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neurons

The image shows a neuron which creates dopamine. The caption best describes this image.

·March 14, 2013·4 min read

Transplanted Brain Cells in Monkeys Light Up Personalized Therapy

Researchers transplanted neural cells, derived from adult skin cells, into monkeys; where they developed into several different types of brain cells. The research could eventually help provide new treatment avenues for patients with a wide range of neurological diseases.

The image is a diagram comparing the difference between neuron damage and associated damage in alzheimer's disease with normal neurons.

Featured Neurology

·March 8, 2013·2 min read

Buphenyl Identified as a Possible Drug for Alzheimer’s Disease

Buphenyl (sodium phenylbutyrate), a medication approved for the treatment of hyperammonemia, could help prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease, a new study finds.

The image shows schwann cells. The caption best describes the image.

Featured Neurology

·March 6, 2013·3 min read

New Clues to Causes of Peripheral Nerve Damage

Researchers discover a build up of acylcarnitines in Schwann cells can lead to nerve damage noted in patients with peripheral neuropathy.

The image shows cultured neurons with projecting dendrites highlighted in green.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 6, 2013·2 min read

Flip of a Single Molecular Switch Makes an Old Brain Young

Monitoring the synapses of living mice, researchers discover an important genetic switch for brain maturation. Mice without the Nogo Receptor 1 gene have persistent levels of juvenile brain plasticity through adulthood.

The image shows a drawing of the brain with the lateral intraparietal area (LIP) highlighted in red.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 6, 2013·4 min read

One Region, Two Functions: Brain Cells’ Multitasking Could be a Key to Understanding Overall Brain Function

The lateral intraparietal area (LIP), a region of the brain known to play a vital role in spatial and visual processing also has a parallel function, categorizing visual information, a new study suggests.

The image shows the chemical structure of neuroserpin.

Featured Neurology

·March 5, 2013·2 min read

Age Related Dementia May Begin with Neurons’ Inability to Rid Themselves of Unwanted Proteins

Researcher discover age related dementia likely occurs due to the declining ability for neurons to dispose of unwanted aggregated proteins.

The image shows the structure of the LRRK2 protein.

Featured Genetics

·March 5, 2013·3 min read

Improper Protein Degradation in Neurons Identified as a Cause of Familial Parkinson’s

Studying neurons derived from brain and skin cells of Parkinson's patients, researchers discover how the most common genetic mutations in familial Parkinson's disease damage brain cells.

The image shows a histological sample of Substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease.

Featured Genetics

·March 1, 2013·2 min read

Parkin Protects from Neuronal Cell Death

Researchers identify a novel signaling pathway that activates the parkin gene and prevents stress induced neuronal cell death.

The image shows two small birds sitting on a branch.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 27, 2013·4 min read

Songbirds’ Brains Coordinate Singing with Intricate Timing

Researchers discovered that as a bird sings, some neurons in its brain prepare to make the next sound while others are synchronized with the coordination of physical actions.

The image shows pencil drawings of sea lampreys by Alexander Francis Lydon.

Featured Genetics

·February 25, 2013·3 min read

Scientists Find Genes Linked to Human Neurological Disorders in Sea Lamprey Genome

Scientists have identified several genes linked to human neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and spinal cord injury, in the sea lamprey. The lamprey has large, identified neurons in its brain and spinal cord, making it an excellent model to study regeneration at the single cell-level.

The image shows the chemical structure of bisphenol A.

Featured Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 25, 2013·3 min read

BPA May Affect the Developing Brain by Disrupting Gene Regulation

New research suggests environmental exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical commonly found in plastics and resins, could suppress a gene critical to nerve cell function and the development of the central nervous system. Exposure to BPA could predispose humans to a number of neurodevelopmental and other health disorders.

The image shows a comparative brain PET scan of a person with alzheimer's and one without the disease.

Featured Genetics

·February 20, 2013·6 min read

Genome-Wide Imaging Study Identifies New Gene Associated with Alzheimer’s Plaques

Researchers combined genetic data with neuroimaging in order to identify genes associated with amyloid plaque deposits in Alzheimer's disease patients. The study is believed to be the first genome-wide association study of plaque deposits using a specialized PET scan tracer that binds to amyloid.