Connect with us

Published

on

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have identified distinct cell types within the amygdala that may hold the potential to revolutionise treatment for anxiety, depression, and other emotional disorders. This discovery could pave the way for more focused therapies targeting the specific cells responsible for anxiety-related conditions, a major step forward in understanding and managing these complex disorders. The findings were detailed in the American Journal of Psychiatry on October 30, highlighting the amygdala’s role as a critical structure in emotion regulation and its potential as a focal point for therapeutic advances.

Exploring the Role of the Amygdala in Emotional Disorders

The report was published on Psychiatry Online. As per the research, Drew Fox, Associate Professor in UC Davis’ Department of Psychology, explained the amygdala’s fundamental role in processing emotions like fear and anxiety, pointing out that these conditions impact millions globally. Despite the longstanding interest in whether amygdala size or structure links to emotional disorders, Fox noted that previous studies show limited correlation between overall amygdala size and anxiety or depression. Instead, the focus is shifting toward the amygdala’s cellular composition, where certain clusters may serve distinct emotional functions and could be directly involved in the onset of anxiety and related disorders.

Advanced Techniques Reveal Cellular Insights

The UC Davis team, led by graduate student Shawn Kamboj in collaboration with Professor Cynthia Schumann from the UC Davis School of Medicine, used single-cell RNA sequencing to isolate specific cell clusters in both human and non-human primates. This advanced approach allowed researchers to sort cells based on their gene expression patterns, identifying cells that likely contribute to emotional dysregulation. By isolating genes actively expressed within each cell, the team mapped a comprehensive cellular profile that could help in translating findings from animal models to human applications.

FOXP2 and Potential Drug Targets for Anxiety

Among their discoveries, researchers highlighted cells expressing the FOXP2 gene, which they believe plays a ‘gatekeeper’ role within the amygdala. Located at the amygdala’s edges, these FOXP2-positive cells are thought to regulate signals associated with anxiety. In rodent models, this group of cells appears to act as a checkpoint, controlling the flow of information related to fear responses. The team also identified Neuropeptide FF Receptor 2 (NPFFR2) in these cells, offering a promising target for future drug therapies.

Implications for Anxiety Treatments

This research could give advance treatment options by showing how specific cell types contribute to anxiety, potentially allowing for therapies aimed at ‘chokepoints’ in emotional processing. According to Fox, the aim is to develop interventions that specifically address the cells influencing anxiety,making way for highly targeted and effective treatments.

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.


Apple MacBook Pro With New Design, M6 Chip, Improved Display to Launch in 2026: Report



Dragon Age: The Veilguard Won’t Get Any Expansions, Focus Now on Next Mass Effect, Says BioWare

Related Stories

Continue Reading

Science

Researchers Unveil New Theory on the Formation of Jupiter-Mass Binary Objects

Published

on

By

Researchers Unveil New Theory on the Formation of Jupiter-Mass Binary Objects

A team of researchers has proposed a compelling theory about the enigmatic Jupiter-mass binary objects (JuMBOs), shedding light on their mysterious origins. The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal in November, delves into the process of “photo erosion” to explain the formation of these strange celestial bodies.

According to statements made to Space.com by Richard Parker, an astrophysicist at the University of Sheffield and undergraduate researcher Jessica Diamond, JuMBOs may have formed as stellar cores but were stripped of their mass by the intense radiation of massive stars. This insight could unravel the mystery of how these objects, first observed in 2023, came into existence.

Discovery of JuMBOs in the Orion Nebula

In 2023, astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope identified 42 pairs of JuMBOs in the Orion Nebula Cluster. Unlike typical stars or planets, these objects were free-floating and existed in binary pairs, sparking debates about their formation. The absence of a parent star and their persistence as binaries contradicted traditional models of planetary and stellar development, creating a scientific puzzle.

The Role of Photo Erosion

Reports suggest that Parker and Diamond’s theory hinges on photo erosion, a process where radiation from massive O-type and B-type stars strips the outer layers of nearby stellar cores. This phenomenon compresses the remaining material, leading to the formation of JuMBOs with masses comparable to a few Jupiters. Parker emphasised to Space.com that these objects could have been typical stars had it not been for the radiation’s impact, shaping them into something more akin to brown dwarfs.

