Neuroscience

Scientists capture first image of major brain receptor in action

Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers have captured the first three-dimensional snapshots of the AMPA-subtype glutamate receptor in action. The receptor, which regulates most electrical signaling in the brain, ...

Alzheimer's disease & dementia

New drug reverses loss of brain connections in Alzheimer's disease

The first experimental drug to boost brain synapses lost in Alzheimer's disease has been developed by researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute. The drug, called NitroMemantine, combines two FDA-approved medicines ...

Neuroscience

How synaptic vesicles accumulate glutamate

In the brain, neurons communicate via neurotransmitters, which trigger electrical signals in downstream neurons by binding and activating specific receptors. Neurotransmitters are released through the fusion of synaptic vesicles, ...

Neuroscience

Astrocyte cells critical for learning skilled movements

From steering a car to swinging a tennis racket, we learn to execute all kinds of skilled movements during our lives. You might think this learning is only implemented by neurons, but a new study by researchers at The Picower ...

Neuroscience

Silent synapses are abundant in the adult brain

MIT neuroscientists have discovered that the adult brain contains millions of "silent synapses"—immature connections between neurons that remain inactive until they're recruited to help form new memories.

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