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    Category Health/Medical

    Gene linked to Alzheimer’s disease Impairs Memory by Disrupting brain’s ‘Playback System’

    May 7, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Mice with apoE4 had fewer ripples than mice with the normal apoE3 protein, and they had less slow gamma activity during the ripples. Based on these results, the scientists questioned whether these differences in activity affected the ability to form and replay memories. Image is for illustrative purposes only. Image is credited to Andrews-Zwiling Y. et al./Journal of Neuroscience, and is adapted from the Gladstone Institute video.

    Mice with apoE4 had fewer ripples than mice with the normal apoE3 protein, and they had less slow gamma activity during the ripples. Based on these results, the scientists questioned whether these differences in activity affected the ability to form and replay memories. Image is for illustrative purposes only. Image is credited to Andrews-Zwiling Y. et al./Journal of Neuroscience, and is adapted from the Gladstone Institute video.

    Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes have discovered how the major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease causes memory impairment. A specific type of brain activity important for memory replay is disrupted in mice with the E4 version of the apolipoprotein E (apoE4) gene, which may interfere with memory formation...

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    Zika Virus may cause Microcephaly by Hijacking Human Immune Molecule

    May 6, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    In a 3-D brain model, Zika virus activates immune receptor TLR3, which in turn inhibits brain cell development and survival, causing the organoids to shrink -- an effect reminiscent of microcephaly. Credit: UC San Diego Health

    In a 3-D brain model, Zika virus activates immune receptor TLR3, which in turn inhibits brain cell development and survival, causing the organoids to shrink — an effect reminiscent of microcephaly. Credit: UC San Diego Health

    Fetal brain model provides first clues on how Zika virus blunts brain development; blocking mechanism reduces cell damage, hinting at a new therapeutic approach to mitigate effects of prenatal Zika virus infection. Using a 3D, stem cell-based model of a first-trimester human brain, the team discovered that Zika activates TLR3, a molecule human cells normally use to defend against invading viruses. In turn, hyper-activated TLR3 turns off genes that stem cells need to specialize into brain cells and turns on genes that trigger cell suicide...

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    Tiny Genetic Switches found in Lizard Tail Regeneration

    May 6, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Experimental design of microRNA analysis of lizard tail regeneration. a: Image of a green anole lizard with a fully regenerated tail (arrow at break point). b: A 25 dpa regenerating tail was divided into three equally sized segments, with the distal regenerating tip and proximal regenerating base collected for microRNA sequencing (sequenced each for the regenerating tail tip and base, n = 3 per pool). For qRT-PCR analysis, five equally sized segments were collected (n = 4). c: Venn diagram showing the distribution of microRNAs expressed in the brain, skeletal muscle, and 25 dpa regenerating tail tip and base (minimum count of 1)

    Experimental design of microRNA analysis of lizard tail regeneration. a: Image of a green anole lizard with a fully regenerated tail (arrow at break point). b: A 25 dpa regenerating tail was divided into three equally sized segments, with the distal regenerating tip and proximal regenerating base collected for microRNA sequencing (sequenced each for the regenerating tail tip and base, n = 3 per pool). For qRT-PCR analysis, five equally sized segments were collected (n = 4). c: Venn diagram showing the distribution of microRNAs expressed in the brain, skeletal muscle, and 25 dpa regenerating tail tip and base (minimum count of 1)

    Findings from lizards may impact future therapies to regrow organs in humans...

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    Smartphone App for monitoring Heart Palpitations is comparable to 14-day event monitor

    May 5, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    For monitoring heart palpitations, Anne Curtis MD and co-authors found a smartphone app provided comparable performance to the 14-day event monitors. Credit: Douglas Levere, University at Buffalo

    For monitoring heart palpitations, Anne Curtis MD and co-authors found a smartphone app provided comparable performance to the 14-day event monitors. Credit: Douglas Levere, University at Buffalo

    Patients found the AliveCor app ‘significantly easier to use’ than ambulatory monitors. Throughout the 2-week study, 32 patients who had had some symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias, were required to use both methods to record when they were having palpitations. The UB researchers found AliveCor Heart Monitor smartphone app correctly recorded 91% of total arrhythmic events experienced by patients vs 87.5% recorded by the event monitors.

    Patients were far more likely to be compliant with the smartphone app, the study found, with 94% of patients complying with the smartphone app versus just 58% with the...

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