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.

Einstein College's new website features latest information on aging research

Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University has launched SuperAgers.com, a new website that features the latest information on more than a decade of aging research at Einstein.

2 Nov 2010

Arthritis drugs also prevent post-operative cognitive decline: Study

Anti-inflammatory drugs currently used to treat diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis may also help prevent cognitive problems after surgery, according to a new study by researchers at Imperial College London and University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

2 Nov 2010

Boehringer Ingelheim announces availability of PRADAXA in U.S. pharmacies

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that its new oral anticoagulant, Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate mesylate) 150mg capsules, will be available starting Wednesday by prescription in pharmacies across the United States, including CVS/pharmacy, Rite Aid, Walmart, Target, Kmart® and The Kroger Co. In addition, leading independents under the Health Mart®, Good Neighbor Pharmacy® and Medicine Shoppe® banners will be stocked.

2 Nov 2010

Long-term cell phone usage doubles risk of developing brain tumors

The highest-quality research data available suggests that long-term exposure to microwaves from cellular phones may lead to an increased risk of brain tumors, reports a paper in the November/December issue of Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals, and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, and pharmacy.

2 Nov 2010

H. pylori infection reduces severity of Salmonella-induced colitis: Research

Helicobacter pylori, a common stomach bacterium, reduced the severity of inflammation of the colon caused by Salmonella in mice, according to research from U-M Medical School scientists.

2 Nov 2010

FDA approves cancer drug Afinitor for treatment of rare genetic disorder

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the cancer drug Afinitor (everolimus) on Friday to treat patients with subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) associated with tuberous sclerosis (TS), a rare genetic disorder. This approval was for treatments of SEGA that can not be treated with surgery.

1 Nov 2010

Acorda reports net income of $12.4 million for third quarter 2010

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. today announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2010.

1 Nov 2010

America's biopharmaceutical companies researching 98 medicines for Alzheimer's: PhRMA report

As the champagne corks are popping this New Year's Eve, the first American Baby Boomers will turn age 65. Members of the demographic bulge that transformed American politics and culture are expected to usher in yet another momentous change a huge increase in the number of Alzheimer's disease patients.

1 Nov 2010

UCSD announces agreement with PHP to develop UC San Diego Proton Therapy and Research Center

Building on a plan announced in September of 2007, UC San Diego Health Sciences and the Department of Radiation Oncology are pleased to announce an agreement with Proton Health Partners, LLC (PHP) to plan, develop, and operate The UC San Diego Proton Therapy and Research Center.

1 Nov 2010

Child Life Program organizes Halloween celebration for children undergoing treatment

Once a year cartoon characters, fairy princesses and action heroes gather at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as hundreds of employees work together to turn the hospital into a giant trick-or-treat trail for children battling cancer and other catastrophic diseases. The event spans buildings and floors throughout the campus in Memphis, Tenn.

1 Nov 2010

Study examines effects of social stimulation and personality on humans' sleep functions

A study in the Nov. 1 issue of the journal SLEEP found that vulnerability to sleep deprivation is influenced by the interaction between waking social activity and individual personality traits.

1 Nov 2010

Philips launches HFO Oncology Configuration for radiation therapy

Royal Philips Electronics today introduced the Philips Panorama High Field Open (HFO) Oncology Configuration for radiation therapy, a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging solution for dedicated oncology use, at this year's American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) in San Diego, CA.

From Philips Healthcare 1 Nov 2010

FDA approves Afinitor drug for tuberous sclerosis complex

The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance (TS Alliance) today announced the first drug approved for a tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) indication by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). This drug, manufactured by Novartis Oncology, is called Afinitor and will be used to treat subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) in individuals with TSC.

1 Nov 2010

Neuroscientists investigate mechanism of neural activity on complex psychological phenomena

People love to speculate about differences between the sexes, and neuroscience has brought a new technology to this pastime. Brain imaging studies are published at a great rate, and some report sex differences in brain structure or patterns of neural activity.

30 Oct 2010

Researchers discover agouti family gene regulates pigmentation, body weight

Researchers led by Vanderbilt's Roger Cone, Ph.D., have discovered a new member of a gene family that has powerful influences on pigmentation and the regulation of body weight.

30 Oct 2010

CONCERTA improves handwriting performance in children with ADHD: Study

Data presented today at a major medical meeting include findings that demonstrate improved handwriting performance in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when taking CONCERTA® (OROS® methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Tablets CII) compared to placebo.

30 Oct 2010

Study finds relation between cortical thickness and nicotine dependence

s there a relation between the structure of specific regions of the brain and nicotine dependence. This is the question researchers of the Charit Universit-tsmedizin Berlin and of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) Berlin have been investigating lately. The results of these investigations extend and specify those of preceding studies: A specific region of the cerebral cortex of smokers is thinner than that of people who have never smoked in their lives.

30 Oct 2010

Study finds SBRT therapy delays pancreatic cancer progression

For pancreatic cancer patients unable to undergo surgery the only known cure for this form of cancer a highly targeted cancer radiation therapy may help slow cancer progression and lessen disease symptoms, according to researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

30 Oct 2010

Karmanos, WSU SOM present long-term results of fast neutron radiotherapy in localized prostate cancer

Scientists from the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University School of Medicine (WSU SOM) in Detroit will present the world's largest study that shows the long-term results of fast neutron radiotherapy (FNRT) in the treatment of localized prostate cancer. The findings will be formally announced Tuesday, Nov. 2, at the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting

30 Oct 2010

Researchers to investigate new drugs for parasitic disease

Urgently-needed new treatment for a parasitic disease is being investigated in research led at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. Human African Trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, affects between 50,000 and 70,000 people in Africa and South America. It is transmitted through the bite of the tsetse fly and attacks the nervous system and brain, leading to fever, headaches and disturbed sleep patterns.

30 Oct 2010