Margarida Maia, PhD, science writer —

Margarida is a biochemist (University of Porto, Portugal) with a PhD in biomedical sciences (VIB and KULeuven, Belgium). Her main interest is science communication. She is also passionate about design and the dialogue between art and science.

Articles by Margarida Maia

Astrocytes seen helping maintain circadian rhythms: Mouse study

Neuron-supporting cells called astrocytes produce regular pulses of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical that suppresses excessive brain activity, that appear to help maintain the body’s circadian rhythms and consistent sleep-wake cycles. That’s according to a study in mice. The findings, if confirmed in humans, may “help us to better understand…

PNA5 targets Parkinson’s cognitive symptoms, may slow decline

Mice modeling Parkinson’s disease performed better on tests of memory and spatial recognition when given daily under-the-skin injections of PNA5, an experimental ProNeurogen therapy targeting cognitive symptoms — suggesting the treatment’s potential to slow cognitive decline in patients. In this preclinical study, researchers from the University of Arizona…