ElectrophysiologyFeaturedNeuroscience·February 19, 2013·2 min readRewriting a Receptor’s RoleResearchers upend a long-held view about the basic functioning of a key receptor molecule involved in signaling between neurons. The study describes how a compound linked to Alzheimer's disease impacts NMDA receptors and weakens synaptic connections between brain cells.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·February 15, 2013·2 min readNeuronal Activity Induces Tau Release from Healthy NeuronsResearchers discover neuronal activity can stimulate tau release from healthy neurons in the absence of cell death. The study shows treatment of neurons with known biological signaling molecules increases the release of tau into the culture medium.Read More
FeaturedNeurology·February 14, 2013·3 min readLow Protein Diet Slows Alzheimer’s in MiceResearchers discovered that a low protein diet can slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease in mice. By cycling between a normal and protein restricted diet, researchers noted both improvement in memory and a slowing in the advancement of the disease.Read More
FeaturedNeurology·February 12, 2013·3 min readNovel Protein May Help Detect Lou Gehrig’s Disease and DementiaResearchers discover an abnormal protein that accumulates in the brains of patients affected with ALS and frontotemporal dementia. The findings have uncovered a potentially new therapeutic target and biomarker that would allow clinicians to confirm diagnosis of the diseases.Read More
FeaturedNeurology·February 5, 2013·5 min readDamaged Blood Vessels Loaded with Amyloid Worsen Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer’s DiseaseResearchers have discovered that amyloid peptides are harmful to the blood vessels that supply the brain with blood in Alzheimer's disease, thus accelerating cognitive decline by limiting oxygen-rich blood and nutrients.Read More
FeaturedNeurology·January 15, 2013·2 min readMajor Step Toward an Alzheimer’s VaccineResearchers discovered a way to stimulate the brain's natural defense mechanisms in mice with Alzheimer's disease symptoms. This major breakthrough opens the door to the development of a treatment for Alzheimer's disease and a vaccine to prevent the illness.Read More
FeaturedNeurology·October 22, 2012·3 min readClue to Alzheimer’s Cause Found in Brain SamplesResearchers found a key difference in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease and those who are cognitively normal but still have brain plaques that characterize this type of dementia.Read More
FeaturedNeurology·October 2, 2012·2 min readNew Research Model to Aid Search for Degenerative Disease CuresEfforts to treat disorders like Lou Gehrig’s disease, Paget’s disease, inclusion body myopathy and dementia will receive a considerable boost from a new research model created by UC Irvine scientists.Read More
FeaturedNeurology·August 20, 2012·2 min readBrain Enzyme is Double Whammy for Alzheimer’s DiseaseResearchers discover that an enzyme known for generating toxic brain plaques in Alzheimer's disease also causes additional memory and cognitive deficits via a separate mechanism. They found that BACE1 disrupts the cell's production of other molecules required for PKA function. By that mechanism, BACE1 inactivates PKA and therefore inhibits memory formation in mice, even in the absence of neurotoxic β-amyloid.Read More
NeurologyNeuroscience Business·July 19, 2012·2 min readAnti-Tau Drug Improves Cognition, Decreases Tau Tangles in Alzheimer’s Disease ModelsPenn Medicine research presented today at the 2012 Alzheimer's Association International Conference shows that an anti-tau treatment called epithilone D (EpoD) was effective in preventing and intervening the progress of Alzheimer's disease in animal models, improving neuron function and cognition, as well as decreasing tau pathology.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·July 3, 2012·2 min readScientists Discover Bees Can “Turn Back Time”, Reverse Brain AgingHoneybees can reverse brain aging and learning deficits when they take on nest responsibilities usually done by younger bees. Findings suggest social interventions may be used to slow or treat age-related dementia.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurology·June 14, 2012·3 min readGene May Link Diabetes and Alzheimer’sGene involved in dementia affects the insulin pathway, reports biology professor Chris Li and colleagues. In recent years it became...Read More