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.

Specific type of neurons determine frightening stimulus reaction: Research

Fear can make you run, it can make you fight, and it can glue you to the spot. Scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Monterotondo, Italy and GlaxoSmithKline in Verona, Italy, have identified not only the part of the brain but the specific type of neurons that determine how mice react to a frightening stimulus.

26 Aug 2010

Critical mechanistic link between mutant protein and disease pathogenesis in ALS uncovered

New research uncovers what may be a primary neuron-damaging insult that occurs in an inherited form of a devastating neurodegenerative disorder. The study, published by Cell Press in the August 26th issue of the journal Neuron, describes a critical mechanistic link between a mutant protein and disease pathogenesis in an animal model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

26 Aug 2010

Neuralstem files IND with FDA for spinal cord stem cell Phase I clinical trial for chronic spinal cord injury

Neuralstem, Inc. announced that it has filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin a Phase I safety clinical trial for chronic spinal cord injury with its spinal cord stem cells. This multicenter Phase I safety trial will enroll a total of 16 long-term, or chronic, spinal cord injury patients, with an American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Grade A level of impairment, one-to-two years post-injury.

26 Aug 2010

Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance increases risk for Alzheimer's disease: Research

People with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes appear to be at an increased risk of developing plaques in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer's disease, according to new research published in the August 25, 2010, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

26 Aug 2010

Study on current insect repellants confirms need for better insect repellants

Fire up the citronella-scented tiki torches, and slather on the DEET: Everybody knows these simple precautions repel insects, notably mosquitoes, whose bites not only itch and irritate, but also transmit diseases such as West Nile virus, malaria and dengue. Now, Johns Hopkins scientists have discovered what it is in the bugs' molecular makeup that enables citronellal (the aromatic liquid used in lotions, sprays and candles) and DEET, to deter insects from landing and feeding on you. A better understanding of these molecular-behavioral links already is aiding the team's search for more effective repellants.

26 Aug 2010

Study finds autism patients have short-range over-connectivity in brain's cortex

There is still much that is unknown about autism spectrum disorders, but a University of Nevada, Reno psychologist has added to the body of knowledge that researchers around the world are compiling to try to demystify, prevent and treat the mysterious condition.

26 Aug 2010

Nabi receives US patent for treatment and prevention of nicotine addiction with NicVAX conjugate vaccines

Nabi Biopharmaceuticals announced the receipt of a patent for treating and preventing nicotine addiction with NicVAX® and related nicotine conjugate vaccines. The United States Patent and Trademark office issued U.S. Patent No. 7,776,620 entitled "Hapten-carrier conjugates for treating and preventing nicotine addiction" for the exclusive use of methods for treating and preventing nicotine addiction with NicVAX and related nicotine vaccines. This patent runs through December 2018.

26 Aug 2010

Afferent Pharmaceuticals' P2X3 receptor antagonist reduces bladder hyperactivity

Afferent Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class, small molecule compounds that target P2X3 receptors, today announced preclinical in vivo results demonstrating that an investigational P2X3 receptor antagonist reduced experimentally induced bladder hyperactivity.

26 Aug 2010

Biogen to publish data on two-step assay for anti-JC virus antibody detection

Biogen Idec and Elan Corporation, plc today announced data has been published in the Annals of Neurology on an investigational, two-step assay to detect anti-JC virus (JCV) antibodies in human serum and plasma

26 Aug 2010

Berries can prevent age related brain degeneration: Study

According to a new study, berries like strawberries, blueberries and acai berries help to recycle toxic proteins that are linked to age-related memory loss and other mental decline.

25 Aug 2010

Study examines correlation between point-of-care monitors, lactate flux during CEA procedure

CAS Medical Systems, Inc. today announced a new study to be published in the Canadian Journal of Anesthesia. The study from researchers in the Departments of Anesthesia and Surgery, at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada examined the correlation between a variety of point-of-care monitors and lactate flux, an indicator of metabolic stress during carotid endarterectomy.

