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The human brain is the center of the human nervous system and is a highly complex organ. Enclosed in the cranium, it has the same general structure as the brains of other mammals, but is over three times as large as the brain of a typical mammal with an equivalent body size.

Nicotine in peppers and tomatoes may provide protective effect against Parkinson's disease

New research reveals that Solanaceae-a flowering plant family with some species producing foods that are edible sources of nicotine-may provide a protective effect against Parkinson's disease. The study appearing today in Annals of Neurology, a journal of the American Neurological Association and Child Neurology Society, suggests that eating foods that contain even a small amount of nicotine, such as peppers and tomatoes, may reduce risk of developing Parkinson's.

9 May 2013

Neuroscientists find significant differences in brain anatomy of dyslexic people

Using MRI, neuroscientists at Georgetown University Medical Center found significant differences in brain anatomy when comparing men and women with dyslexia to their non-dyslexic control groups, suggesting that the disorder may have a different brain-based manifestation based on sex.

9 May 2013

Study: Hypersensitivity to motion may provide clues to fundamental cause of autism

Children with autism see simple movement twice as quickly as other children their age, and this hypersensitivity to motion may provide clues to a fundamental cause of the developmental disorder, according to a new study.

9 May 2013

Nearly 1/10 stroke patients suffer from chronic and debilitating pain

Nearly 1 in 10 stroke patients suffer chronic and debilitating pain, typically described as sharp, stabbing or burning. It's called central poststroke pain syndrome (CPSP). It was first described more than 100 years ago, and it is treatable with medications and magnetic or electrical stimulation of the brain.

9 May 2013

Drug resistant brain tumors: an interview with Prof. Mischel, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Prof. Bensinger, University of California

In cancer, mutations in proteins that control cell growth are common, leading to unrestrained cellular proliferation and tumor formation.

9 May 2013

Ochsner Medical Center performs Gulf South Region's first implant of SynCardia Total Artificial Heart

When Alfred Williams was admitted to Ochsner Medical Center in December, the 41-year-old father of five had exhausted all treatment options for his enlarged heart. His condition, known as dilated cardiomyopathy, had progressed to end-stage heart failure affecting both sides of his heart. Unable to walk, he had been confined to a bed for months. Hospice care seemed like the only option Mr. Williams had left… until doctors approached him about becoming Ochsner's first patient to receive the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart.

9 May 2013

Synageva BioPharma reports study results of sebelipase alfa in adults with late onset LAL Deficiency

Synageva BioPharma Corp., a biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutic products for rare diseases, today reported 12-month results from an ongoing extension study with sebelipase alfa in adults with late onset Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency.

9 May 2013

UC Berkeley vision scientists pinpoint how the brain tracks fast-moving objects

How does San Francisco Giants slugger Pablo Sandoval swat a 95 mph fastball, or tennis icon Venus Williams see the oncoming ball, let alone return her sister Serena's 120 mph serves? For the first time, vision scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have pinpointed how the brain tracks fast-moving objects.

9 May 2013

UA researchers discover genetic mutations that cause severe epilepsies in children

Researchers at the University of Arizona have successfully determined the genetic mutations causing severe epilepsies in seven out of 10 children for whom the cause of the disorder could not be determined clinically or by conventional genetic testing.

9 May 2013

Researchers identify genetic mutations that appear to underlie rare syndrome

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and Duke University have identified genetic mutations that appear to underlie a rare but devastating syndrome combining reproductive failure with cerebellar ataxia - a lack of muscle coordination - and dementia.

9 May 2013

Review for clinicians on optimal utilization of aspirin to treat, prevent heart attacks published

Charles H. Hennekens, M.D., Dr.P.H., the first Sir Richard Doll professor and senior academic advisor to the dean in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University published a review for clinicians on the optimal utilization of aspirin to treat and prevent heart attacks.

