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.

Rusk Rehabilitation moves to NYU Langone's new Ambulatory Care Center

NYU Langone Medical Center announced that Rusk Rehabilitation non-musculoskeletal outpatient rehabilitation care, research and administrative offices have moved to a 40,000 square-foot space in NYU Langone's new Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) located at 240 East 38th Street in Manhattan.

19 Jun 2012

A novel candidate gene in human early-onset degenerative ataxias

Researchers at the University of Helsinki and the Folkh-lsan Research Center, Finland, have identified the genetic cause of early-onset progressive cerebellar degeneration the Finnish Hound dog breed. The study, led by Professor Hannes Lohi, revealed a new disease mechanism in cerebellar degeneration. A mutation was identified in the SEL1L gene, which has no previous link to inherited cerebellar ataxias.

18 Jun 2012

Penumbra adds MAX System of Reperfusion Catheters to family of aspiration thrombectomy devices

The Penumbra System family of aspiration thrombectomy devices now includes the MAX System of Reperfusion Catheters for removal of clots in patients experiencing acute ischemic stroke. The MAX System neuro-interventional devices offer a fast, simplified cerebral thrombectomy procedure with single-operator, over-the-wire delivery without the need for a large proximal balloon guide.

18 Jun 2012

Agility MLC's new design provides better dose sculpting capabilities

Requiring only a quick upgrade to their existing Elekta Synergy linear accelerator, physicians at SALK and Paracelsus Medical University began using the new Agility 160-leaf multileaf collimator (MLC), treating 33 patients on its first day. In its first month of Agility use, the center now treats 50 patients per day, comprising about 700 individual treatment sessions that have benefited from this breakthrough in cancer care.

From Elekta 18 Jun 2012

Is curry good for you?

There have been several news stories over the years reporting that curry may be good for us. Most of them refer to a chemical in curry, known as curcumin.

18 Jun 2012

NHS Supply Chain signs deal to purchase 10 Elekta Synergy radiation therapy treatment systems

NHS Supply Chain will bring state-of-the-art cancer treatment to the United Kingdom by signing a deal to purchase ten Elekta Synergy radiation therapy treatment systems.

From Elekta 18 Jun 2012

Researchers develop double viral vector transfection technique

The collaborative research team led by Professor Tadashi ISA, Project Assistant Professor Masaharu KINOSHITA from The National Institute for Physiological Sciences, The National Institutes of Natural Sciences and Fukushima Medical University and Kyoto University, developed "the double viral vector transfection technique" which can deliver genes to a specific neural circuit by combining two new kinds of gene transfer vectors.

18 Jun 2012

Link between unconscious conflicts and conscious anxiety disorder symptoms

An experiment that Sigmund Freud could never have imagined 100 years ago may help lend scientific support for one of his key theories, and help connect it with current neuroscience.

18 Jun 2012

Ginger gum can cure migraine headaches

If you or someone you care about is among the one in 10 Americans who suffer with migraine headaches, recent research may provide some relief.

16 Jun 2012

Surprising effects of brain injury

When Maria Ross' husband found his healthy and active wife unconscious on the bathroom floor, the pair had no idea they would embark on a journey into the world of brain injury, learning more about how trauma affects the brain - and your identity - than they ever cared to know.

16 Jun 2012

'Tip-of-the-tongue' errors happen often to adults over 65

Has your memory failed you today, such as struggling to recall a word that's "on the tip of your tongue?" If so, you're not alone.

16 Jun 2012

Novel technique can restore hand function in patients with spinal cord injury

Justin M. Brown, MD, reconstructive neurosurgeon at UC San Diego Health System, is one of only a few specialists in the world who have pioneered a novel technique to restore hand function in patients with spinal cord injury. In a delicate four-hour procedure, Brown splices together tiny nerve endings, only one millimeter in width, to help restore hand mobility. Most patients return home 24 hours after surgery.

16 Jun 2012

St. Michael's to investigate new treatments for prevention of brain injury complications

St. Michael's Hospital has been awarded up to $700,000 from the Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario to investigate new treatments to prevent complications following certain brain injuries.

16 Jun 2012

Research indicates novel electrical bio-marker in humans

The research led by Newcastle University's Dr Mark Cunningham and Professor Miles Whittington and supported by the Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research, indicates a novel electrical bio-marker in humans.

16 Jun 2012

Study finds no evidence to support an effect of THC on MS progression

The first large non-commercial study to investigate whether the main active constituent of cannabis (tetrahydrocannabinol or THC) is effective in slowing the course of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) shows that there is no evidence to suggest this; although benefits were noted for those at the lower end of the disability scale.

16 Jun 2012

Immune system may play a key role in removing Alzheimer's protein

Recent work in mice suggested that the immune system is involved in removing beta-amyloid, the main Alzheimer's-causing substance in the brain. Researchers have now shown for the first time that this may apply in humans.

16 Jun 2012

Civitas commences CVT-301 Phase 2a trial in Parkinson's disease

Civitas Therapeutics, Inc., a privately-held pharmaceutical company developing transformative therapeutics using the ARCUS respiratory delivery platform, announced today the initiation of a Phase 2a clinical trial in Parkinson's disease patients evaluating CVT-301, an inhaled formulation of levodopa (L-dopa), for the rapid relief from motor fluctuations.

16 Jun 2012

Researchers identify three sets of genetic markers linked with CNS PNET

Researchers at The University of Nottingham have identified three sets of genetic markers that could potentially pave the way for new diagnostic tools for a deadly type of brain tumour that mainly targets children.

16 Jun 2012

NextGen commercializes new assay for identification of biomarkers in brain disorders

NextGen Group Plc, the AIM listed company developing its own diagnostics product pipeline and providing diagnostic biomarker development services, announces the commercialisation of a new assay for the identification of diagnostic biomarkers in brain disorders in animal models.

15 Jun 2012

Research examines link between metabolic syndrome and cognitive disorders

No effective treatments are currently available for the prevention or cure of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most frequent form of dementia in the elderly. The most recognized risk factors, advancing age and having the apolipoprotein E Ɛ4 gene, cannot be modified or treated. Increasingly, scientists are looking toward other risk factors to identify preventive and therapeutic strategies.

15 Jun 2012