like calcium and amyloid-beta, potentially playing a role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. This discovery was made using advanced imaging techniques and could lead to new insights into brain function and disease progression.

via ScienceAlert|

#alzheimers #brain #nanotubes

science7 months ago•3 min saved

Scientists Discover Potential Off Switch for Chronic Pain

Scientists have discovered a specific group of neurons in the brainstem that are active in chronic pain and produce a molecule called neuropeptide Y (NPY) that acts as a natural painkiller, opening potential pathways for new pain treatments.

via AOL.com|

#brainstem #chronic-pain #neurons

science7 months ago•3 min saved

Scientists Discover Potential Off Switch for Chronic Pain

Scientists have identified a specific group of neurons in the brainstem's parabrachial nucleus that are activated during chronic pain and produce a molecule, neuropeptide Y (NPY), which acts as a natural painkiller. This discovery suggests potential for developing new pain treatments that activate this molecule, offering hope for safer alternatives to opioids.

via Yahoo|

#brainstem #chronic-pain #neurons

science7 months ago•5 min saved

Neural Foundations of Social Hierarchies and Competitive Outcomes

Researchers identified specific neurons in the dorsomedial striatum that control the 'loser effect' in mice, revealing distinct brain circuits for winning and losing behaviors, which could provide insights into human social dynamics.

via Neuroscience News|

#dorsomedial-striatum #loser-effect #mouse-study

science7 months ago•1 min saved

Neurons Responsible for Imaginary Visuals Identified

Researchers have identified a specific subpopulation of neurons in the primary visual cortex that are involved in local pattern completion and may play a role in perceiving illusory contours, although behavioral confirmation is still needed. Future studies aim to stimulate these neurons more extensively to observe potential behavioral responses in animals.

via Ars Technica|

#behavioral-tests #illusory-contours #neurons

science7 months ago•4 min saved

New Discovery Reveals Fat as Key Fuel for Brain Health and Disease Treatment

Scientists discovered that neurons can burn fat for energy and produce their own fats during high demand, a process dependent on DDHD2. In conditions like HSP54, where DDHD2 malfunctions, neurons lose this ability, but fatty acid supplements can restore their function within 48 hours, offering hope for neurodegenerative disease treatments.

via Neuroscience News|

#ddhd2 #fat-metabolism #hsp54

science8 months ago•6 min saved

Brain's Balance of Excitation and Inhibition

The brain maintains a delicate balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurons, which is crucial for healthy functioning. Recent research reveals that inhibitory neurons are more active and specific than previously thought, playing key roles in learning and memory. Additionally, a third category of neuromodulatory neurons influences brain activity on slower timescales, adding complexity to neural regulation. Understanding these interactions could lead to better treatments for neurological disorders caused by imbalances.

via Quanta Magazine|

#brain #excitatory #inhibitory