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.

Twin brains reveal similar progressions of neuropathological changes

Despite widespread use of a single term, Alzheimer's disease is actually a diverse collection of diseases, symptoms and pathological changes.

3 Mar 2014

Researchers underscore the need to curb designer drug use

In the span of a decade, Canada has gone from ecstasy importer to global supplier of the illegal party drug.

3 Mar 2014

Sunburn causes melanoma through direct and indirect processes

Melanoma is particularly dangerous because it can form metastases in vital organs such as the lungs, liver or brain. UV radiation is considered to be the most significant triggering factor.

3 Mar 2014

Researchers develop new handheld electronic device that help overcome hand shakes caused by tremor

For people whose hands shake uncontrollably due to a medical condition, just eating can be a frustrating and embarrassing ordeal - enough to keep them from sharing a meal with others.

3 Mar 2014

Research: Beneficial and toxic roles of brain glycogen

In 2007, in an article published in Nature Neuroscience, scientists at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) headed by Joan Guinovart, an authority on glycogen metabolism, reported that in Lafora Disease (LD), a rare and fatal neurodegenerative condition that affects adolescents, neurons die as a result of the accumulation of glycogen-chains of glucose.

3 Mar 2014

Viewpoints: The evolution of Medicare; generic drugs and patient safety; new food labels

About half a century ago, organized medicine and the hospital industry in this country struck a deal with Congress that in retrospect seems as audacious as it seems incredible: Congress was asked to surrender to these industries the keys to the United States Treasury. In return, the industries would allow Congress to pass a 1965 amendment to the Social Security Act .... We have come to know it as Medicare.

3 Mar 2014

Study of Gulf War veterans finds link between poor sleep quality and reduced gray matter

A new study of Gulf War veterans found an association between poor sleep quality and reduced gray matter volume in the brain's frontal lobe, which helps control important processes such as working memory and executive function.

3 Mar 2014

Study explores risks associated with using herbal cannabis for treatment of rheumatic conditions

Patients with rheumatic conditions are in need of symptom relief and some are turning to herbal cannabis as a treatment option. However, the effectiveness and safety of medical marijuana to treat symptoms of rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or fibromyalgia is not supported by medical evidence.

3 Mar 2014

Study establishes innovative approaches to improve vision of young children with brain tumor

Robert Avery, DO, MSCE, of Children's National Health System and colleagues are establishing innovative approaches with technology and medication to improve the vision of young children who have visual pathway glioma, a type of brain tumor.

3 Mar 2014

Standard nomenclature of insect brains may improve future research on brain function and disease

When you're talking about something as complex as the brain, the task isn't any easier if the vocabula

3 Mar 2014

Max Planck scientists identify new mechanisms in cellular stress response

When an organism is exposed to life-threatening conditions, it sounds the alarm and a cellular emergency program, the heat shock response, is initiated.

3 Mar 2014

New study may open door to better diagnosis, treatment for chronic insomnia

Johns Hopkins researchers report that people with chronic insomnia show more plasticity and activity than good sleepers in the part of the brain that controls movement.

3 Mar 2014

WSU scientist receives grant to study effects of chronic methamphetamine on brain metabolism, sleep

WSU sleep scientist Jonathan Wisor has received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the effects of chronic methamphetamine use on brain metabolism and sleep.

3 Mar 2014

Teen diagnosed with liver cancer explores genetic link to rare cancers

A father-daughter scientific collaboration that began after the daughter was diagnosed with a rare liver cancer has led to an important finding and could have broader implications for many other rare cancers. Their story is being published this week in a top tier journal, Science.

3 Mar 2014

Council discusses innovative model of care with Cleveland Clinic CEO

Today, the Nashville Health Care Council hosted 250 member executives for a conversation with Dr. Toby Cosgrove, president and CEO, Cleveland Clinic, about the Clinic's innovative model of care and focus on wellness of the mind and body.

3 Mar 2014

Randomized trial of bevacizumab for glioblastoma shows disappointing results

"The results of this study are counter to most expectations," said Dr. Brachman, Director of Radiation Oncology at Barrow and St. Joseph's. "Bevacizumab had been shown in earlier studies to be an effective drug in the treatment of patients with recurrent disease. But, on newly diagnosed patients, it did not, in fact, prolong survival."

3 Mar 2014

Heat shock protein may be involved in folding processes of tau protein

Proteins like the so-called heat shock protein Hsp90 play an important role in almost all processes within human cells. They help other proteins fold into their three-dimensional structure or return damaged proteins back into their proper shape.

3 Mar 2014

BDNF abnormalities may predict bipolar disorder

Patients with bipolar disorder show abnormalities in the conversion of pro-brain derived neurotrophic factor to the mature form, which may be used to aid diagnosis of the condition.

28 Feb 2014

Longer looks: A doctor struggles with new health system; how to reduce end-of-life costs; fighting cancer with aspirin

I know how lucky I am to be a patient who happens to also work in the healthcare system. ... Initially, I had to use antibiotic drops every hour. But my insurance would only cover one three-milliliter bottle every three weeks. Each bottle not covered by insurance cost me $130. ... My own experience makes me fear that for many Americans, health insurance may not necessarily equal health care. Access and cost will still remain barriers - and can be difficult to surmount for many (Dr. Helen Ouyang, 2/24)

28 Feb 2014

Researchers identify new way of treating people with hearing disabilities

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have identified a biological circadian clock in the hearing organ, the cochlea. This circadian clock controls how well hearing damage may heal and opens up a new way of treating people with hearing disabilities.

28 Feb 2014

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Twin brains reveal similar progressions of neuropathological changes

Researchers underscore the need to curb designer drug use

Sunburn causes melanoma through direct and indirect processes

Researchers develop new handheld electronic device that help overcome hand shakes caused by tremor

Research: Beneficial and toxic roles of brain glycogen

Viewpoints: The evolution of Medicare; generic drugs and patient safety; new food labels

Study of Gulf War veterans finds link between poor sleep quality and reduced gray matter

Study explores risks associated with using herbal cannabis for treatment of rheumatic conditions

Study establishes innovative approaches to improve vision of young children with brain tumor

Standard nomenclature of insect brains may improve future research on brain function and disease

Max Planck scientists identify new mechanisms in cellular stress response

New study may open door to better diagnosis, treatment for chronic insomnia

WSU scientist receives grant to study effects of chronic methamphetamine on brain metabolism, sleep

Teen diagnosed with liver cancer explores genetic link to rare cancers

Council discusses innovative model of care with Cleveland Clinic CEO

Randomized trial of bevacizumab for glioblastoma shows disappointing results

Heat shock protein may be involved in folding processes of tau protein

BDNF abnormalities may predict bipolar disorder

Longer looks: A doctor struggles with new health system; how to reduce end-of-life costs; fighting cancer with aspirin

Researchers identify new way of treating people with hearing disabilities

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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