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interleukin 6

·October 14, 2020·2 min read

Links Between Inflammation and Parkinson’s Disease Highlighted

Parkinson's patients carrying mutations in PINK1 and Parkin genes have increased levels of circulating interleukin 6 and mitochondrial DNA. The findings strengthen a link between genetic risk factors from Parkinson's disease and inflammation.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 20, 2020·3 min read

COVID-19 cytokine storm: Possible mechanism for the deadly respiratory syndrome

SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, enters human cells by attaching to ACE2 and utilizing TMPRSS2. Drugs that block ACE2 or inhibit the enzyme could help treat the coronavirus, but only during early infection. As the infection progresses, SARS-CoV-2 becomes engulfed in human cells, reducing the number of ACE2 receptors on a cell and leading to an increase of angiotensin II in the blood. Angiotensin II triggers an inflammatory pathway, providing a positive feedback cycle, named IL-6 amplifier, resulting in excessive immune activation and the cytokine storm associated with severe COVID-19.

This shows a weighing scale, a tape measure and an apple

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 2, 2019·3 min read

New brain mechanisms regulating body weight identified: Rodent study

Interleukin-6 interacts with leptin in the lateral parabrachial nucleus to reduce food intake. Reducing IL-6 in the IPBL increases weight gain and could help explain why some are more prone to overeating and obesity.

Featured Genetics Neurology Pain

·April 8, 2019·5 min read

Migraine-linked protein exhibits sex-specific pain effects

CGRP, a protein associated with migraine pain, appears to act differently between sexes. Researchers say a female-specific mechanism of downstream CGRP receptor activation is likely to contribute to the higher prevalence of migraine in women.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 27, 2018·4 min read

How Exercise Reduces Belly Fat in Humans

According to researchers, interleukin 6 plays a critical role in how exercise helps to reduce body fat.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 9, 2018·5 min read

Study Confirms Inflammation During Pregnancy is Linked to Baby’s Brain Development

A new study confirms previous findings that link inflammation during pregnancy to altered brain development in children. Researchers have created a machine learning algorithm that can predict the long term neurodevelopmental impact of MIA.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·November 10, 2017·4 min read

iPSCs Show Astrocyte-Neuron Impact on Brain Pathology in Autism

A new study in Biological Psychiatry reports researchers discovered astrocytes may contribute to the cause of ASD. The findings could help to develop new treatments for autism spectrum disorders.

Image shows a girl holding up an autism sign.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·October 18, 2017·4 min read

Inflamed Support Cells Appear to Contribute to Some Kinds of Autism

A new study demonstrates astrocytes play a role in certain subtypes of autism spectrum disorder.

Flow chart extablishes the link between stress and diabetes.

Featured Neurology

·June 6, 2016·5 min read

Researchers Detail Link Between Stress and Diabetes

Researchers report they have established a link between emotional stress and diabetes.

Image shows the outline of a head and brain against a blue background.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·February 25, 2016·3 min read

Immunotherapy May Improve Cognition in People With Schizophrenia

A small study supports the mounting evidence that targeted immunotherapy can help improve cognitive ability in people with schizophrenia.

Image shows crystal structure of IL-6 as published in the Protein Data Bank.

Featured Psychology

·January 26, 2016·3 min read

Monoclonal Antibody Shows Promise for Reducing Memory and Learning Problems in Schizophrenia

Researchers report a monoclonal antibody that shows promise in the fight against cancer also appears to help reduce learning and memory problems associated with schizophrenia.