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.

Genetic variability in the embryo may predispose to cancer in adult life

A study recently published in Nature Genetics provides new evidence that the genetic makeup of the embryo may cause the appearance of tumors in adult life. These results bear out the growing theory that some tumors may have an extremely early origin, tracing to the individual's embryonic development, while offering new clues to understand the genetic causes of certain kinds of cancer, and their prevention and treatment.

13 Jun 2012

14-3-3 zeta protein involved in generating chronic pain

Researchers in France and Sweden have discovered how one of the body's own proteins is involved in generating chronic pain in rats. The results, which also suggest therapeutic interventions to alleviate long-lasting pain, are reported in The EMBO Journal.

13 Jun 2012

Gut microbes regulate brain levels of serotonin

UCC scientists have shown that brain levels of serotonin, the 'happy hormone' are regulated by the amount of bacteria in the gut during early life. Their research is being published today in the leading international psychiatry journal, Molecular Psychiatry.

13 Jun 2012

Ischemic stroke on the rise among N.J. children

Stroke is one of the top 10 causes of death among children according to the National Stroke Association. A new study published today shows that in New Jersey, the diagnosis of ischemic stroke in children, resulting from a loss or obstruction of blood to the brain, is on the rise.

13 Jun 2012

Experimental drug and genetic differences indicate how people deal with fear and stress

Researchers at Duke University and the National Institutes of Health have found a way to calm the fears of anxious mice with a drug that alters their brain chemistry. They've also found that human genetic differences related to the same brain chemistry influence how well people cope with fear and stress.

12 Jun 2012

Hepatocytes can create new liver system in mouse models

Researchers in Japan have found that hepatocytes, cells comprising the main tissue of the liver and involved in protein synthesis and storage, can assist in tissue engineering and create a "new liver system" in mouse models when donor mouse liver hepatocytes are isolated and propagated for transplantation.

12 Jun 2012

Changes in walking speed in late life may signal MCI

A new study shows that changes in walking speed in late life may signal the early stages of dementia known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

12 Jun 2012

Researchers find pathway for origin and growth of the most common form of brain and spinal cord tumor – meningioma

Johns Hopkins researchers say they have discovered one of the most important cellular mechanisms driving the growth and progression of meningioma, the most common form of brain and spinal cord tumor.

12 Jun 2012

ST Blood & Tissue Center, Saneron sign clinical supply and research collaboration agreement

Saneron CCEL Therapeutics, Inc. of Tampa, Florida, and South Texas Blood & Tissue Center of San Antonio, have signed a clinical supply and research collaboration agreement. Under the agreement, the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center will research approaches for recovering and processing proprietary mononuclear cells from umbilical cord blood.

12 Jun 2012

Updated AAN guideline outlines treatments for infantile spasms

The American Academy of Neurology has issued an updated guideline outlining the best treatments for infantile spasms, a rare type of seizure that can occur in infants and young children.

12 Jun 2012

Increased risk of brain aneurysm linked to early menopause

The younger a woman is when she goes through the menopause, the greater may be her risk of having a brain (cerebral) aneurysm, suggests research published online first in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery.

12 Jun 2012

Agence France-Presse reports on efforts to eradicate sleeping sickness in sub-Saharan Africa

Agence France-Presse reports on Human African trypanosomiasis, "commonly known as sleeping sickness, which is transmitted by tsetse flies found in 36 sub-Saharan African countries," writing, "Without treatment in four months to a year, 'the parasite penetrates into the brain, causing serious neurological symptoms, until death,' said Doctor Benedict Blaynay, head of neglected tropical diseases at French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi."

12 Jun 2012

AMS announces FDA clearance of MEVION S250 Proton Therapy System

AMERICAN SHARED HOSPITAL SERVICES, a leading provider of turnkey technology solutions for advanced radiosurgical and radiation therapy services, today shared a recent announcement from Mevion Medical Systems, Inc. regarding Mevion Medical Systems' receipt of FDA 510(k) clearance for its MEVION S250 Proton Therapy System.

12 Jun 2012

Researchers demonstrate effectiveness of a potential new therapy for stroke patients

Researchers at the University of Missouri have demonstrated the effectiveness of a potential new therapy for stroke patients in an article published in the journal Molecular Neurodegeneration. Created to target a specific enzyme known to affect important brain functions, the new compound being studied at MU is designed to stop the spread of brain bleeds and protect brain cells from further damage in the crucial hours after a stroke.

12 Jun 2012

Australian CSIRO, GE Healthcare partner for investigational PET imaging agent

GE Healthcare today announced a collaboration with Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) involving its investigational PET imaging agent [18F flutemetamol].

12 Jun 2012

RGS proteins play an essential role in night blindness

In a pair of related studies, scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have identified several proteins that help regulate cells' response to light-and the development of night blindness, a rare disease that abolishes the ability to see in dim light.

12 Jun 2012

Accumulated CT radiation dose triples pediatric cancer risk

The use of computed tomography scans should be minimized in children, recommend researchers who have found a significantly increased risk for malignancy with repeated imaging.

11 Jun 2012

HackensackUMC recognizes AcquiSci d-OSAB technology with research award

AcquiSci Inc., today announced it has received an award from the Hackensack University Medical Center to research AcquiSci's patented d-OSAB technology as a device-based approach to modulating inflammation.

11 Jun 2012

Epo has performance-enhancing effect on brain, may help treat depression, schizophrenia

Sportsmen and women dope with the blood hormone Epo to enhance their performance. Researchers from the University of Zurich now discovered by animal testing that Epo has a performance-enhancing effect in the brain shortly after injection and not only after days by improving oxygen transport in blood. As Epo also increases motivation, it could be useful in treating depression.

11 Jun 2012

Mazor Robotics successfully completes first robot-guided brain surgical procedures

Mazor Robotics Ltd., a developer of innovative surgical robots and complementary products, today announced the successful completion of the first robot-guided brain surgical procedures, which were performed with Mazor Robotics' technology.

11 Jun 2012