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.

Researchers identify ion channel required for proper regulation of basal metabolism and body weight

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have identified an ion channel required for brain cells to suppress eating behavior in response to the hormone leptin or to the anti-obesity drug lorcaserin.

7 Feb 2017

Unconscious exposure to phobic images effective in reducing fear, study finds

A team of investigators, led by Bradley S. Peterson, MD, director of the Institute for the Developing Mind at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and Paul Siegel, PhD, associate professor of psychology at Purchase College of the State University of New York, have found that exposure to phobic images without conscious awareness is more effective than longer, conscious exposure for reducing fear.

7 Feb 2017

New method improves speed and diagnostic efficiency during brain surgery

A new approach to the practice of surgical pathology for brain tumor patients could make for a powerful combination: more accurate, safer and more efficient operations.

7 Feb 2017

Study shows how concussion impacts person's ability to drive even after symptoms disappear

The effects a concussion has on driving a vehicle may continue to linger even after the symptoms disappear, according to a new study by University of Georgia researchers.

7 Feb 2017

Weekend hospital admission of older adults with head trauma linked to higher mortality risk

Older adults who are admitted to the hospital with head trauma over the weekend have a 14 percent increased risk of dying than those admitted on a weekday, according to research presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.

7 Feb 2017

Brain computer interface holds potential to improve daily lives of people with prosthetic limbs

The use of brain computer interface has the potential to improve the daily lives of people with prosthetic limbs, according to research presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.

7 Feb 2017

TSRI researchers uncover details behind Zika virus's unique ability to cause birth defects

The most frightening aspect of Zika virus has been its ability to produce severe fetal birth defects during pregnancy, especially microcephaly—a small head.

7 Feb 2017

Study could provide novel therapeutic approach for preventing severe jaundice in newborn babies

For many newborn babies, an enzyme that breaks down the molecule bilirubin doesn't activate right away. The resulting bilirubin buildup can lead to jaundice, a typically harmless condition that causes a baby's skin to temporarily appear yellow.

6 Feb 2017

Northwestern Medicine scientists discover retinal cell that may cause myopia

Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered a cell in the retina that may cause myopia when it dysfunctions. The dysfunction may be linked to the amount of time a child spends indoors and away from natural light.

6 Feb 2017

PERK protein could be target for development of new drugs for progressive supranuclear palsy

The brain disease "progressive supranuclear palsy" (PSP) is currently incurable and its symptoms can only be eased to a very limited degree. PSP impairs eye movements, locomotion, balance control, and speech.

6 Feb 2017

College students take more time to recover from concussion, study shows

A new study, presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, shows college students take significantly more time to recover from a concussion than the general national average of seven to 14 days.

6 Feb 2017

Transporters of thyroid hormones play key role in development of the brain, study finds

Thyroid hormones are very important for the development of the brain. And when the transporters of these hormones are not functioning properly, the consequences for the development of the cerebellum or 'the little brain' are very serious.

6 Feb 2017

Scientists discover treatment that improves symptoms in mouse model of juvenile Batten disease

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital and King's College London have discovered a treatment that improves the neurological symptoms in a mouse model of juvenile Batten disease.

6 Feb 2017

Researchers explore psychosexual development, satisfaction in adult survivors of childhood cancer

A recent analysis showed that although adult survivors of childhood cancer did not differ overall from their peers in terms of their satisfaction with their sex lives and romantic relationships, those who received cancer treatments that were especially toxic to the nervous system were least likely to have had intercourse, be in a relationship, or have children.

6 Feb 2017

Psychotherapy normalizes brain changes linked to social anxiety disorder

Anxiety in social situations is not a rare problem: Around one in ten people are affected by social anxiety disorder during their lifetime. Social anxiety disorder is diagnosed if fears and anxiety in social situations significantly impair everyday life and cause intense suffering.

6 Feb 2017

Yale-New Haven hospital provides rare look at brain surgery with patient alert and awake

A rare look at brain surgery with the patient alert and awake at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven.

6 Feb 2017

New NCCN patient guide for Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia helps make informed treatment decisions

A very rare sub-type of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia affects approximately 1,500 - 2,000 people in the United States each year. While it is not curable, Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia is slow growing, and in many patients, manageable as a chronic disease.

6 Feb 2017

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Researchers identify ion channel required for proper regulation of basal metabolism and body weight

Unconscious exposure to phobic images effective in reducing fear, study finds

New method improves speed and diagnostic efficiency during brain surgery

Study shows how concussion impacts person's ability to drive even after symptoms disappear

Weekend hospital admission of older adults with head trauma linked to higher mortality risk

Brain computer interface holds potential to improve daily lives of people with prosthetic limbs

TSRI researchers uncover details behind Zika virus's unique ability to cause birth defects

Study could provide novel therapeutic approach for preventing severe jaundice in newborn babies

Northwestern Medicine scientists discover retinal cell that may cause myopia

PERK protein could be target for development of new drugs for progressive supranuclear palsy

College students take more time to recover from concussion, study shows

Transporters of thyroid hormones play key role in development of the brain, study finds

Scientists discover treatment that improves symptoms in mouse model of juvenile Batten disease

Researchers explore psychosexual development, satisfaction in adult survivors of childhood cancer

Psychotherapy normalizes brain changes linked to social anxiety disorder

Yale-New Haven hospital provides rare look at brain surgery with patient alert and awake

New NCCN patient guide for Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia helps make informed treatment decisions

Maternal stress can affect growth of fetal muscles, study shows

Neurosurgeon and otolaryngologist work together to remove tumor of pituitary gland

TGen scientists identify novel genomic mutation that causes developmental delays in children

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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