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.

CSHL researchers explore how the brain integrates multiple signals to identify one unique smell

Think of the smell of an orange, a lemon, and a grapefruit. Each has strong acidic notes mixed with sweetness. And yet each fresh, bright scent is distinguishable from its relatives. These fruits smell similar because they share many chemical compounds. How, then does the brain tell them apart? How does the brain remember a complex and often overlapping chemical signature as a particular scent?

21 Oct 2013

New investigational drug offers potential treatment option for lung cancer

PF-06463922, an investigational drug being developed by Pfizer Inc., has the potential to become a new treatment option for patients who have lung cancer harboring abnormalities in the ALK gene, according to preclinical results presented here at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, held Oct. 19-23.

21 Oct 2013

Genetic mutation found to restore translational balance in mice

In a biological quirk that promises to provide researchers with a new approach for studying and potentially treating Fragile X syndrome, scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) have shown that knocking out a gene important for messenger RNA (mRNA) translation in neurons restores memory deficits and reduces behavioral symptoms in a mouse model of a prevalent human neurological disease.

21 Oct 2013

New research identifies internal timepiece that accurately gauge age of human organs and tissues

Everyone grows older, but scientists don't really understand why. Now a UCLA study has uncovered a biological clock embedded in our genomes that may shed light on why our bodies age and how we can slow the process.

21 Oct 2013

Research: Learning mentally demanding skill likely to improve cognitive functioning

Older adults are often encouraged to stay active and engaged to keep their minds sharp, that they have to "use it or lose it." But new research indicates that only certain activities - learning a mentally demanding skill like photography, for instance - are likely to improve cognitive functioning.

21 Oct 2013

Five Research Units established to uncover physiological basis for cognitive processes, cultural techniques

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) is establishing five new Research Units. This was decided by the DFG Senate at its October meeting. The purpose of the research collaborations is to offer researchers the possibility to pursue current, pressing issues in their subject areas and to establish innovative work directions.

19 Oct 2013

Gallo Research Center issues grant to discover new medication to treat alcohol, substance abuse

The UCSF-affiliated Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center has issued a second round of grants under its U.S. Army-funded research program intended to accelerate the discovery and development of new medications to treat alcohol and substance abuse in the context of post-traumatic stress and combat injury.

19 Oct 2013

Research: Hypermutation in cancer is more frequent in inactive X chromosome

Every case of cancer originates from changes in a person's genetic material (mutations). These usually occur as "somatic mutations" in individual cells during an individual's lifetime, rather than being inherited from a person's parents.

19 Oct 2013

Obesity may aggravate bipolar neuropathology

Being overweight may result in increased white matter loss in key brain regions in patients with bipolar disorder, research suggests.

18 Oct 2013

ARIAD discontinues Phase 3 EPIC trial of Iclusig in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it is discontinuing the Phase 3 EPIC (Evaluation of Ponatinib versus Imatinib in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia) trial of Iclusig (ponatinib) in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia.

18 Oct 2013

WHO calls on countries to eliminate lead poisoning that affects children globally

Lead poisoning has devastating health consequences, in particular for children, with childhood lead exposure estimated to contribute to 600 000 new cases of children with intellectual disabilities every year. Overall, 99% of children affected by high exposure to lead live in low- and middle-income countries, says WHO on the occasion of International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action, and calls on countries to strengthen national actions to eliminate lead paint.

18 Oct 2013

European Commission approves updated label of Prevenar 13 for high risk pneumococcal disease

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) announced today that the European Commission approved updates to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for the company's pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Prevenar 13* (pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine [13-valent, adsorbed]), regarding its use in certain populations at high risk of pneumococcal disease.

18 Oct 2013

National survey reveals misconceptions about miscarriage

The majority of Americans inaccurately believe miscarriage is rare and misunderstand its causes, creating an often isolating and guilt-ridden experience for those who experience it. These are the findings in the first-ever national survey to assess attitudes and perceptions towards miscarriage, which was conducted by researchers at Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University.

18 Oct 2013

Profound abnormalities in brain activity discovered in retired American football players

A new study has discovered profound abnormalities in brain activity in a group of retired American football players.

18 Oct 2013

Brain scientists to explore current biological, psychosocial and ecological aspects of memory loss disorders

"From Neurodegeneration to Brain Health: An Integrated Approach" is a conference that will bring together distinguished brain scientists to explore the current biological, psychosocial and ecological aspects of memory loss disorders.

18 Oct 2013

Traumatic injuries can be more severe for older adults, yet do not get right level of care

Traumatic injuries can be more severe for older adults, yet they often do not get the right level of care, according to a study appearing in the October issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Instead of going to a trauma center, many elderly patients end up in facilities without specialized expertise in trauma care that can treat all of their injuries.

18 Oct 2013

Scientists examine different animal species to solve some of the riddles of human diseases

What do pigs, jellyfish and zebrafish have in common? It might be hard to discern the connection, but the different species are all pieces in a puzzle. A puzzle which is itself part of a larger picture of solving the riddles of diseases in humans.

18 Oct 2013

UC Irvine's 90+ Study to continue for another five years

UC Irvine's trailblazing 90+ Study, launched in 2003 to learn more about the "oldest old," the fastest-growing age group in the U.S., will continue for at least another five years, thanks to a $9.5 million renewal grant from the National Institute on Aging.

18 Oct 2013

Gene variations in response to injury can impact clinical outcomes in TBI

Subtle variations in genes that regulate a person's inflammatory response to injury can impact clinical outcomes in TBI, according to a new study published in Journal of Neurotrauma.

18 Oct 2013

Researchers identify C. perfringens type B bacteria believed to trigger multiple sclerosis

A research team from Weill Cornell Medical College and The Rockefeller University has identified a bacterium it believes may trigger multiple sclerosis, a chronic, debilitating disorder that damages myelin forming cells in the brain and spinal cord.

18 Oct 2013

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

CSHL researchers explore how the brain integrates multiple signals to identify one unique smell

New investigational drug offers potential treatment option for lung cancer

Genetic mutation found to restore translational balance in mice

New research identifies internal timepiece that accurately gauge age of human organs and tissues

Research: Learning mentally demanding skill likely to improve cognitive functioning

Five Research Units established to uncover physiological basis for cognitive processes, cultural techniques

Gallo Research Center issues grant to discover new medication to treat alcohol, substance abuse

Research: Hypermutation in cancer is more frequent in inactive X chromosome

Obesity may aggravate bipolar neuropathology

ARIAD discontinues Phase 3 EPIC trial of Iclusig in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

WHO calls on countries to eliminate lead poisoning that affects children globally

European Commission approves updated label of Prevenar 13 for high risk pneumococcal disease

National survey reveals misconceptions about miscarriage

Profound abnormalities in brain activity discovered in retired American football players

Brain scientists to explore current biological, psychosocial and ecological aspects of memory loss disorders

Traumatic injuries can be more severe for older adults, yet do not get right level of care

Scientists examine different animal species to solve some of the riddles of human diseases

UC Irvine's 90+ Study to continue for another five years

Gene variations in response to injury can impact clinical outcomes in TBI

Researchers identify C. perfringens type B bacteria believed to trigger multiple sclerosis

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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