Brain Cell News and Research

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Scientists convert adult skin cells into cardiomyocytes using direct reprogramming strategy

Scripps Research Institute scientists have converted adult skin cells directly into beating heart cells efficiently without having to first go through the laborious process of generating embryonic-like stem cells. The powerful general technology platform could lead to new treatments for a range of diseases and injuries involving cell loss or damage, such as heart disease, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease.

30 Jan 2011

New research shows mini-stroke creates lasting damage to brain cells

Each year, approximately 150,000 Canadians have a transient ischemic attack, sometimes known as a mini-stroke. New research published today in Stroke, the journal of the American Heart Association shows these attacks may not be transient at all. They in fact create lasting damage to the brain

29 Jan 2011

Misaligned research, medical challenges and harsh economics thwart efforts against Alzheimer's disease

Misaligned research, medical challenges and harsh economics are thwarting efforts to slow the destructive course of Alzheimer's disease in the United States, according to a trio of nationally regarded Alzheimer's researchers writing a "Perspective" in Jan. 27 issue of the journal Neuron.

28 Jan 2011

Prototype drug halts GVHD in mouse models of bone marrow transplantation

A prototype drug already shown to hold promise for treating autoimmune disorders like lupus, arthritis and psoriasis halts established graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in mouse models of bone marrow transplantation, research at the University of Michigan and the University of Florida shows.

28 Jan 2011

New molecular player responsible for regulation of appetite and metabolism

A study by researchers at Mayo Clinic's campus in Florida and Washington University School of Medicine adds a new twist to the body of evidence suggesting human obesity is due in part to genetic factors. While studying hormone receptors in laboratory mice, neuroscientists identified a new molecular player responsible for the regulation of appetite and metabolism.

28 Jan 2011

Teen brains react with erratic excitement during reward-driven tasks

University of Pittsburgh researchers have recorded neuron activity in adolescent rat brains that could reveal the biological root of the teenage propensity to consider rewards over consequences and explain why adolescents are more vulnerable to drug addiction, behavioral disorders, and other psychological ills.

27 Jan 2011

Math may help assess how rapidly stem cells and cancer-causing cousins increase numbers

The difficult task of sorting and counting prized stem cells and their cancer-causing cousins has long frustrated scientists looking for new ways to help people who have progressive diseases.

21 Jan 2011

Damaged alpha-synuclein proteins can spread in a 'prion-like' manner: Study

The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, reveals that damaged alpha-synuclein proteins can spread in a 'prion-like' manner, an infection model previously described for diseases such as BSE.

20 Jan 2011

Three-stage approach to fMRI could improve detection of neural activity

Over the last few years, researchers have used a type of brain scanning, known as functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRI, to help them map changes in blood flow in the brain and to correlate this with thoughts and behavior. A new way to analyze fMRI data, which could improve is reported in the International Journal of Computational Biology and Drug Design.

19 Jan 2011

Study demonstrates role of alpha-synuclein cell-to-cell transfer in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis

The misfolding of abnormal proteins in brain cells is a key element in Parkinson's disease development. A recent study suggests that the sick proteins slowly move between cells, eventually triggering the destruction of the new host cell. The discovery could potentially lead to new therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases aimed at blocking the spread of protein misfolding throughout the brain.

19 Jan 2011

Curcumin and dye brilliant blue G may help block dangerous swelling in TBI

An old Indian spice and a dye whose cousin makes sports drinks blue are pointing scientists toward better treatment of traumatic brain injuries.

19 Jan 2011

Deep brain stimulation stabilizes motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease over time

Parkinson's disease symptoms begin subtly and worsen as damage to certain brain cells continues. But an electrical stimulation device implanted deep in the brain and programmed remotely, along with medications, may provide some control of "motor symptoms" common to the disease, such as shaking, stiffness, and loss of muscle control.

19 Jan 2011

UAB study uses InQ system to evaluate effects of secondary injury components on brain cells

InQ Biosciences, a provider of innovative technologies for cell growth and research, today announced that a pre-commercial version of its InQ Cell Research System is being utilized in a University of Alabama at Birmingham study evaluating the effects of secondary injury components on brain cells.

19 Jan 2011

MicroRNA-29 molecule makes brain cells resistant to programmed cell death

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have discovered a molecule that can make brain cells resistant to programmed cell death or apoptosis.

19 Jan 2011

Airborne prions can induce mad cow disease: Research

Airborne prions are also infectious and can induce mad cow disease or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disorder. This is the surprising conclusion of researchers at the University of Zurich, the University Hospital Zurich and the University of Tübingen. They recommend precautionary measures for scientific labs, slaughterhouses and animal feed plants.

14 Jan 2011

Brain cell destroying genetic mechanism responsible for development of AD

Researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute have discovered that the genetic mechanism which destroys brain cells is responsible for early development of Alzheimer's Disease in people with Down Syndrome and for development of Alzheimer's Disease in general population - providing a potential new target for drugs that could forestall dementia in people with either condition.

13 Jan 2011

UCLA imaging system could help reveal 'miscommunications' in autism, schizophrenia

Some disorders of the brain are obvious - the massive death of brain cells after a stroke, the explosion in the growth of cells that marks a tumor. Other disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia and mental retardation show no physical signs of damage and are believed to be caused by problems in how brain cells communicate with one another.

13 Jan 2011

Aβ, tau and Fyn protein interactions may lead to brain dysfunction and AD

Though the cause of Alzheimer's disease still is unknown, recent studies have implicated three proteins strongly in its onset. New research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the Gladstone Institutes and the Baylor College of Medicine indicates that interactions between those three proteins might lead to brain dysfunction and AD in a mouse model of the disease.

13 Jan 2011

Lipoprotein receptor LRP1 also regulates food intake and energy balance in central nervous system: Study

12 Jan 2011

Dream team to build mind-controlled prosthetic devices

University of Houston researchers are helping the Pentagon build reliable mind-controlled prosthetic devices that military and civilian amputees can use the rest of their lives.

12 Jan 2011

Brain Cell News and Research

Scientists convert adult skin cells into cardiomyocytes using direct reprogramming strategy

New research shows mini-stroke creates lasting damage to brain cells

Misaligned research, medical challenges and harsh economics thwart efforts against Alzheimer's disease

Prototype drug halts GVHD in mouse models of bone marrow transplantation

New molecular player responsible for regulation of appetite and metabolism

Teen brains react with erratic excitement during reward-driven tasks

Math may help assess how rapidly stem cells and cancer-causing cousins increase numbers

Damaged alpha-synuclein proteins can spread in a 'prion-like' manner: Study

Three-stage approach to fMRI could improve detection of neural activity

Study demonstrates role of alpha-synuclein cell-to-cell transfer in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis

Curcumin and dye brilliant blue G may help block dangerous swelling in TBI

Deep brain stimulation stabilizes motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease over time

UAB study uses InQ system to evaluate effects of secondary injury components on brain cells

MicroRNA-29 molecule makes brain cells resistant to programmed cell death

Airborne prions can induce mad cow disease: Research

Brain cell destroying genetic mechanism responsible for development of AD

UCLA imaging system could help reveal 'miscommunications' in autism, schizophrenia

Aβ, tau and Fyn protein interactions may lead to brain dysfunction and AD

Lipoprotein receptor LRP1 also regulates food intake and energy balance in central nervous system: Study

Dream team to build mind-controlled prosthetic devices

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