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.

Alcoholism in Hispanics dependent on gene/environment interaction

Hispanics with alcohol-induced problems - especially male Mexican Americans - have significantly worse health and welfare than those with other ethnic backgrounds. This study examined the influence of gene/environment interaction on alcoholism among Mexican Americans. Researchers have found that interaction between education and a polymorphism of the reward gene contribute to severe alcoholism among Mexican Americans.

21 Sep 2009

Paralyzed rats can walk and run: UCLA scientists

UCLA researchers have discovered that a combination of drugs, electrical stimulation and regular exercise can enable paralyzed rats to walk and even run again while supporting their full weight on a treadmill.

21 Sep 2009

Study reveals that KCNE2 and KCNQ1 mutations can results in thyroid dysfunction

Genes previously known to be essential to the coordinated, rhythmic electrical activity of cardiac muscle -- a healthy heartbeat -- have now also been found to play a key role in thyroid hormone (TH) biosynthesis, according to Weill Cornell Medical College researchers.

21 Sep 2009

Alcoholism may be dependent on IL-1 polymorphisms: Study

Cytokines are small proteins secreted by cells that serve as molecular messengers between cells. Pro-inflammatory cytokines - which function in the immune system - may be involved in alcohol dependence (AD). A study of three polymorphisms of the interleukin-1 gene complex (IL-1) and one of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) has found that IL-1 may directly contribute to AD among Spanish Caucasian males.

21 Sep 2009

Chronic asthma can be controlled with better breathing techniques

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21 Sep 2009

Simple eye movement exam can differentiate between a stroke and less serious conditions

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21 Sep 2009

Early drinkers more susceptible to alcoholism

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21 Sep 2009

Young drinkers to be more susceptible to alcohol dependence

The age at which a person takes a first drink may influence genes linked to alcoholism, making the youngest drinkers the most susceptible to severe problems.

21 Sep 2009

New head appointed at NeuroFocus' neurological testing laboratory facility

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19 Sep 2009

Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation focuses on effective cancer treatment

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) today announced that American figure skating legend and Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton will serve as Master of Ceremonies at the 13th Annual MMRF Fall Gala, on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich, Conn.

19 Sep 2009

Health Net is the national sponsor of the 2nd National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic

Health Net, Inc. (NYSE:HNT) is honored to serve as a national sponsor of the 2nd National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic, to be held Sept. 20–25, 2009, in San Diego.

19 Sep 2009

'Sara's Story' chronicles a woman's recovery from an acute stroke

In May, 2004, Tim received the news that his 42-year-old wife Sara had suffered an acute stroke. With three children still at home and the oldest child heading off to Iraq to serve in his first tour of duty, Tim's family and church rallied to support the family.

19 Sep 2009

Artificial vision enhancers to reach the market by 2011

Visually impaired or blind patients with degenerative retina conditions would be very happy if they were able to regain mobility, find their way around, be able to lead an independent life and to recognize faces and read again. These wishes were documented by a survey conducted by a research team ten years ago to find out what patients' expectations of electronic retina prostheses (retina implants) were.

19 Sep 2009

Findings may yield new treatments for visual disorders

By testing formerly blind patients within weeks of sight restoration, Sinha and his colleagues found that subjects had very limited ability to distinguish an object from its background, identify overlapping objects, or even piece together the different parts of an object. The patients gradually improved over time, and the new study suggests that dynamic information - that is, input from moving objects - is critical to the brain's ability to learn to segregate objects from their backgrounds (a task known as visual integration).

18 Sep 2009

Top official calls for quicker, improved response to military mental health needs

The Associated Press: "Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expressed frustration Wednesday with the pace of government work to heal the mental wounds of war. ... 'Shame on us if we don't figure it out this time around to make sure that doesn't happen,' Mullen said at a defense forum on the nonphysical injuries of war in Alexandria, Va., just outside of Washington.

18 Sep 2009

MemoryXL improves cognitive performance in Alzheimer's disease

Thomas Shea, Ph.D, and his team of scientists, tested the effects of MemoryXL previously shown to improve cognitive performance in Alzheimer's disease on adults without dementia.

18 Sep 2009

Results from the BLOSSOM trial announced by Arena Pharmaceuticals

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARNA) reported today positive, highly significant top-line results from the BLOSSOM (Behavioral modification and LOrcaserin Second Study for Obesity Management) trial.

18 Sep 2009

Researchers to focus on abnormal fetal growth and chronic kidney disease

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University two grants totaling $3.5 million to study epigenetic changes - chemical modifications of genes caused by stress, diet or other environmental influences - and how they contribute to human diseases and biological processes.

18 Sep 2009

Griffin Securities' report features stem cell hypothesis of cancer

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd., a clinical-stage biotechnology company that is developing immune based therapies for the treatment of brain and other cancers, announced today that it has been featured in an in-depth report by Griffin Securities, a New York-based brokerage firm, highlighting the importance of the role that cancer stem cell (CSCs) targeting technology such as that employed by its lead product candidate, ICT-121, may play in developing future cancer treatments.

18 Sep 2009

Researchers link plasticity related gene-1 to lipid phosphates

In mice that are missing a protein found only in the brain, neural signals "go crazy," leaving the animals with epileptic seizures from a young age, researchers have found. The report in the September 18th Cell, a Cell Press publication, details what it is that happens when the protein encoded by plasticity related gene-1 (PRG-1) gets lost, revealing an important fine-tuning mechanism for brain function.

18 Sep 2009