Brain News and Research

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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.

Less-invasive procedures for critical limb ischemia as good as more invasive open surgeries

Less-invasive procedures to open severely-clogged leg arteries were as good at helping people survive and avoid amputation as more invasive open surgeries, according to a study reported in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, an American Heart Association journal.

31 Jul 2019

New MRI can record changes in biological makeup of brain tissue

MRI's give us a picture of our body's insides—organs, bones, nerves and soft tissue. But what if MRI's could show us the molecular makeup of our body parts, and help doctors more quickly determine the onset of disease and begin treatment?

31 Jul 2019

Study discovers paradoxical proinflammatory effect of endocannabinoids in the brain

A new study led by the Neuropharmacology Laboratory -NeuroPhar at UPF shows that increasing endocannabinoids in the brain may cause inflammation in specific brain areas such as the cerebellum, which is associated with problems of fine motor coordination.

30 Jul 2019

Neurological charities pump £3 million into digital brain bank to boost MS and Parkinson’s research

Two leading neurological charities have announced £3 million of funding for Europe’s largest brain and tissue bank, based in London.

30 Jul 2019

Deep brain stimulation impairs memory recall

Deep brain stimulation of the cingulate cortex worsens memory recall, according to research in epilepsy patients published in JNeurosci. The technique could be a way to target specific brain areas in the treatment of memory disorders.

From Society for Neuroscience 30 Jul 2019

Neural activity is blunted in rats with family history of alcohol abuse

Neural activity that reflects the intention to drink alcohol is observed in the prefrontal cortex and is blunted in rats with a family history of excessive drinking, according to research from eNeuro. This insight could lead to novel treatments for alcohol use disorders.

From Society for Neuroscience 30 Jul 2019

Speech discrimination begins in the womb

New parents are always thrilled when their offspring finally speaks its first words - usually at the age of 12 to 18 months.

30 Jul 2019

Estrogen exposure during fetal life increases autism risk

In a new study, scientists confirmed that babies who are exposed to higher levels of estrogen while they are in the womb are more likely to be autistic. The study titled, 'Foetal oestrogens and autism', is published in the journal, Molecular Psychiatry.

30 Jul 2019

"Smart" deep brain stimulators for Parkinson’s

A new study from the scientists at the University of Houston reveals specific neuromarkers for Parkinson’s disease. Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease could now be targeted towards cells carrying these markers in the brain and thus become more accurate and specific explain the researchers.

30 Jul 2019

Mechanical forces regulate cellular behavior during embryonic development of the brain

A new study coordinated by the Research Group in Developmental Biology at UPF shows that during the embryonic development of the brain, the cells that are between adjacent segments detect the mechanical forces generated during morphogenesis to regulate the balance between progenitor stem cells and differentiated neurons.

29 Jul 2019

International report identifies the main actions necessary to reduce epilepsy treatment gap

Worldwide, more than 50 million people are living with epilepsy. Treatment can cost as little as US$5 a year and eliminates seizures in about two-thirds of people.

29 Jul 2019

Clinical cell therapy expert shares the benefits of donating cord blood

July is National Cord Blood Awareness Month, and many parents are not aware of the option they have to donate it and the benefits that public donation can bring.

29 Jul 2019

Clinical trial assesses efficacy and safety of thrombectomy in patients with larger strokes

Building on research results published today in JAMA Neurology showing patients with larger ischemic strokes could benefit from endovascular thrombectomy, an international, multicenter Phase III clinical trial will be starting at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

29 Jul 2019

Study reveals the neural basis of babies' preference for yawning

Contagious yawning is observed in many mammals, but there is no such report in human babies. Whether babies recognize yawning is an unanswered question.

29 Jul 2019

UC Berkeley awarded $47 million grant to study how healthy lifestyle changes the aging brain

The University of California, Berkeley announced today that it has received a five-year grant expected to total $47 million from the U.S. National Institute on Aging (NIA) to incorporate advanced brain imaging into the Alzheimer's Association's groundbreaking clinical trial, the U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER), to determine whether lifestyle changes can protect memory in people at risk of developing dementia.

29 Jul 2019

Montmorency tart cherry juice may help improve cognitive performance in older adults

Montmorency tart cherry juice has long been coveted by gout sufferers, athletes for exercise recovery, and those seeking a good night's sleep. Now there's evidence that this polyphenol-rich beverage may help improve cognitive performance in older adults.

29 Jul 2019

Discovery could open door to new therapies for Parkinson's, other brain diseases

A small protein previously associated with cell dysfunction and death in fact serves a critical function in repairing breaks in DNA, according to new research led by scientists at Oregon Health & Science University.

29 Jul 2019

Creator of brain exam that Trump aced demands new training for testers

Last year, Dr. Ronny Jackson, then the White House physician, gave Donald Trump a standard test to detect early signs of dementia — and said the president had scored a perfect 30.

29 Jul 2019

Scientists identify link between high levels of estrogen in the womb and autism

Scientist have identified a link between exposure to high levels of estrogen sex hormones in the womb and the likelihood of developing autism. The findings are published today in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.

29 Jul 2019

New CRISPR tool enhances RNA editing

CRISPR-based tools helped revolutionize the ability to target genetic mutations linked to disease development. Such tools focus on using the enzymes Cas9 and Cas12 to target DNA, and Cas13 to target RNA. Now, scientists used a new CRISPR platform that expands the capabilities of RNA editing.

29 Jul 2019

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Less-invasive procedures for critical limb ischemia as good as more invasive open surgeries

New MRI can record changes in biological makeup of brain tissue

Study discovers paradoxical proinflammatory effect of endocannabinoids in the brain

Neurological charities pump £3 million into digital brain bank to boost MS and Parkinson’s research

Deep brain stimulation impairs memory recall

Neural activity is blunted in rats with family history of alcohol abuse

Speech discrimination begins in the womb

Estrogen exposure during fetal life increases autism risk

"Smart" deep brain stimulators for Parkinson’s

Mechanical forces regulate cellular behavior during embryonic development of the brain

International report identifies the main actions necessary to reduce epilepsy treatment gap

Clinical cell therapy expert shares the benefits of donating cord blood

Clinical trial assesses efficacy and safety of thrombectomy in patients with larger strokes

Study reveals the neural basis of babies' preference for yawning

UC Berkeley awarded $47 million grant to study how healthy lifestyle changes the aging brain

Montmorency tart cherry juice may help improve cognitive performance in older adults

Discovery could open door to new therapies for Parkinson's, other brain diseases

Creator of brain exam that Trump aced demands new training for testers

Scientists identify link between high levels of estrogen in the womb and autism

New CRISPR tool enhances RNA editing

Industry Focus eBook - Neurology/Neuroscience - 2nd edition eBook

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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