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.

Jianmin Cui receives $1.7 million NIH grant to study heart's inner mechanisms

Jianmin Cui, PhD, has received a nearly $1.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the molecular bases for the function of potassium channels vital for the heart, brain, inner ear and other tissues.

27 Feb 2015

Researchers one step closer to understanding development of glioblastoma

Glioblastomas are a highly aggressive type of brain tumor, with few effective treatment options. Moffitt Cancer Center researchers are one step closer to understanding glioblastoma development following the identification of a key protein signaling pathway involved in brain tumor stem cell growth and survival.

26 Feb 2015

AGA receives gift to support young investigators advance into neuroenteric disease research

The American Gastroenterological Association Research Foundation has received a generous gift from prominent San Francisco philanthropist Athena Blackburn, which will create new research opportunities for young investigators who are interested in neuroenteric disease.

26 Feb 2015

RowanSOM researcher awarded NINDS grant to develop stem cell-based therapy for Canavan disease

Paola Leone, PhD, the director of the Cell and Gene Therapy Center and a professor of Cell Biology at the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, has been awarded a three-year, $477,000 grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to develop a stem cell-based therapy for Canavan disease, a rare but devastating neurological disorder in children that typically takes a child's life by age 10.

26 Feb 2015

Sleeping more than eight hours a night could increase risk of stroke

People who sleep more than eight hours a night may have an increased risk of stroke, according to a new study published in the February 25, 2015, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

26 Feb 2015

Preliminary NIBIB-funded study may improve prediction of mild traumatic brain injury

A preliminary study conducted by researchers funded by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering may improve our prediction of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Every year more than 40 million people worldwide suffer from mTBI. 3.8 million concussions occur in the US each year during sports and recreation alone.

26 Feb 2015

UK scientists find new approach to treat Parkinson's disease

UK scientists have developed a peptide that sticks to the protein that causes Parkinson's disease, stopping it from killing brain cells. The research highlights a potential new route for slowing the progress of this incurable disease.

26 Feb 2015

Fat cell transplantation benefits systemic sclerosis patients with non-healing digital ulcers

Digital ulcers (DUs) are a frequent, painful, and quality of life altering complication for patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a connective tissue disease causing a progressive loss of small blood vessels and resulting changes in organs and tissues. DUs on the fingertips of SSc patients are slow to heal, if they heal at all, as many are unresponsive to any therapies.

26 Feb 2015

TSRI study finds no evidence of increased aggressive behavior toward strangers in autism model

While aggression toward caregivers and peers is a challenge faced by many individuals and families dealing with autism, there has been much speculation in the media over the possibility of generally heightened aggression in those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. A new study by scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute found no evidence of increased aggressive behavior toward strangers in an animal model of the condition.

26 Feb 2015

Intrinsically disordered proteins have ability to alter their configuration

Like the shape-shifting robots of "Transformers" fame, a unique class of proteins in the human body also has the ability to alter their configuration. These so-named intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) lack a fixed or ordered three-dimensional structure, which can be influenced by exposure to various chemicals and cellular modifications.

26 Feb 2015

Scientists identify novel gene that affects brain function

U.S. and Australian scientists have found the mechanism a novel gene uses to affect brain function and elicit behavior related to neuropsychiatric disease.

26 Feb 2015

Sanofi announces FDA approval of Toujeo insulin to improve glycemic control in people with diabetes

Sanofi announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Toujeo (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection, 300 U/mL), a once-daily long-acting basal insulin, to improve glycemic control in adults living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Toujeo is expected to be available in the U.S. at the beginning of Q2 2015.

26 Feb 2015

Scientists use graphene to target, neutralise cancer stem cells

University of Manchester scientists have used graphene to target and neutralise cancer stem cells while not harming other cells.

25 Feb 2015

Older drivers could benefit from Aston University's new training plan

Older drivers who lack confidence on the road could benefit from a new training plan being developed by researchers at Aston University.

25 Feb 2015

Premature infants with retinal swelling face neuro-developmental issues

Using a portable, non-invasive imaging device, a team of Duke Medicine doctors have identified swelling in the back of the eyes of premature infants that correlates with poorer neurodevelopment as the babies grow.

25 Feb 2015

New TAU study may offer hope to people diagnosed with Glioblastoma multiforme

There are no effective available treatments for sufferers of Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive and devastating form of brain tumor. The disease, always fatal, has a survival rate of only 6-18 months.

25 Feb 2015

Study finds new approaches to manage anticoagulant-associated intracerebral hemorrhage

Among patients with oral anticoagulation-associated intracerebral hemorrhage (bleeding within the brain), reversal of international normalized ratio (INR; a measure used to determine the clotting tendency of blood while on medication) below a certain level within 4 hours and systolic blood pressure less than 160 mm Hg at 4 hours were associated with lower rates of hematoma (a localized swelling filled with blood) enlargement, and resumption of anticoagulant therapy was associated with a lower risk of ischemic events without increased bleeding complications, according to a study in the February 24 issue of JAMA.

25 Feb 2015

Direct brain responsive neurostimulator reduces seizures, improves quality of life

Piotr Olejniczak, MD, PhD, LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Neurology and Director of the Epilepsy Center, contributed to a study of the long-term effectiveness of the first direct brain responsive neurostimulator for partial onset, or focal, seizures that cannot be controlled with medication.

25 Feb 2015

Three innovative research projects aim to improve lives of people with mobility difficulties

A prosthetic hand controlled by the nervous system, robotic clothing to help people with walking, and biosensors to monitor how patients use equipment or exercise during rehabilitation are the focus of three research projects awarded £5.3 million by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

25 Feb 2015

Investigators define prevalence, associated factors for vasospasm in children with brain injuries

Vasospasm, or severe narrowing of blood vessels, is a dangerous complication observed in children with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. In a paper recently published in Critical Care Medicine, investigators at Nationwide Children's Hospital have further defined the prevalence, associated factors and time course for vasospasm in children with these brain injuries.

25 Feb 2015

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Jianmin Cui receives $1.7 million NIH grant to study heart's inner mechanisms

Researchers one step closer to understanding development of glioblastoma

AGA receives gift to support young investigators advance into neuroenteric disease research

RowanSOM researcher awarded NINDS grant to develop stem cell-based therapy for Canavan disease

Sleeping more than eight hours a night could increase risk of stroke

Preliminary NIBIB-funded study may improve prediction of mild traumatic brain injury

UK scientists find new approach to treat Parkinson's disease

Fat cell transplantation benefits systemic sclerosis patients with non-healing digital ulcers

TSRI study finds no evidence of increased aggressive behavior toward strangers in autism model

Intrinsically disordered proteins have ability to alter their configuration

Scientists identify novel gene that affects brain function

Sanofi announces FDA approval of Toujeo insulin to improve glycemic control in people with diabetes

Scientists use graphene to target, neutralise cancer stem cells

Older drivers could benefit from Aston University's new training plan

Premature infants with retinal swelling face neuro-developmental issues

New TAU study may offer hope to people diagnosed with Glioblastoma multiforme

Study finds new approaches to manage anticoagulant-associated intracerebral hemorrhage

Direct brain responsive neurostimulator reduces seizures, improves quality of life

Three innovative research projects aim to improve lives of people with mobility difficulties

Investigators define prevalence, associated factors for vasospasm in children with brain injuries

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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