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Mount Sinai Hospital

·September 30, 2020·4 min read

Novel Role of Microglia as Modulators of Neurons in the Brain Is Discovered

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.

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Featured Genetics Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 15, 2020·4 min read

Heroin-Addicted Individuals Have Unique Brain Disturbances Resembling Those of Alzheimer’s

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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 31, 2020·4 min read

Researchers Discover a Specific Brain Circuit Damaged by Social Isolation During Childhood

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.

This shows an upset looking teen wearing a hoodie

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 22, 2020·4 min read

Elevated “Hunger” Hormone Leaves Trauma-Exposed Teens at Higher Risk for PTSD

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.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 21, 2020·2 min read

ALS biomarker found in children’s teeth

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.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·April 22, 2020·4 min read

Novel class of specific RNAs may explain increased depression susceptibility in females

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.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 9, 2020·4 min read

Novel role for dopamine that impacts gene expression related to cocaine abuse discovered

Reducing H3Q5dop in rat models of cocaine withdrawal significantly reversed cocaine mediated gene expression changes and reduced cocaine-seeking behaviors.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·February 23, 2020·3 min read

Social isolation during adolescence drives long-term disruptions in social behavior

Social isolation during key periods of adolescence leads to long-term disruptions in social behavior and activity in neural patterns.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·January 23, 2020·4 min read

Largest autism genetics study identifies 102 associated genes

In the largest genetic sequencing study of autism conducted to date, researchers have identified 102 genes associated with the neurodevelopmental disorder. 49 of the genes were also associated with other developmental delays. The new study has enabled the researchers to increase the number of ASD associated genes from 65 to 102.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 5, 2019·5 min read

Long-term study data shows DBS is effective treatment for most severe form of depression

Long term outcome data of patients with treatment-resistant depression found subcallosal cingulate deep brain stimulation (SCC DBS) was both effective at relieving symptoms and safe.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·October 2, 2019·4 min read

The propensity to hear ‘voices’ in Schizophrenia may be established by infancy

People with schizophrenia who experience auditory hallucinations have greater activation in specific areas of the auditory cortex in response to sound frequencies. The mapping of sound frequency in the auditory cortex is scrambled in those with schizophrenia, suggesting a disruption in the normal processes for organized sound representation in the brain. As the tonotopic map is established during infancy and remains stable throughout life, the findings suggest vulnerability for auditory hallucinations is linked to defects in the organization of the auditory system during infantile development. This precedes speech development and the onset of psychiatric symptoms.