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.

Research sheds light on malaria-related parasite's transition from acute to chronic stage

A new discovery about the malaria-related parasite Toxoplasma gondii -- which can threaten babies, AIDS patients, the elderly and others with weakened immune function -- may help solve the mystery of how this single-celled parasite establishes life-long infections in people.

10 Apr 2013

fMRI: A non-invasive tool to map critical areas of brain before surgery

A new functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique may provide neurosurgeons with a non-invasive tool to help in mapping critical areas of the brain before surgery, reports a study in the April issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

9 Apr 2013

UCSB researchers examine role played by Rhs proteins in bacterial intercellular competition

There's an epic battle taking place that's not on the national radar: intercellular competition. While it's not an Olympic event, new research from UC Santa Barbara demonstrates that this microscopic rivalry can be just as fierce as humans going for the gold.

9 Apr 2013

Research: ACOT7 enzyme keeps neurons' fat levels under control

We're all fatheads. That is, our brain cells are packed with fat molecules, more of them than almost any other cell type. Still, if the brain cells' fat content gets too high, they'll be in trouble. In a recent study in mice, researchers at Johns Hopkins pinpointed an enzyme that keeps neurons' fat levels under control, and may be implicated in human neurological diseases.

9 Apr 2013

Study: Transcendental meditation reduces posttraumatic stress in African refugees

A significant percentage of veterans returning from wars exhibit symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTS). This is now recognized as a serious health problem, but what about the victims of such violence? Refugees live with the constant reminder of what war has done to their lives and those of their families.

9 Apr 2013

Study shows genetics could play a role in exercise motivation

Studies show 97 percent of American adults get less than 30 minutes of exercise a day, which is the minimum recommended amount based on federal guidelines. New research from the University of Missouri suggests certain genetic traits may predispose people to being more or less motivated to exercise and remain active.

9 Apr 2013

Nano-sized EVs play role in cancer growth and survival

The recent discovery of circulating "nano-sized extracellular vesicles" (EVs) carrying proteins and nucleic acids derived from brain tumors may lead to exciting new avenues for brain cancer diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment, according to a special article in the April issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

9 Apr 2013

Patients exposed to chest radiation are more likely to die after heart surgery

Patients who have open heart surgery for heart disease caused by radiation cancer treatment are nearly twice as likely to die in the years following their surgery compared to similar patients who did not undergo radiation treatment, according to new research from Cleveland Clinic published today in the American Heart Association journal Circulation.

9 Apr 2013

TBI can increase depression, personality impulsivity, PTSD in PNES patients

A new study by a Rhode Island Hospital researcher has found that traumatic brain injury (TBI) can significantly increase the odds of having major depression, personality impulsivity and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES).

9 Apr 2013

Study: Chicken-killing virus is a promising treatment for prostate cancer

A study at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine has identified a chicken-killing virus as a promising treatment for prostate cancer in humans.

9 Apr 2013

University of Leicester to launch new research centre to explore complex traits and disease

This week, the University of Leicester launches a new Centre for Genetic Architecture of Complex Traits to explore the building blocks of complex traits and disease.

9 Apr 2013

Exosome profiling of mRNAs and miRNAs in serum samples presented at AACR meeting

Exosome Diagnostics, a leading developer of biofluid-based molecular diagnostics for use in personalized medicine, today announced that the company is presenting a late-breaking abstract at the AACR Annual Meeting 2013, in Washington D.C.

9 Apr 2013

Researchers explore how blocking EGFR changes signaling in glioblastoma cells

Proteins that control cell growth are often mutated in cancer, and their aberrant signaling drives the wild proliferation of cells that gives rise to tumors. One such protein, the epidermal growth factor receptor, fuels a wide variety of cancers-including a highly malignant brain cancer known as glioblastoma.

9 Apr 2013

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway: an interview with Dr. Paul Mischel, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

The mammalian target of rapamycin, mTOR is a central integrator of the cell that coordinates growth factor receptor signaling with energy and nutrient status to control a wide array of activities, including the regulation of cellular proliferation and survival.

9 Apr 2013

Weill Cornell Medical College sets up new Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute

Weill Cornell Medical College has established the new Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, a unique, multidisciplinary translational neuroscience research hub. Named in honor of long-time benefactors Gertrude and Louis Feil, the institute was created with a generous $28 million gift from the Feil Family.

9 Apr 2013

Researchers show for first time that brain can control core body temperature

A team of researchers led by Associate Professor Maria Kozhevnikov from the Department of Psychology at the National University of Singapore Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences showed, for the first time, that it is possible for core body temperature to be controlled by the brain.

9 Apr 2013

Certain brain tumors develop drug resistance by exploiting normal cellular signaling pathways

Proteins that control cell growth are often mutated in cancer, and their aberrant signaling drives the wild proliferation of cells that gives rise to tumors.

9 Apr 2013

New national study examines marijuana use and prescription drug misuse

Individuals who use marijuana recreationally are more likely to misuse other drugs, including pain-controlling, but potentially addictive narcotics, sedatives and other prescription medications, than individuals who do not use marijuana, according to a new national study issued today by Quest Diagnostics, the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services.

From Quest Diagnostics 9 Apr 2013

Roche, Isis Pharmaceuticals to develop neurodegenerative therapeutics for Huntington's disease

Roche and Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc today announced that they have formed an alliance to develop treatments for Huntington's disease based on Isis' antisense oligonucleotide technology.

9 Apr 2013

Argentina's ANMAT approves AUBAGIO for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis

Genzyme, a Sanofi company, announced today Argentina's National Administration of Drugs, Food and Medical Technology has approved once-daily, oral AUBAGIO 14 mg as a new treatment indicated for patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.

9 Apr 2013

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Research sheds light on malaria-related parasite's transition from acute to chronic stage

fMRI: A non-invasive tool to map critical areas of brain before surgery

UCSB researchers examine role played by Rhs proteins in bacterial intercellular competition

Research: ACOT7 enzyme keeps neurons' fat levels under control

Study: Transcendental meditation reduces posttraumatic stress in African refugees

Study shows genetics could play a role in exercise motivation

Nano-sized EVs play role in cancer growth and survival

Patients exposed to chest radiation are more likely to die after heart surgery

TBI can increase depression, personality impulsivity, PTSD in PNES patients

Study: Chicken-killing virus is a promising treatment for prostate cancer

University of Leicester to launch new research centre to explore complex traits and disease

Exosome profiling of mRNAs and miRNAs in serum samples presented at AACR meeting

Researchers explore how blocking EGFR changes signaling in glioblastoma cells

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway: an interview with Dr. Paul Mischel, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

Weill Cornell Medical College sets up new Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute

Researchers show for first time that brain can control core body temperature

Certain brain tumors develop drug resistance by exploiting normal cellular signaling pathways

New national study examines marijuana use and prescription drug misuse

Roche, Isis Pharmaceuticals to develop neurodegenerative therapeutics for Huntington's disease

Argentina's ANMAT approves AUBAGIO for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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