Exposure to drugs that target tauopathies extended survival, reduced neurodegenerative biomarkers, and functionally reduced aberrant behaviors in female mice, but not in males.
Paternal exposure to chemicals in plastics can affect the metabolic health of offspring for two generations, a new study reports. Parental exposure to DCHP leads to higher resistance and impaired insulin signaling in both the first and second generations of offspring.
People with diabetes who experience low blood sugar are more likely to experience worsening diabetic retinopathy.
The "love hormone" oxytocin may not play as critical a role in bonding as previously believed. Removing the oxytocin receptor in animal models still resulted in monogamous mating, attachment, and parental bonding behaviors, although females without the receptor produced milk in smaller quantities. Findings reveal parenting and bonding aren't purely dictated by oxytocin receptors.
Measles virus that persists in the body can develop mutations in the F protein, which controls how the virus infects cells. The mutated protein can interact with its normal form, making it capable of infecting the brain.
Chronic pain in mice activates Tiam1 in pyramidal neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex, increasing the number of dendritic spines and inducing synaptic plasticity. Ketamine's antidepressant effect in chronic pain is mediated by the drug blocking Tiam1-dependent maladaptive synaptic plasticity in ACC neurons.
CRISPR gene editing created the G795A amino acid which was introduced to microglia derived from human stem cells. Researchers were able to transplant the donor microglia immune cells into humanized rodent models while administering an FDA-approved cancer drug called pexidartinib. The inclusion of the amino acid cause the donated microglia to thrive and resist the drug, while the host microglia died. The findings open the door for new methods of using microglia to treat a range of neurodegenerative disorders.
A genetic predisposition to oral health problems increased the risk of white matter hyperintensities and was associated with a 43% increase in microstructural damage in the brain. The study adds to the growing body of evidence connecting poor oral health to an increased risk of neurological disorders.
Natural resistance to capsaicin's effect in birds drove researchers to investigate a specific genetic variant that appears to be associated with pain resistance. They discovered the K710N human variant dialed down pain associated with capsaicin while enhancing the protective benefits of TRPV1. The findings could pave the way for the development of new treatments to manage pain.
Study reveals a previously unknown genetic link between increased blood platelet distribution and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease.
Brain organoids created from human stem cells that were transplanted into the brains of rats responded to visual stimuli.
The interaction of Tau with RNA is a key stage in the development of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
