Latest

neurons

This is a brain scan of a person with Parkinson's disease.

Featured Neurology

·June 20, 2013·2 min read

Scientists Design a Potential Drug Compound that Attacks Parkinson’s Disease on Two Fronts

Researchers have discovered a compound which could counter Parkinson's disease in two ways at once.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 20, 2013·2 min read

“Forrest Gump” Mice Show Too Much of a Good Thing Can be Bad

Using a line of genetically modified mice, researchers discover boosting acetylcholine can disturb cognitive function.

This is the brain harpoon described in the research.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 19, 2013·3 min read

Carbon Nanotube Harpoon Catches Individual Brain Cell Signals

Researchers develop a flexible carbon-nanotube 'harpoon' to study individual brain neurons. The 'brain harpoon' harnesses the electromechanical properties of carbon nanotubes to capture the electrical signals generated by single neurons.

The images above depict the activity of the mushroom body Kenyon cells in the fruit fly brain in response to 3 different odors.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 18, 2013·4 min read

The Discerning Fruit Fly: Linking Brain-Cell Activity and Behavior in Smell Recognition

Researchers have mapped the activity of brain cells in the mushroom body of flies conditioned to have Pavlovian behavioral responses to different odors. The findings suggest the activity of as few as 25 neurons are required to be able to distinguish between different odors.

The image shows the areas of the brain affected by schizophrenia.

Featured Psychology

·June 17, 2013·2 min read

Psychiatric Disorders Linked to a Protein Involved in the Formation of Long-Term Memories

Researchers have discovered a neural pathway in which the brain controls a specific molecule, connected to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia which is also critical to the formation of long term memory.

The image is a photomicrograph of the nerve cell. The caption best describes the image.

Featured Neurology

·June 17, 2013·4 min read

Researchers Develop Novel Drug That Reverses Loss of Brain Connections in Models of Alzheimer’s

Researchers have developed an experimental drug, NitroMemantine, to boost brain synapses lost in Alzheimer's disease. The drug stops the destructive cascade of brain changes which destroy connections between neurons that leads to memory loss and cognitive decline.

The image shows the sound localization synapses in the calyx of held.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 14, 2013·3 min read

A Turbocharger for Nerve Cells

A new study has discovered a key mechanism that boosts the signalling functions of neurons in the brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 14, 2013·3 min read

Scientists Identify Neurons that Control Feeding Behavior in Drosophila

New research identifies a pair of neurons which control the feeding behavior in Drosophila fruit flies. The discovery could help scientists better understand how the brain uses stimuli and memory to produce classically conditioned responses.

The image shows the location of the cerebral cortex.

Featured Neurology

·June 10, 2013·3 min read

3-D Map of Blood Vessels in Cerebral Cortex Holds Suprises

A new study describes the vascular architecture within the cerebral cortex, exploring what the structure means for neuroimaging and the onset of dementia.

The image shows Arc immunohistochemical staining of the rat (Rattus norvegicus) dentate gyrus..

Featured Neuroscience

·June 10, 2013·4 min read

Scientists Map Process by Which Brain Cells Form Long-Term Memories

Researchers have discovered how the Arc protein regulates neuronal activity, providing clues into the brain's ability to form long-term memories.

Autism Featured Genetics

·June 7, 2013·4 min read

Over Produced Autism Gene Alters Synapses, Affects Learning and Behavior in Mice

When manipulated in two lines of transgenic mice, neuroligin 1, a gene linked to ASD, produced mature adults with irreversible defects which affected either learning or social interaction. The findings could have implications for potential gene therapies for autism.