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Diflunisal drug reduces neurological decline in patients with familial transthyretin amyloidosis

A recent study led by researchers from the Amyloidosis Center at Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center demonstrates that diflunisal, a generic anti-inflammatory drug, successfully reduced neurological decline and preserved the quality of life in patients with familial transthyretin amyloidosis. Diflunisal is an inexpensive and safe medication marketed over the past 40 years for arthritis and pain.

25 Dec 2013

Viewpoints: Impact of 'meddling with' health law; antibiotics on farms; 'Let thirtysomethings' join Medicare

[A]ll of these last-minute policy shifts confuse people who were already struggling to understand a complex new system, ... The cumulative effect is that at least some people - we hope not many - will misunderstand their responsibilities under the law or be deterred from seeking coverage. The biggest danger is that the Obama administration is encouraging politicians to meddle in the health-care system every time a few vocal constituents get upset about its requirements (12/21).

24 Dec 2013

Changes to LZTR1 gene predispose people to develop schwannomas

Changes to a gene called LZTR1 predispose people to develop a rare disorder where multiple tumors called schwannomas form near nerve pathways, according to a study published today in the journal Nature Genetics and led by researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

24 Dec 2013

Studies yield new insights into molecular mechanisms that underlie learning process

Learning requires constant reconfiguration of the connections between nerve cells. Two new studies now yield new insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie the learning process.

22 Dec 2013

Newly-discovered selective process may explain why brain function does not deteriorate

As we grow older, our brains undergo a major reorganisation reducing the connections in the brain. Studying people up to the age of 40, scientists led by Dr Marcus Kaiser and Ms Sol Lim at Newcastle University found that while overall connections in the brain get streamlined, long-distance connections that are crucial for integrating information are preserved.

20 Dec 2013

Researchers investigate several non-invasive methods for measuring intracranial pressure

Do you ever turn your world upside down by standing on your head? After a few minutes you might feel some pressure in your face and around your skull. This is because headstands invert the body's blood flow, pushing more blood toward your head.

19 Dec 2013

Research adds debate about how human bodies respond to artificial sweeteners

New research from the University of Adelaide has added to the debate about how our bodies respond to artificial sweeteners and whether they are good, bad or have no effect on us.

18 Dec 2013

MSCs isolated from MS patients have decreased suppressive function

Multiple sclerosis, an inflammatory autoimmune disease affecting more than one million people worldwide, is caused by an immune reaction to myelin proteins, the proteins that help form the myelin insulating substance around nerves. Demyelination and MS are a consequence of this immune reaction. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have been considered as an important source for cell therapy for autoimmune diseases such as MS because of their immunosuppressive properties.

18 Dec 2013

NUS scientists open possible new route for treatment of spinal muscular atrophy

A recent study led by scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) opens a possible new route for treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a devastating disease that is the most common genetic cause of infant death and also affects young adults.

18 Dec 2013

Immigrants, minority populations, small business employees -- Does the health law help them?

News outlets examine the various groups that might be falling through the health law's coverage gaps, or that might face higher costs, as well as some of the efforts underway to reach them.

18 Dec 2013

Studies suggest that stress-related disorders may be associated with hippocampal volume loss

Depression has been associated with reduced volume of the hippocampus in magnetic resonance imaging studies in humans. A new study just published in Biological Psychiatry now clarifies the cellular basis of these volumetric changes, which have been unclear until now.

18 Dec 2013

Researchers hope for a pharmacological solution to treat cocaine addiction

Imagine kicking a cocaine addiction by simply popping a pill that alters the way your brain processes chemical addiction. New research from the University of Pittsburgh suggests that a method of biologically manipulating certain neurocircuits could lead to a pharmacological approach that would weaken post-withdrawal cocaine cravings. The findings have been published in Nature Neuroscience.

17 Dec 2013

New gene mutation helps doctors give more accurate diagnosis of mitochondrial myopathy

A new gene mutation which will help doctors give a more accurate diagnosis of a particular type of brain and muscle disease in children has been discovered for the first time by University of Leeds experts.

17 Dec 2013

Professor wins $1M to create medical devices that lead to greater control of prosthetics in soldiers

Dr. Walter Voit, assistant professor of materials science and engineering and mechanical engineering at The University of Texas at Dallas, has been awarded $1 million to create medical devices that will lead to greater control of prosthetics in wounded soldiers.

17 Dec 2013

First Edition: December 17, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about how the health law is viewed by immigrant populations.

17 Dec 2013

Alnylam initiates Phase II study with ALN-TTRsc for treatment of ATTR

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today that it has initiated a pilot Phase II study with ALN-TTRsc, a subcutaneously delivered RNAi therapeutic targeting the transthyretin gene in development for the treatment of TTR-mediated amyloidosis.

17 Dec 2013

Researchers identify potential biomarker to predict developmental problems in premature infants

Researchers have identified a potential biomarker for predicting whether a premature infant is at high risk for motor development problems, according to a study published online in the journal Radiology.

17 Dec 2013

U-M researchers report novel approach for treating tinnitus in humans

For tens of millions of Americans, there's no such thing as the sound of silence. Instead, even in a quiet room, they hear a constant ringing, buzzing, hissing, humming or other noise in their ears that isn't real. Called tinnitus, it can be debilitating and life-altering.

17 Dec 2013

Americans see health law as to blame for rising costs, eroding coverage

Meanwhile, in the background, President Barack Obama's acknowledgement that his promise that people could keep there coverage was inaccurate continues to make news.

16 Dec 2013

Study: Brain blood vessel cells may be therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease

A study in mice shows how a breakdown of the brain's blood vessels may amplify or cause problems associated with Alzheimer's disease. The results published in Nature Communications suggest that blood vessel cells called pericytes may provide novel targets for treatments and diagnoses.

14 Dec 2013

Nerve News and Research

Diflunisal drug reduces neurological decline in patients with familial transthyretin amyloidosis

Viewpoints: Impact of 'meddling with' health law; antibiotics on farms; 'Let thirtysomethings' join Medicare

Changes to LZTR1 gene predispose people to develop schwannomas

Studies yield new insights into molecular mechanisms that underlie learning process

Newly-discovered selective process may explain why brain function does not deteriorate

Researchers investigate several non-invasive methods for measuring intracranial pressure

Research adds debate about how human bodies respond to artificial sweeteners

MSCs isolated from MS patients have decreased suppressive function

NUS scientists open possible new route for treatment of spinal muscular atrophy

Immigrants, minority populations, small business employees -- Does the health law help them?

Studies suggest that stress-related disorders may be associated with hippocampal volume loss

Researchers hope for a pharmacological solution to treat cocaine addiction

New gene mutation helps doctors give more accurate diagnosis of mitochondrial myopathy

Professor wins $1M to create medical devices that lead to greater control of prosthetics in soldiers

First Edition: December 17, 2013

Alnylam initiates Phase II study with ALN-TTRsc for treatment of ATTR

Researchers identify potential biomarker to predict developmental problems in premature infants

U-M researchers report novel approach for treating tinnitus in humans

Americans see health law as to blame for rising costs, eroding coverage

Study: Brain blood vessel cells may be therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease

The impact of vibration on microscopy

How Omics Technologies Are Transforming Biological Research and Drug Discovery

How microplastics and bacteria interact to drive antibiotic resistance

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