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neurobiology

The image is a brain scan with an arrow pointing to the thalamus.

·May 7, 2013·3 min read

Restless Legs Syndrome, Insomnia And Brain Chemistry: A Tangled Mystery Solved?

Using neuroimaging, researchers discovered glutamate levels are abnormally high in people with restless leg syndrome. The higher the level of glutamate in patients with RLS, the less sleep they were able to get.

The diagram shows how adrenocorticotropin hormone is secreted in Cushing's disease.

Featured Genetics

·May 7, 2013·3 min read

Scientists Find Potential Therapeutic Target for Cushing’s Disease

Researchers have identified that the TR4 protein, which regulates a gene that produces ACTH, drives the formation of pituitary tumors in Cushing's disease.

The image shows an implanted vagus nerve device.

Featured Neurology

·May 7, 2013·3 min read

Nerve Stimulation for Severe Depression Changes Brain Function

Preliminary brain scan studies reveal how vagus nerve stimulation brings about changes in brain metabolism weeks prior to patients with depression entering into recovery.

The diagram shows the symptoms of MS and the human body.

Featured Neurology

·May 6, 2013·2 min read

Multiple Sclerosis May Not Be As Rare As Thought in African-Americans

A population based study which looked at patients newly diagnosed with MS discovered African-Americans had a 47% increased risk of developing the disease compared with Caucasians. However, Hispanic and Asian people had a 58 and 80% lower risk.

The image shows a woman smelling a flower.

Featured Neurology

·May 6, 2013·3 min read

Scientists Identify Critical Link In Mammalian Odor Detection

Researchers have identified the Ggamma13 protein is critical for the ability for mammals to detect odors. "Knockout" mice which lacked this protein were functionally anosmic, unable to smell. The study could provide insight into possible underlying causes of certain smell disorders in humans.

The image shows the opiate binding sites within the brain, highlighted in green.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 6, 2013·4 min read

Preclinical Study Shows Heroin Vaccine Blocks Relapse

Scientists reported successful preclinical tests in rats of a new vaccine against heroin addiction. The vaccine targets heroin and its psychoactive breakdown products in the bloodstream, blocking relapse.

Featured Genetics Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 25, 2013·3 min read

Scientists Create Novel Approach to Find RNAs Involved in Long-term Memory Storage

Researchers question why numerous different RNAs are transported to synapses. One reason, they suggest, is that they are stored to later help maintain long-term memory.

The image is an MRI scan of the brain with the nucleus accumbens highlighted.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 23, 2013·2 min read

Binge Eating Curbed by Deep Brain Stimulation in Animal Model

Targeting the nucleus accumbens by using deep brain stimulation could modify specific eating behaviors linked to weight changes and obesity, a new study suggests.

Featured Neurology

·April 23, 2013·4 min read

ALS Trial Shows Novel Therapy is Safe

A new treatment for ALS, which uses a technique that turns off the mutated SOD1 gene, has passed an early phase clinical trial for safety.

The image shows four brain slices with temporal lobe damage.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 22, 2013·5 min read

Gone, But Not Forgotten

Researchers describe in detail the underlying neurobiology of the "world's second most famous amnesiac", EP, who suffered profound memory loss after damage to key portions of his brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 17, 2013·3 min read

Scientists Reverse Memory Loss in Animal Brain Cells

Using the nerve cells of sea snails, researchers reverse memory loss by determining when cells were primed for learning. Retraining cells with the use of an optimized training schedule helped compensate for memory loss.