Neurobiology
Flatworm rebuilds its brain using a genetic postcode
A flatworm that loses part of its head can rebuild its brain from scratch. In doing so, not only must new types of nerve cell arise, but they must...
Human brain organoid grows inside a mouse brain riddled with holes
Researchers have created a mouse brain riddled with holes and allowed it to fill with human brain cells. The goal: brain organoids for research into congenital brain disorders.
Alzheimer protein spreads via vesicles containing Arc protein
Harmful aggregates of tau protein, which play a key role in Alzheimer's disease, appear to spread through the brain via vesicles in which they...
Sleep functions partially induced in awake mice
A partially sleeping brain whilst the mouse remains awake: American neuroscientists have managed to achieve exactly that. By inducing a sleep-like rhythm in parts...
Seeing and imagining activate the same neurons
When people imagine something, they use not only the same brain regions as when they actually see the imagined object – they use the same neurons.
Microglia drive depression in chronic pain, neuroscientists find
Neurobiologists reveal the mechanism that determines whether chronic pain is accompanied by depression or not.
Facial expressions are more than mere reflexes
The brain does not regulate facial expressions purely as reflexes, but can also plan and adjust them consciously.
Facial expressions are not merely an unconscious...
Jellyfish and sea anemones lend support to the sleep hypothesis
The sleep behaviour of jellyfish and sea anemones appears strikingly similar to that of humans. These 'primitive' organisms need around 8 hours of sleep...
The zebrafish is a wonderful animal model
Professor of molecular endocrinology Marcel Schaaf conducts fundamental research into stress hormones and their receptors, whilst also exploring applications in medication.
The brain develops in four distinct stages
Brain networks change course at around 9, 32, 66 and 83 years of age, according to MRI scans of 3,802 people.