News Neuroscience

Lung cancer plugs into the mouse brain

New research adds to growing evidence that the nervous system plays a role in cancer growth

Colorful tendrils and spherical cell bodies of nerve cells fill a black space.

Neurons in the brain, shown in this artistic rendition, communicate through connections called synapses. In the brains of mice, lung cancer cells insert themselves into these connections, new research shows.

CHRISTOPH BURGSTEDT/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images

By Laura Sanders

Once in the brain, lung cancer cells can plug themselves into the electrical circuitry there and grow, a study of mice shows.