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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.

Risk for childhood cancer moderately increased among adolescents with major birth defects

A multistate study led by researchers at the University of Utah has revealed that the risk for childhood cancer is moderately increased among children and young adolescents with certain types of major birth defects.

12 Aug 2013

Study of childhood epilepsies links two new genes to severe forms of disease

A genetic study of childhood epilepsies has linked two new genes to severe forms of disease and provides a novel strategy for identifying therapy targets. This study used a cutting-edge genetic technique, called exome sequencing, to search for new mutations that are not inherited.

12 Aug 2013

Neuroscientists discover protein associated with Alzheimer's Disease

A team of neuroscientists has identified a modification to a protein in laboratory mice linked to conditions associated with Alzheimer's Disease. Their findings, which appear in the journal Nature Neuroscience, also point to a potential therapeutic intervention for alleviating memory-related disorders.

12 Aug 2013

Study reveals genetic mutations linked to Parkinson's may play a role in death of brain cells

Researchers have discovered how genetic mutations linked to Parkinson's disease might play a key role in the death of brain cells, potentially paving the way for the development of more effective drug treatments.

12 Aug 2013

The Estate of Charles Meixner awards $3M to Autism Speaks to discover treatments for ASD

Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, today announced that the estate of Charles Meixner has donated $3 million to support Autism Speaks' Translational Research Initiative in the hopes of accelerating the discovery of treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

12 Aug 2013

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and emotional memories: an interview with Dr. Fiona Kumfor and Assoc. Prof. Olivier Piguet, NeuRA

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder, which affects the frontal and temporal lobes. Unlike other types of dementia, it more commonly occurs in individuals in their 50s and 60s, and is therefore referred to as a “younger-onset dementia”.

9 Aug 2013

First Edition: August 9, 2013

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including Kathleen Sebelius' outreach to Texans and a look at Americans' comprehension of health insurance.

9 Aug 2013

Genetically engineered proteins may be promising new tool for mapping brain cell activity

Scientists used fruit flies to show for the first time that a new class of genetically engineered proteins can be used to watch nerve cell electrical activity in live brains. The results, published in Cell, suggest these proteins may be a promising new tool for mapping brain cell activity in multiple animals and for studying how neurological disorders disrupt normal nerve cell signaling.

9 Aug 2013

TUM scientists decode typical protein profile of tumor cells

In what is the biggest study of its kind to date, researchers from Technische Universit-t M-nchen have identified over 10,000 different proteins in cancer cells. "Nearly all anti-tumor drugs are targeted against cellular proteins," says Prof. Bernhard K-ster, Head of the TUM Chair of Proteomics and Bioanalytics. "Identifying the proteome the protein portfolio of tumor cells increases our chances of finding new targets for drugs."

9 Aug 2013

Research findings offer clues to the origin of retinal disorders later in life

Scientists are developing a clearer picture of how visual systems develop in mammals. The findings offer important clues to the origin of retinal disorders later in life.

9 Aug 2013

Pregnant rats fed with high-fat diet experience preeclampsia-like syndromes

Preeclampsia is a relatively common pregnancy disorder, characterized by primary hypertension and proteinuria. In patients with severe preeclampsia, eclampsia can develop, causing nervous system symptoms and signs.

9 Aug 2013

ProMedica and Cleveland Clinic collaborate to develop health system affiliation

ProMedica and Cleveland Clinic have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a health system affiliation that will better position both organizations to anticipate and proactively respond to the evolving healthcare landscape.

9 Aug 2013

Govt. will continue to pay for Capitol Hill staffer health coverage, but mostly in exchanges

New details from the Obama administration clear a way for the government to continue to pay for the bulk of the costs associated with providing health coverage to Capitol Hill staffers, though they must buy coverage on Obamacare exchanges instead of getting it through the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program. The rules say each congressional office should make the determination, however, about which employees move to exchanges and which can stay on the federal plans.

9 Aug 2013

Autism affects men and women differently

Autism affects different parts of the brain in females with autism than males with autism, a new study reveals. The research is published today in the journal Brain as an open-access article.

9 Aug 2013

Study: Immune-regulating molecules can trigger lymphomas

A small group of immune-regulating molecules, when overproduced even moderately, can trigger the blood cancers known as lymphomas, according to a new study led by scientists from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI).

9 Aug 2013

Mother's perceived social status predicts child's brain development, stress indicators

A mother's perceived social status predicts her child's brain development and stress indicators, finds a study at Boston Children's Hospital. While previous studies going back to the 1950s have linked objective socioeconomic factors—such as parental income or education—to child health, achievement and brain function, the new study is the first to link brain function to maternal self-perception.

9 Aug 2013

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Risk for childhood cancer moderately increased among adolescents with major birth defects

Study of childhood epilepsies links two new genes to severe forms of disease

Neuroscientists discover protein associated with Alzheimer's Disease

Study reveals genetic mutations linked to Parkinson's may play a role in death of brain cells

The Estate of Charles Meixner awards $3M to Autism Speaks to discover treatments for ASD

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and emotional memories: an interview with Dr. Fiona Kumfor and Assoc. Prof. Olivier Piguet, NeuRA

First Edition: August 9, 2013

Genetically engineered proteins may be promising new tool for mapping brain cell activity

TUM scientists decode typical protein profile of tumor cells

Research findings offer clues to the origin of retinal disorders later in life

Pregnant rats fed with high-fat diet experience preeclampsia-like syndromes

ProMedica and Cleveland Clinic collaborate to develop health system affiliation

Govt. will continue to pay for Capitol Hill staffer health coverage, but mostly in exchanges

Autism affects men and women differently

Study: Immune-regulating molecules can trigger lymphomas

Mother's perceived social status predicts child's brain development, stress indicators

Study: 3 enzymes required for building sugar superstructure involved in muscular dystrophies

First Edition: August 8, 2013

Study finds no evidence that retired NFL players suffer chronic traumatic encephalopathy

UCLA researchers invent research maps to help neuroscientists choose what to study next

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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