Topic
Genetically modified or aged mice used to study disease mechanisms, brain function, and behavior, and to test therapies before human trials.
UC San Diego researchers report that catestatin, an endogenous piece of chromogranin A, lowered amyloid, tau and neuroinflammation in mice while improving memory and motor scores. Which of those effects drives the others is still open.
Reality
A University of Fukui team deleted the protein NSF from dopamine D2 receptor neurons in mice. The animals lost cells, dopamine and striatal volume, and the first-line stimulant did nothing for their hyperactivity until a direct receptor agonist went with it.
Reality
A University of Fukui group deleted the membrane fusion protein NSF only in dopamine D2 receptor cells. The mice lost those cells during development, ended up with a smaller striatum, and behaved like an ADHD model.
Reality
Researchers report in Nature that mouse skull bone marrow holds germinal-centre-like lymphoid structures that respond to CNS antigens and help drive anti-tumour immunity.
Perspective Coverage
3 publishersReality
WashU and Princeton report that early-life stress raises SETD7 in mouse dopamine neurons, leaving stress genes easier to switch on. Blocking the mark it deposits prevented the adult phenotype.
Reality
Northwestern and Salk researchers report a BLA to mPFC projection that grows more excitable in isolated male mice and less excitable in females, with drinking following each direction.
Reality
A Dongguk University team reports in Cell that a promoter borrowed from the Lgr4 gene drives expression in mice under a 2.0 millitesla, 60 hertz field, and returns to baseline in 24 hours.
Reality
A lipid nanoparticle that carries antigen mRNA, STING mRNA and a delayed-release activator addresses the reason cGAS-STING adjuvants keep failing: the agonist shuts down antigen translation.
Reality
Systemic TIMP2 injections moved aged mouse microglia out of pro-inflammatory states and restored debris clearance. The press material omits dose, journal, and any cognitive readout.
Reality