Latest

Genetics

Genetics articles related to neuroscience research will be listed here.

This shows the outline of a head and a brain.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·May 15, 2023·5 min read

Schizophrenia Risk Genes: Placenta’s Role May Outweigh Brain’s

In a paradigm shift, researchers found over 100 genes associated with schizophrenia risk operate primarily through their role in the placenta, rather than the developing brain. The research emphasizes the placenta's significance in illness development, challenging the century-old assumption that genes for schizophrenia risk primarily affect the brain.

This shows the outline of a head and DNA.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 15, 2023·10 min read

Unraveling Alzheimer’s Mystery: Rare Gene Variant Offers New Hope for Treatment

A rare gene variant that may offer protection against Alzheimer's disease has been discovered. The breakthrough came from studying a patient with a predisposition for early-onset Alzheimer's who remained cognitively healthy until his late 60s.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 10, 2023·7 min read

Global Genomic Diversity: Unveiling the New Pangenome Reference

The Human Pangenome Reference Consortium has released a comprehensive collection of human genome sequences that captures remarkable diversity across global populations. The new "pangenome" reference includes 94 distinct genome sequences from 47 individuals, with plans to increase this to 700 sequences from 350 people by mid-2024. This expanded reference will better represent the genetic diversity of the human species and help reduce health disparities in genomic analyses. It also introduces over 100 million new DNA bases, and can more accurately identify larger genomic variants.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 9, 2023·4 min read

Mapping Dementia’s DNA: New Genetic Risk Factors Identified

Researchers discovered new genetic risk factors for non-Alzheimer's dementia, specifically Lewy body dementia (LBD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The team identified large-scale DNA changes, known as structural variants, that could increase the risk of these diseases. Notably, a previously unknown variant in the gene TCPN1 was linked to a higher risk for LBD, highlighting the significance of genetic research in combating neurodegenerative diseases.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 9, 2023·4 min read

Shared Genetic Defects in ALS and FTD: New Insights Into Neurodegeneration

Some patients with ALS/motor neuron disease (MND) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) carry the same rare genetic defects that cause other neurodegenerative diseases. These defects, known as short tandem repeat expansions, are the cause of more than 20 neurodegenerative diseases including spinocerebellar ataxias and myotonic dystrophy.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 8, 2023·5 min read

Neanderthal DNA Shapes Human Nose

A specific gene inherited from Neanderthals may be responsible for the shape of our noses. The researchers found the gene contributes to nasal height and may have been inherited from the ancient human ancestor to help humans adapt to colder climates as our ancestors moved out of Africa.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 6, 2023·4 min read

Breaking the Darkness: Reactivating Dormant Cells in the Retina Brings New Hope for Vision Regeneration

Researchers discovered a way to reactivate dormant cells in the retina of mice to restore vision, without the need for transplantation. The team discovered dormant glial cells can be transformed into cells sharing properties with cone photoreceptors, which enable color perception, reading and driving. The approach, which uses two genes to transform Müller cells into retinal neurons, could offer new hope for developing regenerative therapies to replace lost cells in retinal degeneration.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 30, 2023·6 min read

Uncovering the Human Genome’s Secrets: 240 Mammalian Species Shed Light on What Makes Us Unique

Researchers analyzed the DNA sequences from 240 mammalian species, showing how comparative genomics can shed light on how certain species achieve extraordinary feats and help scientists better understand the functional parts of the human genome. By identifying regions of the genomes that are most conserved across mammalian species, they pinpointed the genetic basis for uncommon mammalian traits, such as the ability to hibernate or detect faint scents from miles away. They also found genetic variants that are more likely to play causal roles in rare and common human diseases.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·April 27, 2023·5 min read

Identification of DNA Methylation Markers in Newborns for Increased Schizophrenia Risk

Researchers identified DNA methylation markers that may indicate the risk of developing schizophrenia later in life in newborns. This breakthrough discovery could allow for early detection and intervention to reduce the impact of the disease. By studying blood samples collected at birth, the team was able to identify unique methylation differences in cell types that could become potential clinical biomarkers for future early detection of schizophrenia.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·April 26, 2023·3 min read

Gene Therapy for Dogs With Inherited Blinding Eye Disease Set for Human Trials

A groundbreaking gene therapy proven successful in treating an inherited, blinding eye disease in dogs is now poised for clinical trials in humans with the rare condition retinitis pigmentosa. The therapy, which halts vision loss by introducing a normal copy of the CNGB1 gene, could potentially benefit around 2 million people affected worldwide.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 25, 2023·4 min read

Unraveling the Genetic Mechanisms Behind Long-Lasting Memories in the Brain

Researchers shed new light on the molecular and genetic basis of long-term memory formation in the brain. A new study reveals a single stimulation to the synapses of hippocampal neurons triggered numerous cycles where the memory-coding Arc gene produced mRNA molecules that were then translated into synapse-strengthening Arc proteins. From the findings, researchers determined a novel feedback loop that helps explain how short-lived mRNA and proteins create long-term memories in the brain.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·April 25, 2023·4 min read

Genetic Driver of Anxiety Discovered

An international team of scientists has identified a gene in the brain responsible for anxiety symptoms and found that modifying the gene can reduce anxiety levels, offering a novel drug target for anxiety disorders. The discovery highlights a new amygdala miR483-5p/Pgap2 pathway that regulates the brain's response to stress and provides a potential therapeutic approach for anxiety disorders.

1 2 3 4 … 251

Genetics

Schizophrenia Risk Genes: Placenta’s Role May Outweigh Brain’s

Unraveling Alzheimer’s Mystery: Rare Gene Variant Offers New Hope for Treatment

Global Genomic Diversity: Unveiling the New Pangenome Reference

Mapping Dementia’s DNA: New Genetic Risk Factors Identified

Shared Genetic Defects in ALS and FTD: New Insights Into Neurodegeneration

Neanderthal DNA Shapes Human Nose

Breaking the Darkness: Reactivating Dormant Cells in the Retina Brings New Hope for Vision Regeneration

Uncovering the Human Genome’s Secrets: 240 Mammalian Species Shed Light on What Makes Us Unique

Identification of DNA Methylation Markers in Newborns for Increased Schizophrenia Risk

Gene Therapy for Dogs With Inherited Blinding Eye Disease Set for Human Trials

Unraveling the Genetic Mechanisms Behind Long-Lasting Memories in the Brain

Genetic Driver of Anxiety Discovered

Empathy’s Influence on Drinking Patterns

Sleep Apnea and Its Link to Alzheimer’s Associated Brain Changes

Getting the Skinny on Cannabis Use: The Effect of Cannabis on Weight and Metabolism

Intelligence and Decision-Making: Do Smarter People Really Think Faster?

Subscribe