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.

Growing brain aneurysms 12 times more likely to burst, says new UCLA study

Brain aneurysms of all sizes—even small ones no larger than a pea—are up to 12 times more likely to rupture if they are growing, according to a new UCLA study.

3 Jul 2013

Metastasis can occur when leukocyte and cancer cell fuse to form genetic hybrid

Yale Cancer Center scientists, together with colleagues at the Denver Police Crime Lab and the University of Colorado, have found evidence that a human metastatic tumor can arise when a leukocyte (white blood cell) and a cancer cell fuse to form a genetic hybrid.

3 Jul 2013

Researchers pinpoint role of Arl13b gene in guiding placement of neurons during brain development

Researchers have pinpointed the role of a gene known as Arl13b in guiding the formation and proper placement of neurons in the early stages of brain development. Mutations in the gene could help explain brain malformations often seen in neurodevelopmental disorders.

3 Jul 2013

Researchers report that aerobic exercise can lessen or worsen ulcerative colitis symptoms

Aerobic exercise can lessen - or worsen - the symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, depending on the circumstances under which the exercise is undertaken, researchers report.

3 Jul 2013

Pitt researchers propose mathematical model that examines multiple walking patterns in older adults

Older adults diagnosed with brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease often feel a loss of independence because of their lack of mobility and difficulty walking.

3 Jul 2013

NIDA grants $3.3M to design vaccine conferring immunity to nicotine

A chemical component present in the nightshade family of plants is one of the world's most tenaciously addictive substances. It is the nicotine contained in tobacco and found in high concentrations in cigarettes. Smoking remains a global scourge; in the U.S. it is the leading source of preventable death.

3 Jul 2013

Gene therapy developed by UAB cures pediatric Sanfilippo Syndrome A in animal models

A single session of a gene therapy developed by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) cures Sanfilippo Syndrome A in animal models. This syndrome is a neurodegenerative disease that affects between 1 and 9 out of every 100,000 children, and causes the death of the child on reaching adolescence.

3 Jul 2013

Activation of brown fat increases heart-related mortality during winter

More people die from heart-disease during the winter months, and according to a new study published in the journal Cell Metabolism, the increase in mortality is possibly due to the accelerated growth of atherosclerotic plaque in the blood vessels caused by the activation of brown fat by the cold.

3 Jul 2013

FDA-approved formoterol drug improves cognitive function in mouse model of Down syndrome

An existing FDA-approved drug improves cognitive function in a mouse model of Down syndrome, according to a new study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

3 Jul 2013

Study finds that long-term cannabis use affects motivation

Long-term cannabis users tend to produce less dopamine, a chemical in the brain linked to motivation, a study has found.

2 Jul 2013

State highlights: Calif. bill to fine firms with workers on Medi-Cal fails; Pa. eyes disallowing apologies used against doctors in court-proceedings

A California proposal to fine large companies that have workers on Medi-Cal came up short in an initial vote in the Assembly amid strong business opposition. The proposed fines could reach about $5,000 per full-time employee who receives Medi-Cal, the state Medicaid program for the poor. The bill, AB 880, garnered 46 votes in the 80-member chamber Thursday, short of the 54 votes, or two-thirds majority, needed. The measure could come up for reconsideration as early as next week (Terhune, 6/27).

2 Jul 2013

Research roundup: 'Welcome-mat' effect of Medicaid expansion; Setting up shops; California's transition to Medicaid managed care

The number of people eligible for Medicaid who remain uninsured varies from state to state, according to the authors. But the federal health law is likely to increase the rate of enrollment for this group. The potential impact of this increase in Medicaid enrollment, also known as the 'welcome-mat' effect, is unclear.

2 Jul 2013

UVA researchers identify promising target for treating glioblastoma

Researchers at the University of Virginia Cancer Center have identified a promising target for treating glioblastoma, one that appears to avoid many of the obstacles that typically frustrate efforts to develop effective treatments for this deadliest of cancers.

2 Jul 2013

FDA sends Complete Response Letter to Merck regarding investigational drug for insomnia

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced today that the company has received a Complete Response Letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the New Drug Application for suvorexant, Merck's investigational medicine for the treatment of insomnia.

2 Jul 2013

New mechanism triggers chronic inflammation in Alzheimer's, atherosclerosis and type-2 diabetes

Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center have discovered a mechanism that triggers chronic inflammation in Alzheimer's, atherosclerosis and type-2 diabetes. The results, published today in Nature Immunology, suggest a common biochemical thread to multiple diseases and point the way to a new class of therapies that could treat chronic inflammation in these non-infectious diseases without crippling the immune system.

2 Jul 2013

Cannabis users appear to lack motivation

Researchers found that dopamine levels in a part of the brain called the striatum were lower in people who smoke more cannabis and those who began taking the drug at a younger age.

2 Jul 2013

Study shows that PCCs can reverse blood thinning effects of XARELTO in healthy subjects

Janssen Research & Development, LLC announced today results of an open label, single-center, parallel group study showing that a type of medication called prothrombin complex concentrates can reverse the blood thinning effects of XARELTO (rivaroxaban) in healthy subjects.

2 Jul 2013

Increased expression of Scara1 protein might impede progression of Alzheimer's disease: Study

Identification of a protein that appears to play an important role in the immune system's removal of amyloid beta (A-beta) protein from the brain could lead to a new treatment strategy for Alzheimer's disease. The report from researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has been published online in Nature Communications.

2 Jul 2013

LSDF awards $1.5M grants to advance the development of health-related technologies

The Life Sciences Discovery Fund (LSDF) today announced nearly $1.5 million in Proof of Concept grants to Washington for-profit and non-profit organizations to foster translation of health-related technologies from idea to market launch.

2 Jul 2013

Study suggests patient's neurons may be altered in different ways, although resulting disease is same

Epilepsy, irregular heartbeats and other conditions caused by malfunctions in the body's nerve cells, also known as neurons, can be difficult to treat. The problem is that one medicine may help some patients but not others.

2 Jul 2013

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Growing brain aneurysms 12 times more likely to burst, says new UCLA study

Metastasis can occur when leukocyte and cancer cell fuse to form genetic hybrid

Researchers pinpoint role of Arl13b gene in guiding placement of neurons during brain development

Researchers report that aerobic exercise can lessen or worsen ulcerative colitis symptoms

Pitt researchers propose mathematical model that examines multiple walking patterns in older adults

NIDA grants $3.3M to design vaccine conferring immunity to nicotine

Gene therapy developed by UAB cures pediatric Sanfilippo Syndrome A in animal models

Activation of brown fat increases heart-related mortality during winter

FDA-approved formoterol drug improves cognitive function in mouse model of Down syndrome

Study finds that long-term cannabis use affects motivation

State highlights: Calif. bill to fine firms with workers on Medi-Cal fails; Pa. eyes disallowing apologies used against doctors in court-proceedings

Research roundup: 'Welcome-mat' effect of Medicaid expansion; Setting up shops; California's transition to Medicaid managed care

UVA researchers identify promising target for treating glioblastoma

FDA sends Complete Response Letter to Merck regarding investigational drug for insomnia

New mechanism triggers chronic inflammation in Alzheimer's, atherosclerosis and type-2 diabetes

Cannabis users appear to lack motivation

Study shows that PCCs can reverse blood thinning effects of XARELTO in healthy subjects

Increased expression of Scara1 protein might impede progression of Alzheimer's disease: Study

LSDF awards $1.5M grants to advance the development of health-related technologies

Study suggests patient's neurons may be altered in different ways, although resulting disease is same

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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