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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 question strategy to target critical protein in the brain to combat Alzheimer's disease

In the search for medication against Alzheimer's disease, scientists have focused - among other factors - on drugs that can break down Amyloid beta (A-beta). After all, it is the accumulation of A-beta that causes the known plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Starting point for the formation of A-beta is APP. Alessia Soldano and Bassem Hassan (VIB/KU Leuven) were the first to unravel the function of APPL - the fruit-fly version of APP - in the brain of healthy fruit flies.

28 May 2013

Boston Scientific's GUIDE DBS System gets CE Mark approval

Boston Scientific Corporation has received CE Mark approval for use of the GUIDE DBS System, the world's first deep brain stimulation visualization system.

28 May 2013

TF-CBT and EMDR are effective treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder

Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are effective treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder.

27 May 2013

Neuroscientists identify key circuit elements that contribute to everyday decision in ACC

You are sitting on your couch flipping through TV channels trying to decide whether to stay put or get up for a snack. Such everyday decisions about whether to "stay" or to "go" are supported by a brain region called the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which is part of the prefrontal cortex.

27 May 2013

Researchers are exploring how healthy people who hear voices can help schizophrenics

How can healthy people who hear voices help schizophrenics? Finding the answer for this is at the centre of research conducted at the University of Bergen. Researchers from the Bergen fMRI Group at the University of Bergen (UiB) are working on how to help schizophrenics, who hear voices. The way they do this is by studying people who also hear voices, but who do not suffer from a mental illness.

27 May 2013

Study: Therapies targeting regulatory T cells could be a promising approach in cancer treatment

Cancer cells spread and grow by avoiding detection and destruction by the immune system. Stimulation of the immune system can help to eliminate cancer cells; however, there are many factors that cause the immune system to ignore cancer cells.

27 May 2013

Researchers identify mutations in new genes that might be associated with ALS disease

Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have identified mutations in several new genes that might be associated with the development of spontaneously occurring cases of the neurodegenerative disease known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

27 May 2013

Calyx of Held: The largest synapse could shed light on neuropsychiatric disorders

Humans and most mammals can determine the spatial origin of sounds with remarkable acuity. We use this ability all the time -- crossing the street; locating an invisible ringing cell phone in a cluttered bedroom.

27 May 2013

NTU's new medical school to use plastinated human bodies for medical education

Nanyang Technological University's new medical school will be pioneering the use of plastinated bodies for medical education in Singapore.

27 May 2013

Study could open up new possibilities for early diagnosis of motor disorders

The scientists report these findings in the current online edition of "The Lancet Neurology". This pan-European study could open up new possibilities of early diagnosis and smooth the way for treatments which tackle diseases before the patient's nervous system is irreparably damaged.

24 May 2013

Research report examines trends in pediatric organ donation and transplantation

Changes in the circumstances of when organs are donated to pediatric patients has resulted in a decreased number of organ transplant wait-list deaths over the past decade, according to research published online this week in the journal Pediatrics.

24 May 2013

Research: Anti-cancer drug tested as possible treatment for Alzheimer's disease proved ineffective

An anti-cancer drug about to be tested in a clinical trial by a biomedical company in Ohio as a possible treatment for Alzheimer's disease has failed to work with the same type of brain plaques that plague Alzheimer's patients, according to results of a study by University of Florida researchers.

24 May 2013

Research findings may offer new hope to stroke victims

A study by researchers at Henry Ford Hospital found "substantial evidence" that a regenerative process involving damaged nerve fibers in the spinal cord could hold the key to better functional recovery by most stroke victims.

24 May 2013

Scientists develop new device to test the effects of drugs

Scientists from the University of Southampton have developed a device which records the brain activity of worms to help test the effects of drugs.

24 May 2013

TSRI scientists devise new technique to find therapeutic antibodies

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have devised a powerful new technique for finding antibodies that have a desired biological effect. Antibodies, which can bind to billions of distinct targets, are already used in many of the world's best-selling medicines, diagnostics and laboratory reagents.

24 May 2013

The Berman Brain & Spine Institute at LifeBridge Health is acknowledged for excellence in stroke care

The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute at LifeBridge Health has been acknowledged for the exceptional quality of its stroke care with a Target: Stroke designation and two Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Awards from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

24 May 2013

Bochum's medics use autologous cord blood to treat infantile cerebral palsy

Bochum's medics have succeeded in treating cerebral palsy with autologous cord blood. Following a cardiac arrest with severe brain damage, a 2.5 year old boy had been in a persistent vegetative state - with minimal chances of survival. Just two months after treatment with the cord blood containing stem cells, the symptoms improved significantly; over the following months, the child learned to speak simple sentences and to move.

24 May 2013

Study highlights human's potential to cultivate compassion

Until now, little was scientifically known about the human potential to cultivate compassion - the emotional state of caring for people who are suffering in a way that motivates altruistic behavior.

24 May 2013

Cinnamon compounds show some promise in the effort to fight Alzheimer's disease

Cinnamon: Can the red-brown spice with the unmistakable fragrance and variety of uses offer an important benefit? The common baking spice might hold the key to delaying the onset of -- or warding off -- the effects of Alzheimer's disease.

24 May 2013

Common type of childhood asthma is not related to allergens and inflammation

Little is known about why asthma develops, how it constricts the airway or why response to treatments varies between patients. Now, a team of researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College, Columbia University Medical Center and SUNY Downstate Medical Center has revealed the roots of a common type of childhood asthma, showing that it is very different from other asthma cases.

24 May 2013

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Scientists question strategy to target critical protein in the brain to combat Alzheimer's disease

Boston Scientific's GUIDE DBS System gets CE Mark approval

TF-CBT and EMDR are effective treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder

Neuroscientists identify key circuit elements that contribute to everyday decision in ACC

Researchers are exploring how healthy people who hear voices can help schizophrenics

Study: Therapies targeting regulatory T cells could be a promising approach in cancer treatment

Researchers identify mutations in new genes that might be associated with ALS disease

Calyx of Held: The largest synapse could shed light on neuropsychiatric disorders

NTU's new medical school to use plastinated human bodies for medical education

Study could open up new possibilities for early diagnosis of motor disorders

Research report examines trends in pediatric organ donation and transplantation

Research: Anti-cancer drug tested as possible treatment for Alzheimer's disease proved ineffective

Research findings may offer new hope to stroke victims

Scientists develop new device to test the effects of drugs

TSRI scientists devise new technique to find therapeutic antibodies

The Berman Brain & Spine Institute at LifeBridge Health is acknowledged for excellence in stroke care

Bochum's medics use autologous cord blood to treat infantile cerebral palsy

Study highlights human's potential to cultivate compassion

Cinnamon compounds show some promise in the effort to fight Alzheimer's disease

Common type of childhood asthma is not related to allergens and inflammation

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Changing the landscape of R&D to build clinical success from the ground up

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