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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.

Role of serotonin in autism spectrum disorders

Mouse models are yielding important clues about the nature of autism spectrum disorders, which impact an estimated one in 110 children in the U.S. In labs at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio, researchers are studying strains of mice that inherently mimic the repetitive and socially impaired behaviors present in these disorders.

25 Feb 2011

Swedish brain scientists create illusion of owning three arms

How we experience our own bodies is a classical question in psychology and neuroscience. It has long been believed that our body image is limited by our innate body plan - in other words that we cannot experience having more than one head, two arms and two legs. However, brain scientists at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet have now shown that it is possible to make healthy volunteers experience having three arms at the same time.

25 Feb 2011

Survey: 72% of locked-in syndrome patients are happy

Most "locked-in syndrome" patients say they are happy, and many of the factors reported by those who say they are unhappy can be improved, suggest the results of the largest survey of its kind, published in the launch issue of the new online journal BMJ Open.

25 Feb 2011

Stemline licenses clinically active oncology vaccine for dual targeting of tumor bulk and cancer stem cells

Stemline Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel oncology compounds that target cancer stem cells (CSCs), today announced that it holds the license, from the University of Pittsburgh ("Pitt"), for the exclusive worldwide rights to a clinically active oncology vaccine directed to multiple defined targets on tumor bulk and CSCs.

25 Feb 2011

Genentech granted FDA hearing on Avastin for metastatic breast cancer

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted a hearing to allow the company the opportunity to present its views on why Avastin® (bevacizumab) should remain FDA-approved for metastatic breast cancer (mBC). The FDA has scheduled the hearing for June 28 to 29, 2011.

25 Feb 2011

Study: Rare genetic mutations may provide clues to improve treatment for schizophrenia

Scientists are eyeing a rare genetic glitch for clues to improved treatments for some people with schizophrenia - even though they found the mutation in only one third of 1 percent of patients.

25 Feb 2011

Researchers to share information on delirium at ADS conference

At least seven million hospitalized Americans suffer from delirium each year, however the condition goes unrecognized in more than 60 percent of patients. Even if diagnosed, there is no effective way to treat the condition, which is a growing concern to medical professionals.

25 Feb 2011

New 'closed-loop' system can provide tightly controlled anesthesia in patients undergoing surgery

A new 'closed-loop' system can precisely adjust levels of anesthetics and analgesic drugs in patients undergoing surgery, reports a study in the March issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society.

25 Feb 2011

Study: Low Vitamin D levels can cause allergies in children

A study of more than 3,000 children shows that low vitamin D levels are associated with increased likelihood that children will develop allergies, according to a paper published in the February 17 online edition of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

25 Feb 2011

SPIN program to help mothers produce sufficient breast milk for their premature infants

Approximately 50,000 premature babies weighing less than three pounds are born in the United States each year. These fragile newborns need the highest quality nutrition, which is why UC San Diego Health System developed the Supporting Premature Infant Nutrition program to help mothers produce sufficient breast milk for their premature infants.

24 Feb 2011

Scientists suggest that lateral habenula can be a prime locus of human depression

A team of neuroscientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory and UC San Diego has collected evidence suggesting that a previously overlooked portion of the brain could be a prime locus of human depression.

24 Feb 2011

Research: Gene mutation linked to schizophrenia may aid in new drug development

In a major advance for schizophrenia research, an international team of scientists led by the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and involving Trinity College Dublin researchers has identified a gene mutation strongly linked to schizophrenia that may be an important new target for the development of drug therapies.

24 Feb 2011

Special issue of Neuron journal provides new insight into recent advances in addiction research

Addiction is a brain disease that destroys lives, devastates families and tears at the very fabric of society. Effective prevention and treatment of addiction requires a clear understanding of the complex brain mechanisms that underlie addictive behaviors, and research has provided a fascinating view of how substance abuse hijacks neuronal circuits involved in reward and motivation and causes profound and persistent changes in behavior.

24 Feb 2011

ImmunoCellular to receive gross proceeds of $8.1M from sale of 5.2M units

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd., announced it has entered into securities purchase agreements with certain institutional and other investors in connection with a private placement financing.

24 Feb 2011

Aminothiazoles as therapeutic leads for prion diseases

Scientists who examined more than 10,000 chemical compounds during the last year in search of potential new drugs for a group of untreatable brain diseases, are reporting that one substance shows unusual promise.

24 Feb 2011

EpiCept 2010 fourth quarter net loss is $0.06 per share

EpiCept Corporation today announced operating and financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2010, and provided an update on its key business initiatives.

24 Feb 2011

New study suggests variation in PCLO gene can contribute to risk of bipolar disorder

Understanding the genetics of bipolar disorder could lead to new treatments, but identifying specific genetic variations associated with this disorder has been challenging.

24 Feb 2011

New research: Spinal fluid proteins can differentiate nPTLS from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Patients who suffer from Neurologic Post Treatment Lyme disease and those with the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome report similar symptoms. However unique proteins discovered in spinal fluid can distinguish those two groups from one another and also from people in normal health, according to new research conducted by a team led by Steven E. Schutzer, MD, of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - New Jersey Medical School, and Richard D. Smith, Ph.D., of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

24 Feb 2011

New research: Alzheimer's disease may be easily misdiagnosed in elder people

New research shows that Alzheimer's disease and other dementing illnesses may be easily misdiagnosed in the elderly, according to early results of a study of people in Hawaii who had their brains autopsied after death. The research is being released today and will be presented as part of a plenary session at the American Academy of Neurology's 63rd Annual Meeting in Honolulu April 9 to April 16, 2011.

23 Feb 2011

Cell phones may lead to stimulation of parts of brain - Speculation on cancer continues

There is still debate as to whether cell phones damage the brain. The cell phone industry, along with nearly all major national and international medical associations have always responded with the same answer that there is no evidence that cell phone radiation can even affect the brain, let alone cause cancer.

23 Feb 2011

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Role of serotonin in autism spectrum disorders

Swedish brain scientists create illusion of owning three arms

Survey: 72% of locked-in syndrome patients are happy

Stemline licenses clinically active oncology vaccine for dual targeting of tumor bulk and cancer stem cells

Genentech granted FDA hearing on Avastin for metastatic breast cancer

Study: Rare genetic mutations may provide clues to improve treatment for schizophrenia

Researchers to share information on delirium at ADS conference

New 'closed-loop' system can provide tightly controlled anesthesia in patients undergoing surgery

Study: Low Vitamin D levels can cause allergies in children

SPIN program to help mothers produce sufficient breast milk for their premature infants

Scientists suggest that lateral habenula can be a prime locus of human depression

Research: Gene mutation linked to schizophrenia may aid in new drug development

Special issue of Neuron journal provides new insight into recent advances in addiction research

ImmunoCellular to receive gross proceeds of $8.1M from sale of 5.2M units

Aminothiazoles as therapeutic leads for prion diseases

EpiCept 2010 fourth quarter net loss is $0.06 per share

New study suggests variation in PCLO gene can contribute to risk of bipolar disorder

New research: Spinal fluid proteins can differentiate nPTLS from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

New research: Alzheimer's disease may be easily misdiagnosed in elder people

Cell phones may lead to stimulation of parts of brain - Speculation on cancer continues

Discover how SciY empowers scientists

Why use light scattering to analyze proteins and viral vectors?

Changing the landscape of R&D to build clinical success from the ground up

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