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astrocytes

·April 20, 2023·5 min read

Cognitive Decline May Be Triggered by Astrocyte Dysfunction

A new study reveals astrocyte dysfunction may be a driver of cognitive decline and memory loss in those with dementia. This may be caused by a protein build-up in the astrocytes that appears to trigger abnormal antiviral activity that results in memory loss.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 16, 2023·4 min read

A New Breakthrough in Alzheimer Disease Research

A novel imaging technique is capable of showing reactive astrocyte-neuron interactions. The technique sheds new light on Alzheimer's pathologies and offers a potential breakthrough for the diagnosis and treatment of dementia.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 12, 2023·5 min read

The Brain’s Support Cells May Play a Key Role in OCD

A newly discovered cellular mechanism that involves astrocytes, as well as neurons, appears to be involved in repetitive behaviors and OCD.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 4, 2023·5 min read

Overwhelmed? Your Astrocytes Can Help With That

New research reveals a newly discovered brain circuit that involves astrocytes, a type of brain cell that tunes into and moderates the chatter between overactive neurons. This discovery could hold the key to treating attention disorders like ADHD, and sheds new light on how the brain processes information when overwhelmed.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 31, 2023·4 min read

Astrocytes May Be Information Regulators

New evidence suggests astrocytes can sense and react to change. These processes are key to memory formation and behavioral shifts.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 10, 2023·5 min read

Astrocyte Cells Critical for Learning Skilled Movements

Study reveals two specific ways in which astrocytes directly impact motor learning.

Brain Cancer Featured Neuroscience

·February 28, 2023·6 min read

Identifying the Inflammatory Cells Behind Chemo Brain

Microglia appear to be associated with brain fog and memory problems that arise as a result of exposure to chemotherapy, researchers discovered. Deleting the immune cells from the microglia in mice who received the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel lowered inflammation and restored memory function.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 14, 2023·4 min read

Social Isolation Triggers Astrocyte-Mediated Deficits in Learning and Memory

During periods of social isolation, astrocytes in the brain become hyperactive. This suppresses circuit formation and memory formation. Reversing astrocyte hyperactivity can help mitigate memory deficits associated with social isolation.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·February 9, 2023·5 min read

New Biomarker for Disease Progression in Multiple Sclerosis

The blood level of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) cellular component increases when astrocytes are damaged or activated. Elevated levels of GFAP in the blood can indicate both the current and future progression of multiple sclerosis.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 26, 2023·4 min read

Why a High-Fat Diet Could Reduce the Brain’s Ability to Regulate Food Intake

Study reports in the short term, astrocytes regulate caloric intake by controlling the signaling pathway between the gut and brain. Eating high-fat or high-calorie diets disrupts this pathway.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 19, 2023·6 min read

A Link Between Schizophrenia and Vascular Alterations in the Brain

A new study uncovers a link between astrocytes derived from patients with schizophrenia and the formation of narrower blood vessels in the brain. Findings suggest the astrocytes from those with schizophrenia promote less vascularization.