Early memory complaints may signal preclinical Alzheimer’s disease, new study finds

A groundbreaking study underscores the importance of addressing concerns about persistent memory loss with a healthcare provider. Conducted by researchers from Mass General Brigham, the study reveals that reports of cognitive decline by patients and their close family members or study partners may indicate early changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This discovery … Read more

Study reveals surprising dynamics of brain blood flow

For the first time, researchers have successfully visualized the intricate network of blood vessels spanning the cortex of awake mice. Their groundbreaking observations revealed that these blood vessels rhythmically expand and contract, creating “waves” that wash across the brain’s surface. This discovery, published in the journal Neuron, significantly enhances our understanding of cerebral blood flow, … Read more

Neuroplasticity: Brain’s Ability to Change and Adapt

Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity or neural plasticity, is a fundamental property of the brain that refers to its ability to change and adapt throughout life in response to experiences, learning, environmental stimuli, injury, and disease. This remarkable capacity for structural and functional reorganization enables the brain to modify neural pathways, establish new connections, … Read more

Neurochemistry: Chemical Processes in the Nervous System

Neurochemistry is the branch of neuroscience that focuses on the chemical processes occurring within the nervous system, including the synthesis, release, reuptake, and metabolism of neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and other signaling molecules. It encompasses the study of molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal communication, synaptic transmission, neuroplasticity, and brain function. Understanding neurochemistry is essential for unraveling the molecular … Read more

Human Genetics: Inherited Traits and Genetic Disorders

Human genetics is the branch of biology that focuses on the study of inherited traits, genetic variation, and genetic disorders in humans. It encompasses a wide range of topics, from the basics of inheritance and genetic inheritance patterns to the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic diseases. Human genetics plays a crucial role in understanding the genetic … Read more

Cellular Respiration: Energy Production in Cells

Cellular respiration is a fundamental biological process that occurs in living cells to generate energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This process involves the breakdown of organic molecules, such as glucose, through a series of biochemical reactions that release energy stored in chemical bonds. Cellular respiration is essential for the survival and functioning … Read more

Neurobiology: Exploring the Nervous System

Neurobiology is a fascinating field of study that delves into the intricacies of the nervous system, which serves as the body’s communication and control center. The nervous system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that coordinate sensory perception, motor function, cognition, and behavior. In this exploration of neurobiology, we will delve into … Read more

Study links lipid metabolism dysfunction to Alzheimer’s disease progression

Alzheimer’s disease causes significant problems with memory, thinking and behavior and is the most common form of dementia, affecting more than 50 million people around the world each year. This number is expected to triple by the year 2050. Using their own state-of-the art imaging technologies, scientists at the University of California San Diego have … Read more

Beta bursts: A key to understanding how the brain controls cognition

Bursts of brain rhythms with “beta” frequencies control where and when neurons in the cortex process sensory information and plan responses. Studying these bursts would improve understanding of cognition and clinical disorders, researchers argue in a new review. The brain processes information on many scales. Individual cells electrochemically transmit signals in circuits but at the … Read more

Study explores CBN’s potential for treating neurological disorders

One in every 10 individuals above the age of 65 develops an age-related neurological disorder like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, yet treatment options remain sparse for this population. Scientists have begun exploring whether cannabinoids—compounds derived from the cannabis plant, like well-known THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol)—may offer a solution. A third, lesser-known cannabinoid called CBN (cannabinol) … Read more

How the brain snaps back from daydreams and forms memories

Researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital have shed light on how our brains manage to stay tethered to reality even while daydreaming. Their findings, published in Nature on March 13, 2024, reveal a crucial role played by the dentate gyrus, a region in the hippocampus. When our minds wander, the brain typically engages in replaying past … Read more

Mutated protein in lysosomes linked to dopamine neuron degeneration in Parkinson’s disease

A mutated protein expressed in lysosomes may contribute to Parkinson’s disease, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study published in the Journal of Cell Biology. Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disorder in the U.S., after Alzheimer’s disease. The National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke estimates that as many as one million Americans … Read more

Research team unveils 3D structure of key cellular communication regulator

Cellular communication relies on receptor molecules on the cell surface. The periodic uptake and sorting of these receptors, critical for their degradation or recycling, are governed by an elaborate machinery prominently featuring the Commander complex. Research teams at the Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, led by Dr. Markku Varjosalo and Prof. Juha Huiskonen dissected … Read more

Daily fiber supplement improves brain function in older adults, particularly memory

A daily fiber supplement improved brain function in people over 60 in just 12 weeks. The study, published recently in Nature Communications by researchers from the School of Life Course & Population Sciences showed that this simple and cheap addition to diet can improve performance in memory tests associated with early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. … Read more

Study finds disrupted amyloid production, not plaques, may trigger Alzheimer’s

A University of Kansas study of rare gene mutations that cause hereditary Alzheimer’s disease shows these mutations disrupt the production of a small sticky protein called amyloid. Plaques composed of amyloid are notoriously found in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease and have long been considered responsible for the inexorable loss of neurons and cognitive decline. … Read more

Light and sound at 40 Hz may reduce Alzheimer’s by clearing brain waste

Emerging research, both at prestigious institutions like MIT and elsewhere, underscores the potential of harnessing gamma brain rhythm frequencies to combat Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Studies reveal promising findings indicating that light flickering and sound clicking at the 40 Hz gamma frequency can not only slow down the progression of AD but also alleviate symptoms in … Read more

Lag3 protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease progression, study finds

In a series of groundbreaking experiments involving lab-grown brain cells and mouse models, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have unveiled a fascinating discovery concerning a cell surface protein known as Lag3. Not only does Lag3 serve as a biological target for FDA-approved drugs that bolster the immune system’s ability to combat cancer, but it also … Read more

New drug delivery platform utilizes helical amyloid fibers for targeted release

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have pioneered a novel drug delivery system centered on helical amyloid fibers engineered to release medications upon reaching body temperatures. Their recent study, published in Nature Communications on January 26, delves into the intricate structural intricacies underlying diseases like Alzheimer’s, potentially unlocking a mechanism to … Read more

Epigenetic dysregulation in peripheral immunity linked to Alzheimer’s disease risk

A new Northwestern Medicine study has found the immune system in the blood of Alzheimer’s patients is epigenetically altered. That means the patients’ behavior or environment has caused changes that affect the way their genes work. Many of these altered immune genes are the same ones that increase an individual’s risk for Alzheimer’s. Northwestern scientists … Read more

Protein chaperone targets hotspots to block Alzheimer’s fibril formation

A new study published in Nature Communications gives insights into the underlying mechanisms of the formation of protein clumps in Alzheimer’s disease. The study, led by researchers from Karolinska Institutet, could pave the way for new treatments for this devastating neurodegenerative disorder. Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of people worldwide, causing memory loss, confusion, and cognitive … Read more