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The image shows a rendering of a human brain viewed from a lateral perspective with the cerebellum, highlighted in yellow and orange, is situated at the bottom part of the brain where the cerebrum connects with the brainstem.
Revealing the Mutation Behind a Rare Neurological Disease
After 20 years, scientists studying patients with cerebellar degeneration discovered a mutation that disrupts autophagy.
Revealing the Mutation Behind a Rare Neurological Disease
Revealing the Mutation Behind a Rare Neurological Disease

After 20 years, scientists studying patients with cerebellar degeneration discovered a mutation that disrupts autophagy.

After 20 years, scientists studying patients with cerebellar degeneration discovered a mutation that disrupts autophagy.

neurodegeneration

Illustration of a glowing orange DNA double helix with a blurry blue brain in the background.
A Brain Breakthrough 25 Years in the Making
Aparna Nathan, PhD | May 14, 2024 | 5 min read
New sequencing technologies unmask a mutation that sheds new light on ataxia.
Fluorescence microscopy imaging of astrocytes in culture, stained red
Friends and Foes: Astrocytes as Disease Targets
Deanna MacNeil, PhD | Apr 10, 2024 | 3 min read
A new platform for screening astrocyte reactivity helps researchers uncover potential therapeutic interventions to treat neurodegenerative conditions.
TSS
Immune Cells and ALS: A Balance Between Life and Death
The Scientist | 1 min read
Understanding the role of immune cells in neurodegeneration may help scientists develop new diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment tools.
Green-themed conceptual illustration of a human profile with abstract patterns that represent smelling.
Disease Scent Signatures Disclose What the Nose Knows
Iris Kulbatski, PhD | Jun 12, 2023 | 4 min read
Researchers redefine the lost art of smelling illness using one woman’s exquisitely sensitive nose.
A reprogrammed astrocyte that can regenerate functional neurons.
Reprogramming Astrocytes: Unlocking DLX2’s Potential to Mend the Brain
Nele Haelterman, PhD | Jan 23, 2023 | 3 min read
Scientists discover how to convert the brain’s glial cells into multipotent neural stem cells.
Neuronal network with electrical activity of neuron cells in 3D
How Do Neurons Work?
Jennifer Zieba, PhD | 6 min read
Neurons transmit sensory and mechanical information across synapses and along axons throughout the body via chemical signals and electrical impulses.
Artist’s rendition of a neuron silhouetted against a glowing red background.
SNO-y Protein Levels Help Explain Why More Women Develop Alzheimer’s
Dan Robitzski | Jan 6, 2023 | 4 min read
Female postmortem brains contain more S-nitrosylated C3 proteins, likely linked to menopause, which instruct immune cells to kill neuronal synapses.
Microglia stained black
Opinion: Harnessing Microglia Cells to Stave Off Neurodegeneration
Kristine Zengeler, The Conversation | Dec 8, 2022 | 5 min read
Dialing up the activity of a protein called SYK in the brain’s “janitors” could provide an avenue to treat Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
The fight against time
The Scientist Speaks - The Fight Against Time: Stem Cells and Healthy Aging 
The Scientist | 2 min read
Tricking the body into mimicking a fasting state may hold the key to fighting age-related cognitive decline. 
Illustration of myelinated neuron axons in light blue, with spindly blue and purple cells interspersed among them.
A Gene Variant Linked to Alzheimer’s May Disrupt Myelin Production
Andy Carstens | Nov 22, 2022 | 5 min read
The APOE4 variant causes cholesterol buildup in the cells that make protective fatty sheaths for neurons, possibly helping explain its role in neurodegeneration.
a false color transmission electron microscope image of a neuronal cell body, with lysosomes colored dark green
Scientists Uncover Major Pathway Cells Use to Mend Leaky Lysosomes
Holly Barker, PhD | Oct 6, 2022 | 3 min read
Damaged lysosomes are repaired by a lipid-based signaling pathway dubbed PITT that could be targeted to treat neurodegenerative disease, its discoverers say.
Science Philosophy in a Flash - Paul George 
Science Philosophy in a Flash - Wired to Regenerate
Iris Kulbatski, PhD | 1 min read
Paul George shares how a dual career as a physician and scientist enriches his research.
Photo of Ankara Jain in his lab
Ankur Jain Explores RNA Aggregations in Neurodegenerative Disease
Hannah Thomasy, PhD | Oct 3, 2022 | 3 min read
The MIT biologist studies how RNA molecules self-assemble and the role these accumulations may play in diseases such as ALS and Huntington’s.
Illustration of light blue neurons with white amyloid plaques accumulating on their axons.
New Alzheimer’s Drug Slows Cognitive Decline in Clinical Trial
Dan Robitzski | Sep 28, 2022 | 2 min read
The Biogen-developed treatment, called lecanemab, appears to have a more clear-cut effect on slowing the disease than the company’s previous Alzheimer’s drug, Aduhelm.
Neurons traversing the brain with an area of red neurodegeneration
LabTalk Podcast - The New Era of Neurodegeneration Research
The Scientist | 1 min read
Erdem Gültekin Tamgüney discusses the future of neurodegeneration research and his work exploring the link between stroke and Parkinson’s disease.
artistic representation of jumping gene
Jumping Genes Can Cause Movement Disorder: Study
Sophie Fessl, PhD | Sep 13, 2022 | 3 min read
Mice with overactive LINE-1 retrotransposons in their brains exhibit movement difficulties, suggesting the genetic elements may play a role in ataxia in humans. 
LAKSAMEE CAVE
Clinton Cave Investigates How Brain Cells Communicate
Andy Carstens | Sep 1, 2022 | 3 min read
The Middlebury College neuroscientist explores enzymes that affect brain cell development and neurodegeneration.
A person holding a section of his face and looking in to his brain through a magnifying glass stock illustration
Science Philosophy in a Flash - A Look at Aging Through Young Eyes 
Iris Kulbatski, PhD | 1 min read
Aimée Parker shares how her childlike curiosity and collaborative spirit motivate her scientific pursuits.
An abstract stained-glass portrait of a woman with an image of an eye representing the brain
Through the Looking Glass: Aging, Inflammation, and Gut Rejuvenation
Iris Kulbatski, PhD | Aug 8, 2022 | 4 min read
Renewing the aging gut microbiome holds promise for preventing inflammatory brain and eye degeneration.
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