How old is your brain, really?

AI-powered analysis accurately reflects risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease based on brain age

11-Jan-2023 - The human brain holds many clues about a person’s long-term health — in fact, research shows that a person’s brain age is a more useful and accurate predictor of health risks and future disease than their birthdate. Now, a new artificial intelligence (AI) model that analyzes magnetic resonance ...

Is the Alzheimer's gene the ring leader or the sidekick?

18-Sep-2017 - The notorious genetic marker of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, ApoE4, may not be a lone wolf. Researchers from USC and the University of Manchester have found that another gene, TOMM40, complicates the picture. Although ApoE4 plays a greater role in some types of aging-related ...

First crystal model of under-diagnosed autoimmune disease

15-Jun-2017 - As a molecular biologist, Kaori Noridomi gets an up-close view of the targets of her investigations. But when she began studying the molecular structures of a rarely diagnosed autoimmune disorder, myasthenia gravis, she decided to step out of the lab for a better view. Noridomi said she thought ...

Unexpected protein structure findings could lead to new therapies

07-Apr-2017 - Scientists have determined unexpected characteristics of a key protein linked to blood pressure control and to nerve growth, pain control and heart tissue regeneration. The findings opens doors to potential new therapies to control cardiovascular disease and pain. The protein, called AT2, is one ...

A gene called Prkci helps organize organisms and their organs

15-Jun-2016 - In the study, USC Stem Cell researcher In Kyoung Mah from the laboratory of Francesca Mariani and colleagues demonstrated Prkci's role in organizing cells into balls and tubes during early embryo and organ formation. In their experiments, the researchers used mouse stem cells to form what are ...

X-ray laser reveals structure of blood pressure regulator

Promising step towards new and better medication

28-Apr-2015 - With a sophisticated X-ray analysis, a US-German team of scientists has solved the molecular structure of an important regulator for blood pressure in the human body. The study gives new insights into the function of this regulator and could aid the development of new medication with less ...

Taking the gamble out of DNA sequencing

Scientists have developed an algorithm to predict how much can be learned in a large-scale DNA sequencing experiment

28-Feb-2013 - Two USC scientists have developed an algorithm that could help make DNA sequencing affordable enough for clinics – and could be useful to researchers of all stripes.Andrew Smith, a computational biologist at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, developed the algorithm along ...

USC scientists generate first detailed map of human neuroreceptor

Research could pave the way for development of better drugs to target neurodegenerative diseases

13-Sep-2011 - For the first time, USC scientists have mapped out a neuroreceptor. This scientific breakthrough promises to revolutionize the engineering of drugs used to treat ailments such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.The team produced the world's first high-resolution images of the α7 (Alpha 7) ...

Catalyst mystery unlocked

20-Aug-2008 - Different keys are not supposed to fit the same lock, but in biological systems multiple versions of a catalyst all make a reaction go, according to a new study that explains the phenomenon. Scheduled for PNAS Early Edition, a study challenges entrenched ideas about the workings of catalysts. ...