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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 solve mystery of radial glial cells

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have solved an important piece of one of neuroscience's outstanding puzzles: how progenitor cells in the developing mammalian brain reproduce themselves while also giving birth to neurons that will populate the emerging cerebral cortex, the seat of cognition and executive function in the mature brain.

24 Sep 2012

Alzheimer's can involve mixture of proteins from different neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's are characterised by the loss of nerve cells and the deposition of proteins in the brain tissue. A group of researchers led by Gabor G. Kovacs from the Clinical Institute of Neurology at the MedUni Vienna has now demonstrated that Alzheimer's disease does not just - as previously believed - involve the proteins that are attributed to Alzheimer's, but instead the condition can involve a mixture of interacting proteins from different neurodegenerative diseases.

24 Sep 2012

No ‘July phenomenon’ for patients undergoing neurosurgery at teaching hospitals

For patients undergoing neurosurgery at teaching hospitals, there's no "July phenomenon" of increased death and complication rates when new residents start their training, reports a study in the September issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

24 Sep 2012

NeuroTouch system provides 3-d graphics and tactile feedback during brain cancer surgery

A new virtual reality simulator-including sophisticated 3-D graphics and tactile feedback-provides neurosurgery trainees with valuable opportunities to practice essential skills and techniques for brain cancer surgery, according to a paper in the September issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

24 Sep 2012

Bilateral cochlear implants may restore binaural sound processing in the brain

Cochlear implants - electronic devices surgically implanted in the ear to help provide a sense of sound - have been successfully used since the late 1980's. But questions remain as to whether bilateral cochlear implants, placed in each ear rather than the traditional single-ear implant, are truly able to facilitate binaural hearing. Now, Tel Aviv University researchers have proof that under certain conditions, this practice has the ability to salvage binaural sound processing for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

24 Sep 2012

REM sleep behavior disorder more common than reported

A troubling sleep disorder that causes sleepers to physically act out their dreams by kicking, screaming or falling out of bed may be more common than reported, according to Loyola University Medical Center sleep specialist Dr. Nabeela Nasir.

21 Sep 2012

Partially-matched bone marrow transplants can eliminate sickle cell disease in some patients

In a preliminary clinical trial, investigators at Johns Hopkins have shown that even partially-matched bone marrow transplants can eliminate sickle cell disease in some patients, ridding them of painful and debilitating symptoms, and the need for a lifetime of pain medications and blood transfusions. The researchers say the use of such marrow could potentially help make bone marrow transplants accessible to a majority of sickle cell patients who need them.

21 Sep 2012

Auditory, visual, and tactile cues hold potential in rehabilitation of Parkinson's Disease patients

Walking to a beat could be useful for patients needing rehabilitation, according to a University of Pittsburgh study. The findings, highlighted in the August issue of PLOS One, demonstrate that researchers should further investigate the potential of auditory, visual, and tactile cues in the rehabilitation of patients suffering from illnesses like Parkinson's Disease-a brain disorder leading to shaking (tremors) and difficulty walking.

21 Sep 2012

Vanderbilt, Bristol-Myers Squibb partner to advance Parkinson’s disease treatment

Vanderbilt University and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced today that they have signed a collaboration agreement for the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies acting on the mGluR4 glutamate receptor, known as positive allosteric modulators or PAMs, for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

21 Sep 2012

Simultaneous computer brain exercises and electromagnetic stimulation for Alzheimer's disease treatment

World Alzheimer's Day - As the planet turns its attention to World Alzheimer's Day, an emerging technology using focused computer brain exercises may offer new hope to Alzheimer's patients and their families.

21 Sep 2012

Partially-matched bone marrow transplants can eliminate sickle cell disease in some patients

21 Sep 2012

Intraoperative angiography ‘valuable’ in vascular brain surgery

Use of intraoperative angiography often leads to surgical revision during treatment of brain vascular abnormalities, say researchers.

