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.

Catheter ablation treatment reduces risks associated with atrial fibrillation

New findings by researchers from the Heart Institute at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah, reveals treatment of the most common heart rhythm disorder that affects more than two million Americans significantly reduces the risk of stroke, mortality, Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

14 May 2010

Neurologix reports lower net loss of $3.5M for first-quarter 2010

Neurologix, Inc., a biotechnology company developing innovative gene therapies for the brain and central nervous system, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.

14 May 2010

Study results of Cameron Health's S-ICD- System published online in NEJM

Cameron Health, Inc. today announced the publication of study results online in the New England Journal of Medicine highlighting the development and potential benefits of the company's S-ICD- System, the first minimally invasive, subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator, for the treatment of sudden cardiac arrest.

14 May 2010

Being physical and mental activity delays onset of Huntington’s disease: Research

Melbourne researchers report in a study that regular physical and mental activities can delay the onset of the dreaded genetic Huntington's disease. This disease is hereditary and it goes on to destroy the brain and nerve cells leading to loss of all or most faculties. It affects one in 10,000 people between ages 30 and 50 and there is no cure. Since it is passed on to the children at least 50% of the time the decision to have children also becomes an agonizing one for many sufferers.

13 May 2010

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals announces Phase IIb clinical trial of Zoraxel for ED

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage pharmaceutical company commercializing potential best in class oncology and CNS therapeutics, today announced that it will initiate a Phase IIb clinical trial for ZoraxelTM in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED).

13 May 2010

Repligen files IND for Phase 1 study of RG2833 selective HDAC-3 inhibitor for Friedreich's ataxia

Repligen Corporation announced today that it has filed an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a Phase 1 study of RG2833, a selective histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC-3) inhibitor. This is a double-blind, single ascending dose, Phase 1 study in healthy volunteers to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and safety profile of RG2833 in up to 40 subjects.

13 May 2010

Study shows direct cellular interaction between endocannabinoids and alcohol in the brain

In findings that should finally put to rest a decade of controversy in the field of neurobiology, a team at The Scripps Research Institute has found decisive evidence that a specific neurotransmitter system-the endocannabinoid system-is active in a brain region known to play a key role in the processing of memory, emotional reactions, and addiction formation. The new study also shows that this system can dampen the effects of alcohol, suggesting an avenue for the development of drugs to combat alcohol addiction.

13 May 2010

Children and young adults account for as many as 10% of all stroke cases

The news that Vice President Joe Biden's 41-year-old son has suffered a stroke is highlighting the problem of strokes in young people.

13 May 2010

Music enhances new learning of information in AD patients

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have shown that patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) are better able to remember new verbal information when it is provided in the context of music even when compared to healthy, older adults. The findings, which currently appear on-line in Neuropsychologia, offer possible applications in treating and caring for patients with AD.

13 May 2010

Disabled vets strain overburdened VA system

NPR: "The Department of Veterans Affairs is struggling to cope with tens of thousands of veterans filing for disability benefits. Because there are applicants from two current wars — plus a new wave from the first Gulf War and Vietnam — thousands are now stuck in the clogged pipeline." Although there are differing estimates of how many, "everyone agrees that way too many vets are waiting way too long to get benefits.

13 May 2010

More for mental health and first nurse led clinic

Tuesday’s budget saw the Australian government allocate $7.4 billion for health. Many critics have brought to notice that only $200 million has gone towards mental health. The Rudd government has denied such accusations.

12 May 2010

BELLUS Health records a net loss of $4,193,000 for first-quarter 2010

BELLUS Health Inc. reported today its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

12 May 2010

Updated data from Vical's Phase 2 trial of high-dose Allovectin-7 in metastatic melanoma patients

Vical Incorporated announced the publication in the June issue of Melanoma Research of updated data from the company's Phase 2 trial of high-dose (2 mg) Allovectin-7® in patients with metastatic melanoma. A separate article in the May issue of Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy reviewed results from the Phase 2 trial and previous clinical studies of Allovectin-7®.

12 May 2010

Mutations in STRAD-alpha gene can cause PMSE syndrome in Amish children: Penn researchers

So often the rare informs the common. Penn researchers investigating a regulatory protein involved in a rare genetic disease have shown that it may be related to epileptic and autistic symptoms in other more common neurological disorders.

12 May 2010

COTI announces favourable independent pre-IND gap analysis report for novel oncology drug candidate

Critical Outcome Technologies Inc. announced today that it received a favourable Pre-Investigational New Drug (pre-IND) gap analysis report from an independent team that reviewed its novel oncology drug candidate COTI-2. This represents an important milestone as the Company draws closer to a Phase 1 clinical trial.

12 May 2010

Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery safe for treating children with arteriovenous malformations: Study

A new Mayo Clinic study has found that Gamma Knife™ stereotactic radiosurgery is a safe and effective option for selected children with arteriovenous malformations. This study was presented at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting in Philadelphia last week.

12 May 2010

Daily dose of iron reduces breath-holding spells in children by 90%: Studies

An estimated one in 20 kids suffer from breath-holding spells, which come when they are upset, in pain or surprised. In some cases, the children twitch and jerk around involuntarily, as if they are having a seizure. Their faces sometimes turn blue or pale and they often faint.

12 May 2010

Researchers discover molecular mechanism behind smoking cessation effect

The tobacco addiction epidemic is a major public health problem worldwide. Professor Zhao Baolu and his group from the State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences set out to tackle this problem. After 20 years of innovative research, they have developed a novel tea filter to treat cigarette addiction and have discovered the molecular mechanism behind the smoking cessation effect.

12 May 2010

Neurimmune Therapeutics honored with ZKB TECHNOPARK Pioneer Award

The ZKB TECHNOPARK® Pioneer Award, which has been sponsored by the Zürcher Kantonalbank since 2000, was presented for the 20th time at TECHNOPARK® Zurich. The award is given for technological innovations which - thanks to pioneering entrepreneurial achievements - are about to be launched on the market. This year's award winner is Neurimmune Therapeutics AG, represented by Dr. Jan Grimm, Professor Christoph Hock, Professor Roger Nitsch and Dr. Michael Salzmann.

12 May 2010

DOD struggles with health care costs, VA faces challenges in providing care

Defense Secretary Robert Gate spoke about the need to control soaring defense costs, especially health care expenses, while Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki responded to several health care challenges facing veterans' health care.

12 May 2010