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Featured Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles

·August 31, 2012·5 min read

Researchers Identify Potential New Approach for Improving Quality of Life for ALS Patients

By increasing the signaling activity of a protein called muscle skeletal receptor tyrosine-protein kinase (MuSK), researchers were able to keep nerve cells attached to muscle longer into the progression of the disease in a mouse model of ALS.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·August 24, 2012·2 min read

Astrocytes Control the Generation of New Neurons from Neural Stem Cells

Neuroscience researchers show how astrocytes control the generation of new neurons in the brain. “In the brain, astrocytes control how many new neurons are formed from neural stem cells and survive to integrate into the existing neuronal networks. Astrocytes do this by secreting specific molecules but also by much less understood direct cell-cell interactions with stem cells”, says Prof. Milos Pekny.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Business

·August 23, 2012·4 min read

First UK Operation to Tackle Heart Failure with Novel Nerve-Stimulating Implant

Researchers announced that the UK’s first operation to tackle heart failure with a novel nerve-stimulating device will be performed today. The implantable device operates by stimulating the vagus nerve on the right side of the neck.

Featured Neurology

·August 23, 2012·5 min read

Nanoparticles Reboot Blood Flow in Brain

New research would help emergency care workers and battlefield medics stabilize blood flow in the brains of traumatic injury victims. Researchers developed a nanoparticle-based antioxidant that quickly quenches free radicals that interfere with regulation of the brain’s vascular system.

Featured Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos Open Neuroscience Articles

·August 22, 2012·3 min read

Video Shows the Traffic Inside a Brain Cell

Using bioluminescent proteins from a jellyfish, scientists lit up the inside of a neuron, capturing spectacular video footage that shows the movement of proteins throughout the cell. The video offers a rare peek at how proteins, the brain's building blocks, are directed through neurons to renew its structure.

Autism Featured Neurology

·August 22, 2012·6 min read

Low-dose Sedative Alleviates Autistic-like Behavior in Mice with Dravet Syndrome Mutation

A low dose of the sedative clonazepam alleviated autistic-like behavior in mice with a mutation that causes Dravet syndrome in humans.

Featured Neurology

·August 20, 2012·2 min read

Brain Enzyme is Double Whammy for Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers discover that an enzyme known for generating toxic brain plaques in Alzheimer's disease also causes additional memory and cognitive deficits via a separate mechanism. They found that BACE1 disrupts the cell's production of other molecules required for PKA function. By that mechanism, BACE1 inactivates PKA and therefore inhibits memory formation in mice, even in the absence of neurotoxic β-amyloid.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 16, 2012·3 min read

Multi-dimensional Brain Measurements Can Assess Child’s Age

Researchers have developed a multidimensional set of brain measurements that, when taken together, can accurately assess a child’s age with 92 percent accuracy.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos

·August 15, 2012·5 min read

Scientists Discover Previously Unknown Cleansing System in Brain

A previously unrecognized system that drains waste from the brain at a rapid clip has been discovered by neuroscientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center and dubbed the glymphatic system.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 8, 2012·4 min read

Simple Mathematical Computations Underlie Brain Circuits

Neuroscientists report that two major classes of brain cells repress neural activity in specific mathematical ways: One type subtracts from overall activation, while the other divides it.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·August 6, 2012·4 min read

Brain’s Stem Cells Eavesdrop to Find Out When to Act

Working with mice, Johns Hopkins researchers say they have figured out how stem cells found in a part of the brain responsible for learning, memory and mood regulation decide to remain dormant or create new brain cells. Apparently, the stem cells “listen in” on the chemical communication among nearby neurons to get an idea about what is stressing the system and when they need to act.

Featured Genetics

·August 2, 2012·3 min read

Planarians Offer A Better View of Eye Development

Planarian flatworms have come under intense study for their renowned ability to regenerate any missing body part, even as adults. But now they may take on a starring role as a model system for studying eye development and eye diseases in vertebrates, including humans.