Researchers at NYU College of Dentistry have uncovered what may be biologically driving oral health issues unique to Down syndrome.

 

Their study, published in Cell Reports, describes a molecular mechanism—a defect in calcium signaling—behind low saliva production, along with other factors that may contribute to gum disease.

Many details behind Huntington’s disease, a devastating brain disorder, have not been clearly understood. Researchers have now identified neurons involved in the disease’s progression. They used a light-based technique to activate these neurons and improve the debilitating deficits of the condition.

Researchers have revealed the structures underlying a family of debilitating genetic disorders. They discovered how genetic mutations disrupt communication links between nerves and muscles. The findings open pathways for developing customized medicines tailored to each patient’s genetic mutations.

In a study published in Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Florida State University researchers showed how a high-magnitude magnetic field can improve the accuracy of measurements that show the chemical composition of amyloid beta fragments, small pieces of proteins that have been shown to play a critical role in Alzheimer’s disease. They were able to analyze amyloid proteins even when they were structurally complex and mixed with lipids, creating conditions that more closely resemble the human brain than traditional laboratory samples.