9 May 2013

Missing link between over-stimulation and destruction of brain tissue identified

In many neurodegenerative diseases the neurons of the brain are over-stimulated and this leads to their destruction. After many failed attempts and much scepticism this process was finally shown last year to be a possible basis for treatment in some patients with stroke. But very few targets for drugs to block this process are known.

9 May 2013

TRACK-HD study: A set of tests could help identify progression of Huntington's disease

Scientists have identified a set of tests that could help identify whether and how Huntington's disease is progressing in groups of people who are not yet showing symptoms.

9 May 2013

Patients with ASPS appear to benefit from anti-cancer drug, cediranib

Patients with advanced alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS), a rare cancer, achieved some control of their disease using an experimental anti-cancer drug called cediranib.

8 May 2013

Scientists reexamine gene strongly linked to Alzheimer's disease

Scientists' picture of how a gene strongly linked to Alzheimer's disease harms the brain may have to be revised, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found. People with harmful forms of the APOE gene have up to 12 times the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared with those who have other variations of the gene.

8 May 2013

Fall-induced traumatic brain injury is major cause of disability and death among older adults, says research

"Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of hospitalization, disability, and death-worldwide, and among older adults, falling is the most common cause of TBI," writes Niina Korhonen, B.M., of the Injury and Osteoporosis Research Center, Tampere, Finland, and colleagues in a Research Letter.

8 May 2013

Antidepressants can increase risk of C. difficile infection in depressed patients

Adults with depression and who receive certain types of anti-depressants have an increased risk of developing Clostridium difficile, a costly and serious hospital-associated infection, according to a new University of Michigan Health System study.

8 May 2013

Scientists identify TR4 protein that drives the formation of pituitary tumors in Cushing's disease

Scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have identified a protein that drives the formation of pituitary tumors in Cushing's disease, a development that may give clinicians a therapeutic target to treat this potentially life-threatening disorder.

8 May 2013

Memory problems in older adults may stem from inability to process everyday events

Some memory problems common to older adults may stem from an inability to segment daily life into discrete experiences, according to a new study published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

8 May 2013

Heart Rhythm Society launches Citywide Awareness Campaign in Denver about cardiac arrhythmia

Colorado Governor John W. Hickenlooper has proclaimed May to be Cardiac Arrhythmia Awareness Month (#RhythmAwareness), calling attention to the need for greater public awareness throughout the State about two serious heart rhythm disorders, atrial fibrillation (also known as AF or AFib) and sudden cardiac arrest (also known as SCA).

8 May 2013

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Nicotine in peppers and tomatoes may provide protective effect against Parkinson's disease

Neuroscientists find significant differences in brain anatomy of dyslexic people

Study: Hypersensitivity to motion may provide clues to fundamental cause of autism

Nearly 1/10 stroke patients suffer from chronic and debilitating pain

Drug resistant brain tumors: an interview with Prof. Mischel, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Prof. Bensinger, University of California

Ochsner Medical Center performs Gulf South Region's first implant of SynCardia Total Artificial Heart

Synageva BioPharma reports study results of sebelipase alfa in adults with late onset LAL Deficiency

UC Berkeley vision scientists pinpoint how the brain tracks fast-moving objects

UA researchers discover genetic mutations that cause severe epilepsies in children

Researchers identify genetic mutations that appear to underlie rare syndrome

Review for clinicians on optimal utilization of aspirin to treat, prevent heart attacks published

Missing link between over-stimulation and destruction of brain tissue identified

TRACK-HD study: A set of tests could help identify progression of Huntington's disease

Patients with ASPS appear to benefit from anti-cancer drug, cediranib

Scientists reexamine gene strongly linked to Alzheimer's disease

Fall-induced traumatic brain injury is major cause of disability and death among older adults, says research

Antidepressants can increase risk of C. difficile infection in depressed patients

Scientists identify TR4 protein that drives the formation of pituitary tumors in Cushing's disease

Memory problems in older adults may stem from inability to process everyday events

Heart Rhythm Society launches Citywide Awareness Campaign in Denver about cardiac arrhythmia

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