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dopaminergic neurons

Image shows dopamine neuron clusters in a fruit fly brain.

·October 8, 2015·4 min read

New Role for Calcium Refill Mechanism in Regulating Dopamine

A process which helps maintain calcium levels in cells may also play a role in maintaining dopamine levels, researchers report.

This image shows SNpc neurons in a mouse brain.

Featured Genetics Neurology

·August 10, 2015·5 min read

Researchers Identify Two Proteins Important in Parkinson’s Disease Progression

A new discovery into the molecular origins of Parkinson's disease could provide new avenues for treatment and prevention of the disease.

This image is Sir William Richard Gowers Parkinson Disease sketchs.

Featured Neurology

·August 9, 2015·4 min read

Liver Disease Medication Could Slow Progression of Parkinson’s Disease

A new study reports that a drug currently being used to treat liver disease has shows promise as an effective treatment to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease.

The image shows three double helix strands.

Featured Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 7, 2015·6 min read

Scientists Find Molecular Trigger of Schizophrenia-Like Behaviors and Brain Changes

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have identified a molecule in the brain that triggers schizophrenia-like behaviors, brain changes and global gene expression in an animal model.

This shows mitochondria from iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons.

Featured Genetics Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 2, 2015·3 min read

Mitochondria Are Altered in Human Cell Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Using stem cells derived from Parkinson's patients, researchers confirm mitochondrial changes.

Featured Neurology

·May 13, 2014·2 min read

Human Learning Altered by Electrical Stimulation of Dopamine Neurons

Human reinforcement learning was modified by deep brain stimulation of substantia nigra dopamine containing neurons.

The mushroom bodies are shown here in bright pink.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 27, 2014·3 min read

Researchers Pinpoint Neurons Where Select Memories Grow

Researchers pinpoint a number of neurons in the brain where certain types of memory occur.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 3, 2014·3 min read

Stimulating Brain Cells Stops Binge Drinking, Animal Study Finds

Researchers use optogenetics to change alcohol drinking behavior in rodents.

The image shows the structure of protein LRRK2.

Featured Genetics

·February 6, 2013·4 min read

Study Points to Possible Cause and Treatment for Non-familial Parkinson’s

Researchers identify a protein trafficking defect within brain cells that may underlie common non-familial forms of Parkinson’s disease. The study implicates two genetic variants that disrupt protein sorting in neurons.

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

Featured Neuroscience

·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.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 26, 2012·2 min read

Stimulating Brain Cells with Light

The work will be conducted on laboratory rats modelling Parkinson’s disease. The transplanted cells will be derived from skin from an adult human and will have been “reprogrammed” as nerve cells. The light-sensitive protein is obtained from a bacterium, which uses light to gain energy.

An image of stem cells is shown. Caption describes well.

Featured Neurology

·October 19, 2012·4 min read

Scientists Pinpoint Key Player in Parkinson’s Disease Neuron Loss

Stem cell study may help to unravel how a genetic mutation leads to Parkinson's symptoms. By reprogramming skin cells from Parkinson's disease patients with a known genetic mutation, researchers identified damage to neural stem cells as a powerful player in Parkinson's disease.