Brain News and Research

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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.

Researchers develop hPSC-based system for producing connections between neurons in the brain

Human stem cells can be differentiated to produce other cell types, such as organ cells, skin cells, or brain cells. While organ cells, for example, can function in isolation, brain cells require synapses, or connectors, between cells and between regions of the brain. In a new study published in Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, researchers report successfully growing multiple brain structures and forming connections between them in vitro, in a single culture vessel, for the first time.

16 Jun 2015

TUSM researchers reveal how scratching evokes pleasurable sensation in chronic itch patients

It's long been known that scratching evokes a rewarding and pleasurable sensation in patients with chronic itch. Now, researchers in the Department of Dermatology and Temple Itch Center at Temple University School of Medicine may be closer to understanding why.

16 Jun 2015

Understanding crosstalk between cells in the pancreas can help treat diabetes

Sometimes, listening in on a conversation can tell you a lot. For Mark Huising, an assistant professor in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior at the UC Davis College of Biological Sciences, that crosstalk is between the cells that control your body's response to sugar, and understanding the conversation can help us understand, and perhaps ultimately treat, diabetes.

16 Jun 2015

Researchers find lymphatic vessels in the central nervous system

In a study published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine, researchers working at the Wihuri Research Institute and the University of Helsinki report a surprising finding that challenges current anatomy and histology textbook knowledge: Lymphatic vessels are found in the central nervous system where they were not known to exist.

16 Jun 2015

NTCELL Phase I/IIa clinical study meets primary endpoint in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Living Cell Technologies Limited today announced results from a Phase I/IIa clinical study of NTCELL, an experimental regenerative cell therapy being studied as a disease-modifying agent in Parkinson’s disease. The study, conducted in four patients in New Zealand, met its primary endpoint of safety, showing NTCELL implantation was well tolerated, with no adverse events considered to be related to NTCELL.

15 Jun 2015

Combination of tosedostat and LDAC results in overall response rate of 54% in elderly patients with AML

CTI BioPharma Corp. today announced findings from an investigator-sponsored Phase 2 trial in patients with either primary (de novo) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or AML that has evolved from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Results showed the combination of tosedostat with low dose cytarabine/Ara-C (LDAC) resulted in an overall response rate (ORR) of 54 percent in elderly patients with AML – with 45 percent of patients achieving durable complete responses (CR).

15 Jun 2015

Study examines mental health prognosis of young VTE patients

EuroHeartCare is the official annual meeting of the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions of the European Society of Cardiology. The 2015 meeting is held 14 to 15 June in Dubrovnik, Croatia, in collaboration with the Croatian Association of Cardiology Nurses.

15 Jun 2015

Spending more time in intensive physical therapy program may benefit stroke survivors

Time may heal all wounds, but in the case of stroke survivors, the key to better recovery is to spend more time in an intensive physical therapy program, according to a University of Florida Health study.

15 Jun 2015

LMU clinicians reveal mechanism involved in determining lifetime of antibody-producing cells

Clinicians at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet in Munich have elucidated a mechanism involved in determining the lifespan of antibody-producing cells, and identified a promising new biomarker for monitoring autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and lupus erythematosus.

15 Jun 2015

UIC study shows that brain cell density remains constant in normal aging

New, ultra-high-field magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the brain by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago provide the most detailed images to date to show that while the brain shrinks with age, brain cell density remains constant.

14 Jun 2015

Scientists identify gene mutation linked to anaplastic oligodendroglioma

Scientists have identified a gene mutation linked to the development of an aggressive form of brain cancer. Researchers found that errors in a gene known as TCF12 - which plays a key role in the formation of the embryonic brain are associated with more aggressive forms of a disease called anaplastic oligodendroglioma.

12 Jun 2015

Early neuronal lysosomal dysfunction could help predict AD

Blood levels of altered lysosomal proteins may help detect preclinical Alzheimer’s disease, researchers report.

