Sleep Mechanisms

No longer is sleep considered as a passive condition or as an absent of wakefulness. Brain cell activity is not inhibited, but reorganized in sleep. Cells of the cerebral cortex in sleep are united in synchronized activity (chorus), while in wake state some cells are inhibited, and some are active.

It has been shown that sleep is essential for adaptation to stress and to learning. Consolidation of short-term memory in long term takes place in sleep.more...

Glucose control mechanisms

In fasting conditions, pancreas alpha-cells produce glucagon, a hormone that causes liver to release glucose from glycogen. It is a defense mechanism against hypoglycemia (a low level of glucose). Hypoglycemia stimulates brain stem and hypothalamus.[6]. This stimulation increases food intake [2] and inhibit insulin secretion. [1].more...

How does neural cell work?

A neuron reminds a tree with thousands of branches. Numerous dendrites receive messages from thousand of neurons. Neural cell interprets them somehow and send a response in form of action potential through the only one axon, which forms synapses on the next neural cell, muscle cell, or gland cell, etc. more...

What is metabolic syndrome?

The World Heath Organization (WHO) definition of the metabolic syndrome requires the presence of type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, or insulin resistance, and at least two of the following: hypertension, obesity, raised triglycerides or low HDL cholesterol and microalbuminuria.[1] more...

INFORMNAUKA: RUSSIAN SCIENCE NEWS AGENCY

A SWITCHING MOLECULE

How can switches or other molecular logical units be produced for the "nanochip" of the future? For example, special chemical compounds – derivatives of 2-styrylquinoline – can be used to this end, as is suggested by researchers from Chernogolovka (Moscow Region). The research has been sponsored by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project 07-03-00891). Full Text

DUCKWEED AND FROZEN BLOOD

Safe and low-cost cryopreservatives that enable to protect blood cells are being sought by researchers from Syktyvkar. The effort has been sponsored by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research.Full Text

PLACENTA IS A SOURCE OF STEM CELLS

Placenta can replace umbilical blood as a source of hemopoietic stem cells. Full Text

Migraine Headaches: What is happening in your head?

Jeff Unger, MD

Migraine headaches are intermittent, disabling headaches that often run in the family. Although brain scans show no abnormalities, we now know that certain changes in the nervous system are associated with the migraine process. A person with migraines is called a "migraineur (my-grain-OOR). About 18 millions Americans are migraineurs, and approximately 90% of them have at least one parent with a history of headaches. more...

Appetite Control

A human body energy balance depends on the amount of consumed food and energy expenditure. Amount of food we consume depends on one's appetite and activity of the rewarding system. Brain rewarding system is responsible for pleasure. The rewarding system is activated during eating. That is why, even if we are not hungry, we still eat for pleasure.

The hypothalamus is a main brain structure responsible for appetite control and energy expenditure. There are many neuronal circuits, which stimulate appetite and reduce energy expenditure and many neuronal circuits, which suppress appetite and increase energy expenditure. more...