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.

New report documents fetal brain abnormalities linked to congenital Zika infection

In a special report released August 23 in the journal Radiology, a team of researchers including Deborah Levine, MD, Director of Obstetric & Gynecologic ultrasound at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School, documented the brain abnormalities associated with congenital Zika in 45 confirmed and presumed cases from northeastern Brazil.

26 Aug 2016

TSRI study sheds light on how mitochondrial calcium can affect learning and memory

While calcium's importance for our bones and teeth is well known, its role in neurons—in particular, its effects on processes such as learning and memory—has been less well defined.

26 Aug 2016

Stiff arteries can negatively impact memory and vital brain processes

As we age, our arteries gradually become less flexible, making it harder for the heart to pump blood throughout the body.

26 Aug 2016

Researchers show how cannabinoids affect vision

A multidisciplinary team including researchers from the Montreal Neurological Institute has improved our understanding of how cannabinoids, the active agent in marijuana, affect vision in vertebrates.

26 Aug 2016

Detecting diabetes’ deadly ketones

A simple, hand-held breath testing device that detects deadly ketones has been developed by University of Sydney researchers. The device could mean an end to finger-prick blood tests for diabetes patients.

26 Aug 2016

First trial of Cognition Kit wearables demonstrates effectiveness in measuring mental health

The neuroscience company Cambridge Cognition Holdings PLC, which develops near patient technologies for the assessment of brain health, has announced results from a new technology feasibility study. The results demonstrate for the first time that consumer grade wearables such as the Apple Watch® and Microsoft Band can be used to accurately measure clinically relevant cognitive performance in everyday life using the Company’s new Cognition Kit software.

26 Aug 2016

New findings into the biology of progressive hearing loss

New research with funding from UK charity Action on Hearing Loss has led to the discovery of a new biological mechanism involved in the progressive loss of hearing which could lead to new approaches to treating this common form of hearing loss.

26 Aug 2016

The evolution of medical imaging – where will innovation take us next?

The influence of medical imaging is constantly growing, diseases are detected earlier and treatments are becoming more effective. Within the last 25 years, cancer mortality rates have decreased by an impressive 25%. Advances in medical imaging have a big part to play in this achievement and we can expect that as technology continues to develop, mortality rates will drop even further.

26 Aug 2016

Study shows prehospital thrombolysis delivered in STEMO improves outcomes in stroke patients

When treating a patient with stroke, every minute counts. A specialized stroke ambulance (Stroke Emergency Mobile or STEMO) allows physicians to start specific treatment, such as thrombolysis, at scene.

25 Aug 2016

High-tech alternative to brain surgery safe, effective for treatment of essential tremor

A study published today in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine offers the most in-depth assessment yet of the safety and effectiveness of a high-tech alternative to brain surgery to treat the uncontrollable shaking caused by the most common movement disorder.

25 Aug 2016

New genetic markers linked to fast rate of nicotine metabolism in smokers may raise risk for lung cancer

University of Hawai'i Cancer Center researchers discovered new genetic markers associated with a fast rate of nicotine metabolism, which potentially leads smokers to smoke more, thereby, increasing their risk for lung cancer.

25 Aug 2016

Study suggests structural changes in the brain help cope with stressful situations

People who experience job loss, divorce, death of a loved one or any number of life's upheavals often adopt coping mechanisms to make the situation less traumatic.

25 Aug 2016

UNC researchers map anxiety circuit in the brain that may explain side effects of antidepressants

More than 100 million people worldwide take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac and Zoloft, to treat depression, anxiety and related conditions, but these drugs have a common and mysterious side effect: they can worsen anxiety in the first few weeks of use, which leads many patients to stop treatment.

25 Aug 2016

Scientists identify eight cancer types linked to excess weight and obesity

There's yet another reason to maintain a healthy weight as we age. An international team of researchers has identified eight additional types of cancer linked to excess weight and obesity: stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, ovary, meningioma (a type of brain tumor), thyroid cancer and the blood cancer multiple myeloma.

25 Aug 2016

People with high levels of four biomarkers may have increased risk for stroke

People with high levels of four biomarkers in the blood may be more likely to develop a stroke than people with low levels of the biomarkers, according to a study published in the August 24, 2016, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

25 Aug 2016

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

New report documents fetal brain abnormalities linked to congenital Zika infection

TSRI study sheds light on how mitochondrial calcium can affect learning and memory

Stiff arteries can negatively impact memory and vital brain processes

Researchers show how cannabinoids affect vision

Detecting diabetes’ deadly ketones

First trial of Cognition Kit wearables demonstrates effectiveness in measuring mental health

New findings into the biology of progressive hearing loss

The evolution of medical imaging – where will innovation take us next?

Study shows prehospital thrombolysis delivered in STEMO improves outcomes in stroke patients

High-tech alternative to brain surgery safe, effective for treatment of essential tremor

New genetic markers linked to fast rate of nicotine metabolism in smokers may raise risk for lung cancer

Study suggests structural changes in the brain help cope with stressful situations

UNC researchers map anxiety circuit in the brain that may explain side effects of antidepressants

Scientists identify eight cancer types linked to excess weight and obesity

People with high levels of four biomarkers may have increased risk for stroke

Raising brain protein alleviates symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in mouse model

Advances in brain research since patient HM: an interview with Dr Jacopo Annese

Research opens way towards making promising advances in retinal prostheses

Neuroscientists show how nerve cells synchronize rhythmically to connect parts of the brain

Medical students developing smart helmet to help diagnose concussions

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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