FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·April 29, 2020·2 min readTobacco smoking increases lung entry points for COVID-19Smoking remodels the gene expression of lung cells so that the ACE2 gene is more highly expressed in goblet cells. The effects of smoking on ACE2 pulmonary expression indicates an increase in the overall entry points for coronavirus and increases the risk for viral binding and entry of COVID-19 into the lungs.Read More
Brain CancerFeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·April 27, 2020·4 min readA promising new treatment for recurrent pediatric brain cancerAdministering medulloblastoma specific CAR T cells into the cerebrospinal fluid was more effective than administering via the blood.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·April 24, 2020·3 min readAdult astrocytes are key to learning and memoryMice deficient in the NFIA gene presented astrocytes with defective shapes and altered functions in the hippocampus.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·April 16, 2020·3 min readWatch that smell! Scents can regulate fat storageStudy links olfactory perception to fat storage. Optogenetically inhibiting or activating an olfactory neural circuit in C. elegans promoted the loss or gain of fat storage.Read More
Brain CancerFeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscience·January 30, 2020·5 min readBrain tumors remodel neuronal synapses to promote growthSeveral variants of the PIK3CA gene drive brain tumor progression. Two of the variants alter the expression of genes involved in synapses.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·December 18, 2019·4 min readIs herpes virus infections linked to Alzheimer’s disease?Study finds no link between the abundance of herpes viral DNA or RNA and an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.Read More
AutismFeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·October 21, 2019·4 min readNew therapeutic strategy may help reverse autism behavioral abnormalitiesGenetically silencing mTORC2 in mouse models prolonged lifespan, suppressed seizures, increased long-term memory, and reduced autism-like behaviors.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·September 5, 2019·4 min readBrain circuit connects feeding and mood in response to stressA new study identifies a novel neural network regulating feeding and mood in response to chronic stress. Inhibiting the POMC to ventral tegmental area circuit increases body weight and food intake while reducing depressive symptoms in mouse models.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscience·August 26, 2019·4 min readFrom cradle to grave: Postnatal overnutrition linked to agingIslets of Langerhans in overnourished infant mice showed epigenetic profiles resembling those of much older mice.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·August 16, 2019·2 min readGene linked to Alzheimer’s disease is involved in neuronal communicationStudy reveals how CD2AP may enhance Alzheimer's susceptibility. The gene affects neural communication by regulating the levels of regulatory proteins present around synapses.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·June 25, 2019·5 min readAlzheimer’s mouse model seizures disrupt adult neurogenesisSeizures associated with Alzheimer's disease in both animal models and humans alter hippocampal neurogenesis. Treating mice with antiseizure medications normalized neurogenesis and improved spatial discrimination.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceVisual Neuroscience·June 24, 2019·3 min readUnderstanding brain activity when you name what you seeBeing able to put a name to an object involves changing network interactions between different brain regions.Read More
