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.

Simple sponge may hold clues about the evolution of the complex nervous system

UC Santa Barbara scientists turned to the simple sponge to find clues about the evolution of the complex nervous system and found that, but for a mechanism that coordinates the expression of genes that lead to the formation of neural synapses, sponges and the rest of the animal world may not be so distant after all.

19 Jun 2012

AFAR announces new Collaborative Research Awards Program in Alzheimer's Disease

The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) announced today a new grant program that will support collaboration among young scientists from different scientific disciplines, to help tackle some of the most vexing questions about Alzheimer's disease.

19 Jun 2012

Improving outcomes for children with acquired brain injuries a significant challenge

Outcomes for children with brain injury acquired during childhood are difficult to predict and vary significantly, states an analysis of evidence on the topic published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

19 Jun 2012

Difficult childhood affects brain development and can increase risk of adolescent crimes

The legal system needs to take greater account of new discoveries in neuroscience that show how a difficult childhood can affect the development of a young person's brain which can increase the risk adolescent crimes, according to researchers. The research will be presented as part of an Economic and Social Research Council seminar series in conjunction with the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.

19 Jun 2012

LDL particles may be a more accurate measure of early-stage atherosclerosis

LipoScience, Inc., today announced publication of a clinical study in the current issue of Atherosclerosis suggesting that low density lipoprotein (LDL) particles may be a more accurate measure of early-stage (subclinical) atherosclerosis than LDL cholesterol among retired National Football League (NFL) players.

19 Jun 2012

Single-dose vaccine for treatment of cocaine addiction

A single-dose vaccine capable of providing immunity against the effects of cocaine offers a novel and groundbreaking strategy for treating cocaine addiction is described in an article published Instant Online in Human Gene Therapy, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

19 Jun 2012

Implanted device delivers genetically engineered neurotrophic factor directly to the brain

Studies suggest that neurotrophic factors, which play a role in the development and survival of neurons, have significant therapeutic and restorative potential for neurologic diseases such as Huntington's disease. However, clinical applications are limited because these proteins cannot easily cross the blood brain barrier, have a short half-life, and cause serious side effects.

19 Jun 2012

Unique brain characteristics behind people's excellence

Scientists trying to understand why some people excel - whether as world-class athletes, virtuoso musicians, or top CEOs - have discovered that these outstanding performers have unique brain characteristics that make them different from other people.

19 Jun 2012

Five abstracts evaluating Abbott's LCIG presented at Parkinson's disease congress

Today Abbott announced results from five abstracts evaluating levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG), its investigational compound for advanced Parkinson's disease.

19 Jun 2012

MRI images of the brain when a person loses self-control

New pictures from the University of Iowa show what it looks like when a person runs out of patience and loses self-control.

19 Jun 2012

Rusk Rehabilitation moves to NYU Langone's new Ambulatory Care Center

NYU Langone Medical Center announced that Rusk Rehabilitation non-musculoskeletal outpatient rehabilitation care, research and administrative offices have moved to a 40,000 square-foot space in NYU Langone's new Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) located at 240 East 38th Street in Manhattan.

19 Jun 2012

A novel candidate gene in human early-onset degenerative ataxias

Researchers at the University of Helsinki and the Folkh-lsan Research Center, Finland, have identified the genetic cause of early-onset progressive cerebellar degeneration the Finnish Hound dog breed. The study, led by Professor Hannes Lohi, revealed a new disease mechanism in cerebellar degeneration. A mutation was identified in the SEL1L gene, which has no previous link to inherited cerebellar ataxias.

18 Jun 2012

Penumbra adds MAX System of Reperfusion Catheters to family of aspiration thrombectomy devices

The Penumbra System family of aspiration thrombectomy devices now includes the MAX System of Reperfusion Catheters for removal of clots in patients experiencing acute ischemic stroke. The MAX System neuro-interventional devices offer a fast, simplified cerebral thrombectomy procedure with single-operator, over-the-wire delivery without the need for a large proximal balloon guide.

18 Jun 2012

Agility MLC's new design provides better dose sculpting capabilities

Requiring only a quick upgrade to their existing Elekta Synergy linear accelerator, physicians at SALK and Paracelsus Medical University began using the new Agility 160-leaf multileaf collimator (MLC), treating 33 patients on its first day. In its first month of Agility use, the center now treats 50 patients per day, comprising about 700 individual treatment sessions that have benefited from this breakthrough in cancer care.

From Elekta 18 Jun 2012

Is curry good for you?

There have been several news stories over the years reporting that curry may be good for us. Most of them refer to a chemical in curry, known as curcumin.

18 Jun 2012

NHS Supply Chain signs deal to purchase 10 Elekta Synergy radiation therapy treatment systems

NHS Supply Chain will bring state-of-the-art cancer treatment to the United Kingdom by signing a deal to purchase ten Elekta Synergy radiation therapy treatment systems.

From Elekta 18 Jun 2012

Researchers develop double viral vector transfection technique

The collaborative research team led by Professor Tadashi ISA, Project Assistant Professor Masaharu KINOSHITA from The National Institute for Physiological Sciences, The National Institutes of Natural Sciences and Fukushima Medical University and Kyoto University, developed "the double viral vector transfection technique" which can deliver genes to a specific neural circuit by combining two new kinds of gene transfer vectors.

18 Jun 2012

Link between unconscious conflicts and conscious anxiety disorder symptoms

An experiment that Sigmund Freud could never have imagined 100 years ago may help lend scientific support for one of his key theories, and help connect it with current neuroscience.

18 Jun 2012

Ginger gum can cure migraine headaches

If you or someone you care about is among the one in 10 Americans who suffer with migraine headaches, recent research may provide some relief.

16 Jun 2012

Surprising effects of brain injury

When Maria Ross' husband found his healthy and active wife unconscious on the bathroom floor, the pair had no idea they would embark on a journey into the world of brain injury, learning more about how trauma affects the brain - and your identity - than they ever cared to know.

16 Jun 2012