FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceNeuroscience VideosOpen Neuroscience Articles·October 11, 2019·4 min readNew genetic link found for some forms of SIDSResearchers tie some cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) with a genetic mutation that causes an inability to process milk, leaving the child vulnerable to sudden heart failure. Future studies will explore if a drug called Elamipretide can help reduce cardiac events in children with the mutation.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·October 11, 2019·5 min read‘Sticky’ gene may help Valium calm nervesA new study challenges existing theories about how benzodiazepines, such as valium, work to calm nerves. Researchers report a 'sticky' gene called Shisa7 plays a critical role in the regulation of inhibitory neural circuits, and the sedative effects benzodiazepines have on circuit activity.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·October 10, 2019·4 min readFood comas and long-term memories: New research points to an appetizing connectionA single insulin-like molecule produces in the nervous system of the marine mollusk Aplysia californica strengthens connections between neurons, enhancing long term memory.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·October 9, 2019·3 min readResearchers are finding molecular mechanisms behind women’s biological clockStudy of female fertility from age 9 to menopause reveals specific mechanisms that may affect fertility at different ages. The mechanisms depend on naturally occurring chromosome errors that vary depending on age.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·October 9, 2019·6 min readScientists reverse core symptom of schizophrenia in adult miceNeuronal branches in SETD1A deficient mice are shorter and stunted. Switching off another gene, LSD1, nullifies the harmful effects of SETD1A on neuron and axon growth. After inhibiting LSD1, SETD1A deficient mice showed improved memory and axon growth. Inhibiting LSD1 not only acted on memory deficits linked to schizophrenia but also acted on the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with axonal growth.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·October 8, 2019·4 min readStem cell transplant reverses disabling MS-like diseaseHematopoietic stem cell transplantation reversed neuromyelitis optica. Five years following transplantation, only 2 of twelve patients had relapsed.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·October 8, 2019·3 min readStudy furthers understanding about what shapes human gut microbiomeDespite humans sharing a close genetic relationship to apes, our gut microbiome more closely resembles that of Old World monkeys like baboons. In terms of the development of the human microbiome, ecology across evolution plays a more significant role than genetic relationships.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscience·October 7, 2019·3 min readSurprise contributor to multiple sclerosis identifiedOligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) actively contribute to neuroinflammation associated with multiple sclerosis.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·October 5, 2019·5 min readWhat are personality disorders and how are they treated?With at least 6% of the general population and up to 60% of psychiatric patients having a personality disorder, a new report looks at the biological causes and treatment options for personality disorders.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·October 5, 2019·3 min readIs there such a thing as an addictive personality?Researchers examine the psychology and genetics of why some people are more prone to addiction-like behaviors than others.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscience·October 4, 2019·4 min readTargeting certain rogue T cells prevents and reverses multiple sclerosis: Mouse studyTH17 cells produced increased amounts of SerpinB1, a protein implicated in multiple sclerosis symptoms. SerpinB1 cells were identified with antibodies targeting the CXCR6 surface protein. Using monoclonal antibodies to target CXCR6, the cells disappeared significantly, and the mice primed to develop MS did not develop the disease.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·October 3, 2019·3 min readGenetics researchers find new neurodevelopmental syndromeNKAP-related syndrome, a newly identified neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the NKPA gene, causes developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, behavioral abnormalities, and musculoskeletal problems in children.Read More