Future Observations and Validation

As per the research, regions with intense radiation should host smaller JuMBOs, providing a means to test this hypothesis. Observing similar star-forming regions could offer further evidence or challenge this idea. Parker noted that JuMBOs may have a short lifespan in crowded clusters, suggesting that their observation presents a fleeting opportunity for astronomers to study them.

This study adds a new dimension to understanding celestial objects, offering a fresh perspective on star and planet formation processes in the universe.

Continue Reading

Science

Astronauts celebrate Christmas in space with festive fun and meaningful messages

Published

on

By

Astronauts celebrate Christmas in space with festive fun and meaningful messages

Astronauts stationed on the International Space Station (ISS) marked Christmas with a special message for those on Earth, highlighting the festive spirit and the bond among their crew. Expedition 72 commander Sunita Williams, along with her fellow NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore, Don Pettit and Nick Hague, shared a video recorded on December 23 to spread holiday cheer. The crew, stationed 260 miles above the Earth, embraced the holiday traditions in their unique environment, showcasing the importance of togetherness even when far from home.

Festivities Take a Spacebound Twist

The astronauts created a festive atmosphere on the ISS with floating candy canes and a whimsical snowman fashioned from storage bags. Williams, donning reindeer antlers, expressed joy in celebrating with her crewmates, stating that their unity as a team made the holiday meaningful. The multinational crew, including Russian cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner, and Aleksandr Gorbunov, joined in the festivities, making it an occasion that transcended borders.

Acknowledging the Team on Earth

Nick Hague took a moment to highlight the contributions of mission control teams who support the ISS around the clock. Reflecting on their shared commitment, he noted that many on Earth also sacrifice time with family to ensure the station’s operations continue smoothly. Hague’s words underlined the collaborative efforts that keep space exploration thriving, even during the holiday season.

Personal Touches to a Unique Celebration

A specially prepared meal was part of the crew’s celebration, introduced by Don Pettit, who offered a glimpse of the feast sent by Earth-based teams as per reports. Decorations aboard the station included a small artificial Christmas tree adorned with family photos, a heartfelt reminder of loved ones. Barry Wilmore, an ordained minister, reflected on the religious significance of Christmas, reminding viewers of the deeper meaning of the holiday.

The message closed with the entire crew wishing Earth a heartfelt “Merry Christmas,” sending a wave of festive joy from their extraordinary vantage point in orbit.

Continue Reading

Science

50,000-year-old baby mammoth remains found nearly intact in Siberia

Published

on

By

50,000-year-old baby mammoth remains found nearly intact in Siberia

The well-preserved remains of a baby mammoth, estimated to be 50,000 years old, were recently revealed by researchers in Russia. Found in the thawing permafrost of the Yakutia region, the specimen has been named “Yana,” referencing the river near which it was uncovered during the summer. According to North-Eastern Federal University, where the remains are displayed, Yana is among the most intact mammoth carcasses ever discovered. Reports confirm that this marks one of only seven complete mammoth remains unearthed globally.

Discovery at Batagaika Crater

Yana’s remains were located in the Batagaika crater, an expansive depression in the Verkhoyansky district that continues to expand due to climate change. The mammoth, weighing over 240 pounds and measuring approximately four feet in length, is believed to have died at around one-year-old. Maxim Cherpasov, Head of the Lazarev Mammoth Museum Laboratory in Yakutsk, stated to Reuters that the survival of the head and trunk in such pristine condition is highly unusual. Typically, these parts are consumed by modern predators or scavengers soon after exposure, but Yana’s head remained largely intact.

A Historic Find in Siberian Permafrost

In recent years, Siberia’s permafrost has yielded numerous prehistoric animal remains due to rising temperatures. The Batagaika research station, near where Yana was found, has also provided remains of a horse, a bison, and a lemming. Anatoly Nikolayev, Rector of North-Eastern Federal University, shared in official reports that the preservation of Yana is extraordinary.

This discovery adds to the growing list of remarkable finds in Yakutia, including the remains of a 32,000-year-old sabre-toothed cat cub and a 44,000-year-old wolf carcass uncovered earlier this year. Researchers are continuing tests to gather more insights into Yana’s life and environment, as per Reuters.

Continue Reading

Trending