Ausreichend Schlaf ist mehr als eine Erholungspause. Während wir schlafen, arbeitet unser Gehirn auf Hochtouren: Erinnerungen werden dauerhaft gespeichert, unwichtige Informationen aussortiert. Gleichzeitig zeigen immer mehr wissenschaftliche Studien, dass chronischer Schlafmangel nicht nur Konzentration und Gedächtnis beeinträchtigt, sondern langfristig auch das Risiko für neurodegenerative Erkrankungen wie Alzheimer erhöhen kann. Anlässlich des World Brain Day am 22. Juli 2026 rufen die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurologie (DGN) und die Deutsche Hirnstiftung unter dem Motto „Gute Nacht. Starkes Gehirn.“ dazu auf, Schlaf als einen wichtigen Risikofaktor der Gehirngesundheit ernst zu nehmen. Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

DZNE researchers have uncovered a mechanism that determines why a neuron usually forms a single, long extension called “axon” – a phenomenon that is fundamental to how our brain functions. Contrary to the common view that external cues drive axon formation, the team of scientists comes to the conclusion that its growth originates primarily inside the cell. Their work, based on cell cultures and published in the journal “Nature” with collaborators from other institutions in Germany, Austria, and Japan, reveals how a neuron’s structure is remodeled to generate the axon. Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

• Early life adversity, such as childhood trauma, abuse, or neglect, is one of the most powerful risk factors for developing psychiatric disorders later in life • Male mice exposed to early life adversity developed deficits in social behavior, manifesting as social subordination • Pharmacologically inhibiting the stress-modulating protein FKBP51 fully prevented these long-term social impairments – stressed mice receiving this treatment were indistinguishable from non-stressed controls • This establishes FKBP51 as a critical pharmacological target for reversing the lasting impact of early trauma on brain function Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Renate Schweizer and her team receive the Replication Prize from the Organization for Human Brain Mapping Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

“NEMO” research project: Anonymization method for EEG signals developed Recording brain activity via electroencephalograms (EEGs) provides important insights for science and medicine. However, the individual data patterns also allow conclusions about specific individuals (“brainprints”). The “NEMO” project, coordinated by Fraunhofer IDMT, has researched technologies to enhance data protection while simultaneously improving the availability of EEG data for scientific research. The researchers’ approach aims to significantly reduce the risk of re-identification in recorded EEG data, while preserving relevant information for data analysis. Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

A new study from the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam–Rehbruecke (DIfE) and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin shows for the first time that targeted control of human breathing rhythm can influence decision behavior by modulating heart and brain function. The research team led by Prof. Soyoung Q Park was able to demonstrate that prolonged exhalation increases heartrate variability and brain’s reward sensitivity, thus enabling us to make bolder decisions. The study was published in the journal Neuron. Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Scientists at the Institute of Anatomy at Leipzig University, working together with international research institutions, have identified a previously unknown group of immune cells in the brain tissue of people with Alzheimer’s disease. This discovery was made possible by a newly developed microscopy technique that has, for the first time, been specifically optimised for the human brain. The findings have been published in the prestigious journal Nature Neuroscience. Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft Hier jetzt das aktuell Außergewöhnliche auswählen …

A newly developed microscopy technique allows for the first tim, visualising more than 30 protein markers simultaneously in the human brain and to use bioinformatics to analyse their spatial relationships. In the process, the researchers have discovered a previously unknown population of immune cells in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, which is found almost exclusively in the vicinity of a specific type of pathological protein deposit. The newly developed method could, in future, bring about lasting changes not only in Alzheimer’s research but also in the investigation of tumours and other diseases. The research findings have just been published in…

In a condition known as “IgLON5 encephalitis”, the immune system mistakenly attacks cells in the brain. This leads to brain inflammation and neuronal damage, which can manifest as sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment, and movement disorders. Researchers at DZNE and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin have now identified fundamental mechanisms underlying this rare but severe neurodegenerative disease. Their findings, based on applying antibodies from affected individuals in neuronal cell cultures and mice, have been published in the journal “Science Advances”. Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft Hier jetzt das aktuell Außergewöhnliche auswählen …

In a world first, a research team at the University of Zurich has successfully treated mice carrying an inherited form of epilepsy. The scientists used gene editing to fix faulty DNA directly in the brain cells of mice, which reduced fever-induced seizures and markedly improved survival rates in an animal model. This approach paves the way for future treatment of inherited epilepsy rather than just managing its symptoms. Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft Hier jetzt das aktuell Außergewöhnliche auswählen …

