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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cannabidiol may be able to bypass the blood-brain barrier to effectively deliver medications directly to the brain.
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.
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.
Studying animal models, researchers have identified previously unknown types of immune cells that are present in the brains of those with multiple sclerosis.
Researchers have developed a novel 3D printed scaffolding that mimics natural anatomy and boost stem cell treatment for spinal cord repair. While the initial scaffolds have been designed for rat models of SCI, researchers report the approach is scalable to humans.
A new study reveals the intestine as a source of immune cells that help reduce neuroinflammation in patients with multiple sclerosis. Increasing the number of these cells helps block inflammation entirely, researchers report.