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.

Cross-reactivity between Epstein-Barr virus and protein in multiple sclerosis sheds light on disease development

Research uncovers the association between multiple sclerosis (MS) and antibody reactivity to specific amino acids in CRYAB, along with the increased risk when combined with high EBNA1 responses. The study provides evidence of antibody and T cell cross-reactivity between EBNA1 and CRYAB, highlighting the role of EBV adaptive immune responses in MS development.

21 May 2023

Hand-gesture decoding using data from noninvasive brain imaging

Researchers from University of California San Diego have found a way to distinguish among hand gestures that people are making by examining only data from noninvasive brain imaging, without information from the hands themselves.

19 May 2023

MGH researchers identify a potential method for treating fragile X syndrome

New research has identified a potential method for treating fragile X syndrome, a leading cause of autism spectrum disorders that is characterized by an inherited repeat of certain nucleotides within the DNA sequence of the FMR1 gene.

19 May 2023

Genomes of modern humans shaped by admixture events

The course of human history has been marked by complex patterns of migration, isolation, and admixture, the latter a term that refers to gene flow between individuals from different populations.

19 May 2023

New Jersey's Medicaid reforms spurred increases in buprenorphine prescriptions to combat opioid addiction

Reforms to New Jersey's Medicaid program successfully spurred ongoing increases in buprenorphine prescriptions for the treatment of opioid addiction, according to a Rutgers analysis.

19 May 2023

Valbenazine improves chorea associated with Huntington's disease

The drug valbenazine statistically improves chorea, a movement disorder commonly associated with Huntington's disease, when compared to a placebo, according to a recent international study led by UTHealth Houston researcher Erin Furr Stimming, MD, who served as principal investigator on behalf of the KINECT-HD Huntington Study Group.

19 May 2023

Both vaccine strain and adjuvant selection are critical elements for improving the breadth of protective immunity against enterovirus D68

Researchers demonstrated the production of cross-clade neutralizing antibodies in response to EV-D68.

19 May 2023

When older parents resist help or advice, use these tips to cope

It was a regrettable mistake. But Kim Sylvester thought she was doing the right thing at the time.

19 May 2023

Remote work: An underestimated benefit for family caregivers

For Aida Beltré, working remotely during the pandemic came as a relief.

19 May 2023

Turn down the heat: Spicy foods linked to memory decline in inactive seniors

Research investigates the association between spicy food consumption and Alzheimer's disease (AD) or cognitive decline in older adults. The study found that a high level of spiciness in food is associated with decreased memory or global cognition, and this relationship is worsened by a physically inactive lifestyle.

18 May 2023

Prospective memory errors can happen to anyone, study shows

Since 1998, approximately 496 children have died of pediatric vehicular heatstroke in the United States because their caregiver forgot they were in the car, according to recent data from NoHeatStroke.org.

18 May 2023

Gamma frequency tactile stimulation can reduce Alzheimer's disease pathology and symptoms

Evidence that non-invasive sensory stimulation of 40 Hz gamma frequency brain rhythms can reduce Alzheimer's disease pathology and symptoms, already shown with light and sound by multiple research groups in mice and humans, now extends to tactile stimulation.

18 May 2023

Liver cells can act on the central clock and modify circadian behavior

University of Queensland-led research has revealed liver cells influence the body's internal circadian clock, which was previously believed to be solely controlled by the brain.

18 May 2023

Efficient assay system aids rapid genetic diagnosis of mitochondrial diseases

The gene ECHS1 encodes for enoyl-CoA hydratase short-chain 1, a mitochondrial enzyme involved in branched-chain amino acid and fatty acid metabolism.

18 May 2023

Biosensor Versatility; From Analytical Chemistry to Diagnostics

At Pittcon 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, we spoke to this year's recipient of the Ralph N. Adams Award in Analytical Chemistry, Professor Joseph Wang to discuss the versatility of biosensor technologies.

From Pittcon 18 May 2023

Regular exercise may decrease the risk of developing Parkinson's disease

Getting regular exercise such as cycling, walking, gardening, cleaning and participating in sports may decrease the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to new research published in the May 17, 2023, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

18 May 2023