Neuroscience

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Proprioception: describing the genes associated with the sixth sense – Neuroscience News

Summary: Study identifies genetic markers in cells associated with proprioception. The findings provide new clues about how proprioceptive sensory neurons help control movement. Source: Center Max Delbruck To perform coordinated movements, we rely on special sensory neurons in our muscles and joints. Without them, the brain wouldn’t know what the rest of our body is …

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Genetic variants that offered protection during the Black Death are also associated with current autoimmune disorders – Neuroscience News

Summary: People with selected variants of the ERAP2 and TICAM2 genes were 40% more likely to survive the Black Death, the researchers found. However, in modern humans, those with the ERAP2 gene are more likely to suffer from autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease. Source: University of Illinois Infectious diseases are among the strongest selective …

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Identifying genes that keep neurons healthy – Neuroscience News

Summary: Kinase enzymes are essential for neurons to perform autophagy. Researchers found that deleting genes that code for NDR1 and NDR2 kinases impairs neuron health and stimulates neurodegeneration in young and old mice. Source: Francis Crick Institute Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute have found that deletion of two genes that code for key enzyme …

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Autism-linked gene discovered to shape nerve connections – Neuroscience News

Summary: The autism-linked Gabrb3 gene appears to shape the formation of normal and atypical neural connections in the brain. Source: Cornell University A gene linked to autism spectrum disorders plays a critical role in early brain development and may shape the formation of normal and atypical nerve connections in the brain, according to a new …

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Gut microbiome at center of Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis – Neuroscience News

Summary: In addition to previous research on the link between the gut-brain axis and Parkinson’s disease, researchers have found that the gut microbiome is involved in multiple pathways in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. Source: University of Alabama at Birmingham New research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham indicates that the gut microbiome is …

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Silent synapses are abundant in the adult brain – Neuroscience News

Summary: The adult brain contains millions of “silent synapses,” or immature connections between neurons that remain dormant until needed to learn new information and store new memories. Source: WITH MIT neuroscientists have found that the adult brain contains millions of “silent synapses” – immature connections between neurons that remain inactive until recruited to help form …

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Caffeine gets you to the finish line faster – Neuroscience News

Summary: Caffeine supplementation reduces sprint time in a 100-meter sprint, according to a new study. Source: Ritsumeikan University At the international level of sport, even the smallest advantage can take an athlete from mere participant to podium status. Therefore, athletes try to achieve this competitive edge with the help of performance-enhancing training methods and performance-enhancing …

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525 million year old fossil defies textbook explanation of brain evolution – Neuroscience News

Summary: The fossil of a tiny 525-million-year-old sea creature with a preserved nervous system could resolve an age-old debate about arthropod brain evolution. Source: University of Arizona Fossils of a tiny sea creature that died more than half a billion years ago could force a science textbook to rewrite brain evolution. A study published in …

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What the octopus and the human brain have in common – Neuroscience News

Summary: Octopuses have a massively expanded repertoire of miRNAs in their neural tissue, reflecting development similar to that which has occurred in vertebrates. The results suggest that miRNA plays an important role in the development of complex brains. Source: MDC Cephalopods like octopus, squid, and cuttlefish are highly intelligent animals with complex nervous systems. In …

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