Mice with cytokine IL-23 dysregulation who consumed foods containing the artificial colorants FD&C Red 40 and Yellow developed colitis, a new study reports. Read More
Early life stress induces epigenetic modifications in D2-type medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens, increasing the susceptibility to stress in adulthood. Read More
Ezogabine, a drug that opens up the KCNQ2/3 type potassium channel, significantly improved symptoms of depression and anhedonia. Read More
Using data from RNA sequencing, researchers have identified three molecular subtypes of Alzheimer's disease. Read More
A series of ketamine infusions reduced PTSD symptoms by up to 30% from baseline compared to treatment with midazolam, which reduced symptoms by 20% over the same period. Ketamine treatment significantly reduced three of four PTSD associated symptoms, including intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and negative alterations in cognition and mood. Read More
Researchers have identified a bio-chemical circuit that supports neuron-microglia communication. When neurons are active, they release ATP. Microglia sense extracellular ATP and the compound draws the immune cell toward the neuron. Read More
Altered expression of FYN, a gene associated with the production of Tau, was identified in the brains of people addicted to heroin. Findings suggest opioid use can affect the brain in a way that might cause vulnerability in neural systems that can trigger neurodegeneration later in life. Read More
Social isolation experienced during childhood has an impact on adult brain function and behavior. Following two weeks of social isolation immediately following weaning in male mice, researchers noticed a failure in activation of medial prefrontal cortex neurons projecting to the posterior paraventricular thalamus during social exposure in adulthood. Findings suggest medial prefrontal cortex neurons required for sociability are profoundly affected by social isolation at a young age. Read More
The risk of developing PTSD was eight times higher in teens who experienced traumatic events and had elevated acyl-ghrelin levels than trauma-exposed teens with lower levels of the hormone. Read More
Researchers have identified a new, early biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on the teeth of children. Patients who were diagnosed with ALS in adulthood showed signs of dysregulation uptake of a mixture of essential elements, including zinc, copper, lead, and tin, on their teeth. The study is the first to show clear signatures at birth and within the first decade of life for ALS. Read More
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are significantly altered in depression in both sex and brain site-specific manners. The LINC00473 gene is downregulated in the prefrontal cortex of depressed females, but not males. Findings reveal the role of LINC00473 in sex-specific depression and may explain why females are more vulnerable to depressive symptoms than males. Read More
Reducing H3Q5dop in rat models of cocaine withdrawal significantly reversed cocaine mediated gene expression changes and reduced cocaine-seeking behaviors. Read More
