Nervous System News and Research

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The nervous system is an organ system containing a network of specialized cells called neurons that coordinate the actions of an animal and transmit signals between different parts of its body. In most animals the nervous system consists of two parts, central and peripheral. The central nervous system contains the brain and spinal cord.

Scientists discover latent stem cells that respond to injury in the central nervous system of mice

Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute have identified a group of latent stem cells that respond to injury in the central nervous system of mice. If a similar type of cell exists in humans, they could offer a new therapeutic approach to treat brain and spinal cord injuries.

23 Aug 2022

Engineers develop the world's smallest EEG caps for mini brains

It could be the world's tiniest EEG electrode cap, created to measure activity in a brain model the size of a pen dot. Its designers expect the device to lead to better understanding of neural disorders and how potentially dangerous chemicals affect the brain.

18 Aug 2022

Researchers discover key cells that control interaction in parts of the brain

A research group from MedUni Vienna’s Center for Brain Research has identified key cells that control data communication between parts of the brain.

18 Jul 2022

Researchers capture images of antibodies attacking neuron receptors using Cryo-Electron Microscopy Facility

Scientists have for the first time photographed an autoantibody coupled to a receptor on the surface of a nerve cell using the Cryo-Electron Microscopy Facility at UT Southwestern.

14 Jul 2022

Study identifies the crucial activity of transposable elements in the evolution of the octopus genomes

The octopus is an extraordinary organism with exceptional brain complexity and cognitive abilities that are unmatched by other invertebrates. So much so that it resembles vertebrates in certain ways more than it does invertebrates.

1 Jul 2022

Genetic sequencing reveals clues to the sea dragons’ distinctive features

Even with plenty of fish in the sea, sea dragons stand out from the crowd. The funky, fabulous fish are bedecked with ruffly leaf-like adornments. Their spines are kinked.

29 Jun 2022

New gene may affect the upper motor neuron cells in the nervous system, study reveals

A recent genetic finding supports the theory that abnormal lipid (fat) transport pathways inside brain cells cause motor neuron degenerative disorders.

From University of Exeter 20 Jun 2022

Scientists develop tiny probe for minimally invasive interfacing with neural circuits

Researchers at the University of California San Diego and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have developed a tiny neural probe that can be implanted for longer time periods to record and stimulate neural activity, while minimizing injury to the surrounding tissue.

From UC San Diego 10 Jun 2022

Researchers identify gene mutation to have the potential to induce higher intelligence in humans

When genes mutate, serious diseases of the human nervous system can result. Scientists from Leipzig University and the University of Würzburg have now used fruit flies to show how, in addition to the negative impact, mutation of a neuronal gene can have a beneficial impact—higher IQ in humans.

12 May 2022

Researchers analyze the effect of dopamine on gene activity and addiction

North Carolina State University researchers have shown that neuron-like cells produced from human stem cells may be used to examine alterations in the neurological system linked to addiction.

10 May 2022

Two new genomic studies provide insight into evolutionarily unique traits of cephalopods

Squid, octopus, and cuttlefish – even to scientists who study them – are wonderfully weird creatures. Known as the soft-bodied or coleoid cephalopods, they have the largest nervous system of any invertebrate, complex behaviors such as instantaneous camouflage, arms studded with dexterous suckers, and other evolutionarily unique traits.

5 May 2022

Researchers analyze the significance of two-pore channels in plant cells

TPCs (two-pore channels) are old ion channels found in both animal and plant cells. These ion channels serve key roles in biological activity in numerous tissues in animals, including humans, like the brain and nervous system.

From Tokyo University of Science 3 May 2022

Researchers discover a unique origin of severe pediatric brain cancer

A new cause of severe childhood brain cancer has been discovered by scientists.

25 Apr 2022

Minor genetic differences impact the ability to utilize the energy of various nutrients

All animals require proteins, carbohydrates, and fats to survive. However, dietary differences between species, populations, and individuals can be significant.

25 Apr 2022

Research associates autophagy and age-related nervous system degradation

The in-built mechanism of recycling dead or poisonous material to preserve the health of human cells is critical to general health.

20 Apr 2022

New technique for better visualizing the CNS fibroblasts

The central nervous system (CNS) consists of several types of cells having varied specialized functions.

7 Apr 2022

Study sheds light on genetic causes of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias

If we want to enhance our knowledge and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, we need to identify genetic risk factors.

7 Apr 2022

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals temporal patterning network in Drosophila medulla neuroblasts

The nervous system is made up of diverse cells that arise from progenitors in a specific time-dependent pattern.

6 Apr 2022

Researchers discover a gene linked to touch in sea anemones as well as hearing in humans

An international team of investigators, including several researchers in biological sciences from the U of A, have published a paper that reports the discovery of a developmental gene linked to touch in the tentacles of sea anemones as well as hearing in humans.

4 Apr 2022

New project receives over $700,000 to study about CHARGE syndrome

CHARGE syndrome, which affects approximately one in 10,000 newborns worldwide, is associated with neurological and behavioral conditions like intellectual disability, attention deficit disorder, convulsions, and autism.

1 Apr 2022