A team of South Korean scientists has developed a new labelling technology that can observe neuronal structure in detail and help decode degenerative brain disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, as well as stroke — known to cause malfunction and progressive degeneration of the nerve cells.
The next-generation technology, named ‘NeuM’ (Neuronal Membrane-selective), enables successful monitoring of neuronal changes for up to 72 hours, said the team from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST).
NeuM works by “selectively labelling neuronal membranes, visualising neuronal structures, and allowing real-time monitoring of neuronal changes”.
The researchers explained that visualising neuronal changes is important both during the disease and in normal conditions.