Category Health/Medical

Brain function associated with higher cardiorespiratory fitness plays a role in increased cognitive performance in older adults, according to a new study. Specifically, the scientists found that dual-task processing in a core executive function brain region is associated with higher cardiorespiratory fitness and dual-task performance.

With fMRI scans in the Beckman Institute’s Biomedical Imaging Center, the researchers found that certain regions of the brain were activated more when performing two simultaneous tasks compared to a single task.

“The reason we looked at dual-task specifically is because it’s a measure of executive function, which is required for multiple cognitive processes, such as working memory, task management, coordination, and 3inhibition,” said Wong...

Broadly neutralizing antibodies to HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein are being evaluated as therapeutics to prevent or treat HIV-1 infection. Structural analysis of one such antibody, 8ANC195, revealed a new conformation of the envelope protein. The image shows the X-ray crystal structure of 8ANC195 in complex with the gp120 subunit of the envelope protein. The background shows schematic representations of HIV-1 virus particles studded with envelope proteins being recognized by 8ANC195 antibodies. Credit: Louise Scharf/Caltech

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) are thought to be the future for treating and preventing HIV infections. A bNAb recently characterized by researchers can neutralize the virus in several different states – increasing the antibody’s promise as a therapeutic.

bNAbs ha...

Smart Immune Cells teach Neurons damaged by Parkinson’s to Heal themselves

As a potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease, scientists have created smarter immune cells that produce and deliver a healing protein to the brain while also teaching neurons to begin making the protein for themselves.

The researchers, led by A/Prof Elena Batrakova at UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy’s Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, genetically modified macrophages to produce glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, or GDNF, and deliver it to the brain. Glial cells provide support and protection for nerve cells throughout the brain and body, and GDNF can heal and stimulate the growth of damaged neurons.

“Currently, there are no treatments that can halt or reverse the course of Parkinson’s disease...

Plastic cells: A fast spiking interneuron in the cerebral cortex of the mouse. Image adapted from King’s College London press release.

It implies ‘hardware’ in our brain is tuneable and could have implications that go far beyond basic neuroscience – from informing education policy to developing new therapies for neurological disorders such as epilepsy.

Researchers from the MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, led by Professor Oscar Marín have discovered some neurons in the cerebral cortex can adapt their properties in response to changes in network activity – such as those observed during learning of a motor task...