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Parkinson’s disease could be prevented by gut microbes

One common gut organism that helps us digest food better could also be a powerful instrument in preventing or reversing the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), according to a recent study. The changes are due to the ability of this bacterium to delay the build-up of a toxic protein involved in this in the disease condition, or even to eliminate the toxin altogether.

14 Jan 2020

Protein SV2A levels could explain poor neuronal connections in schizophrenia

A team of researchers have found that persons with schizophrenia may have lower levels of certain specific proteins that show up on their brain scans. This could help as diagnostic tools, say experts. The new study titled, “Synaptic density marker SV2A is reduced in schizophrenia patients and unaffected by antipsychotics in rats”, is published in the latest issue of the journal Nature Communications.

14 Jan 2020

Gut bacteria could protect against Parkinson’s, research suggests

A common bacteria that boosts digestive health can slow – and even reverse – build-up of a protein associated with Parkinson’s, new research suggests.

14 Jan 2020

Discovery could lead to new treatments for hypertension, dementia

A study led by researchers at UCL has discovered the mechanism that allows the brain to monitor its own blood supply, a finding in rats which may help to find new treatments for human conditions including hypertension (high blood pressure) and dementia.

14 Jan 2020

Study may help develop new treatments for abnormal nerve growth in the spine

In experiments with genetically engineered and old mice, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers say they have added to evidence that the vast majority of low back pain in people may be rooted in an overgrowth of pain-sensing nerves into spinal cartilaginous tissue.

14 Jan 2020

Loopholes limit new California law to guard against lofty air ambulance bills

Kathleen Hoechlin lost control as she crested a small jump on her final ski run of the day at California's Mammoth Mountain two years ago. She landed hard on her back, crushing one of the vertebra in her lower spine "like a Cheerio," she said.

14 Jan 2020

Mount Sinai ophthalmologists share tips for early detection of glaucoma

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, and ophthalmologists at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai are urging high-risk groups to get comprehensive eye exams for early detection of this degenerative eye disease.

13 Jan 2020

UPMC implants first patient in the U.S. with new wireless retinal device

UPMC has implanted the first patient in the United States with a new wireless retinal device as part of a clinical trial aimed at restoring partial sight to patients with advanced age-related macular degeneration, a disease that leads to permanent blindness.

13 Jan 2020

Study shows that eye and brain pressure are physiologically connected

Researchers at the University of South Florida have discovered a novel feedback pathway from the brain to the eye that modulates eye pressure - a significant advancement in the effort to diagnose and treat glaucoma.

13 Jan 2020

Breakthrough Discovery about Glaucoma could Lead to New Treatments

Researchers at the University of South Florida (USF) have made a ground-breaking discovery about how pressure is moderated in the eye that may pave the way for advances in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

13 Jan 2020

Family doctors in rural America tackle crisis of addiction and pain

Dr. Angela Gatzke-Plamann didn’t fully grasp her community’s opioid crisis until one desperate patient called on a Friday afternoon in 2016.

10 Jan 2020

Study provides new insights into experience of women with rare neurological disorder

Imagine living with unwanted sexual arousals, occurring unexpectedly and repeatedly, unrelated to any sexual desire or pleasure.

9 Jan 2020

Researchers develop 'flash and freeze' method for studying nerve connections

Uniting structure and function of synapses is challenging: Function is studied in living tissue, measuring electrical signals at millisecond precision with electrophysiology, while the observation of fine structure at nanometer scale requires tissue to be fixed for electron microscopy.

9 Jan 2020

Neurological treatments benefit many patients with persistent genital arousal disorder

Persistent genital arousal disorder--which is almost exclusively experienced by females and characterized by spontaneous and unwanted sexual arousal unrelated to desire--can compromise individuals' mental health and well-being and severely damage relationships with partners.

9 Jan 2020

Researchers report first structural model for key enzyme associated with inherited eye diseases

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have reported the first structural model for a key enzyme, and its activating protein, that can play a role in some genetically inherited eye diseases like retinitis pigmentosa and night blindness.

8 Jan 2020

Gut microbes may play a role in stroke recovery

New research shows that the microorganisms in our gut could help protect brain cells from damage caused by inflammation after a stroke.

8 Jan 2020

Updated guideline for management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip and knee released

Today, the American College of Rheumatology, in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation, released the 2019 ACR/AF Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip and Knee.

7 Jan 2020

Novel computer algorithm identifies promising new treatment for neuroblastoma

Using a computer algorithm, scientists at Uppsala University have identified a promising new treatment for neuroblastoma.

7 Jan 2020

Using CRISPR to switch off pain gene becomes a possibility with new study

A pathbreaking study reports success in disabling an important gene that is responsible for inducing the sensation of pain.

7 Jan 2020

New molecular mechanism can reverse genetic defect responsible for Friedreich's ataxia

Scientists at Tufts University have identified a molecular mechanism that could reverse the genetic defect responsible for Friedreich's ataxia, a neurodegenerative disease that leaves its victims with difficulty walking, a loss of sensation in the arms and legs and impaired speech caused by degeneration of nerve tissue in the spinal cord.

6 Jan 2020