#TraumaticBrainInjury

A team led by a Rutgers University neuroscientist has identified a surprising molecular regulator that helps keep the brain’s connections strong: a cytosolic protein called cypin. New experiments in cultured neurons and in adult mice show that cypin promotes a specific form of polyubiquitination (K63-linked ubiquitin chains) on synaptic proteins, alters proteasome composition at synapses, and increases levels of key synaptic scaffolding and glutamate receptor proteins tied to learning and memory. The findings, published in Science Advances, point to cypin as a “master key” that can tune both pre‑ and postsynaptic content and suggest it could be a target for new therapies aimed at neurodegenerative disease and recovery after traumatic brain injury (Science Advances study; Rutgers news release; SciTechDaily summary).

Deep within the microscopic architecture of the human brain, Rutgers University scientists have discovered a remarkable molecular conductor orchestrating the symphony of memory formation—a protein called cypin that acts as the brain’s own master electrician, rewiring neural connections to strengthen learning and protect against cognitive decline. This groundbreaking research, published in the prestigious journal Science Advances, reveals how cypin manipulates the brain’s cellular recycling system to fortify synapses, the critical communication bridges between neurons where memories are born and preserved, offering unprecedented hope for developing treatments against Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, and traumatic brain injuries that devastate millions of Thai families each year.

A recent investigation led by Harvard Medical School has uncovered a compelling link between repeated exposure to shock waves in military settings and hidden abnormalities in soldiers’ brains that could have long-term implications. This groundbreaking research sheds light on the invisible injuries sustained by elite soldiers, potentially redefining assessments and treatment protocols for brain trauma.

For Thailand, where military service is obligatory for many young men, these findings could prompt a re-evaluation of how we monitor and care for soldiers exposed to blast environments. The study involved 212 US special operations forces, both active and retired, who had a history of blast exposure. Researchers identified significant differences in the brain’s functional connectivity among those with high exposure to blasts compared to those with lesser exposure and healthy controls. Functional connectivity refers to how different brain regions communicate, and disruptions in this network were linked with more severe symptoms on neuropsychological tests, revealing problems often associated with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).