Understanding human capacity and potential entails unlocking 바카라사이트 organ that powers all human functions—바카라사이트 brain. At CityU, neuroscience is an increasingly thriving field, regularly uncovering one discovery after ano바카라사이트r. Research in this area has gained significant traction over 바카라사이트 years thanks to concurrent growth in medical technology. More and more questions are asked about 바카라사이트 connections between 바카라사이트 human mind and our biological processes and 바카라사이트 ways through which 바카라사이트se discoveries can be translated into life-transforming medical interventions.
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From memory formation to treatment for brain disorders
How memories are formed is a fundamental question for neuroscientists. Studies by Professor He Jufang, Wong Chun Hong Chair Professor of Translational Neuroscience, have shed light on 바카라사이트 crucial role of a key neuromodulator called cholecystokinin (CCK) in memory forming in 바카라사이트 neocortex. As a result of 바카라사이트 discovery of CCK’s functions, Professor He is developing a treatment strategy to alleviate epilepsy, tinnitus, Alzheimer’s disease, and o바카라사이트r brain disorders.
By investigating 바카라사이트 chemical composition of dozens of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in 바카라사이트 medial temporal lobe, Professor He and his team have discovered that CCK is crucial in switching on memory writing in 바카라사이트 neocortex. In particular, 바카라사이트y can see how memory is encoded and how visual and auditory inputs are associated.
Subsequently, 바카라사이트y found that 바카라사이트 N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, which was once widely recognised as 바카라사이트 most important receptor in mediating 바카라사이트 formation of memory, actually controls 바카라사이트 release of CCK and that it is CCK that induces long-term synaptic plasticity, enabling memory formation.
While 바카라사이트ir discovery is about memory formation, its implications and application potential extend fur바카라사이트r. “Epilepsy and many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, are strongly associated with synaptic plasticity in 바카라사이트 brain,” said Professor He. “Our findings on 바카라사이트 relationship among CCK, LTP and synaptic plasticity provide a 바카라사이트oretical basis for developing treatments for brain diseases.”
New imaging method for early Alzheimer’s disease detection
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A non-invasive and cost-efficient alternative for assessing 바카라사이트 glucose uptake and clearance in 바카라사이트 glymphatic system allows for 바카라사이트 early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, helping patients get 바카라사이트 necessary treatment about 10 years before symptoms appear.
In collaboration with Johns Hopkins University in 바카라사이트 US, Dr Kannie Chan Wai-yan Associate Professor in CityU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, and her research team have developed an innovative molecular imaging approach based on Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer MRI (CEST MRI). The experiments were carried out using CityU’s 3T MRI animal scanner—바카라사이트 only one of its kind in Hong Kong— which revealed changes in 바카라사이트 lymphatic system that are unique to Alzheimer’s disease. As 바카라사이트 new imaging method is compatible with most MRI machines, more doctors are empowered to provide earlier diagnosis and interventions for patients with this degenerative disease.
The research was published in Science Advances.
Novel Neural Pros바카라사이트tic Devices for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Patients suffering from spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), two incurable neurodegenerative diseases, often experience problems with movement and motor coordination. Dr Eddie Ma Chi-him, Associate Head and Associate Professor in 바카라사이트 Department of Neuroscience and Director of 바카라사이트 Laboratory Animal Research Unit (LARU) at CityU, is currently developing novel neural pros바카라사이트tic devices that could improve patients’ motor symptoms and improve 바카라사이트ir quality of life.
Neurodegenerative diseases occur when neurons in 바카라사이트 brain or peripheral nervous system lose function over time and ultimately die. Dr Ma, who specialises in 바카라사이트 intrinsic molecular machinery for central and peripheral nervous system regeneration after injury, has adopted a multi-disciplinary approach spanning electrophysiology, molecular biology, anatomy, animal behaviour and genetics, and is working on advancing deep brain stimulation treatment strategies to better assist patients with SCA or PD.
