Psychology & Psychiatry

Star cells in the brain render memory flexible

As we live in a dynamically changing environment, it is important for our brain to not only learn new things but also to modify existing memories. This is commonly referred to as "cognitive flexibility." Without this ability, ...

Neuroscience

Brain cell's ability to use fat determines weight gain in mice

Like the body itself, cells within the body of living animals require fuel for energy, but it's not always known how different fuel sources affect the function of those cells. Astrocytes, a type of brain cell, for instance, ...

Neuroscience

Call-and-response circuit tells neurons when to grow synapses

Brain cells called astrocytes play a key role in helping neurons develop and function properly, but there's still a lot scientists don't understand about how astrocytes perform these important jobs. Now, a team of scientists ...

Medical research

Toxic fatty acids to blame for brain cell death after injury

Cells that normally nourish healthy brain cells called neurons release toxic fatty acids after neurons are damaged, a new study in rodents shows. This phenomenon is likely the driving factor behind most, if not all, diseases ...

Neuroscience

Stem cells model genetic risk for developing Alzheimer's disease

New research published in Stem Cell Reports has found elevated cholesterol supply from astrocytes to neurons in the model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains, suggesting that modulating brain cholesterol could be explored ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

Uncovering the genetic mechanism behind Rett syndrome

Medical researchers led by Kyushu University have revealed a possible underlying genetic pathway behind the neurological dysfunction of Rett syndrome. The team found that deficiencies in key genes involved in the pathology ...

Medical research

The key role of astrocytes in cognitive development

Astrocytes have long been considered as mere support cells for neurons. In recent years, the study of astrocytes has grown, gradually revealing their importance in brain function. Researchers from Inserm, CNRS and Collège ...

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