Tag Archives: neuron
Matching between adult neurons: feel abandoned? Just call on me
Plasticity in the central nervous system allows the adaptation of neural circuits to new circumstances, such as the recovery after brain injury. The mechanisms of neural plasticity include, among others, the formation of new synapses. An example
HIV-1 alters mitochondria in neurons and contributes to HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders
Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV) enters the brain during the initial stages of infection and can cause neurologic dysfunction. Despite the success of HIV treatment through combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), impaired neurocognitive function remains an important problem
Ketamine, not TPS potentiates glutamate-induced Ca neurotoxicity
There is growing concern about anaesthesia effects on the developing brain because commonly used anaesthetics can cause neurodegeneration and long-term neurocognitive deficits. In the developing brain, GABA-R agonists and NMDA-R antagonists cause neurotoxicity and apoptosis. Comparing their
New psychoactive substances: metabolites of synthetic cathinones induce cytotoxicity in human neuronal cells
Recently, a large number of novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) have appeared on the European market. Their growing diffusion has become matter of worldwide concern and alarm for public health authorities, legislators, and clinical health specialists. They are
Reversibility of Aβ oligomer neurotoxicity: Insights into the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative dementia disorder, causes memory impairment and other cognitive deficits. AD is neuropathologically characterized by senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, which are composed of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau proteins,
Five distinct neuronal types inhabit the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus
The ventrolateral preoptic nucleus (VLPO) is considered as the main brain region inducing slow-wave sleep (SWS). Despite its physiological importance, the neuronal composition of the VLPO still remained incompletely described. Yet, the characterization of neuronal properties within
Serotonin and sleep regulation: cellular and molecular mechanisms
Serotonin ( 5-HT ) is a neurotransmitter, which plays major roles in several physiological functions including circadian rhythmicity, appetite, thermoregulation, nociception, emotion and cognition. The relationship between 5-HT and sleep was demonstrated by several experiments, including in particular an
Microtubules slide neurons home
Brain development requires neurons, the most sophisticated information-carrying cells in the body, to migrate from where they are born to faraway destinations where they finally settle down and take up residence. During its journey, a young neuron
Tapping neurotransmitters from neurons to investigate their involvement in brain function
To tap neurotransmitters and neuromodulators from brain neurons of anaesthetised rodents, a guide cannula is stereoractically inserted. Into a distinct brain structure. Few days after surgery the stylet of the guide cannula is replaced by a double-walled
Human motor neurones: so well-known or still unknown?
Movements, the fundamental base of normal human life, are produced when our skeletal muscles contract and relax, submitting to control by special nervous cells, the so-called motor neurones (motoneurones) placed in the spinal cord. It is surprising
Photometric patch electrode captures optical and electrical signals simultaneously in deep brain tissues
When neurons work they signal each other using action potentials, which is a rapid change of membrane potential and underlies the brain function. In most neurons action potentials accompany changes of intracellular concentration of calcium ions. Calcium
A force behind signal propagation in the brain
Cognitive functions require signal propagation in the brain, i.e., signals propagating via spike trains (at a timescale of milliseconds) in a brain structural network where the nodes and links are individual neurons and synapses, respectively. During a
The birth of neurons, steered by the antenna of the cell
Millions of neurons that constitute the human nervous system are generated during fetal development from stem cells that reside at the ventricle, a liquid-filled space found deep within the brain. How the fate of a stem cell
Theta burst like stimulations lead to formation of BDNF dependent memory traces
Creating and storing memory traces in our brains is essential for learning, logical thinking, creativity, and for being able to recall persons, events, and facts throughout life. Memory traces are created by joint electrical activity in nerve
ZNRF1: a key molecule activated by reactive oxygen species to cause neuronal degeneration
Neurons, the major component of our brain, have long processes (called “axons” and “dendrites”) to communicate with other neurons and cells. In many brain diseases that old people get suffered from, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease,
Genetically encoded voltage indicators for large scale cortical imaging come of age
Composed of billions of neurons, the brain is the most complex organ that dictates our daily lives. Naturally, understanding the brain is one of the final frontiers that would not only provide basic understanding but also sprout
A small RNA, microRNA-155, “micromanages” inflammation and renewal of neurons in the brain
The immune system is like a silent army, protecting the body from enemy viruses and bacteria. Inflammation is part of this response, acting to eliminate pathogens and initiate tissue repair. Most of the time, our immune systems
Another beneficial role for insulin in the brain: keeping the brain immune responses in check
Brain disease is an umbrella term, which is used to describe a broad variety of diseases ranging from epilepsy to Alzheimer’s disease to multiple sclerosis and everything in between. Brain diseases differ from each other at the
How do neurons develop and regenerate?
Identifying how neurons form a functioning network provides the background for knowing how to manage, treat, and prevent neurological disorders, as well as promote healing after injury to the nervous system. NICHD researchers uncovered a new pathway
What is injured: motor neuron or motor nerve?
All movements, whether simple or very complex (ballet dancing, playing the piano, speaking) are the results of the complex interaction between nerve cells (neurons) from different departments of the brain. But the final arbiters of movement patterns
