12 de Octubre University Hospital Research Institute
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Researcher at GenELA - Genetic Diagnosis and ALS Research Laboratory, 12 de Octubre University Hospital, 12 de Octubre Hospital Health Research Institute, Biomedical Research Network Center for Rare Diseases (CIBERER)
Researchers in the United States have used stem cells created from patients with a very rare type of ALS, more prevalent in Brazil, to target a key gene in the stress response and reverse the damage suffered by motor neurons in the laboratory. They believe it is "a promising proof-of-concept for future therapeutic strategies" and "could help lay the foundation for genetically informed clinical trials".
Until now, memories have been explained by the activity of neurons that respond to learning events and control recall. A study published in Nature changes this theory by showing that non-neuronal cells in the brain called astrocytes - star-shaped cells - also store memories and work in concert with clusters of connected neurons called engrams to regulate the storage and retrieval of memories.
Research involving 10,775 adults shows that a higher percentage of daily energy intake from ultra-processed foods was associated with cognitive impairment. The results are published in the journal JAMA Neurology.