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.

Cell fusion could be a potential therapeutic strategy to treat retinal damage

Fusing human retinal cells with adult stem cells could be a potential therapeutic strategy to treat retinal damage and visual impairment, according to the findings of a new study published in the journal eBioMedicine.

15 Mar 2022

Recovery of consciousness may take weeks for most COVID patients on respirators

Most patients with severe COVID who are put on ventilators regain consciousness after removal of respiratory support, but recovery may take weeks after the period of mechanical ventilation has ended, according to a new study by investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Harvard Medical School, NewYork-Presbyterian and Massachusetts General Hospital.

15 Mar 2022

Skin biopsy can aid in early identification and differential diagnosis of Parkinson's disease

The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is currently based on consensus clinical criteria. A novel study reported in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease has found that the presence of neuronal deposits of the biomarker phosphorylated alpha-synuclein (p-syn) in the brain and the skin of patients with PD distinguishes them from individuals with symptoms of parkinsonism due to the accumulation of another protein, tau.

15 Mar 2022

Researchers identify a potential new test for early diagnosis of Lyme disease

For scientists and clinicians alike, one of the Holy Grails for successfully treating and curing Lyme disease is developing tests that identify the disease sooner, show when people are cured of infection, and can diagnose reinfection.

15 Mar 2022

High doses of antibiotic may safely and effectively treat TB meningitis

A Johns Hopkins Children's Center-led study in animals suggests that high doses of a widely used antibiotic called rifampin may safely treat and reduce the duration of treatment for the deadliest form of tuberculosis that affects the brain, potentially improving survival rates for patients and decreasing the likelihood of lasting adverse effects of the disease.

15 Mar 2022

Cognitive decline found to be the key factor in predicting life expectancy for Alzheimer's patients

Cognitive decline is the biggest factor in determining how long patients with Alzheimer's disease will live after being diagnosed, according to a new study from researchers at UT Southwestern.

15 Mar 2022

Temporary increase in dopamine levels initiates sleep state transitions

Historically, the neurological mechanisms underlying sleep-cycle generation have been elusive. But now, researchers from Japan have uncovered new information about how the brain transitions from one sleep state to another.

15 Mar 2022

Neuronal subpopulation responds specifically to song

In this interview, News-Medical speaks to Samuel Norman-Haignere about his latest research that discovered a neuronal subpopulation that responds specifically to song.

15 Mar 2022

Rat study shows how several brain regions work together to acquire a skill and replicate it

Learning a complex skilled movement like tying your shoes or playing an instrument takes practice. After repeating the same movements over and over, people often develop a formulaic way of performing the task, and may not even have to think about it anymore.

14 Mar 2022

Brain network that triggers the execution of planned movement discovered

Planned movement is essential to our daily lives, and it often requires delayed execution. As children, we stood crouched and ready but waited for the shout of "GO!" before sprinting from the starting line.

14 Mar 2022

Irradiation of tumors with laser protons tested for the first time

Irradiation with fast protons is a more effective and less invasive cancer treatment than X-rays. However, modern proton therapy requires large particle accelerators, which has experts investigating alternative accelerator concepts, such as laser systems to accelerate protons.

14 Mar 2022

Researchers develop a mathematical model to predict COVID-19 vaccine efficacy

Researchers at The University of Queensland have developed a mathematical model that can predict the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, potentially speeding-up the development of new vaccines.

14 Mar 2022

First genetic rat model of Down syndrome offers better understanding of the condition

In pursuit of better ways to test new therapies and further explore the impacts of the unique genetics associated with Down syndrome, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine and Tottori University in Japan have genetically engineered and characterized what is believed to be the first rat model of Down syndrome.

14 Mar 2022

Exposure to room lighting during sleep can impair glucose and cardiovascular regulation

Close the blinds, draw the curtains and turn off all the lights before bed: Exposure to even moderate ambient lighting during nighttime sleep, compared to sleeping in a dimly lit room, harms your cardiovascular function during sleep and increases your insulin resistance the following morning, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study published in PNAS.

14 Mar 2022

Study shows correlation between maternal lead exposure and sex ratio of offspring

Higher lead levels in a mother's blood can increase the chance of her bearing male offspring, according to new research led by Japanese scientists at the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine.

14 Mar 2022

KTU researchers improve an algorithm that detects Alzheimer's disease from MRI images

Lithuanian researchers from Kaunas University of Technology improved an algorithm that detects Alzheimer's disease from magnetic resonance imaging images.

14 Mar 2022

Current evidence that vitamin D is effective against COVID-19 neurological sequelae

Researchers analyze the available scientific evidence supporting vitamin D as a neuroprotective agent against the neurological sequelae of COVID-19.

14 Mar 2022

AI companion tells stories to aid memory recollection, boost confidence in people with dementia

Researchers at the National Robotarium, hosted by Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh, are developing an artificial intelligence (AI) companion that will aid memory recollection, boost confidence and combat depression in people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

14 Mar 2022

People with neurological or psychiatric disorders have higher risk for developing a second condition

People living with neurological or psychiatric conditions may have an increased likelihood of having a second such condition in the future, and their sex influences their risk, according to new research.

14 Mar 2022

CR Forum to honor Cleveland Clinic researcher with a 2022 Top Ten Clinical Research Achievement Award

Paul Marasco, PhD, Associate Staff, Department of Biomedical Engineering at Cleveland Clinic, will be honored with a 2022 Top Ten Clinical Research Achievement Award by the Clinical Research Forum (CR Forum).

12 Mar 2022

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Cell fusion could be a potential therapeutic strategy to treat retinal damage

Recovery of consciousness may take weeks for most COVID patients on respirators

Skin biopsy can aid in early identification and differential diagnosis of Parkinson's disease

Researchers identify a potential new test for early diagnosis of Lyme disease

High doses of antibiotic may safely and effectively treat TB meningitis

Cognitive decline found to be the key factor in predicting life expectancy for Alzheimer's patients

Temporary increase in dopamine levels initiates sleep state transitions

Neuronal subpopulation responds specifically to song

Rat study shows how several brain regions work together to acquire a skill and replicate it

Brain network that triggers the execution of planned movement discovered

Irradiation of tumors with laser protons tested for the first time

Researchers develop a mathematical model to predict COVID-19 vaccine efficacy

First genetic rat model of Down syndrome offers better understanding of the condition

Exposure to room lighting during sleep can impair glucose and cardiovascular regulation

Study shows correlation between maternal lead exposure and sex ratio of offspring

KTU researchers improve an algorithm that detects Alzheimer's disease from MRI images

Current evidence that vitamin D is effective against COVID-19 neurological sequelae

AI companion tells stories to aid memory recollection, boost confidence in people with dementia

People with neurological or psychiatric disorders have higher risk for developing a second condition

CR Forum to honor Cleveland Clinic researcher with a 2022 Top Ten Clinical Research Achievement Award

Industry Focus eBook - Cell & Gene Therapy (1st 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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