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.

Scientists suggest that lateral habenula can be a prime locus of human depression

A team of neuroscientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory and UC San Diego has collected evidence suggesting that a previously overlooked portion of the brain could be a prime locus of human depression.

24 Feb 2011

Research: Gene mutation linked to schizophrenia may aid in new drug development

In a major advance for schizophrenia research, an international team of scientists led by the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and involving Trinity College Dublin researchers has identified a gene mutation strongly linked to schizophrenia that may be an important new target for the development of drug therapies.

24 Feb 2011

Special issue of Neuron journal provides new insight into recent advances in addiction research

Addiction is a brain disease that destroys lives, devastates families and tears at the very fabric of society. Effective prevention and treatment of addiction requires a clear understanding of the complex brain mechanisms that underlie addictive behaviors, and research has provided a fascinating view of how substance abuse hijacks neuronal circuits involved in reward and motivation and causes profound and persistent changes in behavior.

24 Feb 2011

ImmunoCellular to receive gross proceeds of $8.1M from sale of 5.2M units

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd., announced it has entered into securities purchase agreements with certain institutional and other investors in connection with a private placement financing.

24 Feb 2011

Aminothiazoles as therapeutic leads for prion diseases

Scientists who examined more than 10,000 chemical compounds during the last year in search of potential new drugs for a group of untreatable brain diseases, are reporting that one substance shows unusual promise.

24 Feb 2011

EpiCept 2010 fourth quarter net loss is $0.06 per share

EpiCept Corporation today announced operating and financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2010, and provided an update on its key business initiatives.

24 Feb 2011

New study suggests variation in PCLO gene can contribute to risk of bipolar disorder

Understanding the genetics of bipolar disorder could lead to new treatments, but identifying specific genetic variations associated with this disorder has been challenging.

24 Feb 2011

New research: Spinal fluid proteins can differentiate nPTLS from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Patients who suffer from Neurologic Post Treatment Lyme disease and those with the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome report similar symptoms. However unique proteins discovered in spinal fluid can distinguish those two groups from one another and also from people in normal health, according to new research conducted by a team led by Steven E. Schutzer, MD, of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - New Jersey Medical School, and Richard D. Smith, Ph.D., of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

24 Feb 2011

New research: Alzheimer's disease may be easily misdiagnosed in elder people

New research shows that Alzheimer's disease and other dementing illnesses may be easily misdiagnosed in the elderly, according to early results of a study of people in Hawaii who had their brains autopsied after death. The research is being released today and will be presented as part of a plenary session at the American Academy of Neurology's 63rd Annual Meeting in Honolulu April 9 to April 16, 2011.

23 Feb 2011

Cell phones may lead to stimulation of parts of brain - Speculation on cancer continues

There is still debate as to whether cell phones damage the brain. The cell phone industry, along with nearly all major national and international medical associations have always responded with the same answer that there is no evidence that cell phone radiation can even affect the brain, let alone cause cancer.

23 Feb 2011

Biological pathways in PTSD revealed: Study

Up to 20% of the population exposed to a horror of a war, trauma or abuse may go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD, as it is better known, is a debilitating psychiatric disorder marked by flashbacks and nightmares. Till date the biological basis for PTSD was unclear. But a new study offers clues about why some people rebound from horrific events while others relive them, and may lead to predictive tests and even treatments.

23 Feb 2011

Versatile ultra-low power biomedical signal processor

At today’s International Solid-State Circuit Conference (ISSCC2011), imec, Holst Centre and NXP present a versatile ultra-low power biomedical signal processor, CoolBioTM, meeting the requirements of future wearable biomedical sensor systems. The biomedical signal processor consumes only 13pJ/cycle when running a complex ECG (electrocardiogram) algorithm at 1MHz and 0.4V operating voltage. This C-programmable chip is voltage and performance scalable supporting a frequency range of 1MHz up to 100MHz with an operating voltage from 0.4 to 1.2V.

23 Feb 2011

Brain reward center responds to good and bad experiences

The so-called reward center of the brain may need a new name, say scientists who have shown it responds to good and bad experiences. The finding, published in PLoS One, may help explain the "thrill" of thrill-seeking behavior or maybe just the thrill of surviving it, according to scientists at Georgia Health Sciences University and East China Normal University.

23 Feb 2011

USC School of Medicine professor to present keynote on prevention of SBS at Texas conference

On February 28th, Harvey Karp, MD, FAAP, Assistant Professor at the USC School of Medicine, will present the keynote address on the prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome at the 25th Annual Conference of Prevent Child Abuse Texas, in Dallas.

23 Feb 2011

New study: Portion of brain responsible for reading doesn't require vision at all

The portion of the brain responsible for visual reading doesn't require vision at all, according to a new study by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and France.

23 Feb 2011

ETH scientists warn about impact of cell phone radiation in brain of healthy adults

Expert scientists working with Environmental Health Trust, a nonprofit research and educational group, say that new studies showing that cell phone radiation excites the brain strengthen the need for a major research program on cell phones and health, revamping approaches to setting standards, and putting warnings on cell phones.

23 Feb 2011

Stripe of Gennari in the blind may play greater role in processing tactile stimuli

The Stripe of Gennari develops even in those who are blind from birth and does not degenerate, despite a lack of visual input. This was discovered by Robert Trampel and colleagues from the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences using magnetic resonance imaging. This bundle of nerve fibers, which is approximately 0.3 mm thick, is not exclusively responsible for optic information.

23 Feb 2011

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Scientists suggest that lateral habenula can be a prime locus of human depression

Research: Gene mutation linked to schizophrenia may aid in new drug development

Special issue of Neuron journal provides new insight into recent advances in addiction research

ImmunoCellular to receive gross proceeds of $8.1M from sale of 5.2M units

Aminothiazoles as therapeutic leads for prion diseases

EpiCept 2010 fourth quarter net loss is $0.06 per share

New study suggests variation in PCLO gene can contribute to risk of bipolar disorder

New research: Spinal fluid proteins can differentiate nPTLS from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

New research: Alzheimer's disease may be easily misdiagnosed in elder people

Cell phones may lead to stimulation of parts of brain - Speculation on cancer continues

Biological pathways in PTSD revealed: Study

Versatile ultra-low power biomedical signal processor

Brain reward center responds to good and bad experiences

USC School of Medicine professor to present keynote on prevention of SBS at Texas conference

New study: Portion of brain responsible for reading doesn't require vision at all

ETH scientists warn about impact of cell phone radiation in brain of healthy adults

Stripe of Gennari in the blind may play greater role in processing tactile stimuli

New study: Cannabis ingredient can improve appetites and sense of taste in cancer patients

Study: Cannabis use may negatively impact male sexual performance

Nanoparticle therapy may improve survival after life-threatening blood loss

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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