Portal:Neuroscience/News archive
This page is an archive of the Neuroscience News section of the Neuroscience Portal.
Newest news items at the top.
Contents
October 2006
Molecular neuroscience:Link between the genetics and pathology of Rett syndrome uncovered. In a study published in the journal Neuron, researchers have discovered a possible mechanism by which the inherited mutation in this disease selectively targets neurons. Rett syndrome is a leading cause of mental retardation in females. Rett syndrome
Cellular neuroscience:Strawberries boost memory. Researchers at Salk Institute have shown that Fisetin, a natural flavinoid occurring in fruits like strawberry, activates the long-term potentiation signaling pathway in the hippocampus. This pathway is widely regarded as a mechanism underlying learning and memory in the brain. Strawberries and memory
Neuropharmacology: A new mechanism of action for a novel multiple sclerosis drug. The drug Fingolimod has been found to inhibit the activity of the enzyme cPLA2. This enzyme is important in the production eicosanoids which are mediators of inflammation. The study is to be published in the journal Blood Multiple sclerosis drug
Brain-computer interface: Teenaged boy plays computer game by just imagination. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis used electrocorticography signals from a teenaged boy undergoing surgical evaluation for treatment of epilepsy to give him control over the playing of space invaders Imaginary game playing
Cognitive neuroscience: Frontal cortex plays a role in the drive to punish unfairness. Using the paradigm of ultimatum game, researchers found that inactivating the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex leads to less inclination to inflict punishment on perceived selfish behavior. Fair Brain
September 23, 2006
Molecular neuroscience: A natural enzyme in the brain dismantles proteins implicated in Alzheimer's disease. This study published in the journal Neuron found that the enzyme Cathepsin B takes apart amyloid protein which is a hallmark of Alzheimer's. The authors speculate that this might be a protective mechanism that fails in patients with the disease. Cathepsin and Alzheimer's
Neural Coding: Simple activity in the brain may give rise to ghostly illusions. When doctors treating a patient with epilepsy stimulated a region of the brain called temporo-parietal junction, the woman reported sensing a sinister figure behind her who was copying her actions. The researchers suggest that this type of activity could underlie similar phenomena seen in patients with psychiatric illnesses like schizophrenia. This study was published in the journal Science Creepy brain
Developmental Neuroscience: Molecules that organize nervous system conserved from fruitflies to vertebrates. UCSD researchers, in a publication in the journal PLoS Biology, have shown that the morphogen BMP plays a similar role in both fruit fly and chicken embryos to develop the dorso-ventral axis of the early developing nervous system. BMP patterns CNS
Neurochemistry: New neurotransmitter synthesis pathway discovered. Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have described a novel pathway for the biosynthesis of endocannabinoids. New neurotransmitter pathway
September 16, 2006
Neuroengineering: Latest bionic arm implant unveiled. This advanced prosthesis developed at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago enables the patient to move her arm just by thinking about it. The team re-routed the severed nerves of the amputated arm to the muscles of the chest allowing their regrowth. The signals carried by these nerves were utilized to instruct movements to the 6 motor bionic arm. Bionic arm
Neural Coding: Brain regions may coordinate activity by means of slow brain waves. Researchers at UC Berkeley used electrocorticography data from patients undergoing pre-surgical evaluation for treatment of epilepsy and brain tumors. This study was published in the journal Science Slow brain waves
Cyberpsychology: Real life social rules hold good in virtual reality too. Psychologists examined data from personal interactions in the online virtual world Second Life. They found that the gender specific 'personal space' concepts found in real world were mirrored in this virtual world too. Personal space in virtual space
Neurotoxicology: Long-term exposure to lead can lead to cognitive deficits. In a study published in the journal Neurology, researchers have found correlation between exposure to lead and lower cognitive performance in older individuals. The study focussed on 985 adults of between 50 to 70 years who had exposure to the higher levels of lead that were commonly used in commercial products before the 1980s. The acute effects of lead poisoning are well known. Lead and cognition
September 09, 2006
Cellular Neuroscience: Fast-freeze method to take snapshots of neuromuscular junction. Using a new technique researchers have been able to generate highly detailed picture of these synapses enabling precise location of several synaptic proteins. This study, done using the model organism C. elegans, uses high pressure freeze electron microscopy and immuno-gold staining. Visualizing NMJs
Neurobiology of Disease: Older dads more likely to have kids with autism. In a large study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, researchers found that children born to fathers who were aged more than 30 years had nearly six times higher incidence of autism. Fathers' age and autism
