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Genetics

Genetics articles related to neuroscience research will be listed here.

·April 17, 2024·5 min read

Breaking the Genetic Code of Tobacco Addiction

Researchers used AI to discover hundreds of genes linked to tobacco use disorder, alongside potential new treatments. Analyzing extensive health data, the team identified genetic variations that contribute to tobacco addiction, which affects 1.3 billion people globally.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 12, 2024·6 min read

Proteasomes May Be Key to Sensory Signals

Researchers discovered a novel role of the proteasome, traditionally known as the cell's waste processor, in nerve cells. Their findings reveal that proteasomes in dorsal root ganglion neurons may act more like signal messengers, aiding in the differentiation between pain and itch sensations.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·April 10, 2024·7 min read

Gene Variant Shields Against Alzheimer’s

Researchers identified a genetic variant that significantly lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by up to 70%, potentially benefiting hundreds of thousands in the U.S. The variant, found in the fibronectin gene involved in the blood-brain barrier's function, aids in preventing amyloid accumulation in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 9, 2024·6 min read

Learning and Memory Formation’s Molecular Basis

Researchers developed a new platform to explore dendritic translation's role in memory formation and its implications for intellectual disorders. By employing a novel method named TurboID, researchers uncovered a suite of previously unknown factors involved in memory-related protein synthesis within dendrites, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms that could underlie conditions like Fragile X syndrome.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 9, 2024·6 min read

Gene Mutation Increases Autism Risk

Researchers made significant strides in understanding autism spectrum disorder's genetic underpinnings. By studying mice with a frameshift mutation in the KMT2C gene, they observed behavioral and cognitive impairments resembling ASD symptoms.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·April 9, 2024·4 min read

Link Between Type D Personality and Hypothyroidism Discovered

Over half of individuals with treated hypothyroidism exhibit a type D personality, characterized by negative emotions and social withdrawal. Conducted by researchers across Europe, this survey of over 3,500 people with hypothyroidism highlights a significant correlation between type D personality and poor treatment outcomes, including persistent symptoms and dissatisfaction.

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Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·April 9, 2024·4 min read

Link Between Heart Disease, Depression, and Inflammation Found

A new study uncovered a genetic connection between coronary artery disease, major depression, and an increased risk for cardiomyopathy, mediated through inflammatory pathways. The study highlights that medications used for treating coronary artery disease and depression could synergistically reduce inflammation, potentially preventing cardiomyopathy.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 8, 2024·4 min read

Pregnancy’s Toll: Accelerated Aging in Young Mothers

Pregnancy may accelerate biological aging in women. Utilizing advanced epigenetic clocks to measure DNA methylation, researchers compared the biological age of women with varying numbers of pregnancies against those who had never been pregnant, revealing that increased pregnancies correlate with signs of accelerated aging.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·April 5, 2024·4 min read

Powering Brain Repair: Mitochondria Key to Neurogenesis

Researchers made a groundbreaking discovery about the maturation process of adult-born neurons in the brain, highlighting the critical role of mitochondrial fusion in these cells. Their study shows that as neurons develop, their mitochondria undergo dynamic changes that are crucial for the neurons' ability to form and refine connections, supporting synaptic plasticity in the adult hippocampus.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 5, 2024·9 min read

Genetics of Alcohol Use Explored

Researchers tapped into 23andMe's extensive genetic database, uncovering correlations between genetic variants related to alcohol consumption and a spectrum of health outcomes. The study reveals that certain genetic factors not only influence individuals' alcohol behaviors but also have broader health implications, including connections to chronic conditions and certain cancers.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·April 4, 2024·5 min read

Brain Organoids Illuminate TBI’s Link to Neurodegeneration

Researchers have advanced our understanding of how traumatic brain injuries (TBI) contribute to neurodegenerative diseases using lab-grown brain organoids. By simulating TBI in organoids derived from human stem cells, the team observed nerve cell death and pathological changes similar to those in TBI patients, particularly in proteins associated with ALS and dementia.

Autism Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·April 4, 2024·4 min read

Genetic Link Between Left-Handedness and Neurological Disorders

A new study utilizing UK Biobank data has unveiled the genetic roots of left-handedness, pinpointing rare variants in the beta-tubulin gene TUBB4B significantly associated with this trait. These findings not only shed light on the complex interplay between genetics and brain asymmetry but also link left-handedness with neurodevelopmental disorders through shared genetic pathways.