Brain News and Research

RSS

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.

Novel protein sensor allows researchers to observe nicotine's movements in cells

When a person takes a puff on a cigarette, nicotine floods into the brain, latching onto receptors on the surface of neurons and producing feelings of happiness. But nicotine does not simply stay on the surface of cells--the drug actually permeates into neural cells and alters them from the inside out.

8 Feb 2019

Removing 70% or more of the brain hemorrhage could produce better outcomes, study finds

In the first study to identify specific surgical goals for the treatment of an intracerebral hemorrhage--the deadliest and most disabling type of stroke--a team of neurosurgeons found that at least 70 percent of the hemorrhage has to be removed for patients to make a meaningful recovery.

8 Feb 2019

Researchers report promising advance in the search for new class of antidepressants

In experiments with mice, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine report a promising advance in the search for a new class of drugs to treat major depression.

8 Feb 2019

What ‘dope sick’ really feels like

Detoxing off heroin or opioids without medication is sheer hell. I should know. For many users, full-blown withdrawal is often foreshadowed by a yawn, or perhaps a runny nose, a sore back, sensitive skin or a restless leg. For me, the telltale sign that the heroin was wearing off was a slight tingling sensation when I urinated.

8 Feb 2019

Simple drug cocktail converts neighboring glial cells into functional new neurons

A simple drug cocktail that converts cells neighboring damaged neurons into functional new neurons could potentially be used to treat stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and brain injuries.

8 Feb 2019

RNAs are involved in protein aggregation and neurodegenerative diseases, research reveals

New research reveals RNAs, which are crucial for cells to produce proteins, are also involved in protein aggregation, where proteins do not fold properly and 'clump' together into aggregates. If cells cannot clear these away, they become toxic and prevent cells working properly.

8 Feb 2019

Pregnant women face greater risk of having hemorrhagic stroke, reveal studies

Pregnant women face a much greater risk of having a fatal, but less common, type of stroke caused by bleeding into the brain, according to results of two studies presented by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston at the International Stroke Conference 2019.

8 Feb 2019

New study aims to investigate lifestyle effects on cognitive function in older adults

Researchers in Finland recently found that lifestyle choices can help older adults stay mentally sharp. Now scientists at Wake Forest School of Medicine hope to find confirmatory evidence this is indeed the case by coordinating a large, national clinical trial sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association through a $28 million grant.

8 Feb 2019

Physical activity may help fight depression in seniors

The benefits of exercise are widely known but kinesiologists at McMaster University have for the first time found that physical activity may help fight depression in seniors by stimulating muscle-generated mood boosters.

8 Feb 2019

Experts explore involvement of the gut in Parkinson's disease

There is growing evidence that at least in some patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), the disease may begin in the gut. Writing in a special supplement to the Journal of Parkinson's Disease, experts explore the last two decades of research about the gut-brain axis in PD and look ahead at the possible development and impact of these research areas in the next two decades.

8 Feb 2019

Protein supplement L-norvaline may lead to neurodegenerative diseases

People taking the protein supplement L-norvaline should be aware of its potential for harm, scientists say. L-norvaline is an ingredient widely used in body building supplements and is promoted as a compound that can boost workouts and aid recovery.

8 Feb 2019

Vilcek Foundation prizes awarded to immigrants for their work on human biology and disease

The Vilcek Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of the 2019 Vilcek Foundation Prizes for Biomedical Science, awarded to immigrants who have made significant contributions to the field. Dr. Angelika Amon will receive the $100,000 Vilcek Prize, while Drs. Amit Choudhary, Jeanne T. Paz, and Mikhail G. Shapiro will each receive the $50,000 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise.

8 Feb 2019

Clinical study provides clear answer to debate on glucose management after stroke

Hyperglycemia, or increased glucose, is common in patients with acute ischemic stroke and is associated with worse outcomes compared to normal glucose levels.

8 Feb 2019

Removal of more blood through minimally invasive surgery improves stroke recovery

The greater the volume of blood removed from the brain via minimally invasive surgery after a cerebral hemorrhage the greater the odds of better functional recovery, according to late breaking science presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2019, a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to the science and treatment of cerebrovascular disease.

8 Feb 2019

Ideal patient selection may hold promise for strokes damaging large areas of brain tissue

Mechanical clot removal has been shown to be safe and effective in stroke patients with minimal damaged brain tissue.

8 Feb 2019

Drug that reverses blood thinning effects stops acute life-threatening bleeding

A drug that reverses the blood thinning effects of factor Xa inhibitors effectively stopped acute life-threatening bleeding in patients taking a factor Xa inhibitor blood thinner drug, according to late breaking science presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2019, a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to the science and treatment of cerebrovascular disease.

8 Feb 2019

Minimally-invasive surgery to remove blood from the brain associated with fewer deaths

Minimally-invasive surgery to remove blood from the brain along with intermittent dosing of a clot-busting drug after a brain bleed may not improve function better than medical therapy but it was associated with fewer deaths, according to late-breaking science presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2019, a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to the science and treatment of cerebrovascular disease.

8 Feb 2019

Intensive blood pressure lowering does not improve post-stroke recovery in clot-buster-treated patients

Intensive blood pressure lowering safely reduced the risk of bleeding in the brain in ischemic stroke patients being treated with clot-busting drugs, but did not improve post-stroke recovery, according to late breaking science presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2019, a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to the science and treatment of cerebrovascular disease.

8 Feb 2019

New research on viral biology could lead to efficient vaccines against leishmaniasis

New research from McGill University has found that a virus infecting the Leishmania parasite spreads by exploiting a mechanism used for cell-to-cell communication, a discovery that could pave the way to new vaccines against infections that cause severe disfiguration.

8 Feb 2019

Researchers map an awake-brain

There are ethical dilemmas in cases where a person is unresponsive after a major trauma but is awake within (unresponsive wakefulness syndrome) and when a person is brain dead or truly unconscious. In these cases stopping life support can be a tough decision.

7 Feb 2019

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Novel protein sensor allows researchers to observe nicotine's movements in cells

Removing 70% or more of the brain hemorrhage could produce better outcomes, study finds

Researchers report promising advance in the search for new class of antidepressants

What ‘dope sick’ really feels like

Simple drug cocktail converts neighboring glial cells into functional new neurons

RNAs are involved in protein aggregation and neurodegenerative diseases, research reveals

Pregnant women face greater risk of having hemorrhagic stroke, reveal studies

New study aims to investigate lifestyle effects on cognitive function in older adults

Physical activity may help fight depression in seniors

Experts explore involvement of the gut in Parkinson's disease

Protein supplement L-norvaline may lead to neurodegenerative diseases

Vilcek Foundation prizes awarded to immigrants for their work on human biology and disease

Clinical study provides clear answer to debate on glucose management after stroke

Removal of more blood through minimally invasive surgery improves stroke recovery

Ideal patient selection may hold promise for strokes damaging large areas of brain tissue

Drug that reverses blood thinning effects stops acute life-threatening bleeding

Minimally-invasive surgery to remove blood from the brain associated with fewer deaths

Intensive blood pressure lowering does not improve post-stroke recovery in clot-buster-treated patients

New research on viral biology could lead to efficient vaccines against leishmaniasis

Researchers map an awake-brain

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

Latest News