Huntington’s disease is a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by a genetic mutation that destroys brain cells in the basal ganglia, resulting in progressive motor, cognitive, and emotional impairments. Recent research breakthroughs out of MIT are shedding light on how this disease affects the striatum, a crucial part of the basal ganglia responsible for …
Newly Identified Schizophrenia Treatment Target Offers Hope
Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe psychiatric disorder that requires lifelong treatment. While schizophrenia does not have a cure, the most common and successful method of treating and managing symptoms has historically been a combination of antipsychotic medications and psychotherapy. However, this treatment regimen has limitations. While antipsychotic medications are widely available and can be …
Transgenic Mouse Models Show Jumping Genes
A team of scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio have discovered a trigger for brain inflammation that is associated with diseases like Alzheimer’s and progressive supranuclear palsy. Tau deposits, the team observed, can cause so-called “jumping genes” to form double-stranded RNA, which in turn triggers an inflammatory reaction, similar …
Mature Lab-Grown Neurons Hold Promise for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research
For the first time, researchers have successfully demonstrated the ability to develop highly mature neurons from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The team behind the breakthrough is hopeful that their research will allow researchers to improve experiments and better understand neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Animal Models Provide Look at “Sixth Sense” Genetic Markers
It may not be the version portrayed in the infamous thriller of the same name, but human beings do, in fact, have a sixth sense: proprioception. Our brain relies on proprioception to give and receive the information it needs to help our bodies perform coordinated movements through space. And new research using animal models has …