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.

Clinical trial shows dalfampridine tablets improve walking ability in MS patients

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that data from the second of two pivotal dalfampridine extended release tablets Phase 3 clinical trials in multiple sclerosis (MS) were published in the October 2010 edition of Annals of Neurology.

18 Nov 2010

Researchers discover NG2+ cells may impact ALS disease progression

By tracking the fate of a group of immature cells that persist in the adult brain and spinal cord, Johns Hopkins researchers discovered in mice that these cells undergo dramatic changes in ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

18 Nov 2010

Neuralstem files NSI-189 IND with FDA for Phase I safety trials for major depression

Neuralstem, Inc. announced that it has filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin two Phase I safety trials to test NSI-189, its first small molecule compound, for the treatment of major depression. NSI-189 is a proprietary new chemical entity discovered by Neuralstem that stimulates new neuron growth in the hippocampus, an area of the brain that is believed to be involved in depression.

18 Nov 2010

Myrexis presents data on MPC-9528 cancer metabolism inhibitor at EORTC/NCI/AACR Symposium

Myrexis, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel treatments for cancer, today presented two posters at the 22nd European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), National Cancer Institute (NCI) and American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Symposium on "Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics," in Berlin, Germany.

18 Nov 2010

5-lipoxygenase protein modulates amyloid beta formation linked to Alzheimer's disease

A protein known to exist in the brain for more than 30 years, called 5-lipoxygenase, has been found to play a regulatory role in the formation of the amyloid beta in the brain, the major component of plaques implicated in the development of Alzheimer's disease, according to researchers at Temple University's School of Medicine.

18 Nov 2010

Viruses lead to discovery of security system in host cells

Viruses have led scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis to the discovery of a security system in host cells.

18 Nov 2010

Krieger Eye Institute at Sinai Hospital opens new center for treatment of retinal diseases

The Krieger Eye Institute at Sinai Hospital opened a new center for the treatment of retinal diseases in November. The retina is the layer of tissue at the back of the eye that converts images to electrical impulses. These electrical signals are then perceived by the brain as sight.

18 Nov 2010

Sangamo presents Phase 2 clinical data in ALS at Society for Neuroscience Meeting

Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. announced today the presentation of Phase 2 clinical data from its ZFP Therapeutic program to develop SB-509, a zinc finger protein transcriptional activator (ZFP-TF) of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A gene as a treatment for ALS.

17 Nov 2010

Obesity linked to heightened sense of smell for food

New research shows that obese and overweight people have a greater sense of smell for food. The study at the University of Portsmouth explains why some people struggle to stay slim. The researchers say that it is known that part of the brain that processes information about odour is also connected to the feeding centres of the brain. This study adds to the knowledge and is published in the journal Chemical Senses.

17 Nov 2010

Imec and PEIRA develop platform for in-vitro study of brain tissue

The nanoelectronics research centre imec and Peira, a Belgium-based manufacturer of pharmaceutical and chemical research instruments, jointly developed an innovative slice-tilting instrument for in-vitro research on brain tissue. The new tool enables long-term studying of brain cultures through electronic stimulation and read-out, essential in getting insight into the functioning of the brain.

17 Nov 2010

Innovative neural probe senses and stimulates individual brain cells

Imec, together with its partners within the European FP6 Program NeuroProbes, has created a new neural probe enabling electrical and chemical recording and stimulation of single neurons in the brain. Applications of the new technology are vast, ranging from tools for fundamental research on the functioning of the brain, to instruments for more precise diagnosis of brain seizures before brain-surgery.

17 Nov 2010

St. Jude organizes tobacco cessation program for cancer survivors who smoke

Cancer survivors who smoke and need help quitting can receive help through a tobacco cessation program organized by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

17 Nov 2010

Combination of two devices increases long-term survival in cardiac arrest patients

A combination of two devices could save the lives of several thousand cardiac arrest patients each year if implemented nationwide, suggests results of a clinical trial presented at today's American Heart Association Resuscitation Science Symposium.

