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astrocytes

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 24, 2020·3 min read

Adult astrocytes are key to learning and memory

Mice deficient in the NFIA gene presented astrocytes with defective shapes and altered functions in the hippocampus.

Brain Cancer Electrophysiology Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 6, 2020·4 min read

Brain tumors impact normally helpful cells

Glioma brain tumors alter the function of astrocytes, possibly contributing to seizures many brain cancer patients experience. Astrocytes encasing gliomas exhibit different molecular signatures based on their proximity to the cancer cells. Those directly touching the cancer cells become elongated and swollen, mimicking the astrocyte's response to other epilepsy-related brain injuries.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 30, 2020·2 min read

How stress remodels the brain

A single, stressful event causes rapid and long-lasting retraction of astrocyte branches. Stress induces this change by halting the production of GluA1.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 16, 2020·4 min read

New research on brain structure highlights cells linked to Alzheimer’s and autism

Astrocytes are not uniform, as previously believed, but take distinct molecular forms depending on their location in the cerebral cortex. Astrocytes also organize in layers in similar ways to neurons.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·March 3, 2020·3 min read

Brain cells that change shape after a meal

Following a meal, astrocytes associated with POMC neurons in the hypothalamus alter their shape. After eating, glucose levels increase temporarily. Astrocytes detect the signal and react within one hour, causing POMC neurons to activate and promote the feeling of satiety.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·February 21, 2020·4 min read

Lack of oxygen during pregnancy can cause schizophrenia

Lack of oxygen to the fetus during pregnancy as a result of pre-eclampsia may increase the risk for schizophrenia, a new study reports.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 29, 2020·4 min read

New injection technique may boost spinal cord injury repair efforts

Researchers have developed a new method for delivering neural precursor cells into rat models of spinal cord injury. The method is safe, effective, and reduces the likelihood of further spinal trauma while delivering larger doses of reparative stem cells. The new approach could also be used for the treatment of ALS and multiple sclerosis.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·December 4, 2019·6 min read

Drugs that quell brain inflammation reverse dementia

A synthesized small-molecule drug blocks the TGF-beta receptor in astrocytes and traverses the blood-brain barrier in mice. When administered, the drug lowered receptor activity to that seen in younger mice and reduced inflammation. The aged mice were able to navigate mazes and learn spatial tasks as well as younger mice.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 22, 2019·3 min read

Exposure to environmental PCBs impairs brain function in mice

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chemicals commonly used during the 20th century as flame retardants and in industrial products, disrupt the performance of astrocytes, leading to impaired function. Environmental exposure to PCBs could contribute to a range of neurodegenerative diseases.

This shows a brain made up of cog wheels

Autism Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·October 17, 2019·4 min read

First evidence of immune response targeting brain cells in autism

Examining postmortem brains of ASD patients, researchers discover an accumulation of immune cells surrounding blood vessels in the brain. They also found blebs accumulating around blood vessels that contained astrocyte debris. The findings suggest autism may be an autoimmune disorder.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Visual Neuroscience

·September 13, 2019·4 min read

New insights into how astrocytes help the brain process information

Noradrenaline is essential for astrocytes to respond to local stimulation.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 29, 2019·3 min read

Abnormal expression of genes in psychopathy

Psychopathy is associated with altered expression of genes and immune responses related to molecular pathways. In neurons, the up-regulation of PRL10P9 and ZNF132 and down-regulation of CDG5 and OPRD1 were linked to psychopathic behaviors. The genetic expression explained up to 92% of the variance of psychopathic symptoms. Researchers speculated these genes may be relevant to the lack of empathy and emotional callousness associated with psychopathy, as previous studies have linked a number of these genes to ASD and problematic social behaviors.

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