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Category: neuroscience – Page 27

Investigating the Presence of Neurodegeneration Independent of Relapses in MOGAD Compared to Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

This study investigated neurodegeneration in MOGAD, independent of relapses, by comparing clinical, cognitive, and advanced MRI markers in MOGAD, relapsing-remitting MS, and healthy control.

Progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) is a novel clinical concept in multiple sclerosis (MS) that describes an insidious, persistent disability accrual not related to attacks,1 occurring not only in progressive MS phenotypes but also in the early disease and relapsing-remitting phases (RRMS).1,2 PIRA seems to reflect the presence of chronic smoldering inflammation and subsequent neurodegenerative pathobiological processes in MS.2,3 Cognitive decline independent of relapse activity (cognitive PIRA) can be a sensitive measure of neurodegeneration in MS, even independent of clinical worsening,4,5 and in other neurodegenerative conditions.6,7 Longitudinal structural MRI (sMRI) brain volume loss, measured using MRI scans at different intervals, is a marker of progressive neuroaxonal loss and atrophy and has been used to assess treatment efficacy in MS.8–11 White matter atrophy involves myelin and axonal loss, often caused by Wallerian degeneration. Gray matter atrophy is widespread, affecting areas such as the neocortex, thalamus, hippocampus, and cerebellum, and is mainly due to neuroaxonal loss and neuronal shrinkage rather than demyelination.12–14

Diffusion-weighted imaging (dMRI) is an advanced MRI approach allowing the evaluation of the microstructural brain tissue damage. Neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) is a water-diffusion model, which can interpret changes within one of the three compartments: intra-axonal (neurite density index—NDI), extraneurite (ODI), and free water (isotropic volume fraction—ISOVF).15 The histopathologic validation studies on the NODDI model have shown significant correlations between the ODI and circular variance, a marker of neurite orientation variability, as well as between ODI and myelin staining fraction in MS samples.16 Negative correlations were observed between the NDI and circular variance in healthy controls (HCs) and positive correlations between NDI and markers of myelin, axon, and microglia content.

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Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis: standing at the crossroad of lipid metabolism and immune response

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by macroscopic features such as cortical atrophy, narrowing of the gyri, widening of the sulci, and enlargement of the ventricles. At the cellular level, the pathological characteristics include the extracellular aggregation of β-amyloid (Aβ) forming senile plaques, and the intracellular accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins forming neurofibrillary tangles. AD leads to the progressive decline of cognitive, behavioral, and social abilities, with no effective treatment available currently. The pathophysiology of AD is complex, involving mechanisms such as immune dysregulation and lipid metabolism alterations. Immune cells, such as microglia, can identify and clear pathological aggregates like Aβ early in the disease.

Aphantasia might be linked to alterations in brain connectivity

Thanks to 7T fMRI, researchers from Paris Brain Institute and NeuroSpin, the CEA’s neuroimaging center, are exploring the neural substrate of visual imagery at very high resolution for the first time. Their results, published in Cortex, pave the way for a better understanding of this fascinating cognitive ability, which some of us entirely lack.

Visual imagery—the ability to mentally summon the image of a landscape, a person, or an object that is not directly observable—varies greatly in intensity from one individual to another. Some people can recall a detailed city map and walk through each street as if watching a movie. Thinking of a loved one, others may barely make out their silhouette and hair color.

Interestingly, about 4% of the population seems completely unable to visualize a scene on demand: this is known as aphantasia, a cognitive peculiarity known for over a century but only recently studied by scientists.

New Insights Into How Neural Stem Cells Age

Researchers publishing in Aging Cell have used single-cell transcriptomics to discover new insights into how neural stem cells (NSCs) change with aging.

Adults do generate neurons

The adult brain does generate new neurons [1], particularly in the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory formation [2]. Neurogenesis is limited to very specific niches, however, and does not occur across the entire brain [3]. This is accomplished by NSCs, cells that can differentiate into neural progenitors (NPs), which can themselves differentiate into both neurons and astrocytes and have less ability to proliferate [4]. Astrocytes are helper cells that support neurons’ connections and metabolism [5].

Crows, smarter than you think | John Marzluff | TEDxRainier

As research continues, the term “bird brain” no longer carries a negative connotation. Avian researcher John Marzluff showcases a few amazing, problem solving (and sometimes vindictive) feats accomplished by crows in order to break down common misconceptions about avian intelligence.

John Marzluff, Ph.D., is the James W. Ridgeway Professor of Wildlife Science at the University of Washington. His research has been the focus of articles in the New York Times, National Geographic, Audubon, Boys Life, The Seattle Times, and National Wildlife. PBS’s NATURE featured his raven research in its production, “Ravens,” and his crow research in the film documentary, “A Murder of Crows”. His graduate and initial post-doctoral research focused on the social behavior and ecology of jays and ravens. He was especially interested in communication, social organization, and foraging behavior. His current research brings this behavioral approach to pressing conservation issues including raptor management, management of pest species, and assessment of nest predation.

His book, In the Company of Crows and Ravens (with Tony Angell, 2005 Yale U. Press) blends biology, conservation, and anthropology to suggest that human and crow cultures have co-evolved. This book won the 2006 Washington State Book Award for general nonfiction. With his wife, Colleen, he has published Dog Days, Raven Nights (2011 Yale University Press), which combines reflection with biology and the recreational pursuit of dog sledding to show how a life in science blooms. Gifts of the Crow (2012 Free Press) applies a neurobiological perspective to understand the amazing feats of corvids. He is a member of the board of editors for Acta Ornithologica, Landscape Ecology and Ecological Applications. Currently leader of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Recovery Team for the critically endangered Mariana Crow, he is also a Fellow of the American Ornithologist’s Union.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)