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Researchers identify biomarker that could predict disease severity in glaucoma patients

Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness worldwide, most often is diagnosed during a routine eye exam. Over time, elevated pressure inside the eye damages the optic nerve, leading to vision loss. Unfortunately, there's no way to accurately predict which patients might lose vision most rapidly.

4 May 2017

Study shows first removal of HIV-1 replication using CRISPR/Cas9, gene editing technology

A new study published in the journal Molecular Therapy reveals that HIV DNA in the genome of living animals can be removed to eliminate further infection. While a permanent cure for infection caused by HIV remains a challenge due to the ability of the virus to hide away in latent reservoirs. The study team comprising Wenhui Hu, Kamel Khalili, Laura H. Carnell, and Won-Bin Young carried out an experiment on three different animal models.

4 May 2017

Researcher develops new language intervention to help treat patients with rare form of dementia

A Baycrest Health Sciences researcher and clinician has developed the first group language intervention that helps individuals losing the ability to speak due to a rare form of dementia, and could help patients maintain their communication abilities for longer.

4 May 2017

Gene mutation may accelerate loss of memory and thinking skills in people with Alzheimer's risk

A gene mutation may accelerate the loss of memory and thinking skills in people who are at risk for Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in the May 3, 2017, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The gene mutation is called the BDNF Val66Met allele, or just the Met allele.

4 May 2017

Lost function of genes impairs development of motor skills in maturing mice

Scientists report in Neuron the lost function of two genes prevents infant laboratory mice from developing motor skills as they mature into adults. Researchers also suggest in their study that people with certain motor development disabilities be tested to see if they have mutant forms of the same genes.

3 May 2017

Shire and Parion Sciences to collaborate on P-321 for ophthalmic indications

Shire plc and Parion Sciences, Inc. have announced they have entered into an agreement granting Shire exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize P-321. Shire will lead development of P-321, an investigational epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) inhibitor for the potential treatment of dry eye disease in adults, with the opportunity for Parion to co-fund.

3 May 2017

Researchers find connection between brain activity and social networks

When someone talks about using "your network" to find a job or answer a question, most people understand that to mean the interconnected web of your friends, family, and acquaintances. But we all have another key network that shapes our life in powerful ways: our brains.

2 May 2017

Researchers uncover new potential target for treating spinal muscular atrophy

Though spinal muscular atrophy in its most severe form remains incurable and fatal in early childhood, researchers are sustaining a multipronged counterattack for patients and their families. The first treatment for the disease gained U.S. market approval in December.

2 May 2017

Researchers discover new type of lymphatic brain ‘scavenger’ cells in zebrafish

The brain has its own inbuilt processes for mopping up damaging cellular waste -- and these processes may provide protection from stroke and dementia.

2 May 2017

New study shows that gene editing technology can shut down HIV-1 replication in animals

A permanent cure for HIV infection remains elusive due to the virus's ability to hide away in latent reservoirs. But now, in new research published in print May 3 in the journal Molecular Therapy, scientists at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and the University of Pittsburgh show that they can excise HIV DNA from the genomes of living animals to eliminate further infection.

2 May 2017

Leader of international medical education at UIC receives Ellis Island Medal of Honor

Ara Tekian, professor and associate dean of international education at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, will receive the Ellis Island Medal of Honor at a ceremony in New York.

29 Apr 2017

New book offers guidance on how to deliver systematic approaches in forensic music therapy

‘The Clinician's Guide to Forensic Music Therapy’ by Dr Stella Compton Dickinson and Dr Laurien Hakvoort, is the first book to offer clear, evidence-based manuals for forensic music therapists in the treatment and recovery of men and women in secure hospitals and prisons.

29 Apr 2017

Study describes new targets for precision treatment of meningiomas

Winner of the Integra Foundation Award, Mark W. Youngblood, presented his research, Clinical and Molecular Features of Genomic Subgroups in Meningioma, during the 2017 American Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting.

29 Apr 2017

Testosterone reduces cognitive reflection, increases impulsive behavior in men

Hotheaded, impulsive men who shoot first and ask questions later are a staple of Westerns and 1970s cop films, but new research shows there might be truth to the trope.

28 Apr 2017

Do brain training apps really work?

There are dozens of brain training apps on the market. Regrettably, very few have any studies showing efficacy. A recent systematic review from experts at five Alzheimer’s research centers looked at 32 brain training programs, and found only seven had any studies to review showing effects in the target population of aging adults.

28 Apr 2017

Scientists aim to build computer model of complex memory formation

Much of what scientists know about human memory comes from studies involving relatively simple acts of recollection--remembering lists of words or associations between names and faces.

28 Apr 2017

Supplementation with macular carotenoids improves psychological stress levels, study shows

Lutein and zeaxanthin isomers--known as the macular carotenoids--are traditionally associated with eye health, but researchers at the University of Georgia found an interesting connection to their function in brain health, showing that they improved psychological stress levels and reduced serum cortisol.

27 Apr 2017

New software wrapper boosts ability of existing neuron tracing algorithms

Putting a turbo engine into an old car gives it an entirely new life--suddenly it can go further, faster. That same idea is now being applied to neuroscience, with a software wrapper that can be used on existing neuron tracing algorithms to boost their ability to handle not just big, but enormous sets of data

27 Apr 2017

Research reveals how alterations in excitation/inhibition balance may lead to psychiatric disorders

In a special issue of Biological Psychiatry titled "Cortical Excitation-Inhibition Balance and Dysfunction in Psychiatric Disorders", guest editors Dr. Alan Anticevic and Dr. John Murray, both of Yale University, bring together seven reviews that highlight advancements in understanding the balance of excitatory and inhibitory signaling in the brain, and what might happen when it goes awry.

27 Apr 2017

Study provides preliminary evidence that Parkinson's disease may start in the gut

Parkinson's disease may start in the gut and spread to the brain via the vagus nerve, according to a study published in the April 26, 2017, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The vagus nerve extends from the brainstem to the abdomen and controls unconscious body processes like heart rate and food digestion.

27 Apr 2017

Neuroscience News and Research

Researchers identify biomarker that could predict disease severity in glaucoma patients

Study shows first removal of HIV-1 replication using CRISPR/Cas9, gene editing technology

Researcher develops new language intervention to help treat patients with rare form of dementia

Gene mutation may accelerate loss of memory and thinking skills in people with Alzheimer's risk

Lost function of genes impairs development of motor skills in maturing mice

Shire and Parion Sciences to collaborate on P-321 for ophthalmic indications

Researchers find connection between brain activity and social networks

Researchers uncover new potential target for treating spinal muscular atrophy

Researchers discover new type of lymphatic brain ‘scavenger’ cells in zebrafish

New study shows that gene editing technology can shut down HIV-1 replication in animals

Leader of international medical education at UIC receives Ellis Island Medal of Honor

New book offers guidance on how to deliver systematic approaches in forensic music therapy

Study describes new targets for precision treatment of meningiomas

Testosterone reduces cognitive reflection, increases impulsive behavior in men

Do brain training apps really work?

Scientists aim to build computer model of complex memory formation

Supplementation with macular carotenoids improves psychological stress levels, study shows

New software wrapper boosts ability of existing neuron tracing algorithms

Research reveals how alterations in excitation/inhibition balance may lead to psychiatric disorders

Study provides preliminary evidence that Parkinson's disease may start in the gut

Event guide: 8th Neuroimmunology Drug Development Summit 2026 eBook

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

Advancing Intracellular Delivery with LumiPore®

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