12 Jun 2015

Promising results for multi-source DBS in Parkinson’s disease

Deep-brain stimulation targeting the subthalamic nucleus with a multiple-source constant-current device effectively suppresses motor symptoms in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease, report researchers.

12 Jun 2015

New TSRI study integrates neuroscience and psychological research to understand sleep, memory

In Macbeth, Shakespeare describes sleep as "the death of each day's life," but he may have gotten it wrong. Sleep, as it turns out, may be the one thing that keeps our memories alive and intact.

12 Jun 2015

New noninvasive brain stimulator may help tamp down Parkinson's symptoms at home

Parkinson's disease patients whose symptoms such as tremor, muscle stiffness and slowed movement make it tough to hold an eating utensil steady have few options for relief outside of a hospital or clinic. Medication can help, but over time it tends to become less effective.

12 Jun 2015

Weill Cornell scientists reveal how XBP1 gene can trigger immune responses against ovarian tumors

Ovarian cancer shuts down immune system cells that would otherwise act as a first line of defense against the deadly tumor, Weill Cornell Medical College scientists report today. But a therapy that restores the cells' disease-fighting abilities could provide a powerful new strategy to attack the cancer, which kills more than 14,000 women each year.

12 Jun 2015

Research: Interaction between cortical and subcortical brain regions highlights role of hypersensitivity in ASD

The increased interaction between cortical and subcortical brain regions highlights the central role of hypersensitivity and other sensory symptoms in defining Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

12 Jun 2015

Discovery may help scientists attack the root of deadliest brain tumors

Some brain tumors are notoriously difficult to treat. Whether surgically removed, zapped by radiation or infiltrated by chemotherapy drugs, they find a way to return. The ability of many brain tumors to regenerate can be traced to cancer stem cells that evade treatment and spur the growth of new tumor cells.

11 Jun 2015

USC Stem Cell scientist named 2015 Pew-Stewart scholar for cancer research

USC Stem Cell researcher Min Yu, MD, PhD, is one of five early-career scientists to be named a 2015 Pew-Stewart scholar for cancer research. As part of this honor, she will receive $240,000 over four years to advance the understanding of metastatic breast cancer.

11 Jun 2015

Brain Injury Services of SWVA receives WWP grant to provide tele-health program for veterans with TBI

Brain Injury Services of SWVA has received a grant from Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) to provide a unique tele-health program, the Community Living Connection (CLiC) for veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI), to overcome the diverse challenges of the complex condition. WWP's Grant Program, now in its fourth year, is expanding the availability of programs and services that provide support to this generation of injured service members.

11 Jun 2015

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Researchers develop hPSC-based system for producing connections between neurons in the brain

TUSM researchers reveal how scratching evokes pleasurable sensation in chronic itch patients

Understanding crosstalk between cells in the pancreas can help treat diabetes

Researchers find lymphatic vessels in the central nervous system

NTCELL Phase I/IIa clinical study meets primary endpoint in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Combination of tosedostat and LDAC results in overall response rate of 54% in elderly patients with AML

Study examines mental health prognosis of young VTE patients

Spending more time in intensive physical therapy program may benefit stroke survivors

LMU clinicians reveal mechanism involved in determining lifetime of antibody-producing cells

UIC study shows that brain cell density remains constant in normal aging

Scientists identify gene mutation linked to anaplastic oligodendroglioma

Early neuronal lysosomal dysfunction could help predict AD

Promising results for multi-source DBS in Parkinson’s disease

New TSRI study integrates neuroscience and psychological research to understand sleep, memory

New noninvasive brain stimulator may help tamp down Parkinson's symptoms at home

Weill Cornell scientists reveal how XBP1 gene can trigger immune responses against ovarian tumors

Research: Interaction between cortical and subcortical brain regions highlights role of hypersensitivity in ASD

Discovery may help scientists attack the root of deadliest brain tumors

USC Stem Cell scientist named 2015 Pew-Stewart scholar for cancer research

Brain Injury Services of SWVA receives WWP grant to provide tele-health program for veterans with TBI

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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