FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·August 9, 2019How chronic stress causes brain damageChronic stress causes autophagy in adult hippocampal neural stem cells. This results in a decline of hippocampal neurogenesis. Cognitive deficits and mood disorders that arise as a result of chronic stress are a result of autophagic death of hippocampal neural stem cells. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·July 19, 2019Taking out the Protein Garbage Becomes More Difficult as Neurons AgeIn aging mice, the number of autophagosomes is significantly decreased, and pronounced defects in the structure of autophagosomes increased. Turning on the WIPI2B protein restores autophagosome formation in aged neurons. Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·April 18, 2019Blood pressure drug shows promise for treating Parkinson’s and dementia in animal studyFelodipine, a common hypertension medication, induces autophagy and clears aggregate-prone proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The study reveals the drug clears mutant alpha-synuclein in the brains of mice at plasma concentrations to those seen in humans taking the medication. Felodipine appears to have some neuroprotective properties in mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·April 10, 2019Protein pileup affects social behaviors through altered brain signalingStudy implicates disrupted autophagy and protein aggregation in the pathogenesis of autism schizophrenia and social behavior deficits in other disorders. Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·January 2, 2019Hyperactive Immune System Implicated in Aging Brain DisordersAccording to a new study, the immune system may play a critical role in damage associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and ALS. The study reports altering Cdk5 results in the death of dopamine neurons and slowed autophagy. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyOpen Neuroscience Articles·March 7, 2018Strict Eating Schedule Can Lower Huntington’s Protein: Mouse StudyRestricting access to food within a strict time frame stimulates autophagy and lowers levels of the huntingtin protein in the brain, a new mouse study reveals. Read More
FeaturedNeurology·December 13, 2017Cellular Self Digestion Process Triggers Autoimmune DiseaseA new study reveals how autophagy in certain immune cells can lead to the immune system attacking the central nervous system. The findings have implications for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, like multiple sclerosis. Read More
FeaturedNeurologyOpen Neuroscience Articles·November 22, 2017New Mechanism of Cell Death in Neurodegenerative DisordersNew finding could lead to novel therapeutic approaches in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·November 2, 2017Synaptic DisorderTargeting autophagy may help in the battle against ALS and other diseases that affect motor neurons, researchers report. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·September 16, 2017Unveiling the Mystery of Why We AgeResearchers have identified genes that contribute to autophagy. The findings shed light on the origins of the aging process and provide evidence that aging arises as a quirk of evolution. Read More
FeaturedNeurology·September 11, 2017Body’s Own Defense Against ALS Actually Drives Disease Progression at Later StagesIn early stages of ALS, autophagy helps to suppress disease progression, but accelerates the spread as the disease enters into later stages, researchers report. Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·August 2, 2017It’s Not Just What You Eat, It’s What’s Eating YouAutophagy allows sensory neurons and nutrient levels to work together to influence lifespan, a new study reveals. Read More
