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autoimmune diseases

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 17, 2019·3 min read

Groundbreaking genetic discovery shows why Lupus develops

Rare gene variants BLK and BANK1 are present in a substantial percentage of people with Lupus. The genetic variants suppress 1RF5 and type-1 1Fn in B cells, causing dysfunction in the immune cells.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 14, 2019·4 min read

How stressed-out gut bacteria may trigger autoimmune response

Chronic social stress in mice induces the expression of virulent genes in the gut microbiota. The altered microbiota increases the presence of effector T helper cells in the lymph nodes and induces myelin autoreactive cells. Exposure to chronic stress, therefore, may increase the risk of developing autoimmune diseases for some individuals with a susceptibility.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·April 23, 2019·3 min read

Microglia, immune cells of the central nervous system, shown to regulate neuroinflammation

In uveitis, microglia facilitates the entry of inflammatory immune cells into the retina, enabling the host immune responses to attack cells not normally recognized by the immune system.

This shows VGLL3 expression in different skin samples

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 19, 2019·5 min read

Skin discovery may help explain why women get autoimmune diseases far more often than men

Skin cells may hold the key to explaining why women are more prone to developing autoimmune diseases, such as lupus than men. Researchers found women have more VGLL3 in their skin cells than men. VGLL3 pushes the immune system into overdrive, resulting in the 'self-attacking' autoimmune response, the mouse study revealed. Findings strongly implicate VGLL3 as a pivotal catalyst in sex-based autoimmunity.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 18, 2019·5 min read

Study shows promise in repairing damaged myelin

A study in mouse models of multiple sclerosis demonstrates a compound called sobetirome promotes remyelination, and a derivative of the compound can penetrate the blood-brain barrier to enable a tenfold increase in infiltration to the CNS. Researchers are confident their research will translate from mice into humans, providing a new avenue of treatment for MS.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 17, 2019·3 min read

Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation shows promise for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation reduces inflammation and improves symptoms for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The simulation technique helps inhibit the production of cytokines and reduces inflammatory response.

Featured Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 17, 2019·3 min read

Vitamin D study sheds light on immune system effects

Vitamin D causes dendritic cells to produce more CD31, hindering the activation of T cells. The study sheds light on how vitamin D deficiency regulates the immune system and can lead to autoimmune diseases, like multiple sclerosis.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 8, 2019·3 min read

Study of multiple sclerosis patients shows 18 percent misdiagnosed

18% of new patients treated at two Los Angeles hospitals for multiple sclerosis were misdiagnosed with the autoimmune disease. The misdiagnosed patients were often treated unnecessarily with medications designed for MS. From their findings, researchers report the most common alternative diagnosis was migraine.