Injury to the nose increases risk of bacteria entering the brain
Damage to the nasal epithelium increases the risk of bacteria entering into the brain, potentially resulting in long-term health problems.... Read More...
CNS
Boosting energy levels within damaged nerves may help them heal
Enhancing mitochondrial transportation and cellular energetics could help promote regeneration and function following spinal cord injury.... Read More...
A molecular switch for repairing central nervous system disorders
A global knockout of the thrombin receptor PAR1 accelerates myelin development. The findings could help with the development of treatments for diseases associated with demyelination, like multiple sclerosis.... Read More...
Where does Parkinson’s disease start? In the brain or gut? Or both?
Lewy body disorders, including Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia, comprise of two distinct subtypes. One subtype originates in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) of the gut and spreads to the brain. The other originates in the brain, or enters the brain via the olfactory system, before spreading to the brainstem and PNS.... Read More...
New research findings on dizziness of unknown cause
People with functional dizziness do not appear to process sensory-motor impression correctly. Instead, they rely on a stored memory model which no longer matches immediate reality.... Read More...
Gut microbes protect against neurologic damage from viral infections
A healthy and diverse microbiome is essential for quickly clearing viral infections in the nervous system to prevent risks associated with multiple sclerosis. Mice with lower gut bacteria had weaker immune responses and were unable to eliminate viruses, leading to worsening paralysis. Those treated with antibiotics before infection had fewer microglia. ... Read More...
Raising eyebrows on neuroinflammation: Surprising role of ‘skin plumping’ hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally produced by the human body and a popular additive in cosmetics that boast plumper skin, may be a useful tool in treating neuroinflammation. ... Read More...
First step to induce self-repair in the central nervous system
Severed axonal segments signal to Schwann cells to begin actin sphere formation and axon disintegration. If the process is disrupted, axon disintegration is slowed and axon fragments impair nerve regeneration.... Read More...
Discovery reveals prolific ability of Schwann cells to generate myelin
Schwann cells are much more prolific in generating myelin than previously believed. Knocking out the fbxw7 gene in mouse models, researchers discovered individual Schwann cells began to spread myelin across many axons.... Read More...
Cannabidiol could help deliver medications to the brain
Cannabidiol may be able to bypass the blood-brain barrier to effectively deliver medications directly to the brain.... Read More...
Microglia, cells thought restricted to central nervous system, are redefined in new study
In response to injury, microglia cross the spinal boundary from the central nervous system to the peripheral nervous system. While in the PNS, microglia provide the function of clearing cellular debris at the point of injury, then return to the CNS in an altered state. Researchers propose this could account for some damage associated with neurodegenerative diseases.... Read More...
Manipulating Gene Expression in Neurons with CRISPR
By optimizing neurons with CRISPR gene editing technology, researchers will have new ways to study genetic influences on brain health and disease, a new study reports. ... Read More...