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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.

Study may lead to potential drug targets for tumor formation in pulmonary tuberous sclerosis complex

In a new study published in the American Association of Cancer Research's journal Cancer Research, a pair of investigators at Rutgers and Columbia universities has identified a gene that may provide a new source of potential drug targets for tumors that arise in pulmonary tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).

18 Feb 2016

Caltech researchers identify gene that causes severe insomnia when overactivated

Caltech biologists have performed the first large-scale screening in a vertebrate animal for genes that regulate sleep, and have identified a gene that when overactivated causes severe insomnia. Expression of the gene, neuromedin U (Nmu), also seems to serve as nature's stimulant--fish lacking the gene take longer to wake up in the morning and are less active during the day.

18 Feb 2016

Pioglitazone drug may prevent recurrent stroke and heart attacks

Pioglitazone, a drug used for type 2 diabetes, may prevent recurrent stroke and heart attacks in people with insulin resistance but without diabetes.

18 Feb 2016

Eating one portion of fish a week helps reduce dementia risk

Eating at least one portion of fish per week helps to reduce a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and dementia-related illnesses. This was evidenced by international research conducted at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA).

18 Feb 2016

IntraMed recognized with Digital Pioneer Award for The Physician's Internet Tutorial

IntraMed Educational Group, Sudler & Hennessey's flagship medical education division, was honored with the Digital Pioneer Award for their 1996 project The Physician's Internet Tutorial. The award was presented at the recent 2016 Medical Advertising Hall of Fame Awards ceremony held in NYC.

18 Feb 2016

Researchers reveal how brain-specific microRNA plays key role in causing abnormal brain development

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are a group of highly inheritable behavioural disorders that pose major personal and public health concerns. Patients with ASDs have mild to severe communication difficulties, repetitive behaviour and social challenges. Such disorders significantly challenge an individual's ability to conduct daily activities and function normally in society. Currently there are very few medication options that effectively treat ASDs.

17 Feb 2016

Graphic anti-smoking images can warn smokers about cigarettes' health consequences

Viewing graphic anti-smoking images on cigarette packs triggers activity in brain areas involved in emotion, decision-making and memory as observed via brain scans.

17 Feb 2016

ACC, AHA support implementation of proposed cardiovascular measures, with reservations

Quality measures announced today by the Core Quality Measures Collaborative represent a step forward in reducing paperwork and confusion while also allowing providers to focus on measures that impact patient outcomes, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) said in support of implementation of the proposed cardiovascular measures. But the groups expressed reservations about blood pressure targets included in the measures.

17 Feb 2016

Small peptide TAxI holds promise for carrying biologic drugs into spinal cord

A small peptide dubbed TAxI is living up to its name. Recent studies show it to be an effective vehicle for shuttling functional proteins, such as active enzymes, into the spinal cord after a muscle injection.

17 Feb 2016

Synthetic RNA and DNA could reverse protein deficiency that causes Friedreich's ataxia

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified synthetic RNA and DNA that reverses the protein deficiency causing Friedreich's ataxia, a neurological disease for which there is currently no cure.

17 Feb 2016

AKT1 gene moderates mind-altering effects of smoking cannabis in young people

Researchers at the University of Exeter and UCL (University College London) have identified a gene which can be used to predict how susceptible a young person is to the mind-altering effects of smoking cannabis. The finding could help identify otherwise healthy users who are most at risk of developing psychosis.

17 Feb 2016

Study shows male cancer survivors less likely to have children

A study of all Norwegian men born between 1965 and 1985 shows that male cancer survivors are less likely to have children than those without a cancer diagnosis.

17 Feb 2016

Better understanding link between oral bacteria and certain types of stroke

In a study of patients entering the hospital for acute stroke, researchers have increased their understanding of an association between certain types of stroke and the presence of the oral bacteria (cnm-positive Streptococcus mutans).

17 Feb 2016

Research shows how developing neurons use copper for their various needs

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have used a precision sensor in a chicken embryo to find dramatic differences in the use of copper between developing and fully mature neurons.

17 Feb 2016

Researchers identify brain region where Alzheimer's disease starts

A critical but vulnerable region in the brain appears to be the first place affected by late onset Alzheimer's disease and may be more important for maintaining cognitive function in later life than previously appreciated, according to a new review of the scientific literature.

17 Feb 2016

Experts available to discuss use of meningitis vaccine in childhood immunization programs

Global vaccine experts and officials from all 26 African "meningitis belt" countries will convene in Ethiopia next week in advance of the Ministerial Conference on Immunization to celebrate one of Africa's biggest public health achievements--the introduction of a vaccine that in five years of use has protected more than 235 million people in 16 countries, nearly eliminating meningitis A disease on the continent.

17 Feb 2016

Understanding the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder

Advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition and analyses over the last two decades have enabled the identification of neuroanatomical abnormalities in a range of mental disorders, however one question which has consistently surfaced is the extent to which the medications used to treat such disorders may accentuate or ameliorate these abnormalities.

17 Feb 2016

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Study may lead to potential drug targets for tumor formation in pulmonary tuberous sclerosis complex

Caltech researchers identify gene that causes severe insomnia when overactivated

Pioglitazone drug may prevent recurrent stroke and heart attacks

Eating one portion of fish a week helps reduce dementia risk

IntraMed recognized with Digital Pioneer Award for The Physician's Internet Tutorial

Researchers reveal how brain-specific microRNA plays key role in causing abnormal brain development

Graphic anti-smoking images can warn smokers about cigarettes' health consequences

ACC, AHA support implementation of proposed cardiovascular measures, with reservations

Small peptide TAxI holds promise for carrying biologic drugs into spinal cord

Synthetic RNA and DNA could reverse protein deficiency that causes Friedreich's ataxia

AKT1 gene moderates mind-altering effects of smoking cannabis in young people

Study shows male cancer survivors less likely to have children

Better understanding link between oral bacteria and certain types of stroke

Research shows how developing neurons use copper for their various needs

Researchers identify brain region where Alzheimer's disease starts

Experts available to discuss use of meningitis vaccine in childhood immunization programs

Understanding the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder

New vaccine strategy may curb addiction, prevent fatal overdoses

Edward Jones commits $4.7 million to support mission of Alzheimer's Association

Johns Hopkins engineers successfully use mind-controlled prosthetic arm to control movements of fingers

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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