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neurons

This illustrates how astrocytes assist in GABA neurotransmission.

·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.

This shows a child looking at brain scans.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·October 9, 2024·5 min read

Neuron Density Differences in Autistic Children’s Brains

New research reveals that children with autism have varying neuron densities in certain brain regions compared to their peers. Using advanced imaging from the ABCD study, scientists observed lower neuron density in regions associated with memory and problem-solving, while regions like the amygdala showed higher neuron density.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 30, 2024·6 min read

New Brain Mapping Tool Reveals Detailed Neuronal Connections

Scientists have developed a new brain-mapping tool called START, which combines transcriptomics and viral tracing to map the connections between specific neuronal subtypes with unprecedented detail. This technology allows researchers to identify distinct patterns of connectivity in inhibitory neurons within the cerebral cortex, providing a blueprint of the brain’s circuits.