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.

Cannabis, Alcohol and the Epigenome

With the legalization of cannabis in many US states, we explore the epigenetic effects of cannabis, cannabis-derived products, and alcohol.

29 Apr 2019

Intensive blood pressure treatment benefits people with type 2 diabetes regardless of cardiovascular risk

People with type 2 diabetes who received intensive treatment to keep their blood pressure levels at 130/80 mm/Hg or below had fewer heart attacks, strokes and other diabetes complications, according to a study published in the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension.

29 Apr 2019

Measuring biomarkers in blood may help pinpoint newborns with HIE

Measuring a number of biomarkers over time that are produced as the body responds to inflammation and injury may help to pinpoint newborns who are more vulnerable to suffering lasting brain injury due to disrupted oxygen delivery and blood flow, according to research presented during the Pediatric Academic Societies 2019 Annual Meeting.

27 Apr 2019

Lower heart rate variability linked to autonomic manifestations of stress in newborns with HIE

In newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, lower heart rate variability correlates with autonomic manifestations of stress shortly after birth, underscoring the value of this biomarker, according to Children's research presented during the Pediatric Academic Societies 2019 Annual Meeting.

27 Apr 2019

No safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, suggests study

An international group of researchers has taken one of the first major steps in finding the biological changes in the brain that drive fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

27 Apr 2019

Gene repair improves seizure and memory in adult mouse models of autism

A new study challenges the presumption that people born with developmental brain disorders such as severe autism will benefit from medical interventions only if treated during a narrow window in infancy or early childhood.

27 Apr 2019

Study finds significant delays in reporting human cases of West Nile virus

Mount Sinai researchers found significant delays in reporting human cases of West Nile virus, hampering real-time forecasting of the potentially deadly mosquito-borne disease, according to a study in the JAMA Network Open in April.

26 Apr 2019

UA College partners with Space Tango to develop an easy way to test astronauts' health in space

Researchers at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix are partnering with Space Tango, a private aerospace company that designs, builds and operates facilities on the International Space Station, to develop an easy way to test astronauts' health in space.

26 Apr 2019

Researchers succeed in humanization of mouse antibodies targeting human herpesvirus 6B

A research group led by Professor Yasuko Mori (Division of Clinical Virology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University) have succeeded in humanization of mouse antibodies that can neutralize the infection caused by human herpesvirus 6B.

26 Apr 2019

New campaign launched to raise awareness of organ donation law change in England

NHS Blood and Transplant today, Thursday 25 April 2019, launches the year-long national campaign, ‘Pass it on’, to increase awareness and understanding of the new organ donation law – Max and Keira’s Law – which comes into place next year, across England.

26 Apr 2019

Scientists develop maps of two melatonin receptors vital for sleep, other biological processes

An international team of researchers used an X-ray laser at the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory to create the first detailed maps of two melatonin receptors that tell our bodies when to go to sleep or wake up and guide other biological processes.

26 Apr 2019

Study looks at the impact on criminal persistence of head injuries

Researchers have sought to identify the factors that promote or contribute to criminal persistence--that is, the likelihood that offenders will continue to offend.

26 Apr 2019

Study: Involvement of prefrontal cortex areas decreases with aging

Researchers from HSE University and York University have become the first to analyze the results of 82 functional neuroimaging studies on working memory mechanisms in different adult age groups.

26 Apr 2019

Role of dentists in identifying domestic violence victims

The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix and Midwestern University have published an article to bring to light the important role dentists can play in identifying domestic violence victims.

26 Apr 2019

Genetic mutations in brain development lead to discovery of rare genetic diseases

Mutations in a gene involved in brain development have led to the discovery of two new neurodevelopmental diseases by an international team led by researchers at McGill University and CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center.

26 Apr 2019

How much screen time is OK for a 5 year old?

The World Health Organization has come up with new set of recommendations regarding the amount of screen time to be allowed for children less than five years.

25 Apr 2019

Scientists discover trigger region for absence epileptic seizures

Scientists have discovered a neurological origin for absence seizures--a type of seizure characterized by very short periods of lost consciousness in which people appear to stare blankly at nothing.

25 Apr 2019

Exercise activates brain circuits associated with memory in older adults

How quickly do we experience the benefits of exercise? A new University of Maryland study of healthy older adults shows that just one session of exercise increased activation in the brain circuits associated with memory - including the hippocampus - which shrinks with age and is the brain region attacked first in Alzheimer's disease.

25 Apr 2019

What causes us to binge eat? Scientists may have the answer.

Scientists have revealed that the reason we eat more than we need to may be caused by cellular communication originating in the emotion-processing center of the brain.

25 Apr 2019

Device converts brain signals into speech, offering hope for patients

In a remarkable application of modern technology, scientists have created a device that can decode signals from the brain’s speech centers to produce speech through a synthesizer.

25 Apr 2019