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Duke NUS Medical School

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·November 4, 2025·6 min read

BrainSTEM Atlas Maps Every Cell of the Developing Human Brain

Scientists have built one of the most comprehensive single-cell maps of the developing human brain. The new BrainSTEM framework analyzed nearly 680,000 fetal brain cells to chart their growth and interactions, offering a detailed reference for studying neuron development.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 9, 2024·5 min read

Fetal Immunity Defends the Brain Before Birth

New research reveals that fetuses can mount immune responses against infections long before birth, challenging the assumption that they rely solely on maternal immunity. A study on Zika virus infections found that immune cells like microglia protect the developing brain, while others, like monocytes, can cause damaging inflammation.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·October 17, 2024·5 min read

SUMO Proteins Trigger Brain Stem Cell Reactivation for Repair

SUMO proteins play a key role in activating dormant neural stem cells, vital for brain repair and regeneration. This finding, centered on a process called SUMOylation, reveals how neural stem cells can be "woken up" to aid in brain recovery, offering potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

This shows myelinated axons in the brain

Featured Neuroscience

·May 5, 2023·4 min read

Unique Omega-3 Fatty Acid Lipid Could Revolutionize Our Understanding of Brain Development and Aging

Researchers identified a special transporter protein, Mfsd2a, that plays a critical role in regulating the brain cells responsible for protecting nerves with myelin sheaths. Loss of myelin sheaths can occur during the normal aging process and in neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. Findings indicate LPC omega-3 lipids can direct oligodendrocyte development, a process that is critical for brain myelination.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 21, 2021·4 min read

Gene Signature for Plaque-Eating Microglia in Alzheimer’s Disease Discovered

Study identifies gene expression signatures that underlie microglia associated with amyloid plaque phagocytosis.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 11, 2021·3 min read

Wake-up Call for Neural Stem Cells

The brain enzyme Pr-set7 activates dormant neural stem cells.

This shows the outline of a head with cogwheels

Featured Neuroscience

·July 13, 2019·4 min read

Researchers link aging with changes in brain networks related to cognition

As people age, the brain networks associated with cognition become less efficient at information transfer and more vulnerable to disturbance.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 5, 2019·4 min read

New chemical probe for visualizing brain immune cells

The chemical probe CDr20 can label microglia in living cells, researchers report.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 30, 2019·4 min read

Possible link between autism and antidepressants use during pregnancy: Mouse Study

A new study in mice reveals a possible link between the use of SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism-like symptoms in offspring. Offspring exposed to fluoxetine (Prozac) in utero were more likely to exhibit impaired neurotransmission caused by an overactive serotonin receptor in the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain implicated in modulating social behaviors. However, treating the mice with a compound that blocks the receptor alleviated the behavioral problems and improved working memory.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 24, 2019·3 min read

Proteins stand up to nerve cell regression

Study reveals the critical and novel roles Integrator complex proteins play in promoting healthy brain development in flies.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 22, 2019·5 min read

Split and Continuous Sleep in Teens Impacts Cognition and Glucose Levels Differently

Researchers report different sleep schedules with the same amount of total sleep time impact the teenage brain differently. Those who nap in the afternoon, but sleep less at night, have higher levels of blood glucose than those who sleep longer at night, the study reports.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 19, 2018·4 min read

The Neurobiology of Social Aggression

Researchers report a signalling mechanism in the brain shapes social behavior. The findings may have implications for better understanding social hierarchies, aggression and bullying.