VIB-KU Leuven Center For Brain & Disease Research’s Post

Listen to the latest episode of What Makes Up Your Mind to learn more about the promising work in Stanford Psychiatry’s BRIDGE Lab. Dr. Tamar Green, with help from participating families, is scanning the brains of kids with neuro conditions, mapping their genetic pathways to recognize, understand, and eventually intervene in disease-causing mutations. https://lnkd.in/g6AvjxEQ

🧠 Mayo Clinic ‘mini-brain’ study reveals possible key link to autism spectrum disorder In a promising study, scientists from Mayo Clinic and Yale University used brain organoids (tiny brain models grown from human cells) to explore the link between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the type of brain cell imbalance associated with it. ⚖ The researchers found that individuals with ASD displayed an unusual imbalance in excitatory cortical neurons in the forebrain. This imbalance varies depending on the head size of the individual. Gene activity in the organoids are also examined and researchers were able to pinpoint changes in certain genetic regulators that could be contributing to the imbalance. This study marks a significant step to understanding 🔬 more about ASD to improve future diagnostic, preventive strategies, and treatments.

Vigil Neuroscience Neuroscience presents a poster on the impact of misdiagnosis and genetic testing on Adult-onset Leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (ALSP) Key findings: - "Accurate initial diagnosis of ALSP was achieved in only 24.7% of the 291 patients identified and included" - "MS was among the most frequent misdiagnoses, alongside frontotemporal dementia (FTD)" To view press release and poster: https://lnkd.in/gdkh2TH3 #ALSP #leukodystrophy

🧬A new era of genetic and mechanistic molecular neuroscience🧬 Neuroscientists are increasingly viewing disorders of the brain through the lens of the underlying molecular mechanisms as sometimes illuminated by genetic variants, rather than classifying disorders based solely on the clinical symptoms. The next step in the evolution of antiseizure medication will likely come from studying these molecular determinants of the various epilepsy disorders, and using a precision medicine approach to develop new drugs that dampen neuronal hyperexcitability without typical side effects. Click below to read more! 👇

Interesting research and (sorry James) but really they have found just ONE source of anxiety. This term is used to describe outward behaviours reflecting an inner state. However there are a MYRIAD of possible root causes for anxiety, the great majority are not genetics. Far better than any drug development, is going to be the normalisation of a brain assessment, and one which can actually pinpoint root causes, AND then (drug-free) ways to address any of the causes found. #NeuroplasticityTherapies

interesting Read.

A UK-led team of researchers restrained mice for 6 hours to induce a stress response and then analyzed the rodents’ brains on a molecular level.⁠ ⁠ This led to the discovery of increased levels of five microRNAs (miRNAs) — small molecules that help determine which genes in a cell are expressed and which aren’t — in the amygdala, the brain region implicated in anxiety. When the researchers took a closer look at the miRNA that reached the highest levels, miR-483-5p, they saw that it suppressed the expression of the Pgap2 gene — and that this suppression appeared to provide stress relief and reduce anxiety-related behavior.⁠ ⁠ “miRNAs are strategically poised to control complex neuropsychiatric conditions such as anxiety,” said co-lead author Valentina Mosienko. But the molecular and cellular mechanisms they use to regulate stress resilience and susceptibility were until now, largely unknown.”⁠ Learn more: https://lnkd.in/guyQxKhf One love #brain #anxiety

🧬 Unveiling the Blueprint of Brain Development: First Map of DNA Modification in Human Brain Uncovered! A groundbreaking study led by UCLA has unveiled the first comprehensive map of DNA modification in the developing human brain, offering profound insights into the molecular mechanisms that could influence neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. Published in Nature, this research marks a significant leap forward in our understanding of brain development and genetic regulation. 🔑 Key Takeaways: ◾ The study revealed how DNA modifications in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex—key areas for learning, memory, and emotion—are involved in brain development. ◾ Researchers used a novel sequencing technique to map DNA methylation and chromatin conformation at a single-cell level, shedding light on the complex gene regulation during brain maturation. ◾ This map provides a vital reference that could improve the accuracy of stem cell-based brain models, crucial for studying developmental disorders. 🌍 Why This Matters: The ability to pinpoint when and where specific genetic variants affect brain development could transform our approach to diagnosing and treating conditions like autism and schizophrenia, potentially from as early as infancy. By understanding the vulnerabilities in brain development, scientists can better target interventions that may alter the course of these conditions. This study not only advances our grasp of genetic influences on brain function but also enhances the potential for developing early predictive and therapeutic strategies. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eBRRknCw. #BrainDevelopment #Genetics #Neuroscience #UCLA #NatureJournal #MentalHealthAwareness #AutismResearch #SchizophreniaAwareness

How Genes and Epigenetics Shape Brain Folding https://lnkd.in/g4Nz-bg9

Researchers at the Virginia Tech College of Engineering have developed a groundbreaking method called epigenomic tomography, aimed at mapping the brain's biology at a genome scale. Led by Chang Lu, the team's interdisciplinary approach involves profiling brain sections to understand epigenetic changes associated with brain disorders like seizures and addiction. By dividing the brain into sections, profiling them, and analyzing spatial variation patterns, they create a comprehensive map of the brain's epigenome. This method could revolutionize drug development for neurological disorders and has received funding from various institutes. Read more about this work at the following link. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/evQi4Bug #virginiatech #hokies #epigenome