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.

Evotec to receive EUR 1.5M from German BMBF for advancing H3 receptor antagonist programme

Evotec AG today announced that it will receive funding of up to EUR 1.5 million from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to advance its H3 receptor antagonist programme into the clinic.

27 Apr 2010

Tel Aviv University researcher maps drug target to wipe pain away

In most cases of chronic pain -- lingering pain that never seems to go away after accidents or prolonged illnesses ― no pill exists to dull the hurt. Billions of dollars are lost every year in sick days taken to alleviate chronic pain, and as much money is spent by the healthcare system to diagnose what's wrong.

27 Apr 2010

Phase 2b clinical study initiated to evaluate GI safety of LT-NS001

Logical Therapeutics, Inc., a Waltham, Mass.-based biotechnology company announced today the initiation of a Phase 2b clinical study to evaluate the gastrointestinal safety of its investigational drug LT-NS001 (naproxen etemesil). The study will compare the cumulative rate of gastric ulcers vs. Naprosyn after 12 weeks of treatment.

27 Apr 2010

Phytonutrient intake may help decrease risk for certain chronic diseases: Study

Topping that bowl of cereal with raspberries instead of strawberries, or saut-ing kale instead of spinach for dinner can boost phytonutrient intake, which may help decrease risk for certain chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.

27 Apr 2010

Regular exercise speeds learning, improves blood flow to the brain: Study

Regular exercise speeds learning and improves blood flow to the brain, according to a new study led by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine that is the first to examine these relationships in a non-human primate model. The findings are available in the journal Neuroscience.

27 Apr 2010

Chocolate and depression?

The ‘chocoholics’ of the world may also be the most depressed people around. A recent study found that those who were suffering from depression ate an average of 8.4 servings of chocolate a month, compared to just 5.4 servings eaten by those who were not depressed. And the people who suffered from major depression ate 11.8 servings per month.

27 Apr 2010

Popular antidepressants may have beneficial side effects for cardiovascular health: Study

A class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may provide a boost to cardiovascular health by affecting the way platelets, small cells in the blood involved in clotting, clump together, say researchers at the Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill.

26 Apr 2010

Aton Pharma acquires the U.S. marketing rights to LODOSYN tablets from BMS

Aton Pharma, Inc., a diversified specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has acquired the U.S. marketing rights to LODOSYN (carbidopa) tablets from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.

26 Apr 2010

Intellect Neurosciences completes restructuring of balance sheet

Intellect Neurosciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on development of disease-modifying therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease, announced today it has completed a restructuring of its balance sheet. The result is the extinguishment of approximately $24 million of aggregate face amount plus accrued interest of debt and preferred stock through the issuance of common stock.

26 Apr 2010

Medtronic receives FDA 510(K) clearance for PoleStar N30 Surgical MRI system

Medtronic today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(K) clearance and U.S. launch of the PoleStar® N30 Surgical MRI system, the latest in neuro oncology surgical solutions.

26 Apr 2010

Odors classified into groups by discrete activity states of neuronal circuits: Scientists

Scientists at the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI, part of the Novartis Research Foundation), are unraveling how odors are processed by the brain. As they report in Nature, odors in the olfactory brain are classified into groups represented by discrete activity states of neuronal circuits.

26 Apr 2010

University of Bern purchases Sectra's SyMRI software for synthetic MR

Sectra has secured the first order for the software SyMRI Suite from the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University of Bern. The software will enhance quality in conjunction with virtual autopsies.

26 Apr 2010

Successful full face transplant in a 22 hour long operation: Barcelona

In a recent development a team of 30 Spanish surgeons have succeeded in a World’s first full face transplant. The patient had accidentally injured a large part of his face with a shotgun five years ago. This had left him disfigured an unable to breathe, swallow or talk properly. He has undergone nine unsuccessful operations before this operation was planned. In this operation he received the whole of his facial skin, muscles, nose, lips, teeth and cheek bones from a donor in a 22 hour operation at the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital on 20th March. He is on his way to recovery now. This is not the first face transplant but the first full face transplant and also the most complex of its kind.

26 Apr 2010

Study finds changes in astrocytes key to brain dysfunction

Neuroscience researchers have zeroed in on a novel mechanism that helps control the firing of electrical signals among neurons. By isolating the molecular and electrical events that occur when this control is disrupted, the new research sheds light on epileptic seizures and potentially on other prominent diseases involving poorly regulated brain activity.

26 Apr 2010

1976 "swine flu" vaccine protects against 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus

New evidence shows immunization against "swine flu" in 1976 might provide individuals with some protection against the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus, according to new research from St. Jude investigators.

24 Apr 2010

Spring fever not an official medical condition

In the season of ducklings, blooming dogwoods and open-toed sandals, some people are struck with a mysterious malady - spring fever.

24 Apr 2010

Temperature-sensing ability in proteins remain a mystery

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute and the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation (GNF) have shed new light on the molecular mechanism that enables us to sense temperature, such as the heat from a sizzling stove. In addition to contributing to our knowledge of basic biology, the findings could one day lead to new therapies for conditions such as acute or chronic inflammatory pain.

24 Apr 2010

New understanding of nerve cell influence in exchange of information

Nerve cells communicate with each other by means of electrical impulses. To create such an impulse, the cells exchange charged ions with their environment. However, the role played by the ever-present chloride channels remained obscure, although some theories predicted a relation between the chloride channel ClC-2 and epilepsy.

24 Apr 2010

Myths and facts about pediatric cancer

"Your child has cancer." They are words every parent can't imagine hearing.

24 Apr 2010

Karolinska University Hospital acquires Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion fifth generation radiosurgery system

Prof. Lars Leksell (1907-1986), inventor of the radiosurgical instrument that bears his name and a faculty member of Karolinska University Hospital (Solna, Sweden), performed the world's first Gamma Knife® surgery at nearby Sophiahemmet Hospital, the location of the first Leksell Gamma Knife. Karolinska University Hospital recently acquired Elekta's fifth generation radiosurgery system, Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™.

24 Apr 2010