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    Adult Brain Prunes Branched Connections of New Neurons

    May 2, 2016, Categories  Biology/Biotechnology, Health/Medical

    A new Salk study is the first to closely follow the development of new neurons in the adult brain, giving insight into neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. By genetically engineering new neurons to fluoresce green, researchers were able to see when the new cells grew and branched surrounded by other cell nuclei (blue) in the brain. Credit: Salk Institute

    A new Salk study is the first to closely follow the development of new neurons in the adult brain, giving insight into neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. By genetically engineering new neurons to fluoresce green, researchers were able to see when the new cells grew and branched surrounded by other cell nuclei (blue) in the brain. Credit: Salk Institute

    A new study is first to closely follow development of new neurons in the adult brain, giving potential new insight into neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. New brain cells began with a period of overgrowth, sending out a plethora of neuronal branches, before the brain pruned back the connections. “We were surprised by the extent of the pruning we saw,” says Prof. Rusty Gage.

    While most o...

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    New Advance announced in Fight against Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s

    April 26, 2016, Categories  Biology/Biotechnology, Health/Medical

    Consequences of KP manipulation. KP metabolites and enzymatic steps are indicated in black, whereas the key KP enzymes TDO, KMO, and KATs are indicated in purple. The metabolites 3-HK and QUIN are neurotoxic (as indicated by red arrows), whereas KYNA and TRP are neuroprotective (as indicated by green arrows). Inhibition of TDO results in increased TRP levels, and either TDO or KMO inhibition leads to a reduction in the 3-HK/KYNA ratio (highlighted in blue). The enzyme 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid dioxygenase is not present in flies, and thus QUIN is not synthesized.

    Consequences of KP manipulation. KP metabolites and enzymatic steps are indicated in black, whereas the key KP enzymes TDO, KMO, and KATs are indicated in purple. The metabolites 3-HK and QUIN are neurotoxic (as indicated by red arrows), whereas KYNA and TRP are neuroprotective (as indicated by green arrows). Inhibition of TDO results in increased TRP levels, and either TDO or KMO inhibition leads to a reduction in the 3-HK/KYNA ratio (highlighted in blue). The enzyme 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid dioxygenase is not present in flies, and thus QUIN is not synthesized.

    Lab-based study discovers way of ‘reversing’ symptoms...

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    Researchers discover which Brain region helps us use Boundaries to Navigate

    April 3, 2016, Categories  Biology/Biotechnology, Health/Medical

    In the first experiment, two objects always appeared in the same position relative to the room's boundary; the other two always appeared in the same spot relative to another object acting as a landmark. This image shows the boundary wall and a landmark object. Credit: University of Pennsylvania

    In the first experiment, two objects always appeared in the same position relative to the room’s boundary; the other two always appeared in the same spot relative to another object acting as a landmark. This image shows the boundary wall and a landmark object. Credit: University of Pennsylvania

    Imagine a room or a landscape or a city street. Part of what differentiates that scene from a face or an object is the fact that it has boundaries, and Uni of Pennsylvania researchers Joshua Julian et al aimed to parse out which part of the brain helps perceive those borders. What they learned, through 2 experiments involving transcranial magnetic stimulation, TMS, is that this function falls to the occipital place area, OPA.

    The OPA, located near the top of the back of the head, is known for its st...

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    Protein that Boosts Memory Identified

    December 21, 2015, Categories  Biology/Biotechnology, Health/Medical

    Elevating Dnmt3a2 can promote memory formation.

    Previous experiment (a) When Dnmt3a2 is overexpressed in aged mice, it improves memory formation. (b) Conversely, when Dnmt3a2 is artificially reduced in young mice by shRNA-mediated knockdown, this is sufficient to disrupt memory formation. These results demonstrate the requirement for Dnmt3a2 in hippocampus-dependent memory formation.

    Research findings could lead to new treatment for anxiety disorders including PTSD. Mouse experiments showed that the Dnmt3a2 protein can boost memory performance in the animals. Because this protein also affects fear memory and the ability to erase bad memories, the researchers hope these findings can be used to develop new treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder and other forms of anxiety.

    In an earlier study, the Heidelberg scientists learned that ...

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