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.

UCI study details benefits of physical activity, diet, relationships, fun and spirituality

Getting more exercise, spending time outdoors and helping others are among the activities that can be as effective as drugs or counseling in treating an array of mental illnesses, including depression and anxiety, according to a UC Irvine study.

23 Feb 2011

Researchers discover biological pathway that alters normal cells into aggressive tumors

A biological pathway that transforms normal cells into aggressive tumors has been discovered by researchers at Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute.

23 Feb 2011

CVS condemns Supreme Court's decision to preempt all vaccine design defect lawsuits

The Coalition for Vaccine Safety condemns the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Bruesewitz v. Wyeth to preempt all vaccine design defect lawsuits in state and federal civil court. Quoting Justice Sotomayor's dissent, the majority "imposes its own bare policy preference over the considered judgment of Congress."

23 Feb 2011

Researchers to explore genomes of childhood cancers

In a project supported by Genome BC, a Vancouver pediatric pathologist at the BC Cancer Agency/University of British Columbia is leading the team that will explore the genomes of four of the most challenging childhood cancers known.

23 Feb 2011

Positive results from Harbor BioSciences' Triolex initial preclinical study for treatment of PD

Harbor BioSciences, Inc., which is investigating the use the company's proprietary compound Triolex as a treatment for Parkinson's disease with funding from The Michael J. Fox Foundation, announced positive results in initial preclinical studies.

23 Feb 2011

Human umbilical cord blood-derived EPCs accelerate wound healing in diabetics

Transplanting human umbilical cord blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) has been found to "significantly accelerate" wound closure in diabetic mouse models, said a team of Korean researchers publishing in the current issue of Cell Transplantation.

23 Feb 2011

Breakthrough in Huntington's disease may give patients hope for cure

A huge leap forward in understanding Huntington's disease may give patients hope for a cure.

23 Feb 2011

New study provides insight into brain activity of depressed women responding to crying infants

Mothers who are depressed respond differently to their crying babies than do non-depressed moms. In fact, their reaction, according to brain scans at the University of Oregon, is much more muted than the robust brain activity in non-depressed moms.

23 Feb 2011

Speaking more languages may lower risk of developing memory problems

People who speak more than two languages may lower their risk of developing memory problems, according a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 63rd Annual Meeting in Honolulu April 9 to April 16, 2011.

23 Feb 2011

CAMH introduces mobile research lab to study mental health, addictions in communities across Ontario

Today, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health launched Canada's first mobile research laboratory to study mental health and addictions in communities across Ontario.

23 Feb 2011

Autism could be detected earlier and easier: Study

Scientists at Boston may have found the beginnings of a non-invasive diagnostic test that can detect abnormal brain waves that suggest increased risk for autism – a debilitating neurological disorder in babies. This test would be safe, inexpensive, and easy to perform and could make it possible for at-risk kids to get help right away rather than having to wait until months or years later, which is now the case with the behavioral tests believe experts.

22 Feb 2011

Cell phone use and the brain: Study

Experts are still grappling with facts and fiction regarding brain damage caused by cell phone use. Dr. Nora Volkow, who is lead author of a new study published in the Feb. 23 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association said, “We don’t know whether this is detrimental or whether it could have some potential beneficial effects.

22 Feb 2011

Murray valley encephalitis surfaces after 37 years

A fatal and severe form of mosquito borne viral brain infection has been detected in the Riverina Murray region of New South Wales. Murray Valley encephalitis has affected sentinel chicken flocks in the northern Victorian towns of Mildura, Robinvale, Kerang and Barmah as well in the New South Wales town of Tooleybuc, near Swan Hill. The virus has not been diagnosed in a Victorian for 37 years said Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Dr John Carnie. He said although the virus had not been detected in a human, Victorians living along the Murray River should avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

22 Feb 2011

Noninvasive test to evaluate risk of ASD in infants

A computational physicist and a cognitive neuroscientist at Children's Hospital Boston have come up with the beginnings of a noninvasive test to evaluate an infant's autism risk.

22 Feb 2011

Simple on-road tests can help determine safe driving after stroke

Many people want to keep driving after having a stroke, and many can do so safely. Simple tests in the office can help doctors determine who is more likely to be a safe driver after a stroke, according to research published in the February 22, 2011, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

22 Feb 2011

Experimental vaccine appears to protect against pneumonia

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have developed an experimental vaccine that appears to protect against an increasingly common and particularly deadly form of pneumococcal pneumonia. Details of the new vaccine, which was tested in an animal model, are reported in a paper published today in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.

22 Feb 2011

Middle-age people with cardiovascular issues may have increased risk of developing early memory problems

Middle-age men and women who have cardiovascular issues, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, may not only be at risk for heart disease, but for an increased risk of developing early cognitive and memory problems as well.

22 Feb 2011

Mayo Clinic re-accredited as Advanced Primary Stroke Center by TJC

Mayo Clinic was awarded the Gold Seal of Approval for stroke care and re-accredited as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission following an on-site review conducted Friday, Feb. 18.

21 Feb 2011

Amphetamine linked to development of Parkinson’s disease

New research suggests that taking prescription amphetamines may raise the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease later. But, the researchers noted that the study did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship and further investigation is warranted. The research was released Feb. 19, and is scheduled to be presented in April at the American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting in Honolulu.

21 Feb 2011

Cerebral oximetry provides new way to identify patient risk levels prior to cardiac surgery

Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products and recognized innovator in mechanical ventilation and respiratory care devices, today announced that its INVOS™ Cerebral/Somatic Oximeter can provide a simple, noninvasive way to help cardiac surgeons assess patients at risk for poor outcomes prior to surgery.

21 Feb 2011

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

UCI study details benefits of physical activity, diet, relationships, fun and spirituality

Researchers discover biological pathway that alters normal cells into aggressive tumors

CVS condemns Supreme Court's decision to preempt all vaccine design defect lawsuits

Researchers to explore genomes of childhood cancers

Positive results from Harbor BioSciences' Triolex initial preclinical study for treatment of PD

Human umbilical cord blood-derived EPCs accelerate wound healing in diabetics

Breakthrough in Huntington's disease may give patients hope for cure

New study provides insight into brain activity of depressed women responding to crying infants

Speaking more languages may lower risk of developing memory problems

CAMH introduces mobile research lab to study mental health, addictions in communities across Ontario

Autism could be detected earlier and easier: Study

Cell phone use and the brain: Study

Murray valley encephalitis surfaces after 37 years

Noninvasive test to evaluate risk of ASD in infants

Simple on-road tests can help determine safe driving after stroke

Experimental vaccine appears to protect against pneumonia

Middle-age people with cardiovascular issues may have increased risk of developing early memory problems

Mayo Clinic re-accredited as Advanced Primary Stroke Center by TJC

Amphetamine linked to development of Parkinson’s disease

Cerebral oximetry provides new way to identify patient risk levels prior to cardiac surgery

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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