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.

New method improves polygenic prediction of disease risk across diverse populations

Polygenic risk scores (PRS) are promising tools for predicting disease risk, but current versions have built-in bias that can affect their accuracy in some populations and result in health disparities.

5 May 2022

Fecal microbiota transplant can reverse hallmarks of aging in mice

In the search for eternal youth, poo transplants may seem like an unlikely way to reverse the aging process.

5 May 2022

Are you getting enough sleep?

Sleep plays a vital role in the cognitive processing and maintenance of psychological health, which includes the processing of emotions and the consolidation of memories.

5 May 2022

Free SARS-CoV-2 spike protein fragments may trigger platelet activation and clot formation in COVID-19

In a recent study under review in the Nature Portfolio journal and currently available on the Research Square* preprint server, researchers investigated the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein (SP) in the thrombi (or blood clots).

5 May 2022

New model can predict drug-drug interactions based on drug-induced gene expression signatures

Prescriptions for multiple drugs, or polypharmacy, is often recommended for the treatment of complex diseases.

4 May 2022

Oral Nirmatrelvir's effects on long COVID symptoms

In a recent study posted to the Research Square* preprint server, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, examined the cases of three individuals who received nirmatrelvir/ritonavir antiviral therapy at different stages following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

4 May 2022

Hypertonic saline solution enhances glymphatic spinal cord delivery of pharmaceutical agents

The glymphatic system enables the flow of cerebrospinal fluid to the brain tissue, particularly during sleep, enabling the fluid to cleanse the tissue and carry accumulated metabolites with it towards the bloodstream during waking hours.

4 May 2022

New insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of absence seizures

Bochum researchers have gained new insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of absence seizures and potential therapy options.

4 May 2022

People with highest levels of antioxidants less likely to develop dementia, finds study

People with higher levels of antioxidants in their blood may be less likely to develop dementia, according to a study published in the May 4, 2022, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

4 May 2022

Researchers create models to study brain metastases that recapitulate the disease

The spreading of different types of cancer cells to the brain, forming brain metastases, is the main cause of morbidity and mortality associated to cancer. Now, a new study led by Cláudia C. Faria, principal investigator in the group of João Taborda Barata at the Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (iMM; Portugal) and neurosurgeon at the Hospital Santa Maria (HSM, CHULN, Portugal), and published today in the scientific journal Cell Reports Medicine* created a library of models to study brain metastases that recapitulate the disease in humans. These models can be a relevant tool to understand the disease and discover new therapeutical approaches tailormade to each patient.

4 May 2022

Discovery could lead to new treatments to minimize cravings in people with addictions

For some people with alcohol use disorder, it might be the sight of a familiar bar or a favorite bottle; for others, it might be the feeling of leaving the office after a stressful day at work or stepping into a crowded party. Most people who struggle with drug or alcohol addiction have particular cues that set off their cravings.

4 May 2022

Newly discovered brain circuit facilitates the ability to focus on what is important in the environment

When exploring a new environment, mice make use of a unique long-distance connection in the brain that prompts them to pay attention to the most salient features of the environment, according to new research from UC San Francisco. The link, originating in the prefrontal cortex and stretching to the hippocampus, provides evidence of how the brain's higher cognitive regions refine operations occurring in distant brain areas.

4 May 2022

Two specific brain networks can strongly influence weight-loss success

When it comes to weight loss, the old adage it's all in your head may be true.

4 May 2022

Study finds brain circuit controlling drug withdrawal-induced anxiety and reinstatement

New research from the University of California, Irvine, finds that drug withdrawal-induced anxiety and reinstatement of drug seeking behaviors are controlled by a single pathway in the brain and centered around dopamine cells.

4 May 2022

Elevated levels of PHGDH enzyme associated with Alzheimer’s disease pathology

Elevated levels of an enzyme called PHGDH in the blood of older adults could be an early warning sign of Alzheimer's disease, and a study led by the University of California San Diego provides new evidence to support this claim.

4 May 2022

Study reveals the efficacy of teacher-implemented intervention in reducing learning gaps

New research from Center for BrainHealth® at The University of Texas at Dallas demonstrates that professional development with a focus on neuroscience equips teachers with the tools and confidence to reduce learning gaps in eighth grade students, as measured by State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) performance.

4 May 2022

Stroke survivors can now reduce their chances of death by 76% through modified cardiac rehabilitation

Survivors of serious stroke can reduce their chances of dying within the year by 76% if they complete a modified cardiac rehabilitation program that includes medically supervised exercise, prescribed therapy, and physician follow-up, according to new research published in the Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases, published by Elsevier. The findings have the potential to change the future of stroke care.

4 May 2022

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

New method improves polygenic prediction of disease risk across diverse populations

Fecal microbiota transplant can reverse hallmarks of aging in mice

Are you getting enough sleep?

Free SARS-CoV-2 spike protein fragments may trigger platelet activation and clot formation in COVID-19

New model can predict drug-drug interactions based on drug-induced gene expression signatures

Oral Nirmatrelvir's effects on long COVID symptoms

Hypertonic saline solution enhances glymphatic spinal cord delivery of pharmaceutical agents

New insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of absence seizures

People with highest levels of antioxidants less likely to develop dementia, finds study

Researchers create models to study brain metastases that recapitulate the disease

Discovery could lead to new treatments to minimize cravings in people with addictions

Newly discovered brain circuit facilitates the ability to focus on what is important in the environment

Two specific brain networks can strongly influence weight-loss success

Study finds brain circuit controlling drug withdrawal-induced anxiety and reinstatement

Elevated levels of PHGDH enzyme associated with Alzheimer’s disease pathology

Study reveals the efficacy of teacher-implemented intervention in reducing learning gaps

Stroke survivors can now reduce their chances of death by 76% through modified cardiac rehabilitation

Scientists discover a potential new method of active immunization to prevent Alzheimer's disease

Children without diapers do not get quality sleep, study says

Teens’ brains shift from focusing on their mothers’ voices to favor new voices, finds study

Industry Focus eBook - Neurology/Neuroscience - 2nd edition eBook

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

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