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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
The APOE4 variant causes cholesterol buildup in the cells that make protective fatty sheaths for neurons, possibly helping explain its role in neurodegeneration.
A Gene Variant Linked to Alzheimer’s May Disrupt Myelin Production
A Gene Variant Linked to Alzheimer’s May Disrupt Myelin Production

The APOE4 variant causes cholesterol buildup in the cells that make protective fatty sheaths for neurons, possibly helping explain its role in neurodegeneration.

The APOE4 variant causes cholesterol buildup in the cells that make protective fatty sheaths for neurons, possibly helping explain its role in neurodegeneration.

brain disease

ethics, bioethics, brain organoid, chimera, cell transplant, Q&A, report, NIH, NAS, neuroscience, Techniques, disease & medicine, immunology, psychiatric conditions
New Report Dissects Ethics of Emerging Human Brain Cell Models
Amanda Heidt | Apr 12, 2021 | 5 min read
The National Academies’ report touches on ethical issues raised by new technologies such as brain organoids and human-animal chimeras, and suggests that current regulatory oversight is sufficient.
neurological disorder, brain disease, Q&A, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, neurodegeneration, blood-brain barrier, sex
Sex of Human Cells Matters in Studying Neurological Disease
Amanda Heidt | Mar 18, 2021 | 5 min read
Authors of a new review urge researchers to consider how the chromosomal sex of a cell affects experiments in research on neurodegeneration.
A Noninvasive Way to Control Individual Brain Regions
Catherine Offord | Jul 13, 2018 | 2 min read
Researchers use a combination of ultrasound waves, genetic engineering, and synthetic drugs to switch specific neurons on and off in mice.
Image of the Day: Cooking Up Neurons
The Scientist Staff and The Scientist Staff | May 11, 2018 | 1 min read
Using different combinations of transcription factors, researchers create a diverse array of neurons from mouse skin cells.
Penetrating the Brain
Megan Scudellari | Nov 1, 2013 | 8 min read
Researchers use molecular keys, chisels, and crowbars to open the last great biochemical barricade in the body—the blood-brain barrier.
The Science of Head Trauma
Ed Yong | Mar 13, 2013 | 4 min read
Research nears a biomarker for the contact-sport-associated disease that affects athletes long after they’ve retired.
From Urine to Neurons
Dan Cossins | Dec 11, 2012 | 2 min read
Scientists have developed new method for generating brain cells from urine, speeding up the process and eliminating some of the problems with previous techniques.
Brain Expression
Edyta Zielinska | Aug 1, 2012 | 2 min read
Researchers map the expression patterns of 1,000 genes in the human brain.
Gene Therapy for Brain Disease
Jef Akst | May 16, 2012 | 2 min read
Delivering a missing enzyme to the brains of paralyzed children with a rare, life-threatening neurological disease restores movement and builds muscle mass.
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