21 Sep 2012

New mouse models can help scientists study MCT8 deficiency

New mouse models can help scientists study MCT8 deficiency, an inherited genetic disorder affecting children, according to new data presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) in Québec City, Québec, Canada.

21 Sep 2012

Weill Cornell to purchase innovative equipment to help detect and treat diabetic retinopathy

Weill Cornell Medical College's ophthalmology services for diabetic patients received a boost last month, courtesy of a grant from the New York City Council secured by Councilwoman Jessica Lappin.

21 Sep 2012

Children with mild to moderate kidney disease have carotid atherosclerosis

A federally funded study led by researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center has found that children with mild to moderate kidney disease have abnormally thick neck arteries, a condition known as carotid atherosclerosis, usually seen in older adults with a long history of elevated cholesterol and untreated hypertension.

21 Sep 2012

Cedars-Sinai neurologist to study MS-related depression

Living every day with a life-changing illness is discouraging enough, but Maryam Hosseinzadeh is one of 400,000 people in the United States battling multiple sclerosis, a disorder that by changing the brain's makeup appears capable of generating the secondary ill of depression.

21 Sep 2012

Longer looks: A 'renegade' Bill Frist?; The pharmacist's expanding role

Meet former Sen. Bill Frist, a renegade "Obamacare"-loving Republican who is in the mood for some real bipartisanship. Yes, the same Frist who as Senate majority leader led an army into the culture wars over Terri Schiavo and whose efforts in 2004 to unseat his then-rival, Minority Leader Tom Daschle, led to a nasty -; and personal -; Washington battle royal. Now, Frist is pushing for a national conversation on end-of-life care and dismissing "caricatured" talk of death panels.

21 Sep 2012

ChromaDex announces findings from pTeroPure Phase 2/3 trial on high blood pressure

ChromaDex Corporation announced today findings from a Phase 2/3 trial at the University of Mississippi Medical Center showing its patented nutritional ingredient pTeroPure (pterostilbene) significantly reduced blood pressure in adults.

21 Sep 2012

Childhood emotional neglect may increase risk of stroke in later adulthood

The results from a new study by neurological researchers from the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center at Rush University Medical Center suggest that people who were emotionally neglected as children may have a higher risk of stroke in later adulthood.

21 Sep 2012

First extensive analysis of Allen Human Brain Atlas

Scientists at the Allen Institute for Brain Science reported in the latest issue of the journal Nature that human brains share a consistent genetic blueprint and possess enormous biochemical complexity. The findings stem from the first deep and large-scale analysis of the vast data set publicly available in the Allen Human Brain Atlas.

21 Sep 2012

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Researchers solve mystery of radial glial cells

Alzheimer's can involve mixture of proteins from different neurodegenerative diseases

No ‘July phenomenon’ for patients undergoing neurosurgery at teaching hospitals

NeuroTouch system provides 3-d graphics and tactile feedback during brain cancer surgery

Bilateral cochlear implants may restore binaural sound processing in the brain

REM sleep behavior disorder more common than reported

Partially-matched bone marrow transplants can eliminate sickle cell disease in some patients

Auditory, visual, and tactile cues hold potential in rehabilitation of Parkinson's Disease patients

Vanderbilt, Bristol-Myers Squibb partner to advance Parkinson’s disease treatment

Simultaneous computer brain exercises and electromagnetic stimulation for Alzheimer's disease treatment

Partially-matched bone marrow transplants can eliminate sickle cell disease in some patients

Intraoperative angiography ‘valuable’ in vascular brain surgery

New mouse models can help scientists study MCT8 deficiency

Weill Cornell to purchase innovative equipment to help detect and treat diabetic retinopathy

Children with mild to moderate kidney disease have carotid atherosclerosis

Cedars-Sinai neurologist to study MS-related depression

Longer looks: A 'renegade' Bill Frist?; The pharmacist's expanding role

ChromaDex announces findings from pTeroPure Phase 2/3 trial on high blood pressure

Childhood emotional neglect may increase risk of stroke in later adulthood

First extensive analysis of Allen Human Brain Atlas

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

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