Latest

Neurogenetics

Neurogenetics research articles are listed below. News tagged with the term neurogenetics are included.

What is neurogenetics? Neurogenetics is the study of genetics’ role in the development and function of nervous systems.

The image shows the expression of human app in fly larval neurons. The caption best describes the image.

·May 28, 2013·3 min read

Preventing ‘Traffic Jams’ in Brain Cells

Researchers discover presenilin, a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease, controls the speed at which materials move through brain cells. Defects in presenilin could lead to neuronal blockages with amyloid plaques, commonly associated with this neurodegenerative disorder.

The image shows the three copies of chromosome 21 associated with Down syndrome.

Featured Genetics

·May 28, 2013·3 min read

Down Syndrome Neurons Grown From Stem Cells Show Signature Problems

Using induced pluripotent stem cells which were grown into brain cells, researchers were provided with a way to look at early brain development in Down syndrome.

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 is a brain of MRI scan data for child onset schizophrenia showing areas of brain growth and loss of tissue.

Featured Genetics

·May 22, 2013·4 min read

Researchers Eliminate Schizophrenia Symptoms in Animal Model

When elevated levels of neuregulin-1, a gene associated with schizophrenia, are returned to normal, the symptoms of the illness disappear.

The MRI image shows the location of the hippocampus in the brain.

Featured Genetics Psychology

·May 21, 2013·4 min read

Genetic Predictors of Postpartum Depression Uncovered

The alteration of the TTC9B and HP1BP3 genes, detected by a blood test during pregnancy, predicted the onset of postpartum depression with 85% accuracy in a small study.

The image shows a brain with light beams entering it.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 16, 2013·2 min read

Physicist’s Tool has Potential for Brain Mapping

Researchers have developed a fiber-optic, two-photon optogenetic simulator which can be used to stimulate a light sensitive protein introduced into neurons and living cells in the brain. The researchers suggest this technology would be a useful tool for the BRAIN mapping initiative.

The image shows an MRI scan of a patient with brain cancer. The tumor is highlighted in blue.

Brain Cancer Featured

·May 14, 2013·4 min read

New Drug Enhances Radiation Treatment for Brain Cancer in Preclinical Studies

A new drug could help increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy for patients with glioblastoma multiforme, the most deadly form of brain cancer. The ATM kinase inhibitor, in combination with radiation therapy, helped significantly extend survival rates in mouse models of GBM.

The diagram shows how the circadian rhythm affects depression. The caption best describes the image.

Featured Psychology

·May 13, 2013·6 min read

Out of Sync: Body Clocks Altered at Cell Level in Depression

Researchers discover evidence of altered circadian rhythms and disrupted brain gene orchestration in patients with major depression.

The image shows mouse nerve axons. The caption best describes the image.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 10, 2013·4 min read

Scientists Show How Nerve Wiring Self-Destructs

Researchers have discovered a way in which the body can remove injured axons. They also identified a potential target for new drugs which could prevent the inappropriate loss of axons, as well as maintain nerve function.

This MRI scan of the brain highlights the cerebellum.

Featured Genetics Neurology

·May 10, 2013·3 min read

Stem Cell Researchers Move Toward Treatment for Rare Genetic Nerve Disease

Researchers use induced pluripotent stem cells to advance disease-in-a-dish modeling of ataxia telangiectasia, a rare genetic disorder associated with progressive loss of function in the cerebellum. Their discovery shows the positive effects of drugs that may lead to effective new treatments for the neurodegenerative disease.