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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.

Outdoor safety tips from American Chiropractic Association

The warmer weather brings more chances for parents to get outdoors and ramp up physical activity with their little ones. From biking and hiking to walking and jogging, today's parents are keeping fit and bonding with their babies in the process.

1 Apr 2015

Understanding how neurons work

Before scientists can unlock the secrets of the human brain, they must fully understand neurons—the cells of our brain, spinal cord and overall nervous system. Thousands of detailed neuron images, from different organisms, currently sit in individual data collections across the globe, comprising several petabytes of data altogether.

1 Apr 2015

Video gamers perform more accurately than non-gamers on certain visual tasks

Many studies show that video gamers perform better than non-gamers on certain visual tasks, like managing distractors and identifying targets, but a small new Brown University study provides gamers with some cognitive bonus points. The study results suggest that gaming not only improves their visual skill but also may improve their learning ability for those skills.

1 Apr 2015

Antibodies may trigger psychiatric illness in children

A world first study revealing the presence of two antibodies in a sub-group of children experiencing their first episode of psychosis affirms a longstanding recognition that auto-immune disorders play a significant role in psychiatric illness.

31 Mar 2015

Patient's own skin cells may hold key to new treatments for neurological diseases

A patient's very own skin cells may hold the key to new treatments and even cures for devastating neurological diseases. A generous $1 million donation from Mr. J. Sebastian van Berkom, and critical partnerships with Brain Canada, Laval University, Marigold Foundation and the FRQS-Réseau Parkinson Quebec are driving an innovative, iPSC (induced pluripotent stem cell) research platform that will transform research into Parkinson's and other neurological diseases.

31 Mar 2015

Northwestern Medicine opens multidisciplinary treatment center for patients battling Huntington's disease

Northwestern Medicine recently launched a multidisciplinary center dedicated to the comprehensive treatment of patients battling Huntington's disease. The new center will focus on both patient care and research of the inherited disease that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain.

31 Mar 2015

MOVANTIK (naloxegol) now available in U.S. for treatment of OIC in adult patients with non-cancer pain

Nektar Therapeutics reported that partner AstraZeneca announced today that MOVANTIK (naloxegol) has launched in the United States. On September 16, 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved MOVANTIK as the first once-daily oral peripherally-acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist (PAMORA) medication for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adult patients with chronic, non-cancer pain.

31 Mar 2015

New analysis raises questions about common use of antidepressant drugs for anxiety disorders

A new analysis reported in JAMA Psychiatry raises serious questions about the increasingly common use of second-generation antidepressant drugs to treat anxiety disorders.

31 Mar 2015

Researchers report correlative links between family income, brain structure in children

Characterizing associations between socioeconomic factors and children's brain development, a team including investigators from nine universities across the country reports correlative links between family income and brain structure. Relationships between the brain and family income were strongest in the lowest end of the economic range - suggesting that interventional policies aimed at these children may have the largest societal impact.

31 Mar 2015

Complete review of amyloid-beta protein behind Alzheimer's disease

"It will still take many years to understand the mechanisms leading to the formation of the characteristic plaques seen in brains affected by Alzheimer's disease", explains Alessandro Laio, SISSA professor. "We know they are mostly a build-up of amyloid-beta peptide, the protein that research is currently focusing on". And, as of today, all those involved in biomolecular research on Alzheimer's will have access to a new and important instrument: an extensive and complete review of all scientific knowledge about this "killer protein" has in fact just been published in the journal Chemical Reviews.

31 Mar 2015

Study provides insights into basis for cognitive dysfunction

Scientists at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health have identified a unique pattern of immune molecules in the cerebrospinal fluid of people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) that provides insights into the basis for cognitive dysfunction--frequently described by patients as "brain fog"--as well as new hope for improvements in diagnosis and treatment.

31 Mar 2015

New study finds that walnuts have potential to benefit overall health

Multiple new research abstracts suggest walnuts may have the potential to positively affect several important health factors. From their impact on colon cancer and certain aspects of cognitive aging, to their positive effect on both gut health and vascular health, the research findings presented at Experimental Biology 2015 detail our latest understanding of walnuts' inner workings.

