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.

Scientists identify differences in outcomes for women and men with AFF in emergency departments

Atrial fibrillation and flutter (also known as AFF) is associated with serious health problems and is a significant contributor to death rates.

4 May 2017

Scientists uncover thousands of human genes that are expressed differently in the two sexes

Men and women differ in obvious and less obvious ways -- for example, in the prevalence of certain diseases or reactions to drugs. How are these connected to one's sex? Weizmann Institute of Science researchers recently uncovered thousands of human genes that are expressed -- copied out to make proteins -- differently in the two sexes.

4 May 2017

Cognitive dysfunction in breast cancer patients linked to post-traumatic stress

Subtle cognitive dysfunction and decline in breast cancer patients was largely independent of chemotherapy but associated with cancer-related post-traumatic stress in a German multisite study.

4 May 2017

New drug mimics health effects of exercise, say researchers

Scientists have managed to mimic the health effects of exercise in mice, simply by using a pill, according to a study published in Cell Metabolism. The drug activated a genetic pathway that is triggered by running, which led mice to burn off more fat and increase their stamina levels, despite them being sedentary.

4 May 2017

Study shows first removal of HIV-1 replication using CRISPR/Cas9, gene editing technology

A new study published in the journal Molecular Therapy reveals that HIV DNA in the genome of living animals can be removed to eliminate further infection. While a permanent cure for infection caused by HIV remains a challenge due to the ability of the virus to hide away in latent reservoirs. The study team comprising Wenhui Hu, Kamel Khalili, Laura H. Carnell, and Won-Bin Young carried out an experiment on three different animal models.

4 May 2017

Researcher develops new language intervention to help treat patients with rare form of dementia

A Baycrest Health Sciences researcher and clinician has developed the first group language intervention that helps individuals losing the ability to speak due to a rare form of dementia, and could help patients maintain their communication abilities for longer.

4 May 2017

Gene mutation may accelerate loss of memory and thinking skills in people with Alzheimer's risk

A gene mutation may accelerate the loss of memory and thinking skills in people who are at risk for Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in the May 3, 2017, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The gene mutation is called the BDNF Val66Met allele, or just the Met allele.

4 May 2017

Neuroscientists take new approach to addiction research with focus on quantifying craving in the brain

A new article in JAMA Psychiatry details the first step in revealing how craving works in the brain. Scientists at the Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas are the first to propose a systematic and quantitative model for drug addiction research.

4 May 2017

New imaging techniques at Mayo Clinic reveal tumor firmness, adhesion before brain cancer surgery

It's not often that a fall saves someone's life. Helen Powell, 74, says that was the case for her. A computerized tomography scan that followed her fall revealed a cancerous brain tumor that led her to Mayo Clinic and surgery using first-in-the-world technology.

4 May 2017

‘Helistroke service’ gets critical care to stroke victims faster than transporting patient to hospital

Flying a stroke specialist by helicopter to a nearby stroke patient for emergency care is feasible, saves money and, most importantly, gets critical care to patients faster than transporting the patient to a hospital first, according to a single-patient, proof-of-concept study by a Johns Hopkins Medicine research team.

3 May 2017

Walking intervention may reestablish protective neuronal connections in older adults with MCI

Could the initiation of a simple walking exercise program help older adults to reverse declines in key brain regions? A new study led by University of Maryland School of Public Health researchers adds more information about how physical activity impacts brain physiology and offers hope that it may be possible to reestablish some protective neuronal connections.

3 May 2017

New research uncovers role of mysterious molecule in skin cancer

New research from Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) at Lake Nona uncovers the modus operandi of a mysterious molecule called SPRIGHTLY that has been previously implicated in colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma.

3 May 2017

Mexican-American stroke survivors less likely to receive inpatient rehabilitation, study reveals

A new pilot study reports that Mexican-American stroke survivors are less likely to receive inpatient rehabilitation than non-Hispanic whites.

3 May 2017

Computational analysis highlights potential economic burden of Zika outbreak in the U.S.

Even a relatively mild Zika outbreak in the United States could cost more than $183 million in medical costs and productivity losses, suggests a computational analysis led by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health researchers, while a more severe one could result in $1.2 billion or more in medical costs and productivity losses.

3 May 2017

Detailed images reveal how regulatory proteins affect function of brain receptors

Scientists at Columbia University have obtained the first detailed images of interactions between the AMPA receptor and molecules that regulate chemical signaling in the brain.

3 May 2017

Lost function of genes impairs development of motor skills in maturing mice

Scientists report in Neuron the lost function of two genes prevents infant laboratory mice from developing motor skills as they mature into adults. Researchers also suggest in their study that people with certain motor development disabilities be tested to see if they have mutant forms of the same genes.

3 May 2017

Exposure to cardiovascular risk factors in childhood linked to poorer learning, memory in midlife

A Finnish study coordinated by the Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Turku shows that exposure to cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, elevated serum LDL-cholesterol and smoking in childhood and adolescence, is associated with poorer learning ability and memory in middle age.

3 May 2017

IU researchers develop new method to grow inner ear tissue from human stem cells

Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have successfully developed a method to grow inner ear tissue from human stem cells - PhDa finding that could lead to new platforms to model disease and new therapies for the treatment of hearing and balance disorders.

3 May 2017

Research sheds new light on surprising link between blood sugar and brain cancers

New research further illuminates the surprising relationship between blood sugar and brain tumors and could begin to shed light on how certain cancers develop.

3 May 2017

Scientists map genetic changes that help drive aggressive brain tumor

University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers and collaborators have mapped genetic changes that help drive an aggressive tumor as it develops in the brain – helping to lay the foundation for targeted treatment of the disease.

3 May 2017

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Scientists identify differences in outcomes for women and men with AFF in emergency departments

Scientists uncover thousands of human genes that are expressed differently in the two sexes

Cognitive dysfunction in breast cancer patients linked to post-traumatic stress

New drug mimics health effects of exercise, say researchers

Study shows first removal of HIV-1 replication using CRISPR/Cas9, gene editing technology

Researcher develops new language intervention to help treat patients with rare form of dementia

Gene mutation may accelerate loss of memory and thinking skills in people with Alzheimer's risk

Neuroscientists take new approach to addiction research with focus on quantifying craving in the brain

New imaging techniques at Mayo Clinic reveal tumor firmness, adhesion before brain cancer surgery

‘Helistroke service’ gets critical care to stroke victims faster than transporting patient to hospital

Walking intervention may reestablish protective neuronal connections in older adults with MCI

New research uncovers role of mysterious molecule in skin cancer

Mexican-American stroke survivors less likely to receive inpatient rehabilitation, study reveals

Computational analysis highlights potential economic burden of Zika outbreak in the U.S.

Detailed images reveal how regulatory proteins affect function of brain receptors

Lost function of genes impairs development of motor skills in maturing mice

Exposure to cardiovascular risk factors in childhood linked to poorer learning, memory in midlife

IU researchers develop new method to grow inner ear tissue from human stem cells

Research sheds new light on surprising link between blood sugar and brain cancers

Scientists map genetic changes that help drive aggressive brain tumor

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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