At present, organ donation after so-called irreversible loss of brain function is the only legally permissible form of donation. The introduction of organ donation after cardiovascular arrest could shorten waiting times and increase the number of transplants. This is shown by simulations based on European data. Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft Hier jetzt das aktuell Außergewöhnliche auswählen …

If humans or animals eat something that causes them to feel unwell, they subsequently avoid this food source. Until now, it has been unclear precisely how this avoidance learning takes place. A new study shows that communication between the brain cells and fat cells could play a crucial role here. The participants from the Universities of Bonn and Tohoku (Japan) and University Hospital Bonn have revealed the previously unknown mechanism in the fruit fly Drosophila. It may also exist in a similar form in mammals and even in humans. The results have now been published in the journal Neuron. Quelle:…

Why did you write The Secret Language of Cells? While studying signaling among brain cells, I became aware that all our cells—immune cells, gut cells, microbes, plant cells, etc. —are also constantly sending back and forth messages to each other in the same ways that neurons do. These conversations among cells outside of the brain […] Quelle: John Lieff, M.D

The Secret Language of Cells describes revolutionary findings about the interaction of the immune system and the brain and provides a new understanding of the relationship between mind and body. The immune system has a huge impact on the brain and mental health. Similarly, the brain strongly influences immune activity throughout the body. These interactions […] Quelle: John Lieff, M.D

The Secret Language of Cells takes us on an exciting journey into a world where we can visualize elaborate conversations among immune cells, brain cells, gut cells, bacteria, and even viruses. Dr. Lieff gives a wealth of examples for his thesis that this cellular signaling is the basis of life. It is a must read for anyone […] Quelle: John Lieff, M.D

Muhammad A Shah, Emily L Denton, Cheryl H Arrowsmith, Mathieu Lupien and Matthieu Schapira Abstract Background The notion that epigenetic mechanisms may be central to cancer initiation and progression is supported by recent next-generation sequencing efforts revealing that genes involved in chromatin-mediated signaling are recurrently mutated in cancer patients. Results Here, we analyze mutational and transcriptional profiles from TCGA and the ICGC across a collection 441 chromatin factors and histones. Chromatin factors essential for rapid replication are frequently overexpressed, and those that maintain genome stability frequently mutated. We identify novel mutation hotspots such as K36M in histone H3.1, and uncover…

Daniel Smeets, Yolanda Markaki, Volker J Schmid, Felix Kraus, Anna Tattermusch, Andrea Cerase, Michael Sterr, Susanne Fiedler, Justin Demmerle, Jens Popken, Heinrich Leonhardt, Neil Brockdorff, Thomas Cremer1, Lothar Schermelleh and Marion Cremer Abstract Background A Xist RNA decorated Barr body is the structural hallmark of the compacted inactive X territory in female mammals. Using super-resolution three-dimensional structured illumination microscopy (3D-SIM) and quantitative image analysis, we compared its ultrastructure with active chromosome territories (CTs) in human and mouse somatic cells, and explored the spatio-temporal process of Barr body formation at onset of inactivation in early differentiating mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs)….

Susanne Rittinghausen, Anja Hackbarth, Otto Creutzenberg, Heinrich Ernst, Uwe Heinrich, Albrecht Leonhardt and Dirk Schaudien Abstract Background Biological effects of tailor-made multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) without functionalization were investigated in vivo in a two-year carcinogenicity study. In the past, intraperitoneal carcinogenicity studies in rats using biopersistent granular dusts had always been negative, whereas a number of such studies with different asbestos fibers had shown tumor induction. The aim of this study was to identify possible carcinogenic effects of MWCNTs. We compared induced tumors with asbestos-induced mesotheliomas and evaluated their relevance for humans by immunohistochemical methods. Methods A total of 500…

Sehstörungen zählen mit zu den häufigsten Folgen eines Schlaganfalls. In seltenen Fällen tritt dabei der Verlust des räumlichen Sehens ein. Die Patienten nehmen die Welt um sich herum nur noch flach wie ein Bild wahr. Sie können keine Entfernungen mehr abschätzen, etwa wenn sie nach einer Tasse greifen oder sich ihnen auf der Straße ein Auto nähert. Diese Störung haben Forscher aus Saarbrücken um Professor Georg Kerkhoff und Anna-Katharina Schaadt mit Kollegen der Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin bei einem Patienten genauer untersucht. Sie haben nun erstmals ein wirksames Behandlungskonzept entwickelt und nachgewiesen, welches Hirnareal für diese Sehstörung verantwortlich ist. Die…