Tag: Neurodegeneration
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Polymer Physics Sheds Light on Tau Fibril Formation in Alzheimer’s
New Cross-Disciplinary Insight into Alzheimer’s Pathology Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University have bridged fields by applying concepts from polymer physics to the study of tau protein fibrillogenesis, a central feature of Alzheimer’s disease pathology. By treating tau proteins as dynamic polymers that can assemble, rearrange, and crystallize under cellular conditions, the team is uncovering the…
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The Brain’s Hidden Drain: A New Look at Waste Clearance
What is the brain’s hidden drain? The brain, long thought to be protected from waste buildup by the blood-brain barrier, has a sophisticated waste clearance network that researchers are only beginning to map in detail. A recently described system points to a network of lymphatic vessels in the membranes surrounding the brain, working in concert…
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Newly Identified Microglia Subtype Offers Protection Against Alzheimer’s Disease
Groundbreaking discovery: a protective microglia subtype In the ongoing effort to understand Alzheimer’s disease, researchers are turning the spotlight onto the brain’s immune sentinels: microglia. A newly identified subtype of these cells appears to play a protective role in the brain, potentially slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The finding, emerging from collaborations led by…
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A New Microglia Subtype May Shield the Brain from Alzheimer’s
Breaking Discovery: A Protective Microglia Subtype Emerges In the ongoing quest to understand Alzheimer’s disease, scientists have long watched the brain’s resident immune cells, microglia, as both guardians and potential aggressors. A recent study by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in collaboration with other institutions, has identified a distinct microglia…
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Alzheimer’s Disease May Hijack Fat Tissue Communication, Worsening Metabolism
Understanding the connection between Alzheimer’s disease and metabolic regulation Alzheimer’s disease is widely recognized for its impact on memory and cognition, but emerging research suggests the condition may extend its reach into how the body manages energy and fats. A growing body of evidence indicates that Alzheimer’s can disrupt the dialogue between the brain and…
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HPO Axis & Brain Aging: Ovarian Disorders & Neurodegeneration
Understanding the HPO Axis in Female Health The hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis is a finely tuned endocrine feedback loop that governs ovulation and reproductive function in female vertebrates. Proper balance relies on the regulated secretion of sex steroids by the ovarian follicle to inhibit pulsatile release of gonadotropins from the pituitary. Disruptions in any component of…
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HPO Axis and Brain Aging: Ovarian Disorders Explained
Introduction: Connecting the HPO Axis to Brain Aging The hypothalamic‑pituitary‑ovarian (HPO) axis sits at the center of female reproductive health, orchestrating ovulation through a delicate balance of hormones. Recent reviews highlight how disruptions in this axis not only drive ovarian disorders such as menopause, primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) but may…
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The HPO Axis, Ovarian Disorders, and Brain Aging: Connecting Reproductive Health to Neurodegeneration
Understanding the HPO Axis and Its Role in Reproductive Health The hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis is a finely tuned endocrine system that governs female reproduction. It starts in the hypothalamus, where gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) prompts the pituitary to secrete luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones, in turn, regulate ovarian follicle development and the…
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Improving Brain Resilience: Rab Proteins and Future Treatments
How Rab Proteins Orchestrate Synaptic Potentiation Memory formation hinges on synaptic potentiation—the strengthening of connections between neurons. This growth is driven by a tightly coordinated delivery system within neurons that supplies the building blocks essential for remodeling synapses. A large family of cellular switches, known as Rab proteins, governs the flow of these supplies, directing…
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Air pollution and Parkinson’s: New study hints at age-specific risks in a large Northern Ireland cohort
Overview: A large, nuanced look at pollution and Parkinson’s disease In a landmark analysis published in npj Parkinson’s Disease, researchers from Queen’s University Belfast explored whether ambient air pollution exposure influences the onset of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The study leveraged a huge population from Northern Ireland, combining environmental data with health records to probe potential…