Hungarian researchers developed a pioneering brain research method

Hungarian researchers have developed a new method to analyze gene activity in human neurons post-autopsy. This technique, led by Erik Hrabovszky at the Experimental Medicine Research Institute, allows for the identification of specific neurons based on proteins, followed by laser extraction and RNA analysis. The RNA reveals which genes are active in a cell, providing insights into receptors that influence appetite, energy use, metabolism, and hormonal regulation. This advancement is significant as it offers human cellular data, which is more valuable than animal studies due to differences in nervous systems. The study highlights variations in receptor presence between humans and mice, aiding in the translation of animal research to human treatments. The findings were published in Nature Communications.