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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 examine how neural responses change over time in patients with Parkinson's disease

Neuroscientists peered into the brains of patients with Parkinson's disease and two similar conditions to see how their neural responses changed over time.

16 Aug 2016

Modifying huntingtin protein protects against behavioral symptoms in Huntington's model mice

There is new hope in the fight against Huntington's disease. Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes discovered that changing a specific part of the huntingtin protein prevented the loss of critical brain cells and protected against behavioral symptoms in a mouse model of the disease.

16 Aug 2016

Prenatal BPA exposure could lead to development of anxiety and depression in boys

Boys exposed prenatally to a common chemical used in plastics may be more likely to develop symptoms of anxiety and depression at age 10-12.

16 Aug 2016

MGH investigators discover key molecules essential for sensing proteasome dysfunction

Maintaining appropriate levels of proteins within cells largely relies on a cellular component called the proteasome, which degrades unneeded or defective proteins to recycle the components for the eventual assembly of new proteins.

16 Aug 2016

Latinos age more slowly than other ethnic groups, reveals UCLA study

A UCLA study is the first to show that Latinos age at a slower rate than other ethnic groups. The findings, published in the current issue of Genome Biology, may one day help scientists understand how to slow the aging process for everyone.

16 Aug 2016

Study shows leptomeningeal metastases more prevalent in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations

Leptomeningeal metastases (LM), a devastating complication and predictor of poor survival in lung cancer patients, was found to be more prevalent in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations.

16 Aug 2016

Healthy BMI, exercise and diet can lower abnormal protein build-ups linked to Alzheimer’s

A study by researchers at UCLA's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior has found that a healthy diet, regular physical activity and a normal body mass index can reduce the incidence of protein build-ups that are associated with the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

16 Aug 2016

Microscale and macroscale brain disruptions may emerge together in schizophrenia

Brain abnormalities in schizophrenia have been identified at the microscale (alterations in synaptic connections between neurons) and the macroscale (altered connections between brain regions).

16 Aug 2016

New MRI technology harnesses imperfections to create superior images for consistent diagnoses

A new technology harnesses imperfections that typically compromise MRI exams to create images resolved enough to enable consistent diagnoses across populations for the first time.

16 Aug 2016

New, non-invasive way to monitor progression of Parkinson's disease may help improve treatment

A new, non-invasive way to track the progression of Parkinson's disease could help evaluate experimental treatments to slow or stop the disease's progression.

16 Aug 2016

Study offers clues about how genetic mutations can increase risk of psychiatric disorders

Brain scans have revealed how a genetic mutation linked to major psychiatric disorders affects the structure, function and chemistry of the brain.

16 Aug 2016

Could nanotechnology turn the cancer cell suicide switch back on? An interview with Professor Dipanjan Pan

Before I explain the discovery, I would take a step back and explain an interesting event that takes place in the cancer cells. Normal cells follow a rapid and irreversible process to efficiently eradicate dysfunctional cells. This is a natural process by which damaged cells commit ‘suicide’. This process is known as apoptosis or programmed cell death.

15 Aug 2016

Glia cells may play role in regulating sugar intake into the brain, experts report

Researchers at Technical University of Munich discovered that our brain actively takes sugar from the blood. Prior to this, researchers around the world had assumed that this was a purely passive process.

12 Aug 2016

Virtual reality training helps paralyzed patients regain movement

Eight people with long-term paralysis from spinal cord injuries have regained some motor control after learning to control their own brain activity.

12 Aug 2016

Aerobic exercise can improve brain functioning in schizophrenia patients

Aerobic exercise can significantly help people coping with the long-term mental health condition schizophrenia, according to a new study from University of Manchester researchers.

12 Aug 2016

Treating metabolic abnormalities may improve symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression

Identifying and treating metabolic deficiencies in patients with treatment-resistant depression can improve symptoms and in some cases even lead to remission, according to new research from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine published online today in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

12 Aug 2016

Food commercials may alter brain mechanisms of children's food choices

Food advertising is a multi-billion dollar industry, with approximately $1.8 billion annually aimed at children and adolescents, who view between 1,000 and 2,000 ads per year.

12 Aug 2016

Long-term brain-machine interface use could lead to recovery in paraplegic patients

During the 2014 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, a young Brazilian man, paralyzed from the chest down, delivered the opening kickoff. He used a brain-machine interface, allowing him to control the movements of a lower-limb robotic exoskeleton.

12 Aug 2016

Scientists identify potential mechanism that paves way for improved treatment of fungal infections

By identifying new compounds that selectively block mitochondrial respiration in pathogenic fungi, Whitehead Institute scientists have identified a potential antifungal mechanism that could enable combination therapy with fluconazole, one of today's most commonly prescribed fungal infection treatments.

11 Aug 2016

Drugs designed to target nervous system could control inflammation in the gut, study shows

There's a reason it's called a gut feeling. The brain and the gut are connected by intricate neural networks that signal hunger and satiety, love and fear, even safety and danger. These networks employ myriad chemical signals that include dopamine, a powerful neurotransmitter most famous for its role in reward and addiction.

11 Aug 2016

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Scientists examine how neural responses change over time in patients with Parkinson's disease

Modifying huntingtin protein protects against behavioral symptoms in Huntington's model mice

Prenatal BPA exposure could lead to development of anxiety and depression in boys

MGH investigators discover key molecules essential for sensing proteasome dysfunction

Latinos age more slowly than other ethnic groups, reveals UCLA study

Study shows leptomeningeal metastases more prevalent in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations

Healthy BMI, exercise and diet can lower abnormal protein build-ups linked to Alzheimer’s

Microscale and macroscale brain disruptions may emerge together in schizophrenia

New MRI technology harnesses imperfections to create superior images for consistent diagnoses

New, non-invasive way to monitor progression of Parkinson's disease may help improve treatment

Study offers clues about how genetic mutations can increase risk of psychiatric disorders

Could nanotechnology turn the cancer cell suicide switch back on? An interview with Professor Dipanjan Pan

Glia cells may play role in regulating sugar intake into the brain, experts report

Virtual reality training helps paralyzed patients regain movement

Aerobic exercise can improve brain functioning in schizophrenia patients

Treating metabolic abnormalities may improve symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression

Food commercials may alter brain mechanisms of children's food choices

Long-term brain-machine interface use could lead to recovery in paraplegic patients

Scientists identify potential mechanism that paves way for improved treatment of fungal infections

Drugs designed to target nervous system could control inflammation in the gut, study shows

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