Consuming alcohol leads to epigenetic changes in brain memory centers
Study reveals how acetate, a byproduct of alcohol breakdown, travels to the brain's learning system and alters proteins that regulate DNA function.... Read More...
Genetics
Genetics articles related to neuroscience research will be listed here.
Gene variants influence size of brain stem and other structures
Researchers identified 48 common genetic variants that appear to play a role in the size of the brainstem and other subcortical structures. Forty of the variants were novel. The findings also revealed 199 genes related to the variants which regulate brain development and susceptibility to neurological disorders.... Read More...
New therapeutic strategy may help reverse autism behavioral abnormalities
Genetically silencing mTORC2 in mouse models prolonged lifespan, suppressed seizures, increased long-term memory, and reduced autism-like behaviors.... Read More...
Daily exposure to blue light may accelerate aging, even if it doesn’t reach your eyes
Fruit flies exposed to blue light had significantly reduced longevity than those exposed to natural light or kept in darkness. Exposure to blue light for 12 hours a day accelerated aging phenotypes, causing retinal damage, neurodegeneration, and impaired locomotion.... Read More...
Mothers’ behavior influences bonding hormone oxytocin in babies
Greater maternal involvement upregulates the oxytocin system in their babies.... Read More...
Frontotemporal dementia is associated with alterations in immune system function
Researchers discovered increased inflammatory activity in a subgroup of patients with frontotemporal dementia. The increased inflammation was indicated by elevated levels of cytokines known to increase inflammatory response and decreased levels of IL-10, which reduces inflammation. The inflammation was associated with Parkinsonism's symptoms and rapid cognitive and functional decline. The study also revealed patients with FTD are less likely to develop cancer.... Read More...
New insights into biological underpinnings of schizophrenia
Researchers identified ten genes, that when disrupted, significantly increase the risk of schizophrenia. Two of the genes were associated with glutamate receptors. The findings suggest the decreased function of the glutamate receptors drives symptoms of schizophrenia.... Read More...
New genetic link found for some forms of SIDS
Researchers tie some cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) with a genetic mutation that causes an inability to process milk, leaving the child vulnerable to sudden heart failure. Future studies will explore if a drug called Elamipretide can help reduce cardiac events in children with the mutation.... Read More...
‘Sticky’ gene may help Valium calm nerves
A new study challenges existing theories about how benzodiazepines, such as valium, work to calm nerves. Researchers report a 'sticky' gene called Shisa7 plays a critical role in the regulation of inhibitory neural circuits, and the sedative effects benzodiazepines have on circuit activity.... Read More...
Researchers are finding molecular mechanisms behind women’s biological clock
Study of female fertility from age 9 to menopause reveals specific mechanisms that may affect fertility at different ages. The mechanisms depend on naturally occurring chromosome errors that vary depending on age.... Read More...
PTSD has strong genetic component like other psychiatric disorders
Genetic data from more than 200,000 people reveals PTSD, like many other psychiatric disorders, is highly polygenic. Six loci harbor variants were strongly associated with an increased risk of PTSD. The loci hints that inflammatory and immune mechanisms may be involved in the disorder. The study also revealed a significant overlap with 21 genes implicated in depression, schizophrenia, neuroticism, insomnia, asthma, and coronary artery disease.... Read More...
Scientists reverse core symptom of schizophrenia in adult mice
Neuronal branches in SETD1A deficient mice are shorter and stunted. Switching off another gene, LSD1, nullifies the harmful effects of SETD1A on neuron and axon growth. After inhibiting LSD1, SETD1A deficient mice showed improved memory and axon growth. Inhibiting LSD1 not only acted on memory deficits linked to schizophrenia but also acted on the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with axonal growth. ... Read More...