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Scientists Map Brain Gene Activity Across 6.3 Million Cells

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 12:12 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. scientists created a detailed map of gene activity in the brain’s prefrontal cortex.
The map analyzed nuclei from over 6.3 million cells from 1,494 donors aged infancy to 108 years.
Researchers identified three transcriptomic stages: youth remodeling, midlife stability, and changes after age 65.
Shared gene-activity patterns in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Lewy body and vascular dementia were reported, especially in microglia.
All data and analytical instructions were made publicly available for researchers worldwide.

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Story summary

U.S. scientists created a detailed map of gene activity in the brain’s prefrontal cortex.
The map analyzed nuclei from over 6.3 million cells from 1,494 donors aged infancy to 108 years.
Researchers identified three transcriptomic stages: youth remodeling, midlife stability, and changes after age 65.
Shared gene-activity patterns in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Lewy body and vascular dementia were reported, especially in microglia.
All data and analytical instructions were made publicly available for researchers worldwide.