Brain News and Research

RSS

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.

People with chronic inflammatory conditions may benefit from mindfulness meditation

People suffering from chronic inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and asthma - in which psychological stress plays a major role - may benefit from mindfulness meditation techniques, according to a study by University of Wisconsin-Madison neuroscientists with the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at the Waisman Center.

17 Jan 2013

Report describes 2 brain underpinnings of emotion dysregulation in borderline personality disorder

Originally, the label "borderline personality disorder" was applied to patients who were thought to represent a middle ground between patients with neurotic and psychotic disorders. Increasingly, though, this area of research has focused on the heightened emotional reactivity observed in patients carrying this diagnosis, as well as the high rates with which they also meet diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder and mood disorders.

17 Jan 2013

FDA approves InfraScan’s noninvasive handheld brain hematoma detector

InfraScan, a medical device company specializing in brain injury diagnostic products, announced today that it has obtained U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to market the Infrascanner Model 2000, a noninvasive handheld brain hematoma detector.

17 Jan 2013

ARHGEF28 gene mutations present in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Research

Researchers at Western University in London, Canada, have identified a new genetic mutation for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), opening the door to future targeted therapies. Dr. Michael Strong, a scientist with Western's Robarts Research Institute and Distinguished University Professor in Clinical Neurological Sciences at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and colleagues found that mutations within the ARHGEF28 gene are present in ALS.

16 Jan 2013

Some children with autism lose symptoms and diagnosis as they grow older

Some children who are accurately diagnosed in early childhood with autism lose the symptoms and the diagnosis as they grow older, a study supported by the National Institutes of Health has confirmed. The research team made the finding by carefully documenting a prior diagnosis of autism in a small group of school-age children and young adults with no current symptoms of the disorder.

16 Jan 2013

New initiative aims to accelerate biomarker search in Parkinson's

A new initiative aims to accelerate the search for biomarkers - changes in the body that can be used to predict, diagnose or monitor a disease - in Parkinson's disease, in part by improving collaboration among researchers and helping patients get involved in clinical studies.

16 Jan 2013

Acetaminophen may improve postoperative outcomes

Prophylactically administered intravenous acetaminophen could reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting, research suggests.

16 Jan 2013

Study demonstrates ways in which quality measurement from EHRs can be improved

Health care providers and hospitals are being offered up to $27 billion in federal financial incentives to use electronic health records (EHRs) in ways that demonstrably improve the quality of care. The incentives are based, in part, on the ability to electronically report clinical quality measures.

16 Jan 2013

Sp2 protein plays a key role in creation of neurons from stem cells

A protein known as Sp2 is key to the proper creation of neurons from stem cells, according to researchers at North Carolina State University. Understanding how this protein works could enable scientists to "program" stem cells for regeneration, which has implications for neural therapies.

16 Jan 2013

Fifteen established scientists to receive NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Grants

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (formerly NARSAD, the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression) announced the latest recipients of its highly competitive NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Grants.

16 Jan 2013

Researchers identify new group of growth factor receptors that signal to brain tumours

One in 25,000 people worldwide is affected by neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a condition where the loss of a tumour suppressor called Merlin results in multiple tumours in the brain and nervous system.

16 Jan 2013

Stroke survivors with depression more likely to die

People who are depressed after a stroke may have a tripled risk of dying early and four times the risk of death from stroke than people who have not experienced a stroke or depression, according to a study that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 65th Annual Meeting in San Diego, March 16 to 23, 2013.

16 Jan 2013

Speech entrainment benefits stroke victims with Broca's aphasia

Stroke victims affected with loss of speech caused by Broca's aphasia have been shown to speak fluidly through the use of a process called "speech entrainment" developed by researchers at the University of South Carolina's Arnold School of Public Health.

16 Jan 2013

Elan, Biogen Idec submit applications to FDA and EMA for updation of TYSABRI labels

Today Biogen Idec and Elan Corporation, plc announced that they have submitted applications to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) requesting updates to the TYSABRI (natalizumab) labels.

16 Jan 2013

Jan. issue of Behavioural Neurology features papers on aphasia and hemispatial neglect

Approximately half a million individuals suffer strokes in the US each year, and about one in five develops some form of post-stroke aphasia, the partial or total loss of the ability to communicate. By comparing different types of aphasia, investigators have been able to gain new insights into the normal cognitive processes underlying language, as well as the potential response to interventions.

16 Jan 2013

People with early Parkinson's frequently experience many non-motor symptoms

While movement problems are the main symptom of Parkinson's disease, a new study shows that even early in the course of disease people frequently experience many non-motor symptoms such as drooling, anxiety and constipation.

16 Jan 2013

Reviva Pharmaceuticals completes enrollment in RP5063 phase 2 trial for schizophrenia

Reviva Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held drug discovery and development company, today announces completion of patient enrollment in the phase 2 clinical trial of RP5063 for the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

16 Jan 2013

Study finds primary factors that increase risk of mortality in subarachnoid haemorrhage survivors

"It is particularly important for subarachnoid haemorrhage survivors to refrain from smoking and to take care of their blood pressure and cholesterol levels; apart from age, these are the primary factors behind the increased risk of mortality," explains neurosurgeon Miikka Korja from the HUCH's Neurosurgery Department together with professor Jaakko Kaprio from the University of Helsinki's Hjelt Institute.

16 Jan 2013

Vanderbilt University, AstraZeneca partner to identify candidate drugs for major brain diseases

Today, AstraZeneca and Vanderbilt University announced they have signed a research collaboration agreement to identify candidate drugs aimed at treating psychosis and other neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with major brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.

16 Jan 2013

Patients with Parkinson's develop artistic talents after dopamine-inducing therapy

Parkinson's experts across the world have been reporting a remarkable phenomenon - many patients treated with drugs to increase the activity of dopamine in the brain as a therapy for motor symptoms such as tremors and muscle rigidity are developing new creative talents, including painting, sculpting, writing, and more.

16 Jan 2013

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

People with chronic inflammatory conditions may benefit from mindfulness meditation

Report describes 2 brain underpinnings of emotion dysregulation in borderline personality disorder

FDA approves InfraScan’s noninvasive handheld brain hematoma detector

ARHGEF28 gene mutations present in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Research

Some children with autism lose symptoms and diagnosis as they grow older

New initiative aims to accelerate biomarker search in Parkinson's

Acetaminophen may improve postoperative outcomes

Study demonstrates ways in which quality measurement from EHRs can be improved

Sp2 protein plays a key role in creation of neurons from stem cells

Fifteen established scientists to receive NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Grants

Researchers identify new group of growth factor receptors that signal to brain tumours

Stroke survivors with depression more likely to die

Speech entrainment benefits stroke victims with Broca's aphasia

Elan, Biogen Idec submit applications to FDA and EMA for updation of TYSABRI labels

Jan. issue of Behavioural Neurology features papers on aphasia and hemispatial neglect

People with early Parkinson's frequently experience many non-motor symptoms

Reviva Pharmaceuticals completes enrollment in RP5063 phase 2 trial for schizophrenia

Study finds primary factors that increase risk of mortality in subarachnoid haemorrhage survivors

Vanderbilt University, AstraZeneca partner to identify candidate drugs for major brain diseases

Patients with Parkinson's develop artistic talents after dopamine-inducing therapy

Discover how SciY empowers scientists

Why use light scattering to analyze proteins and viral vectors?

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

Latest News