25 Aug 2010

NIH awards University of Rochester Medical Center $15M grant for study with ImmuneRegen's Homspera

ImmuneRegen BioSciences®, a wholly owned subsidiary of IR Biosciences Holdings Inc., today announced that the National Institute of Health/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, has awarded its research partner, the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), a $15 million five-year, continuation grant for studies that will utilize ImmuneRegen's Homspera.

25 Aug 2010

Axon Sports CCAT system now available to assess cognitive function in children

Every year, more than 300,000 student-athletes sustain sports-related head injuries. With the fall sports season just around the corner, this is a startling statistic for parents who worry about the devastating effects concussions can have on their children.

25 Aug 2010

Sea food for babies

Has your toddler eaten fish today? A University of Illinois food science professor has two important reasons for including seafood in your young child's diet, reasons that have motivated her work in helping to develop a tasty, nutritious salmon baby food for toddlers.

25 Aug 2010

Continuous boosting of natural painkiller shuts down brain cell receptor response

ERepeatedly boosting brain levels of one natural painkiller soon shuts down the brain cell receptors that respond to it, so that the painkilling effect is lost, according to a surprising new study led by Scripps Research Institute and Virginia Commonwealth University scientists. The study has important implications for drug development.

25 Aug 2010

Migraine with aura increases risk of heart disease: Research

Individuals who suffer from migraines with aura (temporary visual or sensory disturbances before or during a migraine headache) are at a higher risk of dying from heart disease or stroke.

25 Aug 2010

Human umbilical cord blood cells appear to protect astrocytes from cell death: Research

Human umbilical cord blood cells (HUCB) used to treat cultured rat brain cells (astrocytes) deprived of oxygen appear to protect astrocytes from cell death after stroke-like damage, reports a team of researchers from the University of South Florida (USF) Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair.

25 Aug 2010

Scientists discover Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy can rapidly diagnose degenerative disorders

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy can distinguish between neurological diseases in patients without clear symptoms.A team of American scientists claim that a new method of testing for neurological diseases could provide doctors with a rapid and non-invasively method of diagnosing degenerative disorders.

25 Aug 2010

Researchers identify specific gene responsible for Kuf's disease

A North Carolina State University researcher has helped to locate and identify a gene responsible for a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects American Staffordshire terriers. This same gene may be responsible for a similar rare, fatal disease in humans. Its discovery will lead to improved screening and diagnosis of the disease in dogs and is the first step in working toward a cure for both canines and humans.

25 Aug 2010

Increasing levels of neuropeptide Y, receptors can counteract seizures: Research

Research in recent years has shown that the brain tries to counteract seizures. One of the ways it does this is by increasing levels of a protein-like molecule called neuropeptide Y and the expression of certain receptors for it.

25 Aug 2010

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Specific type of neurons determine frightening stimulus reaction: Research

Critical mechanistic link between mutant protein and disease pathogenesis in ALS uncovered

Neuralstem files IND with FDA for spinal cord stem cell Phase I clinical trial for chronic spinal cord injury

Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance increases risk for Alzheimer's disease: Research

Study on current insect repellants confirms need for better insect repellants

Study finds autism patients have short-range over-connectivity in brain's cortex

Nabi receives US patent for treatment and prevention of nicotine addiction with NicVAX conjugate vaccines

Afferent Pharmaceuticals' P2X3 receptor antagonist reduces bladder hyperactivity

Biogen to publish data on two-step assay for anti-JC virus antibody detection

Berries can prevent age related brain degeneration: Study

Study examines correlation between point-of-care monitors, lactate flux during CEA procedure

NIH awards University of Rochester Medical Center $15M grant for study with ImmuneRegen's Homspera

Axon Sports CCAT system now available to assess cognitive function in children

Sea food for babies

Continuous boosting of natural painkiller shuts down brain cell receptor response

Migraine with aura increases risk of heart disease: Research

Human umbilical cord blood cells appear to protect astrocytes from cell death: Research

Scientists discover Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy can rapidly diagnose degenerative disorders

Researchers identify specific gene responsible for Kuf's disease

Increasing levels of neuropeptide Y, receptors can counteract seizures: Research

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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