The new model, developed by Li Wang, PhD, associate professor of radiology in the UNC School of Medicine, can produce more accurate and reliable analysis of brain structures, which is critical for early detection, medical diagnosis, and neurological research.

The lab of Graham Diering, PhD, assistant professor of cell biology and physiology at the UNC School of Medicine, shows how sleep loss during early life impacts key aspects of brain development and how it can increase one’s risk for developing autism spectrum disorder.

The lab of Jason Stein, PhD, associate professor of genetics and member of the UNC Neuroscience Center, has created a controlled model system that could help researchers identify the context-dependent functions of genetic variants that increase one’s risk for developing a psychiatric disorder, such as schizophrenia.

In May 2022, Yael Shiloh-Malawsky, MD, a neurologist at the UNC School of Medicine, met two new patients combatting a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder called Batten disease. With help from UNC, the twin girls were able to get personalized treatment from bench to bedside in record time.

UNC School of Medicine researchers Mohanish Deshmukh, PhD, professor of cell biology and physiology, and Praveen Sethupathy, PhD, a former professor of genetics and current chair of Biomedical Sciences at Cornell University, show that a molecule called miR-29 is instrumental in driving the aging process.

Jose Rodriguez-Romaguera, PhD, assistant professor at the UNC Neuroscience Center, co-authored a perspective piece in Neuron about the critical role of mentor-mentee relationships, especially for those who come from racially underrepresented groups like himself.

A research team led by Priya Palta, PhD, MHS, an associate professor of neurology at the UNC School of Medicine, has found that certain Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegenerative blood biomarkers in midlife and late life had strong associations with late-life dementia.

Vibhor Krishna, MD, a neurosurgeon at the UNC School of Medicine, was one of 15 researchers involved in a multicenter clinical trial showing that bilateral focused ultrasound is safe for patients seeking treatment for essential tremor, including Sally Richey and Frank George, whose stories are below. UNC Hospitals also uses this technology to treat patients with Parkinson’s Disease.

Led by Greg Scherrer, PharmD, PhD, and Chong Chen, MD, PhD, at the UNC School of Medicine, research published in Nature reveals a new pain control pathway from the cortex to the cerebellum crucial to placebo analgesia – when the expectation of pain relief leads to pain alleviation without a therapeutic intervention, such as with a drug.

A research team led by Kathleen M. Caron, PhD, the Frederick L. Eldridge Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology at the UNC School of Medicine, has connected the dots between a small protein, the brain’s lymphatic system, and migraine pain.

Researchers in the lab of Ben Philpot, PhD, the Kenan Distinguished Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology at the UNC School of Medicine and associate director of the UNC Neuroscience Center, have identified a small molecule that could lead to a safe and effective treatment for the neurodevelopmental condition known as Angelman syndrome.

The UNC School of Medicine lab of Zoe McElligott, PhD, and colleagues found that the animal tranquilizer xylazine activates opioid receptors in the brain, suggesting a reason why the treatment naloxone triggers a more severe withdrawal response when given to individuals on fentanyl/xylazine and suffering from respiratory depression.

Tag: Neuroscience

Scientists Create Model to Make MRI More Accurate, Reliable

Let Sleeping Babies Lie: Scientists Highlight Negative Impacts of Sleep Disruption on Early Brain Development

Researchers Create New System to Decode Genetic Risk for Psychiatric Disorders

UNC Fast-Tracks Personalized Treatment for Twins with Ultra Rare Genetic Disorder

Small RNA Molecule Discovered to Have Role in Driving Aging

Racial Inclusivity in Neuroscience: Rodriguez-Romaguera Shares Lessons Learned in Mentor-Mentee Relationships

Researchers Link Midlife Blood Biomarkers to Late-life Dementia Risk

Bilateral Focused Ultrasound Shown to be Safe, Effective for Patients with Lingering or Severe Essential Tremor

Scientists Discover Brain Circuits for Placebo Effect Pain Relief

Study Suggests Lack of Lymphatic System Drainage in Brain Can Cause Migraine Pain

Researchers Identify Potential Treatment for Angelman Syndrome

Scientists Discover Surprising Details about Xylazine in Combination with Fentanyl