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.

Active ingredient in eye drops shows promise for treating aggressive blood cancer

An active ingredient in eye drops that were being developed for the treatment of a form of eye disease has shown promise for treating an aggressive form of blood cancer. Scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, University of Cambridge, University of Nottingham and their collaborators have found that this compound, which targets an essential cancer gene, could kill leukemia cells without harming non-leukemic blood cells.

19 Dec 2018

Developing the Next Generation of Water-soluble DREADDs

An interview with James Flanaghan, discussing the uses of DREADDs in neurobiological research and the advantages of water-soluble ligands.

From Hello Bio 19 Dec 2018

Real-time neurofeedback controls Parkinson’s brainwaves

A neurofeedback system enables Parkinson’s disease patients to voluntarily control brainwaves associated with symptoms of the disorder, according to new research published in eNeuro. It remains to be determined whether such a system can provide symptom relief.

From Society for Neuroscience 19 Dec 2018

Researchers aim to improve cognition, reverse weight gain in schizophrenia

Aerobic exercise can improve the size and function of the brain, and now investigators want to know if it can also improve cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia who struggle with memory and attention problems.

19 Dec 2018

SLU researcher aims to eliminate TB with focus on high-risk patients

In a recent paper published in PLOS One, Soumya Chatterjee, M.D., assistant professor of infectious diseases, allergy and immunology at Saint Louis University, presents data to show that a focus on high-risk tuberculosis patients may be the answer to stalled progress in stamping out the illness in the United States.

19 Dec 2018

UC San Diego Health offers new DRG stimulation device for phantom limb pain

In May 2000, Raul Silva was involved in a motorcycle accident in Baja California, Mexico, badly breaking his left femur, or thighbone. He underwent emergency surgery in Mexicali and, at first, everything seemed fine. Then an infection set in, worsened, and Silva eventually made his way to San Diego, where his left leg was amputated.

18 Dec 2018

'Little Foot' endocast reveals a small brain combining ape-like and human-like features

First ever endocast reconstruction of the nearly complete brain of the hominin known as Little Foot reveals a small brain combining ape-like and human-like features.

18 Dec 2018

New compound blocks genetic cause of familial ALS and frontotemporal dementia

Since the ice bucket challenge went viral in 2014, raising awareness and funding for ALS research, scientists have learned much about a disease that disconnects muscles from nerves, leading to muscle atrophy and eventual death. Their ultimate goal is to create medications capable of stopping ALS in its tracks.

18 Dec 2018

Mouse study uncovers how marijuana may damage some adolescent brains

In a study of adolescent mice with a version of a gene linked to serious human mental illnesses, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers say they have uncovered a possible explanation for how marijuana may damage the brains of some human teens.

18 Dec 2018

New battery-free, implantable device aids weight loss

More than 700 million adults and children worldwide are obese, according to a 2017 study that called the growing number and weight-related health problems a "rising pandemic."

18 Dec 2018

Study: Cannabidiol may worsen glaucoma, increase eye pressure

One of the most commonly proposed uses of medical marijuana is to treat glaucoma.

18 Dec 2018

UI study leads to better understanding of signaling capacity between neurons

The fundamental process of information transfer from neuron to neuron occurs through a relay of electrical and chemical signaling at the synapse, the junction between neurons. Electrical signals, called action potentials, cause voltage-gated calcium channels on the presynaptic neuron to open.

18 Dec 2018

Study uncovers novel details about vulnerability of one brain cell to Alzheimer's

Better tactics for detecting, preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease depend on a clearer understanding of cellular-level changes in the minds of patients, and a new study has uncovered novel details about the vulnerability of one type of brain cell.

18 Dec 2018

Neuroscience-protein that creates borders inside the brain

Boundaries between different regions of the brain are essential for the brain to function. Research to-date has shown that molecular machineries located at the cell membrane such as cell adhesion molecules are responsible for regulating the boundary formation.

18 Dec 2018

Neural mapping approach to re-examine previous Alzheimer's studies finds improved reproducibility

A neural mapping approach that pegs results from more than two dozen previous Alzheimer's studies found that reproducibility improves when trying to isolate symptoms to a brain network rather than a single area of the brain.

17 Dec 2018

New study reveals best assessment tools to establish delirium severity

A study published today in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals the best assessment tools available to establish the severity of diagnosed delirium in hospitalized patients. Delirium is a common, serious, and often preventable complication among older adult patients.

17 Dec 2018

Study identifies specific neurological changes related to traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is often referred to as the "invisible injury" - while on the surface everything seems normal with brain structure, symptoms may present themselves in the behavior of the injured and cannot be explained.

17 Dec 2018

Researchers propose new model to explain how neural networks communicate

The brain is organized into a network of specialized networks of nerve cells. For such a brain architecture to function, these specialized networks - each located in a different brain area - need to be able to communicate with each other.

17 Dec 2018

Research opens door to development of drug or vaccine for late-onset Alzheimer's

UT Southwestern researchers have succeeded in neutralizing what they believe is a primary factor in late-onset Alzheimer's disease, opening the door to development of a drug that could be administered before age 40, and taken for life, to potentially prevent the disease in 50 to 80 percent of at-risk adults.

17 Dec 2018