Neuroscience News and Research

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New research identifies a master timekeeper for the brain's circadian clock

A gene called Npas4, already known to play a key role in balancing excitatory and inhibitory inputs in brain cells, appears to also be a master timekeeper for the brain's circadian clock, new research led by UT Southwestern scientists suggests.

20 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

Study describes a new method for identifying sperm mutations that can cause disease in children

Throughout development, life and the processes of aging, all human cells accumulate mutations, resulting in what is called mosaicism, a condition in which different cells in the same person have different DNA sequences or genetic makeup.

16 Aug 2021

Scientists develop new tool to identify neuronal proteins in animal models

Scientists, for the first time, developed a successful method for pinpointing proteins within different kinds of neurons in the brain of a living animal.

16 Aug 2021

Study analyzes the neuronal mechanism of fruit flies in decision making

According to scientists, people tend to prioritize food over sex after being deprived of both. The researchers examined this behavioral conflict in fruit flies.

10 Aug 2021

Study discovers link between corticosteroid receptors and hippocampal neuroplasticity, ciliary genes

Chronic stress is a well-known cause for mental health disorders. New research has moved a step forward in understanding how glucocorticoid hormones ('stress hormones') act upon the brain and what their function is.

9 Aug 2021

New study could help develop novel treatments for neurodegenerative diseases

Researchers have introduced a novel gene therapy program that could set the stage for new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

2 Aug 2021

Light, Scintillator, Action! X-rays can Control Neuron Function and Behavior

A group of scientists revealed a novel X-ray technique that allows control of neural function deep in the brain without causing any damage.

29 Jul 2021

Study shows astrocytes induce sex differences during brain development

Scientists have found that when brain cells develop, they may find various ways to link with each other based on sex.

21 Jul 2021

Study reveals the basis of oxygenation fluctuations in brain

The brain is supplied with sufficient nutrients and oxygen due to the blood flow; however, the oxygenation is likely to fluctuate distinctly and uniformly.

From Penn State University 19 Jul 2021

New study identifies two genetic regions linked to cluster headache

Scientists have performed the largest-ever study seeking genetic markers for cluster headache.

16 Jul 2021

Isoflavone diet plus metabolizing gut bacteria may provide protection against MS

A new University of Iowa study suggests that metabolism of plant-based dietary substances by specific gut bacteria, which are lacking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), may provide protection against the disease.

14 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

Genetic treatment may provide a new approach to addressing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

For the first time, scientists have linked distinct patterns of genetic mutations with OCD in humans using genome-wide analysis.

29 Jun 2021

Scientists reveal key role of glial protein in building the brain

When we think of the brain, we think of neurons. But much of the brain is made of non-neuronal cells called glial cells, which help regulate brain development and function.

25 Jun 2021

New technology offers an alternative way to produce highly detailed images of the brain

The gold standard in functional brain imaging for over two decades, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has transformed the landscape of research and clinical care. Yet, because of its cost and functional limitations, scientists have continued to look for new ways to see into the human brain.

15 Jun 2021

Study reveals the first look of brains retrieving faulty memories

Scientists have observed for the first time what it looks like in the key memory region of the brain when a mistake is made during a memory trial.

9 Jun 2021

Study reveals key molecule involved in myelin repair

New research works indicate that new brain cells are continuously formed in response to physical exercise, injury, and mental stimulation.

9 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

Gene therapy may be a safe and effective single-dose treatment for hypophosphatasia

A preclinical study led by scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys has established that AAV8-TNAP-D10--a gene therapy that replaces a key enzyme found in bone--may be a safe and effective single-dose treatment for hypophosphatasia (HPP).

8 Jun 2021