Latest

Genetics

·September 9, 2019·3 min read

High-fat diets affect your brain, not just your physical appearance

High-fat diets are not only bad for your waistline, they are also bad for your brain health. A new study reveals high-fat diets contribute to hypothalamic inflammation which occurs long before symptoms of obesity arise.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·September 6, 2019·3 min read

Is laziness a choice or genetic trait?

Study identifies a specific gene in rats that relates to physical inactivity. The gene could play a role in human sedentary behaviors.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·September 5, 2019·4 min read

Genes associated with left-handedness linked with shape of the brain’s language regions

Four genetic regions have been identified as playing a role in left-handedness. Three of the four genes were associated with proteins involved in brain development and structure. Neuroimaging revealed those who were left-handed had increased functional connectivity between left and right language networks. Researchers also found correlations between the genetic regions associated with left-handedness and slightly reduced Parkinson's risk, but a slightly increased risk for schizophrenia.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 4, 2019·4 min read

New insight into motor neuron death mechanisms could be a step toward ALS treatment

When a motor neuron-specific pool of heat shock protein 90 (Hps90) was inhibited, motor neuron apoptosis was triggered.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·September 4, 2019·4 min read

Receptor protein in brain promotes resilience to stress

S1PR3, a receptor found on the surface of brain cells, may play a key role in stress resilience. Veterans with severe PTSD symptoms had lower levels of the S1PR3 protein in their blood than peers without the disorder.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·September 4, 2019·4 min read

‘Hunger Hormone’ Linked to Memory in Alzheimer’s Study

A study that used postmortem brain tissue samples from Alzheimer's patients and mouse models found the hunger hormone ghrelin is linked to cognitive impairments and memory loss associated with the disease.

This shows a male and female head surrounded by different colors

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·September 3, 2019·3 min read

The neurobiological mechanisms behind schizophrenia may depend on gender

Schizophrenia is linked to alterations in pathways associated with glycosaminoglycan, neurotransmitter metabolism, and GABAergic synapses. A large percentage of genes related to schizophrenia are expressed differently between males and females. The results imply the mechanisms involved in schizophrenia development differ, at least slightly, between males and females.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·September 2, 2019·3 min read

Chronic cocaine use modifies gene expression

Chronic cocaine use alters the epigenetic profile of the FosB gene in the hippocampus. These alterations are required for cocaine-dependent gene expression and cocaine environment associations. Modification of hippocampal FosB results in a condition critical for cocaine-related learning.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·August 30, 2019·4 min read

Creation of new brain cells plays an underappreciated role in Alzheimer’s disease

Microglia may play a significant role in disrupting neurogenesis in those with Alzheimer's disease. When mice were given drugs which caused microglial cells to die, neurogenesis returned to normal.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 30, 2019·4 min read

Up to 25% of same-sex behavior linked to genes

Researchers report up to 25% of same-sex behaviors are associated with genetic variants. The study identified five new genes associated with sexual behavior. They report there is no one single gene linked to same-sex sexual behavior or orientation, but numerous genes, as well as other factors which contribute. Researchers emphasize the markers may be unreliable in predicting same-sex behavior but may influence the likelihood for specific relationship choices.

This shows cells from the clock in a dish

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos Open Neuroscience Articles

·August 29, 2019·4 min read

Human developmental clock mimicked in a dish

The human development 'clock in a dish' opens up new avenues for research and provides a way to replicate developmental disorders.

This shows a medulloblastoma in a brain scan

Brain Cancer Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·August 29, 2019·4 min read

Cracking the code of a brain cancer that keeps coming back

Using computer assisted technology to map cell types and molecular cascades, researchers have discovered potential new treatment strategies for recurrent Sonic Hedgehog Medulloblastoma.