17 Nov 2010

Studies explore lifestyle's influence on wellness and brain health

New research is providing a deeper understanding of how individual actions - such as exercising, sensory stimulation, or drinking - influence brain health and outcomes. This new knowledge could ultimately lead to interventions in age-related cognitive declines, drug abuse, stroke, and brain injury, separate from or in combination with traditional pharmacological approaches. These findings were presented at Neuroscience 2010, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world's largest source of emerging news on brain science and health.

17 Nov 2010

NT-proBNP guided heart failure care associated with reduced cardiovascular events

Roche and study investigators from Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital announced today that in the PROTECT (Pro-BNP Outpatient Tailored Chronic HF Therapy) trial, a strategy of NT-proBNP guided heart failure care was independently associated with a significant reduction in total cardiovascular events, the primary composite endpoint of the study, which included worsening heart failure, heart failure hospitalization and cardiovascular related death

From Roche Sequencing and Life Science 17 Nov 2010

8 states get better grade on 2010 March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card

Eight states earned a better grade on the 2010 March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card and 32 others and the District of Columbia saw their preterm birth rates improve.

17 Nov 2010

New slice-tilting instrument for in-vitro research on brain tissue

17 Nov 2010

Artificial retinas, thought-controlled devices and brain stimulation therapy show promise

Two experimental brain-machine technologies - deep brain stimulation coupled with physical therapy and a thought-controlled computer system-may offer new therapies for people with stroke and brain injuries, new human research shows. In addition, an animal study shows a new artificial retina may restore vision better than existing prosthetics. The findings were announced today at Neuroscience 2010, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world's largest source of emerging news on brain science and health.

17 Nov 2010

Teen brain responds differently to drugs than adult

New research released today shows teenagers respond differently to drugs than adults and explores the long-lasting effects of drug use on brain development. One study shows people who start using drugs at a young age have greater cognitive shortfalls, including mental flexibility. Animal studies also suggest adolescents are more susceptible to lower doses of cocaine, are willing to work more for a cocaine "fix" than adults, and are at risk of developing compromised stress responses.

17 Nov 2010

Video game-based technologies allow new insight into memory, perception and motor control

New tools inspired by video games are revealing how the brain senses and responds to its surroundings, finds new human and animal research. Taking advantage of state-of-the art technologies to track and mimic real-life environments, these studies show with new detail how the brain navigates, identifies, and remembers a setting. In additional human research, scientists apply these same technological advances to help people who have experienced strokes regain skills.

17 Nov 2010

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Clinical trial shows dalfampridine tablets improve walking ability in MS patients

Researchers discover NG2+ cells may impact ALS disease progression

Neuralstem files NSI-189 IND with FDA for Phase I safety trials for major depression

Myrexis presents data on MPC-9528 cancer metabolism inhibitor at EORTC/NCI/AACR Symposium

5-lipoxygenase protein modulates amyloid beta formation linked to Alzheimer's disease

Viruses lead to discovery of security system in host cells

Krieger Eye Institute at Sinai Hospital opens new center for treatment of retinal diseases

Sangamo presents Phase 2 clinical data in ALS at Society for Neuroscience Meeting

Obesity linked to heightened sense of smell for food

Imec and PEIRA develop platform for in-vitro study of brain tissue

Innovative neural probe senses and stimulates individual brain cells

St. Jude organizes tobacco cessation program for cancer survivors who smoke

Combination of two devices increases long-term survival in cardiac arrest patients

Studies explore lifestyle's influence on wellness and brain health

NT-proBNP guided heart failure care associated with reduced cardiovascular events

8 states get better grade on 2010 March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card

New slice-tilting instrument for in-vitro research on brain tissue

Artificial retinas, thought-controlled devices and brain stimulation therapy show promise

Teen brain responds differently to drugs than adult

Video game-based technologies allow new insight into memory, perception and motor control

Industry Focus eBook - Cell & Gene Therapy (1st Edition) eBook

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

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