Neuroscience Research Domain annual retreat

The Neuroscience Research Domain annual retreat took place from 27-29th November 2015 in Barcelos (with the support of Barcelos Municipality). More than 100 neuroscience researchers gathered together to foster discussion about different topics including: The role of blood brain barriers, of immune molecules and of secreted factors in brain health and disease Brain plasticity in cognition, reward, motivation and depressionHow to measure and delay cognitive ageing? Pathophysiology o ...

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New discovery in the treatment of Machado-Joseph disease

Researchers from ICVS identify cytalopram as a promising drug in the treatment of Machado-Joseph disease. The study was published in the renowned Brain journal. Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is an inherited and currently incurable neurodegenerative disease caused by a mutation in the ATXN3 gene. When modified, this gene produces an abnormal protein (ataxin-3) that forms aggregates in neurons leading to their malfunction. This results in problems in movement coordination, balance, in speech and ...

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Do stars govern our actions? Astrocyte involvement in rodent behavior

Researchers from ICVS published a review about astrocytic function in Trends in Neurosciences. Do stars govern our actions? Astrocyte involvement in rodent behavior "Astrocytes have emerged as important partners of neurons in information processing. Important progress has been made in the past two decades to understand the role of astrocytes in the generation of neuron-astrocyte network outputs resulting in behavior. Accumulating evidence from available animal models has provided a we ...

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S100B as a Potential Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Multiple Sclerosis

Researchers from ICVS discover S100B as a Potential Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Multiple Sclerosis. Mol Neurobiol Barateiro et al, in press DOI 10.1007/s12035-015-9336-6 This study shows that S100b, a protein secreted by activated astrocytes whose levels are increased in the CSF and active lesions of MS patients, contributes to oligodendrocyte damage and demyelination. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12035-015-9336-6

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ICVS researcher awarded by the International Association for the Study of Pain

The International Association for the study ofPain (IASP) is the leading association dedicated to the promotion of basic andclinical pain research. Through the years it has been supporting researchers,projects and a number of educational and dissemination initiatives. Amongst the winners of the 2015 Early Career Research Grants recently announced by the IASP isHugo Leite-Almeida from the Associate Laboratory ICVS/3B’s, University ofMinho. The awarded project - "Impulsive decision- ...

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