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Fluorescence microscopy imaging of astrocytes in culture, stained red.
Friends and Foes: Astrocytes as Disease Targets
A new platform for screening astrocyte reactivity helps researchers uncover potential therapeutic interventions to treat neurodegenerative conditions.
Friends and Foes: Astrocytes as Disease Targets
Friends and Foes: Astrocytes as Disease Targets

A new platform for screening astrocyte reactivity helps researchers uncover potential therapeutic interventions to treat neurodegenerative conditions.

A new platform for screening astrocyte reactivity helps researchers uncover potential therapeutic interventions to treat neurodegenerative conditions.

neurodegenerative diseases

An illustration of a brain in profile with the front breaking apart into multicolored triangles.
Understanding Neurodegenerative Disease with Prion Research
Hannah Thomasy, PhD | Sep 13, 2024 | 9 min read
Molecular neurobiologist Julie Moreno explores the consequences of protein misfolding in the brain.
Mouse silhouette in a brain image
A Story of Mice and FIRE
Niamh McNamara, PhD and Veronique Miron, PhD | Dec 4, 2023 | 9 min read
Studying how microglia control myelin growth and prevent its degeneration helps scientists better understand and address neurodegenerative diseases.
<em >The Scientist</em>&rsquo;s Journal Club: Neuroscience and Cell Biology
The Scientist’s Journal Club: Neuroscience and Cell Biology
The Scientist Staff | 1 min read
Scientists discuss their latest findings on cell secretory states, synapse formation, and neurodegenerative disease.
An infographic showing how the lack of microglia causes myelin overgrowth and eventual degeneration.
Infographic: Microglia Influence Myelin Health
The Scientist Staff | Dec 4, 2023 | 1 min read
In FIRE mice, the lack of microglia causes myelin overgrowth and eventual degeneration, indicating that microglia may contribute to age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Cropped view of senior man playing with puzzles
A Rare Genetic Mutation Protects Against Alzheimer's Disease
Hannah Thomasy, PhD, Drug Discovery News | Sep 17, 2023 | 4 min read
Data from a highly resilient individual guided researchers to new potential therapeutic targets.
Abstract blue brain image
Integrating Technologies into Neurodegenerative Disease Research
Thermo Fisher Scientific | 1 min read
Genetic analysis techniques give researchers the power to better understand, detect, and treat disease.
Chiara Zurzolo and Ranabir Chakraborty stand next to a computer monitor displaying a microscopy image
Microglia Rescue Aggregate-Burdened Neurons
Charlene Lancaster, PhD | Jun 12, 2023 | 4 min read
Researchers discover that neurons trade protein aggregates for microglial-derived mitochondria through tunneling nanotubes. 
a mouse moves away from the camera, its left leg caught in a cloth
Scientists Discover New “Superfast” Muscle Fibers in Mouse Limbs
Katherine Irving | Feb 9, 2023 | 4 min read
Fast twitch fibers like these could one day be used to treat diseases like Parkinson’s.
Discover the potential of AAV vectors for gene therapy delivery
From Concept to Cure: Using AAV in Gene Therapy
The Scientist and Bio-Rad Laboratories | 1 min read
With the right tools and techniques, researchers develop safe and effective adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies.
Artist&rsquo;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.
A collection of images from previous neuroscience articles, including those of an octopus in a chamber, artistic renditions of a brain, brain scans, and an image of neural connections in vitro.
Our Favorite Neuroscience Stories of 2022
Dan Robitzski | Dec 28, 2022 | 4 min read
This year, neuroscience researchers made important discoveries related to how neurodegeneration attacks the human brain, hooked cultured neurons up to machinery to teach them to play a video game, and more.
A Rising Star Launches Brain Power into Outer Space
Science Philosophy in a Flash - A Rising Star Launches Brain Power into Outer Space
Iris Kulbatski, PhD | 1 min read
Alysson Muotri shares how tapping into his inner creative spark fuels his pursuit of science.
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.
Photo of Chantell Evans
Chantell Evans Tracks Mitochondrial Cleanup in Neurons
Holly Barker, PhD | Dec 1, 2022 | 3 min read
The Duke University cell biologist uses live-cell microscopy to reveal how brain cells rid themselves of damaged mitochondria and what goes wrong in neurodegenerative disease.
Explore how scientists determine the atomic structures of protein aggregates
Revolutionizing Neurodegeneration Research with Cryo-EM
The Scientist and Thermo Fisher Scientific | 1 min read
Advancements in cryo-EM technology allow researchers to develop drugs and diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative diseases.
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 micrograph showing the nuclear envelope, the rough endoplasmic reticulum, the nucleus, and the cytoplasm.
New Gene Mutants Identified in Rare Motor Neuron Diseases
Clare Watson | Oct 17, 2022 | 2 min read
The discovery of gene variants in cases of hereditary spastic dysplasia could provide a diagnosis to affected families where no genetic cause could be found before.
Melissa Vos discusses how lipids’ good intentions become harmful in Parkinson’s Disease
The Scientist Speaks - Lipids Predict a Slippery Path Towards Parkinson’s Disease
Nele Haelterman, PhD | 1 min read
Melissa Vos discusses how lipids’ good intentions become harmful in Parkinson’s Disease.
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.
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