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motor neurons

·March 1, 2011·2 min read

Human Embryonic Stem Cells Used to Create Variety of Motor Neurons in Lab

Researchers created a wide variety of motor neurons using human embryonic stem cells and a new technique. In previous research,...

An image of fly spinal cord equivalent is shown.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 11, 2012·6 min read

Novel Mechanisms Underlying Major Childhood Neuromuscular Disease Identified

A study suggests that spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic neuromuscular disease in infants and children, results primarily from motor circuit dysfunction, not motor neuron or muscle cell dysfunction, as is commonly thought. In a second study, the researchers identified the molecular pathway in SMA that leads to problems with motor function.

Featured Genetics

·January 15, 2013·2 min read

Researchers Identify New Genetic Mutation for ALS

Researchers have identified a new genetic mutation for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), opening the door to future targeted therapies.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 21, 2013·3 min read

Researchers Turn One Form of Neuron into Another in the Brain

A new finding turns one of the basics of neurobiology on its head, demonstrating that it is possible to turn one type of already differentiated neuron into another within the brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 23, 2013·3 min read

New Brain Circuit Sheds Light on Development of Voluntary Movements

A research team describes the entire network of brain cells that are connected to specific motor neurons controlling whisker muscles in newborn mice. A better understanding of such motor control circuits could help inform how human brains develop, potentially leading to new ways of restoring movement in people who suffer paralysis from brain injuries, or to the development of better prosthetics for limb replacement.

A graphic of two rats with white lights sparking between their heads is shown to depict the BTBI activity.

Electrophysiology Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 28, 2013·6 min read

Brain-to-Brain Interface Allows Transmission of Tactile and Motor Information Between Rats 1000s of Miles Apart

Researchers electronically linked the brains of pairs of rats for the first time, enabling them to communicate directly to solve simple behavioral puzzles. A further test of this work successfully linked the brains of two animals thousands of miles apart - one in Durham, N.C., and one in Natal, Brazil.

Featured Genetics

·May 27, 2013·5 min read

Researchers Identify Genetic Suspects in Sporadic Lou Gehrig’s Disease

Researchers have identified mutations in a number of genes which could be associated with the development of spontaneously occurring cases of ALS, a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease in which motor neurons gradually cease to function.

The image shows the SOD1 in mice spinal cords. The caption best describes the image.

Featured Genetics Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 12, 2013·4 min read

Jammed Molecular Motors May Play Role in Development of ALS

A new study finds slowdowns in the transport and delivery of proteins, nutrients and signaling molecules within nerve cells could contribute to the development of ALS.

This is a diagram of the brain and central nervous system.

Featured Neurology

·June 19, 2013·3 min read

Staging System in ALS Shows Potential Tracks of Disease Progression

Performing post-mortem staging of the brains and spinal cord tissue of patients with ALS, researchers discover the neurodegenerative disease could progress from one start point in the CNS to other regions of the brain and spinal cord.

The image show the location of SOD1 on chromosome 21.

Featured Neurology

·September 9, 2013·6 min read

Therapy Slows Onset and Progression of Lou Gehrig’s Disease

By reducing the expression of the SOD1 gene, ALS onset and progression is slowed, a new study suggests.

The image shows slides from the research. The caption best describes the image.

Featured Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 25, 2013·2 min read

New Mechanism for Protein Misfolding Could Link to ALS

Researchers find the amino acid, BMAA, can be inserted into neuroproteins. This causes them to misfold and aggregate. BMAA has been detected in the brains of those with ALS.