Category Biology/Biotechnology

One is never too old to exercise for brain health and to stave off the risk for developing dementia.

Using the landmark Framingham Heart Study to assess how physical activity affects the size of the brain and one’s risk for developing dementia, UCLA researchers found an association between low physical activity and a higher risk for dementia in older individuals. This suggests that regular physical activity for older adults could lead to higher brain volumes and a reduced risk for developing dementia.

Physical activity particularly affected the size of the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain controlling short-term memory. Also, the protective effect of regular physical activity against dementia was strongest in people age 75 and older...

The dentate gyrus of the mouse hippocampal formation which contributes to the formation of new episodic memories stained for neurons (green) and stem cells (red). Credit: Andrew L Bashford and Vasanta Subramanian University of Bath

Scientists identify 2 regions of mouse brains where C9orf72 is expressed. For the first time novel expression sites in the brain have been identified for a gene which is associated with Motor Neuron Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia. Many people who develop Motor Neuron Disease, also called Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and/or Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) have abnormal repeats of nucleotides within a gene called C9orf72 which causes neurons to die.

A team from the Department of Biology & Biochemistry at the University of Bath discovered for the first ti...

A midbrain organoid in a petri dish. The black pigment is neuromelanin, a hallmark of the human midbrain. Credit: Image courtesy of The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

Scientists in Singapore have made a big leap on research on the ‘mini-brain’. These advanced mini versions of the human midbrain will help researchers develop treatments and conduct other studies into Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and aging-related brain diseases. These mini midbrain versions are 3D miniature tissues grown in the lab and have certain properties of specific parts of the human brains. This is the first time that the black pigment neuromelanin has been detected in an organoid model. The study also revealed functionally active dopaminergic neurons.

The human midbrain, which is the information sup...

Comparison of plasma antibody responses. When compared with the A.Control group, the A.bnAb group had higher binding to HIV-1 Env gp120 (A) and gp41 (B) but similar binding (C) to TIV2008. Binding was similar between the B.bnAb and B.Control groups for the same three antigens (D to F). NS, not significant. Each symbol represents data from an individual participant; group medians, range, and quartiles are shown.

Findings provide insight for vaccine development. People living with HIV who naturally produce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) that may help suppress the virus have different immunological profiles than people who do not...