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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.

Research suggests new target for malaria vaccine

Researchers have shown that higher levels of Plasmodium falciparum antibodies are protective against severe malaria in children living in Papua New Guinea.

9 Jul 2018

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals how complex brain circuit works

The complexity of the human brain presents scientists with immense challenges as they try to find new treatments for a host of diseases and conditions. But the advent of a new technology known as single-cell RNA sequencing is opening a window into how the brain works.

6 Jul 2018

Obesity and overweight associated with chronic disease risks for survivors of TBI

Especially at longer follow-up times, overweight and obesity are associated with chronic disease risks for survivors of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, reports a study in the July/August issue of the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation.

6 Jul 2018

Scientists develop unique play structure for rehabilitation of post-stroke patients

Scientists of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU) in collaboration with neurophysiologists from Sechenov Institute of evolutionary physiology and biochemistry formed the innovative startup iBrain have developed a unique play structure for post-stroke patients rehabilitation as part of Project 5-100.

6 Jul 2018

Study finds common risk gene for both job-related exhaustion in shift workers and Alzheimer's

A Finnish study published in the respected SLEEP journal shows that a variation in the melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) gene is linked to the risk of Alzheimer's disease in the elderly.

6 Jul 2018

Researchers question previous understanding of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease was first described by a British doctor more than 200 years ago. The exact causes of this neurodegenerative disease are still unknown.

6 Jul 2018

Oxygen therapy could help prevent dementia in people with breathing difficulties

Breathing in additional oxygen improves the function of blood vessels in the brain of people with breathing difficulties caused by lung conditions, according to new research published in Experimental Physiology.

6 Jul 2018

Graphene could provide better treatment options for osteoarthritis

The intersection of graphene with stem cell biology may one day lead to new treatments for osteoarthritis, say researchers at Boise State University. Impacting millions of people across the globe, osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form of arthritis.

6 Jul 2018

Study finds mechanism by which amyloid beta protects the brain from herpes infection

A Massachusetts General Hospital study has found the mechanism by which amyloid beta - the protein deposited into plaques in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease - protects from the effects of herpes viruses commonly found in the brain.

6 Jul 2018

New software helps microscopes to autonomously and efficiently identify dendritic spines

Is it possible for microscopes to learn a bit about the brain? Even be taught by neuroscientists to reliably recognize parts of brain cells... all on their own?

6 Jul 2018

Researchers unravel molecular code that shapes complex networks in the brain

The brain is an enormously complex organ. Understanding how billions of brain cells succeed in making precise connections is a major challenge for neuroscientists.

6 Jul 2018

Targeting multiple proteins may be key to treat neurodegenerative disorders

Nearly all major neurodegenerative diseases - from Alzheimer's to Parkinson's - are defined and diagnosed by the presence of one of four proteins that have gone rogue: tau, amyloid-beta, alpha-synuclein, or TDP-43.

6 Jul 2018

Pneumococcal genes predict course of disease

Pneumococcus is an important cause of pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis. This bacterium commonly resides in the nasal cavity.

6 Jul 2018

Non-opioid drug shows promise for treating pain by targeting receptors on immune cells

Faced with the epidemic of opioid addiction, researchers have been charged with finding other strategies to treat pain. Their efforts largely have focused on nerve cells that transmit pain signals to the spinal cord and brain.

6 Jul 2018

Scientists take a deep dive into differences between Zika and dengue virus

More than two years after reports of skyrocketing Zika rates surfaced worldwide, questions still loom about this complicated virus.

6 Jul 2018

Research sheds light on composition of cannabis used to treat children with epilepsy

A pioneering study has found Australian parents who turned to medicinal cannabis to treat children with epilepsy overwhelmingly (75 percent) considered the extracts as "effective". Contrary to parental expectations, extracts generally contained low doses of cannabidiol - commonly considered to be a key therapeutic element and that has been successfully used in recent clinical trials to treat epilepsy.

5 Jul 2018