The Best in Science News and Amazing Breakthroughs
that turn into fully fledged neurons become more dormant – almost as if they're going into retirement after a long lifetime of service. As that happens,, the protective caps on the ends of DNA. Telomeres fray a little more each time a cell divides, and over time, thisThis latest study, led by a team from the National University of Singapore , took a closer look at the mechanisms involved to see if they could find a way to restore weary NSCs.
"Inadequate neural stem cell regeneration inhibits the formation of new cells needed to support learning and memory functions." "While studies have found that defective neural stem cell regeneration can be partially restored, its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood." Through a combination of human NSC analysis in the lab and mouse model experiments, the researchers singled out a protein called cyclin D-binding myb-like transcription factor 1 .DMTF1 isn't new, but its role in influencing NSCs is. The team found that it's more abundant in younger and, and that adding more DMTF1 encouraged NSCs to grow and divide – potentially restoring the natural neuron production associated with a younger brain. While shorter telomeres seemed to contribute to a reduction in DMTF1 levels, when the amount of DMTF1 was artificially boosted in cells, telomere length remained unchanged – so the transcription factor seemed to find a workaround. , which promote cell growth by switching on other genes that restore the biological cycle through which neurons are created. Understanding this process at such a fundamental level means we might eventually be able to control it – perhaps through treatments that It's a significant discovery of a crucial process, but we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves: This study is based on lab experiments and mouse models, and any suggestion thatNow that this mechanism has been identified, however, future studies can build on this research. It's possible that manipulating DMTF1 could potentially reverse some of the aging that normally grips the brain, but that remains to be seen. Next steps could include a more comprehensive analysis of how DMTF1 might be used to restore NSC activity and whether that could possibly lead to improvements in learning and memory. This would need to be carefully done, firstly in animal studies; DMTF1 is linked to cell growth, so too much duplication could lead to We can add this latest study to a growing body of research looking at how the brain ages, and how some of that aging might be slowed, stopped, orAn older brain is one that's more susceptible to cognition problems, disease, and dementia. While this research didn't look at those issues specifically, it may go some way in helping us understand normal brain aging.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
47 Horrific Things People Discovered About Their Friend'He'd rarely come out with us when we went out to restaurants or to get drinks after work. I guess that's because he was busy hiding cameras in our rooms.'
Read more »
Secret Medieval Tunnel Discovered Within Ancient Burial Site in GermanyArchaeologists in Germany have unearthed a secret medieval tunnel within a much older burial site dating back to the 4th millennium B.C. The tunnel, or erdstall, was built into the loess and its purpose remains unclear, adding to the mystery of the site, which also contained late medieval pottery, animal remains and evidence of a fire.
Read more »
Newly Discovered Fossil Among The Earliest Land Creatures to Enjoy a SaladThe Best in Science News and Amazing Breakthroughs
Read more »
Scientists may have discovered a pulsar at the Milky Way’s heart—a result that could reveal new physicsIf a pulsar that may lie at the center of our galaxy is confirmed, it could enable more precise measurements of the spacetime around the Milky Way’s central supermassive black hole
Read more »
Scientists find first physical evidence that Romans used human poop as medicineArchaeologists in Turkey say they have uncovered evidence that the Romans used human feces in medical treatments, according to new research.
Read more »
Scientists infiltrated volunteers' dreams to boost their creative thinkingRJ Mackenzie is an award-nominated science and health journalist. He has degrees in neuroscience from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Cambridge. He became a writer after deciding that the best way of contributing to science would be from behind a keyboard rather than a lab bench.
Read more »