All articles tagged with #neurons
A Bonn-led study finds that the human brain stores memory content and its context in separate neuron populations—content neurons fire for specific items, context neurons for the task or situation—whose coordinated interactions enable flexible recall through pattern completion.
Researchers discovered that rebalancing activity in a specific amygdala circuit in mice can reverse anxiety and social withdrawal, highlighting a potential target for mental health treatments.
Researchers at Penn State discovered that stress-sensitive type-one nNOS neurons regulate brain blood flow and neural activity; their loss due to chronic stress may contribute to brain health decline and neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, highlighting a new environmental risk factor.
A study found that individuals with schizophrenia have smaller and differently shaped neurons in the brain's anterior cingulate cortex, with neuron size correlating to hallucination severity, suggesting potential biological markers and targets for future treatments.
Scientists at the Institute for Neurosciences have discovered that restoring balance to specific neurons in the amygdala can reverse anxiety and social withdrawal behaviors in mice, opening new possibilities for targeted treatments of affective disorders.
Scientists have discovered a new type of connection between neurons called dendritic nanotubes, which can transport molecules like calcium and amyloid-beta, potentially playing a role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. This discovery was made using advanced imaging techniques and could lead to new insights into brain function and disease progression.
Scientists have discovered a specific group of neurons in the brainstem that are active in chronic pain and produce a molecule called neuropeptide Y (NPY) that acts as a natural painkiller, opening potential pathways for new pain treatments.
Scientists have identified a specific group of neurons in the brainstem's parabrachial nucleus that are activated during chronic pain and produce a molecule, neuropeptide Y (NPY), which acts as a natural painkiller. This discovery suggests potential for developing new pain treatments that activate this molecule, offering hope for safer alternatives to opioids.
Researchers identified specific neurons in the dorsomedial striatum that control the 'loser effect' in mice, revealing distinct brain circuits for winning and losing behaviors, which could provide insights into human social dynamics.
Researchers have identified a specific subpopulation of neurons in the primary visual cortex that are involved in local pattern completion and may play a role in perceiving illusory contours, although behavioral confirmation is still needed. Future studies aim to stimulate these neurons more extensively to observe potential behavioral responses in animals.
Scientists discovered that neurons can burn fat for energy and produce their own fats during high demand, a process dependent on DDHD2. In conditions like HSP54, where DDHD2 malfunctions, neurons lose this ability, but fatty acid supplements can restore their function within 48 hours, offering hope for neurodegenerative disease treatments.
The brain maintains a delicate balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurons, which is crucial for healthy functioning. Recent research reveals that inhibitory neurons are more active and specific than previously thought, playing key roles in learning and memory. Additionally, a third category of neuromodulatory neurons influences brain activity on slower timescales, adding complexity to neural regulation. Understanding these interactions could lead to better treatments for neurological disorders caused by imbalances.
A new study reveals that the spinal cord, specifically Galanin-expressing neurons, actively participates in regulating male sexual arousal and ejaculation in mice, challenging the traditional view that the brain solely controls these behaviors and highlighting the spinal cord as an integrated, active component in sexual function.
Scientists discovered specialized IC-encoder neurons in the brain that actively construct visual illusions by filling in missing contours, revealing that perception is an active, top-down process with implications for understanding perception disorders like schizophrenia.
Variants causing loss of function in ABCA7 are linked to Alzheimer's risk by disrupting lipid transport, mitochondrial function, and cellular stress responses in neurons; treatment with CDP-choline can reverse these effects, highlighting potential therapeutic strategies.