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.

UAB launches pilot program to detect earlier stages of glaucoma

Glaucoma is a silent disease. It does not hurt, symptoms are slow to develop, and most people do not notice any loss of vision until it is too late. A project by ophthalmologists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham will examine whether a partnership with community-based optometrists will improve detection and treatment of glaucoma, especially for high-risk populations.

27 Feb 2014

Simple vision test on sidelines may help determine concussion in athletes

A simple vision test performed on the sidelines may help determine whether athletes have suffered a concussion, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 66th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, April 26 to May 3, 2014.

27 Feb 2014

Researchers examine new technique to help patients recover from coma even after several years

Researchers have shown that transcranial direct-current stimulation allows patients in a minimally conscious state to recover cognitive and motor skills. This simple, safe and relatively low-cost technique could offer clinicians a new way to help these patients recover, even several years after their coma. However, the positive effects appear to be temporary at this stage of research.

27 Feb 2014

Goal: Therapies for hearing loss and communications problems

Research scientist Christine Portfors will study how the brain chemical dopamine influences hearing with support from the National Institutes of Health. The work may ultimately lead to better therapies for people with hearing loss and communication problems.

27 Feb 2014

Depression and self-awareness affect subjective reports of memory and satisfaction with life

Kessler Foundation researchers have found that among individuals with TBI, depression and self-awareness affect subjective reports of memory, quality of life (QOL), and satisfaction with life.

26 Feb 2014

Study demonstrates impact of vitamin D on social behavior linked with ASD

A new study by Rhonda Patrick, PhD and Bruce Ames, PhD of Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI) demonstrates the impact that Vitamin D may have on social behavior associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

26 Feb 2014

Therapeutic hypothermia may not be effective in all patients who suffered heart attack, says study

Whole body cooling in comatose patients who have suffered a heart attack can limit the damage to brain tissue caused by the restoration of blood flow and oxygen.

26 Feb 2014

Cognitive decline in obese diabetic mice can be reversed with regular exercise, surgical removal of belly fat

Cognitive decline that often accompanies obesity and diabetes can be reversed with regular exercise or surgical removal of belly fat, scientists report.

26 Feb 2014

K-PAX Pharmaceuticals works with Stanford University to identify effective treatment for chronic fatigue

K-PAX Pharmaceuticals is working with Stanford University and several other leading research institutions to perform a Phase II double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a currently available FDA-approved medication concurrently administered with a novel mitochondrial support product in order to identify a safe and effective treatment for the chronic fatigue and decreased alertness (i.e. brain fog) that commonly afflicts people with CFS.

26 Feb 2014

Researchers develop new compound that slows down progression of Huntington's Disease

Juliet Ross is suffering from Huntington's Disease, a rare neurological disorder that affects one in 10.000 people. Due to a genetic defect, her body produces a toxic protein that damages neurons in her brain.

26 Feb 2014

Senate to consider massive bill to revamp veterans' benefits

The legislation would expand health, education and other benefits for vets and would cost $21 billion over 10 years.

26 Feb 2014

Research grows "mini-livers" to reduce use of animals in science

Research that has for the first time successfully grown "mini-livers" from adult mouse stem cells has won the UK's international prize for the scientific and technological advance with the most potential to replace, reduce or refine the use of animals in science (the 3Rs).

26 Feb 2014

Increased brain cell activity boosts protein linked to Alzheimer's disease

Increased brain cell activity boosts brain fluid levels of a protein linked to Alzheimer's disease, according to new research from scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

26 Feb 2014

Scientists create 3-D elastic membrane that is precisely shaped to match heart's epicardium

Igor Efimov, PhD, at the School of Engineering & Applied Science at Washington University in St. Louis and an international team of biomedical engineers and materials scientists have created a 3-D elastic membrane made of a soft, flexible, silicon material that is precisely shaped to match the heart's epicardium, or the outer layer of the wall of the heart.

26 Feb 2014

Researcher isolates gene thought to play role in development of Alzheimer's disease

A team of international scientists, including a researcher from Simon Fraser University, has isolated a gene thought to play a causal role in the development of Alzheimer's disease. The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences recently published the team's study.

26 Feb 2014

Understanding autism: an interview with Roberto Fernández Galán, PhD, Assistant Professor, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine

Autism does not come in just one flavour. It is a spectrum of disorders that share several features: impaired social interactions; impaired verbal and non-verbal communication; and restricted, repetitive behaviours.

25 Feb 2014

Healthy Directions launches Krill Omega Defense

Healthy Directions, LLC, today announced the launch of Krill Omega Defense™, a unique krill supplement formulated by Julian Whitaker, MD, that supports and maintains the health of the body's key biological functions and systems—from the heart, brain, and nerves to the eyes and bones.

25 Feb 2014

Researchers identify polio-like syndrome in cluster of children from California

Researchers have identified a polio-like syndrome in a cluster of children from California over a one-year period, according to a case report released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 66th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, April 26 to May 3, 2014.

25 Feb 2014

Moving organ donors to stand-alone facility for retrieving organs is more efficient, lowers costs

Retrieving organs from brain-dead donors is logistically challenging and time consuming in hospitals. Multiple surgical teams often fly to a donor's hospital but frequently face delays in retrieving organs due to crowded operating-room schedules.

25 Feb 2014

Opiate use alters activity of specific protein needed for normal functioning of brain's reward center

Identifying the specific pathways that promote opioid addiction, pain relief, and tolerance are crucial for developing more effective and less dangerous analgesics, as well as developing new treatments for addiction.

25 Feb 2014

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

UAB launches pilot program to detect earlier stages of glaucoma

Simple vision test on sidelines may help determine concussion in athletes

Researchers examine new technique to help patients recover from coma even after several years

Goal: Therapies for hearing loss and communications problems

Depression and self-awareness affect subjective reports of memory and satisfaction with life

Study demonstrates impact of vitamin D on social behavior linked with ASD

Therapeutic hypothermia may not be effective in all patients who suffered heart attack, says study

Cognitive decline in obese diabetic mice can be reversed with regular exercise, surgical removal of belly fat

K-PAX Pharmaceuticals works with Stanford University to identify effective treatment for chronic fatigue

Researchers develop new compound that slows down progression of Huntington's Disease

Senate to consider massive bill to revamp veterans' benefits

Research grows "mini-livers" to reduce use of animals in science

Increased brain cell activity boosts protein linked to Alzheimer's disease

Scientists create 3-D elastic membrane that is precisely shaped to match heart's epicardium

Researcher isolates gene thought to play role in development of Alzheimer's disease

Understanding autism: an interview with Roberto Fernández Galán, PhD, Assistant Professor, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine

Healthy Directions launches Krill Omega Defense

Researchers identify polio-like syndrome in cluster of children from California

Moving organ donors to stand-alone facility for retrieving organs is more efficient, lowers costs

Opiate use alters activity of specific protein needed for normal functioning of brain's reward center

Industry Focus eBook - Neurology/Neuroscience - 2nd 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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