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neurons

·October 9, 2025·8 min read

Brain Cells That Thrive on Uncertainty Help Us Adapt and Learn

Scientists have discovered a group of brain cells in the orbitofrontal cortex that become more active when outcomes are uncertain, revealing how the brain adapts and learns from unpredictable situations. These neurons—found in both rats and humans—help balance flexibility and precision in decision-making, particularly when rewards are inconsistent.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·September 17, 2025·5 min read

Early Brain Damage From Sports Hits Seen Long Before CTE

New research shows that repetitive head impacts from contact sports trigger early and lasting brain changes in athletes years before chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is detectable. The study found neuron loss, microglial activation, and blood vessel changes in athletes under 51, even in those without tau buildup, the usual CTE marker.

This illustrates how astrocytes assist in GABA neurotransmission.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 26, 2025·7 min read

How Astrocytes Keep Neural Teams in Sync

Astrocytes, long overshadowed by neurons, are proving vital to how the brain processes information. A new study shows that astrocytes use a protein called Gat3 to manage ambient GABA levels, helping neurons work together to encode visual input.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 17, 2025·4 min read

Neurons Store Backup Energy to Power the Brain Under Stress

New research has uncovered that neurons store their own glycogen, acting as “backup batteries” to keep the brain functioning during energy stress. Using worms and advanced biosensors, scientists found that neurons can tap into glycogen reserves, especially when oxygen or mitochondrial function is limited.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 10, 2025·7 min read

Lab-Grown Neurons Reach Unprecedented Diversity

Researchers have created over 400 distinct types of human nerve cells in vitro, vastly expanding the diversity available for neuroscience research. By systematically combining genetic engineering with morphogen signaling molecules, they mimicked the intricate variety of neurons found in the brain.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 8, 2025·5 min read

Later-Born Neurons Mature Faster to Keep Networks in Balance

The brain depends on a delicate balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurons to function properly. A new study reveals that inhibitory neurons born later in development mature more quickly than earlier ones, allowing them to catch up and integrate evenly into neural networks.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 16, 2025·4 min read

Astrocytes, Not Neurons, Drive Brain’s Attention and Alertness

For nearly a century, scientists believed that neuromodulators like norepinephrine adjusted brain communication by acting directly on neurons. A new study overturns this long-held view, revealing that astrocytes—support cells long considered secondary—are the key intermediaries.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 14, 2025·5 min read

How Neurons Switch Gears to Navigate the Developing Brain

New research reveals that neurons can switch their migration strategy depending on whether they move on flat surfaces or through tight, crowded spaces. This adaptive behavior is controlled by a mechanosensitive protein channel called PIEZO1, which detects mechanical stress and triggers a shift in how the cell’s internal motors generate movement.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·January 17, 2025·7 min read

Mapping IL-1’s Role in Mood, Memory, and Sensory Circuits

A comprehensive study mapped neuronal IL-1R1 (nIL-1R1) expression in the mouse brain, highlighting its role in sensory processing, mood, and memory regulation. Researchers found that neurons expressing IL-1R1 integrate immune and neural signals, revealing connections between inflammation and brain disorders like depression and anxiety.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 9, 2025·5 min read

Push-and-Pull Signals Direct Neuron Migration in the Developing Brain

Scientists have uncovered how developing neurons migrate from the germinal zone, a process critical for proper brain circuit formation. They identified a "push-pull" system where the guidance molecule Netrin-1 repels differentiated neurons, while the ubiquitin ligase Siah2 prevents premature migration by degrading essential proteins.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 10, 2024·3 min read

Reprogrammed Brain Cells Could Restore Damaged Circuits

Scientists have successfully reprogrammed astroglia, a type of brain support cell, into neurons that mimic specific interneurons critical for brain function. By modifying the Ascl1 protein, they increased its efficiency in converting astroglia to neuron-like cells, opening new possibilities for regenerative treatments for brain disorders such as epilepsy.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 4, 2024·7 min read

16 Nerve Cell Types Identified in Human Touch

Researchers identified 16 distinct types of nerve cells involved in human touch and compared them with those in mice and macaques, showing both shared and unique traits. The study reveals unexpected complexities in how nerve cells respond to stimuli, suggesting a sensory system that integrates multiple types of sensations.

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neurons

Brain Cells That Thrive on Uncertainty Help Us Adapt and Learn

Early Brain Damage From Sports Hits Seen Long Before CTE

How Astrocytes Keep Neural Teams in Sync

Neurons Store Backup Energy to Power the Brain Under Stress

Lab-Grown Neurons Reach Unprecedented Diversity

Later-Born Neurons Mature Faster to Keep Networks in Balance

Astrocytes, Not Neurons, Drive Brain’s Attention and Alertness

How Neurons Switch Gears to Navigate the Developing Brain

Mapping IL-1’s Role in Mood, Memory, and Sensory Circuits

Push-and-Pull Signals Direct Neuron Migration in the Developing Brain

Reprogrammed Brain Cells Could Restore Damaged Circuits

16 Nerve Cell Types Identified in Human Touch

Why Teenage Songs Define Us: The Science of Musical Memory

Can a Disconnected Brain Be Conscious?

People Miss Racial Bias Hidden Inside AI Emotion Recognition

New Alzheimer’s Mutation Weakens Brain’s Immune Defense

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