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RIKEN

·August 26, 2020·4 min read

Tag Team Gut Bacteria Worsen Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Specific combinations of microorganisms in the gut can worsen symptoms of multiple sclerosis in mouse models of the autoimmune disease.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 18, 2020·4 min read

Constructing Odor Objects in the Brain

Study reveals how varying odors are perceived similarly in different individuals.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 11, 2020·3 min read

A ‘consciousness conductor’ synchronizes and connects mouse brain areas

Mouse study reveals slow-wave brain activity, which is indicative of sleep and resting states, is controlled by the claustrum. The synchronization of active and silent states across the brain via the slow waves contributes to consciousness.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 29, 2020·4 min read

Schizophrenia related to abnormal fatty metabolism in the brain

People with schizophrenia have lower levels of S1P, a type of fatty molecule found in white matter. Evaluating post mortem tissue of those who died from a range of psychiatric disorders, researchers found the decreased levels of S1P in the brain was only attributed to those with schizophrenia. The findings could lead to new targeted treatments for the mental health disorder.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·March 15, 2020·3 min read

Stem cells exert tight control over the timing of brain development

Neural stem cells affect the trajectory and timing of division in brain development more than previously believed. The findings provide insight into the mechanisms controlling early brain development and shed light on the evolution of the brain.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 24, 2020·3 min read

Optical stimulation causes marmosets to move their forelimbs

Optogenetic stimulation of the motor cortex causes marmosets to move their forelimbs in an almost puppet-like fashion.

This shows a drawing of a fetus attached to a placenta

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·December 27, 2019·3 min read

Placental protein makes a critical contribution to healthy fetal development

Study reveals how a protein that transports essential amino acids across the placenta plays a role in fetal development. Deficiencies of the SNAT4 protein may result in developmental abnormalities and a higher risk of miscarriage.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 13, 2019·6 min read

Deepening our understanding of selfish behavior

Study identifies distinct neural processes that occur when we make decisions for the benefit of ourselves and of others.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·October 28, 2019·4 min read

Biomarker for schizophrenia can be detected in human hair

Mouse models and human postmortem brain tissue sample studies reveal a subtype of schizophrenia is related to abnormally high levels of hydrogen sulfide in the brain. Hair follicle analysis of patients with this schizophrenia subtype revealed higher expression of MPST mRNA than in those without the condition. MPST is linked to the production of hydrogen sulfide. The findings may lead to new tests to determine if a patient has the schizophrenia subtype from a simple hair sample analysis.

This shows a diagram of the artificial membrane

Featured Neuroscience

·October 9, 2019·3 min read

Brain tissue kept alive for weeks on an artificial membrane

A newly developed microfluidic device allowed researchers to keep tissue from the suprachiasmatic nucleus alive for over 25 days.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 26, 2019·4 min read

Boosting amino acid derivative may be a treatment for schizophrenia

Reduced levels of an amino acid called betaine is associated with schizophrenia pathology. Supplementing betaine levels improved cognitive and behavioral deficits in mouse models of schizophrenia. The amino acid also reduced oxidative stress at the molecular level.