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.

Study finds low blood levels of HDL in children with autism

Mystery surrounds autism. Its theories of causes and treatments are as unique and diverse as the people who have it. The same holds true for its symptoms. Scientists and physicians are uncovering more about this disorder every day; many of those studies and findings concentrate on diet.

25 Jan 2012

Scientists evaluate growth, differentiation and function of iPSC-derived NPCs in PD

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) are a promising avenue for cell replacement therapy in neurologic diseases. For example, mouse and human iPSCs have been used to generate dopaminergic (DA) neurons that improve symptoms in rat Parkinson's disease models. Reporting in the current issue of the Journal of Parkinson's Disease, a group of scientists from Japan evaluated the growth, differentiation, and function of human-derived iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in a primate model, elucidating their therapeutic potential.

25 Jan 2012

Changes in endocannabinoid system may have important implications for psychiatric disorders

Changes in the endocannabinoid system may have important implications for psychiatric and addiction disorders. This brain system is responsible for making substances that have effects on brain function which resemble those of cannabis products, e.g., marijuana.

25 Jan 2012

University of Hawaii's ORS to advance employment opportunities for people with disabilities

Kessler Foundation awarded a Signature Employment Grant in the amount of $425,000 to the Office of Research Services at the University of Hawaii, to advance employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The Signature Employment Grant supports the development of a virtual reality (VR) software application, EmployAble: A World Without Barriers, to help jobseekers with disabilities navigate the world of job hunting and adapt to the workplace.

25 Jan 2012

Studies indicate infant brains come equipped with knowledge of 'intuitive physics'

While it may appear that infants are helpless creatures that only blink, eat, cry and sleep, one University of Missouri researcher says that studies indicate infant brains come equipped with knowledge of "intuitive physics."

24 Jan 2012

Magic Mushroom’s compound may help in some mental disorders: Study

There has been little research on the mechanism of action of “magic mushrooms” on the brain. A growing number of studies suggested that perhaps the mushrooms' key ingredient could work magic for certain mental disorders. New research in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences sheds light on why one of the mushrooms' hallucinogenic chemical compounds, psilocybin, may hold promise for the treatment of depression.

24 Jan 2012

Alzheimer’s disease may be kept at bay with regular brain stimulation: Study

A new study shows that regularly doing puzzles and reading books could be linked to a decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease. It says that these activities reduce the accumulation of harmful proteins in the brain.

24 Jan 2012

Researchers investigate winter activity protection headgear for young children

This time of year parents in northern regions bundle up their children in preparation for winter activities. In addition to layers of warm clothing, gloves, and boots, parents often use whatever athletic headgear is available to mitigate the potential hazards of winter sports and play.

24 Jan 2012

More efficient diagnostic tools are not always used for neuropathy patients

Researchers at the University of Michigan analyzed the tremendous cost of diagnosing peripheral neuropathy and found that less expensive, more effective tests are less likely to be used.

24 Jan 2012

Positive affect, self-affirmation help patients with chronic diseases to overcome obstacles

The experience of daily positive affect -- a mild, happy feeling -- and self-affirmation helps some patients with chronic diseases, including coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and asthma, make better decisions about their health.

24 Jan 2012

Five scientists named recipients of Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award for cancer research

The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation announced that five scientists with novel approaches to fighting cancer have been named 2012 recipients of the Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award.

24 Jan 2012

Researchers analyze tremendous cost of peripheral neuropathy diagnosis

Researchers at the University of Michigan analyzed the tremendous cost of diagnosing peripheral neuropathy and found that less expensive, more effective tests are less likely to be used.

24 Jan 2012

InSightec seeks FDA premarket approval for ExAblate treatment of pain palliation of bone metastases

InSightec Ltd, the leader in MR guided Focused Ultrasound therapy, announced that it has submitted a premarket approval application (PMA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its ExAblate treatment of pain palliation of bone metastases.

24 Jan 2012

ImmunoCellular initiates enrollment in ICT-107 Phase II trial for GBM in 23 centers

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd., a biotechnology company focused on the development of novel immune-based cancer therapies, provided an update today on clinical trial site activity and patient enrollment for its Phase II clinical trial of ICT-107, the Company's dendritic cell based cancer vaccine candidate targeting multiple tumor antigens for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme.

24 Jan 2012

Possible link between vascular lesions and Alzheimer's disease

Approximately 20 percent of all stroke survivors will develop cognitive problems later in life, including vascular dementia. Experts with the Methodist Neurological Institute in Houston say recent research showing a possible link between vascular lesions and Alzheimer's disease is yet another reason to be more vigilant in our efforts to prevent a stroke.

24 Jan 2012

UCSF-led study to sequence DNA from 4,000 people with epilepsy

To probe the genetic secrets of one of the most common neurological diseases, more than 4,000 people with various forms of epilepsy will have their DNA decoded over the next five years in a study led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and several collaborating institutions.

23 Jan 2012

New Penumbra 3D device may effectively treat stroke

At last week's ABC-WIN Seminar, Prof. Dr. Michael Knauth, Director of Neuroradiology, University Hospital of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany, and President-elect of the German Society of Neuroradiology, presented the European evaluation data on Separator 3D, a next-generation clot engagement device that works in conjunction with aspiration at the site of the lesion causing an acute ischemic stroke to remove the clot and restore blood flow to affected brain tissue.

23 Jan 2012

Potential role of omega-3 fatty acid in preventing psychological consequences of accidents

A report in the 5th 2011 issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics suggests the potential role of omega-3 fatty acid in preventing the psychological consequences of an accident.

23 Jan 2012

Small-group dynamics can alter expression of IQ in some susceptible people

In the classic film "12 Angry Men," Henry Fonda's character sways a jury with his quiet, persistent intelligence. But would he have succeeded if he had allowed himself to fall sway to the social dynamics of that jury? Research led by scientists at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute found that small-group dynamics -- such as jury deliberations, collective bargaining sessions, and cocktail parties -- can alter the expression of IQ in some susceptible people.

23 Jan 2012

Decision-making over 'sacred values' prompts a distinct cognitive process

An Emory University neuro-imaging study shows that personal values that people refuse to disavow, even when offered cash to do so, are processed differently in the brain than those values that are willingly sold.

23 Jan 2012

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Study finds low blood levels of HDL in children with autism

Scientists evaluate growth, differentiation and function of iPSC-derived NPCs in PD

Changes in endocannabinoid system may have important implications for psychiatric disorders

University of Hawaii's ORS to advance employment opportunities for people with disabilities

Studies indicate infant brains come equipped with knowledge of 'intuitive physics'

Magic Mushroom’s compound may help in some mental disorders: Study

Alzheimer’s disease may be kept at bay with regular brain stimulation: Study

Researchers investigate winter activity protection headgear for young children

More efficient diagnostic tools are not always used for neuropathy patients

Positive affect, self-affirmation help patients with chronic diseases to overcome obstacles

Five scientists named recipients of Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award for cancer research

Researchers analyze tremendous cost of peripheral neuropathy diagnosis

InSightec seeks FDA premarket approval for ExAblate treatment of pain palliation of bone metastases

ImmunoCellular initiates enrollment in ICT-107 Phase II trial for GBM in 23 centers

Possible link between vascular lesions and Alzheimer's disease

UCSF-led study to sequence DNA from 4,000 people with epilepsy

New Penumbra 3D device may effectively treat stroke

Potential role of omega-3 fatty acid in preventing psychological consequences of accidents

Small-group dynamics can alter expression of IQ in some susceptible people

Decision-making over 'sacred values' prompts a distinct cognitive process

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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