brain cells

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brain cells

The image shows Seth Tomchik, Ph.D, the lead researcher of this study.

·January 29, 2013·2 min read

Study Shows how Brain Cells Shape Temperature Preferences

A new study shows a complex set of overlapping neuronal circuits works in concert to drive temperature preferences in the fruit fly Drosophila by affecting a single target, a heavy bundle of neurons within the fly brain known as the mushroom body. These nerve bundles play critical roles in learning and memory.

The image shows a drawing of the brain with the hypothalamus marked by an arrow and highlighted in orange.

Featured Genetics

·April 5, 2013·2 min read

Breakthrough in Neuroscience Could Help Re-Wire Appetite Control

Researchers discover a population of cells, called tanycytes, are capable of generating new appetite regulating neurons in the brains of both young and adult rodents. The discovery could offer new avenues for tackling obesity.

The image shows the expression of human app in fly larval neurons. The caption best describes the image.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 28, 2013·3 min read

Preventing ‘Traffic Jams’ in Brain Cells

Researchers discover presenilin, a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease, controls the speed at which materials move through brain cells. Defects in presenilin could lead to neuronal blockages with amyloid plaques, commonly associated with this neurodegenerative disorder.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 13, 2013·4 min read

Gustatory Tug-of-War Key to Whether Salty Foods Taste Good

Researchers find a fruit fly's salty taste sensation strategy could apply to other animals, even humans.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 14, 2013·3 min read

Scientists Identify Neurons that Control Feeding Behavior in Drosophila

New research identifies a pair of neurons which control the feeding behavior in Drosophila fruit flies. The discovery could help scientists better understand how the brain uses stimuli and memory to produce classically conditioned responses.

The images above depict the activity of the mushroom body Kenyon cells in the fruit fly brain in response to 3 different odors.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 18, 2013·4 min read

The Discerning Fruit Fly: Linking Brain-Cell Activity and Behavior in Smell Recognition

Researchers have mapped the activity of brain cells in the mushroom body of flies conditioned to have Pavlovian behavioral responses to different odors. The findings suggest the activity of as few as 25 neurons are required to be able to distinguish between different odors.

This is the brain harpoon described in the research.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 19, 2013·3 min read

Carbon Nanotube Harpoon Catches Individual Brain Cell Signals

Researchers develop a flexible carbon-nanotube 'harpoon' to study individual brain neurons. The 'brain harpoon' harnesses the electromechanical properties of carbon nanotubes to capture the electrical signals generated by single neurons.

A schematic illustrating the anatomical components of the glymphatic clearance pathway.

Featured Neurology

·June 27, 2013·3 min read

Brain’s ‘Garbage Truck’ May Hold Key to Treating Alzheimer’s and Other Disorders

A new study points to a newly discovered system in which the brain removed waste as a potential new tool to treat neurodegenerative disorders.

The image shows the neural growth. The caption best describes the image.

Autism Featured

·September 12, 2013·4 min read

Stunted Neuron Branching Restored in Mice

Mutations of a gene associated with some forms of autism in humans can hinder the correct growth and connectivity of neurons in mice. This understanding allowed researchers to restore proper neuronal growth in the mice.

This is an MRI of white matter structures in the human brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 8, 2013·4 min read

Study Shows How Infections in Newborns are Linked to Later Behavior Problems

Inflammation in the brain prevents cells from accessing the iron they need in order to perform a critical role in neurodevelopment.

Featured Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos

·October 26, 2017·5 min read

Allen Institute Shares First Open Database of Live Human Brain Cells

Researchers from Allen Institute have released a publicly available database of live human brain cells. The data is comprised of samples taken from neurosurgery patients and includes over 300 living cortical neurons of different types.

This shows cells with the male and female symbols

Featured Neuroscience

·October 17, 2019·4 min read

Male and female mice have different brain cells

Study identifies rare brain cell types that are unique to male mice, and others that are unique to females. The cells were discovered in the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that governs both aggression and mating behaviors.