Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involves difficulties with social interaction and communication, but evidence on whether and how supplements might support treatment remains limited. Researchers in Taiwan tested whether a mixture of dietary nutrients could improve brain function and behavior in mouse models of autism. The team studied male mice that carried a mutation in one of three autism-associated genes (Tbr1, Nf1, or Cttnbp2) along with littermates without the corresponding mutation. Some mice received a nutrient blend from the juvenile stage until they reached adulthood and completed the ... autism supplements
Read moreRegulatory T-cells, or Tregs, are white blood cells that modulate the body's immune response. A growing body of evidence points to the role of immune activation in mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression. A new study in mice shows that Foxp3, a transcription factor, influences Treg expression and activity, ultimately influencing mood. Researchers depleted the Foxp3-expressing cells in mice and assessed the animals' behavior. They found that Foxp3 depletion caused temporary anxiety and depression-like behaviors due to the activation of inflammasomes, multi-protein complexes that drive th... depression immune system anxiety
Read moreParkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that causes cognitive and motor impairments. The motor complications of Parkinson's disease occur due to the damage and death of cells in a brain region called the substantia nigra, leading to insufficient dopamine production. A new report shows how an antioxidant compound found in sesame seeds, called sesaminol, can protect cells from oxidative damage and prevent the development of Parkinson's disease. Oxidative stress is a main driver of cell damage and aging and is the result of normal cellular metabolism. The body produces a number of anti... parkinson's
Read moreSpinal cord injuries typically cause irreversible loss of sensation and function below the site of injury. Approximately 17,000 people living in the United States will experience traumatic spinal cord injury (https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/Public/Facts%202016.pdf) in any given year. Findings from a new study in mice suggest that a designer cytokine can restore spinal cord function. Cytokines are a broad category of naturally occurring small proteins that are important in cell signaling. They are released by cells and influence the behavior of other cells. Designer cytokines are genetically engine... genetic engineering tissue repair neuron il-6
Read moreSulforaphane, which is high in broccoli sprouts, clears away brain amyloid plaques and tau tangles and ameliorated memory defects in mice engineered to get Alzheimer's disease. The sulforaphane also increased heat shock proteins in the brain. Heat shock proteins play a role in disaggregating protein aggregates. The precursor to sulforaphane is found in cruciferous vegetables but is highest in broccoli sprouts which can contain up to 100 times more than mature broccoli. To learn more about the role sulforaphane plays in human health, check out my comprehensive video and the podcast I did with s... alzheimer's sulforaphane protein nrf2
Read moreAnother study showed that injecting clumps of the protein alpha-synuclein into mice’s stomachs and intestines. Days later the mice had aggregates of alpha-synuclein in their intestines that had spread via the vagus nerve to the brain. Months later their brains had many alpha-synuclein aggregates in their brains that negatively affected their motor function. Additionally, gut bacteria have been shown to be significantly different between healthy people and individuals with Parkinson's disease. ... parkinson's gut protein
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