Latest

tryptophan

·January 10, 2023·5 min read

Study Reveals Mechanism Involved in Neuropathic Pain and Could Help Develop Specific Treatment

Study reveals the role played by neuropathic pain in dendritic cells in the meninges via an increase in the metabolic kynurenine pathway. When the kynurenine pathway initiated by IDO1 was blocked, neuropathic pain was nullified.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 20, 2022·5 min read

Got Food Cravings? What’s Living in Your Gut May Be Responsible

Microbes in the gut influence what an animal chooses to eat. Altering the microbiome resulted in changes to preferred diets.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 28, 2021·3 min read

Gut Microbe Secreted Molecule Linked to Formation of New Nerve Cells in Adult Brain

Gut microbes that metabolize tryptophan secrete indoles that stimulate the development of new neurons in the adult brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 27, 2020·4 min read

Gut Microbes: A Key to Normal Sleep

Normal sleep in mice is reliant upon bacteria that help produce neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, in the gut.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 17, 2020·6 min read

How Psychedelics Bind to Key Serotonin Receptor

Researchers have uncovered the structure of psychedelic compounds when they actively bind to the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor on the surface of brain cells. The discovery could lead to the exploration of more precise compounds that offer the therapeutic effects of psychedelics for mental health disorders, but without the hallucinations.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·February 7, 2020·4 min read

New biochemical ‘warning sign’ of early-stage depression identified

High levels of anthranilic acid in the blood may be a new biomarker for assessing the risk of developing major depressive disorder.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 24, 2019·4 min read

Turning to turkey’s tryptophan to boost mood? Not so fast

Research examines the myths and science behind how the amino acid tryptophan, associated with turkey, affects mood.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 4, 2019·4 min read

Antibiotic produced by the microbiome kills bacteria by disturbing energy metabolism

A synthetic version of a fibupeptide, which is naturally produced by the microbiome, may help in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Lugdunin has been shown to be effective against MRSA. The findings could help in the creation of a new class of antibiotics to treat infections currently resistant to drugs on the market.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 10, 2019·5 min read

Inflammation linked to chemical imbalance in schizophrenia

Increased kynurenic acid production has been implicated in the pathology of schizophrenia. The findings provide a new target for cell-specific treatments that help reduce the production of kynurenic acid and reduce symptoms of schizophrenia.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·August 24, 2018·3 min read

Link Between Gut Bacteria and Eating For Pleasure Discovered

A new study reveals a link between elevates microbiome levels of indole and hedonic eating. Researchers report those with higher levels of indole are more likely to have food addiction and overeating disorders.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·July 8, 2018·3 min read

Discovering Dopamine’s Role in the Brain

Researchers pay tribute to Arvid Carlsson, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for his research into dopamine, and evaluate what his research means to modern neuroscience.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 16, 2018·4 min read

How the Gut Influences Neurological Diseases

Researchers examine the role gut bacteria plays in the development of neurological disorders. Using mouse models of multiple sclerosis, researchers found compounds generated from the breakdown of tryptophan can cross the blood-brain barrier and activate anti-inflammatory pathways that limit neurodegeneration. Activation of these pathway have also been linked to Alzheimer's and brain cancers.