31 Mar 2015

Researchers use fast-scanning PAM to see blood oxygenation, other functions inside living brain

Researchers studying cancer and other invasive diseases rely on high-resolution imaging to see tumors and other activity deep within the body's tissues. Using a new high-speed, high-resolution imaging method, Lihong Wang, PhD, and his team at Washington University in St. Louis were able to see blood flow, blood oxygenation, oxygen metabolism and other functions inside a living mouse brain at faster rates than ever before.

31 Mar 2015

Hormone that stimulates milk production in nursing mothers also fosters bond between parents

Research has discovered a role for prolactin, the hormone that stimulates milk production in nursing mothers, in the bond between parents.

31 Mar 2015

Useful tips for physicians to help patients make the right choice on statin drugs

Cholesterol-lowering statins have transformed the treatment of heart disease. But while the decision to use the drugs in patients with a history of heart attacks and strokes is mostly clear-cut, that choice can be a far trickier proposition for the tens of millions of Americans with high cholesterol but no overt disease.

31 Mar 2015

Allen Institute for Brain Science leads international effort to advance analysis of single neurons

The Allen Institute for Brain Science is spearheading a landmark international effort to define and advance the state-of-the-art digital reconstruction and analysis of single neurons. The project launching today, called BigNeuron, aims to create reliable high-throughput and quantitative 3D reconstructions of the thousands of branches that make up individual neurons: a crucial step to ultimately understanding how the brain encodes information.

31 Mar 2015

Researchers uncover relationship between two proteins linked to cerebral cavernous malformations

Researchers have uncovered new details about the relationship between two proteins associated with the formation of cerebral cavernous malformations, a little understood neurovascular disorder.

31 Mar 2015

Study finds link between brain alterations and functional decline in women at risk for Alzheimer's disease

In their latest brain imaging study on women at risk for Alzheimer's disease, York University researchers have found deterioration in the pathways that serve to communicate signals between different brain regions needed for performing everyday activities such as driving a car or using a computer.

31 Mar 2015

ElectroCore selected as finalist in ‘Technology’ category at FT ArcelorMittal Boldness in Business awards

At the annual FT ArcelorMittal Boldness in Business awards held in London last week electroCore was one of six finalists in the ‘Technology’ category, in a competition that included over 250 companies, which Open Garden won for its FireChat digital app.

31 Mar 2015

Blueberries may be effective in treatment for PTSD

Up to 8 percent of people in the U.S. suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the result of witnessing or being the victim of a traumatic event. People with PTSD have been in a situation in which they were at risk of death, serious injury or sexual violence or have seen first-hand loved ones faces such threats. They may experience flashbacks, emotional detachment and jumpiness, among other symptoms that affect their ability to function in everyday life.

30 Mar 2015

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Outdoor safety tips from American Chiropractic Association

Understanding how neurons work

Video gamers perform more accurately than non-gamers on certain visual tasks

Antibodies may trigger psychiatric illness in children

Patient's own skin cells may hold key to new treatments for neurological diseases

Northwestern Medicine opens multidisciplinary treatment center for patients battling Huntington's disease

MOVANTIK (naloxegol) now available in U.S. for treatment of OIC in adult patients with non-cancer pain

New analysis raises questions about common use of antidepressant drugs for anxiety disorders

Researchers report correlative links between family income, brain structure in children

Complete review of amyloid-beta protein behind Alzheimer's disease

Study provides insights into basis for cognitive dysfunction

New study finds that walnuts have potential to benefit overall health

Researchers use fast-scanning PAM to see blood oxygenation, other functions inside living brain

Hormone that stimulates milk production in nursing mothers also fosters bond between parents

Useful tips for physicians to help patients make the right choice on statin drugs

Allen Institute for Brain Science leads international effort to advance analysis of single neurons

Researchers uncover relationship between two proteins linked to cerebral cavernous malformations

Study finds link between brain alterations and functional decline in women at risk for Alzheimer's disease

ElectroCore selected as finalist in ‘Technology’ category at FT ArcelorMittal Boldness in Business awards

Blueberries may be effective in treatment for PTSD

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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