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Genetics

Genetics articles related to neuroscience research will be listed here.

The image shows the atlas activity of the forebrain. The caption describes the image best.

·January 31, 2013·5 min read

Genome-Wide Atlas of Gene Enhancers in the Brain On-line

Future research into the underlying causes of neurological disorders such as autism, epilepsy and schizophrenia, should greatly benefit from a first-of-its-kind atlas of gene-enhancers in the cerebrum (telencephalon). This new atlas identifies and locates thousands of gene-regulating elements in a region of the brain that is of critical importance for cognition, motor functions and emotion.

The image shows the cell nuclei in human embryonic stem cells.

Featured Genetics

·January 22, 2013·3 min read

Stem Cell Research Aims to Help Identify Origins of Schizophrenia

New research demonstrates how defects in an important neurological pathway in early development may be responsible for the onset of schizophrenia later in life.

Featured Genetics

·January 16, 2013·3 min read

Light Exposure During Pregnancy Key to Normal Eye Development

New research concludes the eye, which depends on light to see, also needs light to develop normally during pregnancy.

Featured Genetics

·January 15, 2013·2 min read

Researchers Identify New Genetic Mutation for ALS

Researchers have identified a new genetic mutation for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), opening the door to future targeted therapies.

Featured Genetics Neurology

·October 25, 2012·4 min read

Researchers at the Doorstep of Stem Cell Therapies for MS, Other Myelin Disorders

Scientists report researchers are now on the threshold of human application of stem cell therapies for a class of neurological diseases known as myelin disorders – a long list of diseases that include conditions such as multiple sclerosis, white matter stroke, cerebral palsy, certain dementias, and rare but fatal childhood disorders called pediatric leukodystrophies.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Videos

·October 11, 2012·4 min read

Engineered Flies Spill Secret of Seizures

Scientists have observed the neurological mechanism behind temperature-dependent febrile seizures by genetically engineering fruit flies to harbor a mutation analogous to one that causes epileptic seizures in people. Their new study also highlights the first use of genetic engineering to swap a human genetic disease mutation into a directly analogous gene in a fly.

Featured Genetics

·October 9, 2012·2 min read

Rare Genetic Disorder Points to Molecules that May Play Role in Schizophrenia

Scientists studying a rare genetic disorder have identified a molecular pathway that may play a role in schizophrenia, according to new research. The findings may one day guide researchers to new treatment options for people with schizophrenia - a devastating disease that affects approximately 1 percent of the world's population.

Schizophrenia fMRI brain scans are shown.

Featured Genetics Psychology

·October 3, 2012·4 min read

New de novo Genetic Mutations in Schizophrenia Identified

Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers have identified dozens of new spontaneous genetic mutations that play a significant role in the development of schizophrenia, adding to the growing list of genetic variants that can contribute to the disease. The schizophrenia study was the largest and most comprehensive of its kind.

Drawing of a human head with gears and computer parts on it.

Featured Genetics Psychology

·October 2, 2012·2 min read

Intelligence Is in the Genes, but Where?

A new study reveals that most of the specific genes long thought to be linked to intelligence probably have no bearing on one’s IQ. And it may be some time before researchers can identify intelligence’s specific genetic roots.

Genetics

·September 18, 2012·1 min read

New Findings on Protein Misfolding

Researchers identified 21 proteins that specifically bind to a protein called ataxin-1. Twelve of these proteins enhance the misfolding of ataxin-1 and thus promote the formation of harmful protein aggregate structures, whereas nine of them prevent the misfolding.

Featured Genetics Neurology

·September 13, 2012·3 min read

Neural Stem Cells Regenerate Axons in Severe Spinal Cord Injury

Researchers were able to regenerate an astonishing degree of axonal growth at the site of severe spinal cord injury in rats. Results were then replicated using two human stem cell lines, one already in human trials for ALS. “We obtained the exact results using human cells as we had in the rat cells,” said Tuszynski.