Cognitive Neuroscience: Anticipation of an event has an effect on the formation of memories related to it. In a brain imaging study published in the PNAS, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found that anticipating a fearful event resulted in increased activity of hippocampus and amygdala - two regions of the brain known to play a role in memory. These findings could further our understanding of disorders like Post traumatic stress disorders Anticipation and memory
Neuroethics: Brain of some patients in vegetative state may respond to oral commands. In a fMRI study on a patient who was in a vegetative state since 5 months following an accident, researchers have found that the brain responds in ways similar to controls when asked to imagine tasks like playing tennis. Experts are divided as to whether this shows that the patient is conscious. Brain activity in vegetative states
September 02, 2006
Behavioral Neuroscience: Chimpanzees can maintain transmission of cultural mores through multiple generations. Culture has been widely regarded as a uniquely human trait. However, researchers at Yerkes Research Center have, in a study to be published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, discovered generational learning in Chimpanzees. This study implies an earlier evolution of cultural traits than current opinion holds. [1]
Neurochemistry: Chronic exposure to alcohol alters brain proteins. Using a zebrafish model, researchers at the SUNY, Buffalo have identified several novel proteins that are affected by long term exposure to alcohol. The authors of this study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology hypothesise that these changes could indicate neurotoxic and neurodegenerative damages [2]
Neurobiology of Disease: Protein important for stem cell growth can enhance recovery in stroke. In a study published in Nature, researchers at NINDS have shown that stimulating the receptor Notch improved recovery in mouse models of stroke [3]
Cognitive Neuroscience: fMRI study of nuns show godly experience is not localized in the brain. Neuroscientists at University of Montreal found that areas of brain which were comparatively more active during mystical experiences compared to physical experiences were widespread. [4]
August 25, 2006
Molecular Neuroscience: Study suggests molecular basis for urge to smoke. Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have discovered that when cigarette smokers first stop smoking, the number of nicotine receptors in the brain is significantly higher when compared to nonsmokers. This may be one of the factors that makes quitting tough according to the authors of this study published this week in The Journal of Neuroscience. [5]
Cellular Neuroscience: First direct evidence for a learning mechanism in brain. Researchers at MIT have provided direct evidence demonstrating that the phenomenon of Long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus occurs with learning. The evidence till now, though substantial, had primarily showed correlation between the two phenomena - and hence was incomplete. However, the new studies published in the journal Science show that, for at least the form of learning tested (Avoidance Learning), formation of LTP is necessary. [6]
Neurobiology of Disease: Researchers restore memory and synaptic function in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. In a new study published in the journal Cell, a group at Columbia University have restored ability to form new memories and perform cognitive tasks in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease by boosting the levels of an enzyme (Uch-L1) expressed in the neurons of the brain. [7]
Sensory Neuroscience: Sensory receptor that helps us identify sour taste found. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have discovered the receptors present in the taste buds that respond to sour taste. This receptor (PKD2L1) is also found in the spinal cord and is hypothesised to play a role in detecting pH of body fluids. Thus far, receptors mediating sweet, bitter and umami tastes have been identified. [8]
August 18, 2006
Molecular Neuroscience: Missing genes tied to mental retardation. A large genetic deletion has been identified which is associated with mental retardation [9]
Cellular Neuroscience: Brain neurons found that can integrate economic value of a substance with its location. This could shed light on how brain makes decisions says the leader of the study Dr. Zach Mainen [10]
Cognitive Neuroscience: In monkeys, species specific calls activate regions of brain homologous to the regions human brains use to process language. This is an important step in understanding the evolution of the language ability in humans. [11]
Neurobiology of Disease: Chronic back pain may lead to neurodegeneration. Loss in brain density is related to pain duration; this study found that 1.3 cubic centimeters of gray matter are lost for every year of chronic pain, said lead researcher A. Vania Apkarian, associate professor of physiology at Northwestern. [12]
Developmental Neuroscience: Gene that could have led to evolution of human brain capacity discovered. Evidence suggests that it may play a role in development of cerebral cortex [13]
