Ketamine and Psychedelic Drugs Change Structure of Neurons Summary: A new study reveals psychedelics increase dendrites, dendritic spines and synapses, while ketamine may promote neuroplasticity. The findings could help develop new treatments for anxiety, depression and other related disorders. Source: UC Davis. A team of scientists at the University of California, Davis is exploring howContinue reading “Ketamine and Psychedelic Drugs Change Structure of Neurons”
Tag Archives: neurons
Learn a new dance, movement , language to grow new brain cells
Every Experience the Brain Perceives is Unique
Star-like cells – astrocytes – may help the brain tune breathing rhythms
Star-like cells , astrocytes, may help the brain tune breathing rhythms NIH study in rats suggests that support cells modulate brain circuit activity. A fresh look at the brain and breathing: NIH study in rats shows that star-shaped brain cells, called astrocytes (red) may play an active role in breathing. Jeffrey C. Smith lab, NIH/NINDS Traditionally,Continue reading “Star-like cells – astrocytes – may help the brain tune breathing rhythms”
Snapshots of Life: The Birth of New Neurons
Snapshots of Life: The Birth of New Neurons Posted on January 25, 2018 by Dr. Francis Collins After a challenging day at work or school, sometimes it may seem like you are down to your last brain cell. But have no fear—in actuality, the brains of humans and other mammals have the potential to produce new neurons throughout life.Continue reading “Snapshots of Life: The Birth of New Neurons”
MS and Sphingomyelin in blood for early detection
As a result of the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS), the myelin sheath of neuronal cells in the brain and spinal cord is degraded, resulting in loss of signal transduction capability. MS patients exhibit upregulation of certain cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluid, particularly tumor necrosis factor alpha. This activates sphingomyelinase, an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin to ceramide; sphingomyelinase activity has been observed in conjunction with cellular apoptosis.
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY CAUSES INTESTINAL DAMAGE
Lending Late Neurons a Helping Hand
Brain Structure Makes Some Resilient to Alzheimer’s
How the Human Brain Detects the ‘Music’ of Speech
Why a Sugar High Leads to a Brain Low
Use It or Lose It
Use It or Lose It Summary: LMU researchers report neural activity in the auditory system has a direct effect on myelination. Higher levels of neural activity resulted in the formation of thicker myelin sheaths and enhanced speed of signal transmission. Source: LMU. An LMU study reveals that sound-evoked activity of neurons in the auditory systemContinue reading “Use It or Lose It”
Creative Minds: Reprogramming the Brain
by Dr. Francis Collins Caption: Neuronal circuits in the mouse retina. Cone photoreceptors (red) enable color vision; bipolar neurons (magenta) relay information further along the circuit; and a subtype of bipolar neuron (green) helps process signals sensed by other photoreceptors in dim light. Credit: Brian Liu and Melanie Samuel, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston. When most people thinkContinue reading “Creative Minds: Reprogramming the Brain”
Fitness , exercise and the brain
Aerobic exercise promotes adult neurogenesis by increasing the production of neurotrophic factors (compounds that promote growth or survival of neurons), such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).[46][47][48] Exercise-induced neurogenesis in the hippocampus is associated with measurable improvements in spatial memory.[49][50][51][52] Consistent aerobic exercise over aContinue reading “Fitness , exercise and the brain”