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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.

Cardiac clot-busting drug decreases mortality in hemorrhagic stroke patients

Reporting on the results of a phase III international clinical trial, Johns Hopkins Medicine physicians say use of a cardiac clot-busting drug to treat strokes that cause brain bleeding safely decreased the death rate in patients by 10 percent, compared to a control group receiving saline.

23 Feb 2016

New clinical trial focuses on respiratory drug ambroxol for treatment of Parkinson's disease

A medication approved to treat various respiratory diseases and that has demonstrated neuroprotective effects in preclinical studies is the focus of a new clinical trial for Parkinson's disease.

23 Feb 2016

Pitt experts lead gene therapy clinical trial in Parkinson's disease patients

Experts at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine are leading the second arm of a clinical trial using gene therapy to relieve the symptoms of tremor and mobility impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease.

23 Feb 2016

Study unravels physiological signature of fear memory within prefrontalamygdala networks

Fear response to traumatic or threatening situations helps us evade or escape danger. At the same time fear response is learned in the form of association between stimulus or situation and the presence of a stressor.

23 Feb 2016

UCSF study finds specific molecular-genetic mechanism that links sleep and seasonal depression

A newly discovered human gene mutation appears to contribute both to unusual sleep patterns and to heightened rates of seasonal depression, according to new research from UC San Francisco.

23 Feb 2016

Study identifies new mechanism for controlling HIV replication

Researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have discovered that HIV infection of human immune cells triggers a massive increase in methylation, a chemical modification, to both human and viral RNA, aiding replication of the virus.

23 Feb 2016

Maternal supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid improves fetal iron metabolism

A research has proven, for the first time, that maternal supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 essential polyunsaturated fatty acid, enhances fetal iron metabolism thanks to a greater expression of key genes regulating its transfer through the placenta.

23 Feb 2016

Diabetes researchers develop novel technique to monitor insulin resistance

Diabetes researchers at Sweden's Karolinska Institutet have developed a novel technique that makes it possible to monitor insulin resistance in a non-invasive manner over time in mice. The new method, presented in the journal Scientific Reports, can be used to assess insulin resistance during progression and intervention of metabolic diseases.

22 Feb 2016

Researchers investigate effect of naturally-derived pigment ASX on hippocampal function

With the recent rise in popularity of naturally-derived supplements to maintain a healthy body, there has been a great deal of attention toward development of the so-called "brain foods", which can enhance brain function. Of particular importance is the natural red pigment astaxanthin (ASX) abundant in both salmon and in crustaceans such as shrimp and crab.

22 Feb 2016

Speaking English As A Second Language May Alter Results Of Sideline Concussion Testing

Athletes who speak English as a second language may have disparities when completing sideline concussion tests, according to research presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting in Sacramento, Calif.

22 Feb 2016

Intestinal microbiota necessary for optimum postnatal growth

The intestinal microbiota is necessary to ensure optimum postnatal growth and contributes to determining the size of adult individuals, notably in the event of undernutrition.

22 Feb 2016

Researchers analyze how Topo II enzyme may affect stability of genomes

While researchers are now familiar with how cancer begins—cells mutate and then multiply wildly out of control—it is still uncertain exactly how that mutation starts in the molecules of the cells.

22 Feb 2016

UCLA-led researchers identify specific gene network that promotes repair in peripheral nervous system

Whether or not nerve cells are able to regrow after injury depends on their location in the body. Injured nerve cells in the peripheral nervous system, such as those in the arms and legs, can recover and regrow, at least to some extent. But nerve cells in the central nervous system -- the brain and spinal cord -- can't recover at all.

22 Feb 2016

Dr. Elliot J. Androphy receives IGNITE grant to develop drug candidate for spinal muscular atrophy

Dr. Elliot J. Androphy, the Kampen-Norins Professor and chair of the Department of Dermatology at the Indiana University School of Medicine, has been awarded an IGNITE, or Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts, grant by the National Institutes of Health.

22 Feb 2016

Antibody can give more precise information about Alzheimer's disease than regular radioactive tracers

For the first time, researchers have succeeded in passing an antibody through the blood-brain barrier to act as a tracer for PET imaging of the brain. This resulted in more precise information being obtained than with regular radioactive tracers. The study provides hope for more effective diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's disease and improvements in monitoring the effects of medication.

22 Feb 2016

UGA scientists discover link between genetics and aging process

Scientists at the University of Georgia have shown that a hormone instrumental in the aging process is under genetic control, introducing a new pathway by which genetics regulates aging and disease.

22 Feb 2016

New discoveries provide further evidence for benefits of a good night's sleep

Why does sleeping on it help? This is the question tackled by new research at the University of Bristol, which reveals how brain activity during sleep sorts through the huge number of experiences we encounter every day, filing only the important information in memory.

22 Feb 2016

Researchers identify common molecular alteration in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive manifestation of brain tumours. Due to its high invasive capacity and uncontrolled, infiltrating growth, it is particularly difficult to manage. Currently, the treatment for this disease consists of a combination of surgery (when possible), radiation and chemotherapy.

22 Feb 2016

Briviact (brivaracetam) approved for treatment of partial onset seizures in patients with epilepsy

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration yesterday approved Briviact (brivaracetam) as an add-on treatment to other medications to treat partial onset seizures in patients age 16 years and older with epilepsy.

22 Feb 2016

TSRI's Courtney Miller to receive Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

Courtney Miller, associate professor on the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute, has been selected to receive a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on young professionals at the outset of their independent research careers.

19 Feb 2016

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Cardiac clot-busting drug decreases mortality in hemorrhagic stroke patients

New clinical trial focuses on respiratory drug ambroxol for treatment of Parkinson's disease

Pitt experts lead gene therapy clinical trial in Parkinson's disease patients

Study unravels physiological signature of fear memory within prefrontalamygdala networks

UCSF study finds specific molecular-genetic mechanism that links sleep and seasonal depression

Study identifies new mechanism for controlling HIV replication

Maternal supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid improves fetal iron metabolism

Diabetes researchers develop novel technique to monitor insulin resistance

Researchers investigate effect of naturally-derived pigment ASX on hippocampal function

Speaking English As A Second Language May Alter Results Of Sideline Concussion Testing

Intestinal microbiota necessary for optimum postnatal growth

Researchers analyze how Topo II enzyme may affect stability of genomes

UCLA-led researchers identify specific gene network that promotes repair in peripheral nervous system

Dr. Elliot J. Androphy receives IGNITE grant to develop drug candidate for spinal muscular atrophy

Antibody can give more precise information about Alzheimer's disease than regular radioactive tracers

UGA scientists discover link between genetics and aging process

New discoveries provide further evidence for benefits of a good night's sleep

Researchers identify common molecular alteration in glioblastoma

Briviact (brivaracetam) approved for treatment of partial onset seizures in patients with epilepsy

TSRI's Courtney Miller to receive Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

Industry Focus eBook - Cell & Gene Therapy (1st 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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