Brain News and Research

RSS

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.

Positive results from Allovectin-7 Phase 3 trial in patients with metastatic melanoma

Vical Incorporated today announced a new publication summarizing results from the company's completed trials of Allovectin-7 including systemic responses and an excellent safety profile in patients with metastatic melanoma.

11 Jan 2011

Study supports use of telomerase inhibitors for treatment of childhood cancers

Geron Corporation today announced the publication of preclinical data demonstrating that the company's telomerase inhibitor drug, imetelstat (GRN163L), currently in Phase 2 clinical trials, selectively targets cancer stem cells in pediatric tumors of neural origin.

11 Jan 2011

Vaccine Safety Conference affirms urgent need for methodologically sound vaccine science

An international meeting was held in Montego Bay, Jamaica Jan. 3-7, 2011 to discuss current vaccine science and policy safety concerns. Delegates from around the world included senior scientists and physicians, editors of scientific journals, experts in vaccine regulation, social science and health policy, consumer child health advocates, legal experts and members of the media.

11 Jan 2011

Research could lead to new approaches to treat dementia

A researcher at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, in collaboration with scientists from the National Institutes of Health, has discovered that the deadly plaques of Alzheimer's disease interact with certain cellular proteins to inhibit normal signals that maintain blood flow to the brain.

11 Jan 2011

Takeda, Zinfandel enter global licensing agreement for TOMM40 biomarker assay for Alzheimer's disease

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and Zinfandel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that they have entered into an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement regarding Zinfandel's TOMM40 assay as a biomarker for the risk of Alzheimer's disease in high-risk older adults with normal cognition. The companies will study pioglitazone in connection with the TOMM40 biomarker and Alzheimer's disease.

11 Jan 2011

Novel scoring system identifies PTEN genetic mutation

Researchers have discovered a method for more precise identification of individuals who should undergo testing for genetic mutations of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN, which associates with a variety of conditions including several types of cancers. The research has created a diagnostic scoring system that improves on established criteria.

11 Jan 2011

New study finds nitric oxide gas has no therapeutic value in most premature babies

A new Johns Hopkins Children's Center study challenges the widespread practice of treating premature babies with nitric oxide gas to prevent lung problems, neurological damage and death.

11 Jan 2011

American Heart Association: CPR training is essential for all secondary school students

All secondary school students should be required to be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and receive an overview of automated external defibrillators, according to an American Heart Association science advisory.

11 Jan 2011

Plasminogen may serve as new target to treat prion diseases

Scientists at the University of Kentucky have discovered that plasminogen, a protein used by the body to break up blood clots, speeds up the progress of prion diseases such as mad cow disease.

11 Jan 2011

MDCT provides efficient way to analyze wounds from bullets and explosive devices

Multidetector computed tomography provides an efficient, effective way to analyze wounds from bullets and explosive devices, according to a study published online and in the March issue of Radiology.

11 Jan 2011

Population of highly active neurons could provide insight into neocortex

Carnegie Mellon University researchers have found that within the brain's neocortex lies a subnetwork of highly active neurons that behave much like people in social networks.

11 Jan 2011

VCU Massey Cancer Center introduces safer, more effective form of radiation therapy

Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center has introduced a safer and more effective form of radiation therapy to treat cancer. The Center now offers volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) delivery using the Philips Pinnacle3 SmartArc software to provide radiation treatment for multiple tumor sites, including prostate, head and neck, brain, breast and lung. VCU Massey is the first cancer center in the Richmond area to offer this cutting-edge radiation technique.

10 Jan 2011

Neuroptix announces closing of $4 million Series C funding round

Neuroptix Corporation, a leading innovator in the early detection of Alzheimer's Disease through a non-invasive eye test, today announced that it has closed the first approximately $4 Million tranche of a Series C funding round, as the company continues clinical development of its diagnostic platform.

10 Jan 2011

Omega-3 fatty acid may help protect against traumatic brain injury

Animal experiments suggest that taking the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexanoic acid (DHA) might offer a new way of protecting against traumatic brain injury (TBI), reports the February issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

10 Jan 2011

Slowing engines of mitochondria could extend life

In making your pro-longevity resolutions, like drinking more red wine and maintaining a vibrant social network, here's one you likely forgot: dialing down your mitochondria. It turns out that slowing the engines of these tiny cellular factories could extend your life-an observation relevant not only to aging research but to our understanding of how cells communicate with each another.

10 Jan 2011

AMT enters agreement with Consortium for clinical development of novel gene therapy to treat Sanfilippo B

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics, a leader in human gene therapy, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Institut Pasteur, Paris, France, and a group of French research institutes (together the "Consortium") to support clinical development of a novel gene therapy to treat Sanfilippo B.

10 Jan 2011

Researchers demystify death of brain cells in Parkinson's patients

Just 5 percent of Parkinson's disease cases can be explained by genetic mutation, while the rest have no known cause. But a new discovery by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio may begin to explain why the vast majority of Parkinson's patients develop the progressive neurodegenerative disease.

10 Jan 2011

Two signaling molecules communicate across nerve cells to regulate electrical, chemical activity: Study

In the Old West, camps sent smoke signals across distances to share key developments or strategy. Likewise, two important signaling molecules communicate across nerve cells to regulate electrical and chemical activity, neuroscientists from the UT Health Science Center San Antonio reported today.

10 Jan 2011

AFQ056 drug improves symptoms in Fragile X patients: Study

The first drug to treat the underlying disorder instead of the symptoms of Fragile X, the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability, shows some promise according to a new study published in the January issue of Science Translational Medicine.

9 Jan 2011

Gigantism gene inherited by hundreds: Study

A gene that predicted gigantism in humans was identified in the DNA of the 18th-century man known as the Irish Giant, who was more than 7 feet 7 inches tall. Copies of the same mutation have been found in patients today who suffer from excessive growth, and scientists have concluded they all inherited the gene from a common ancestor.

9 Jan 2011

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Positive results from Allovectin-7 Phase 3 trial in patients with metastatic melanoma

Study supports use of telomerase inhibitors for treatment of childhood cancers

Vaccine Safety Conference affirms urgent need for methodologically sound vaccine science

Research could lead to new approaches to treat dementia

Takeda, Zinfandel enter global licensing agreement for TOMM40 biomarker assay for Alzheimer's disease

Novel scoring system identifies PTEN genetic mutation

New study finds nitric oxide gas has no therapeutic value in most premature babies

American Heart Association: CPR training is essential for all secondary school students

Plasminogen may serve as new target to treat prion diseases

MDCT provides efficient way to analyze wounds from bullets and explosive devices

Population of highly active neurons could provide insight into neocortex

VCU Massey Cancer Center introduces safer, more effective form of radiation therapy

Neuroptix announces closing of $4 million Series C funding round

Omega-3 fatty acid may help protect against traumatic brain injury

Slowing engines of mitochondria could extend life

AMT enters agreement with Consortium for clinical development of novel gene therapy to treat Sanfilippo B

Researchers demystify death of brain cells in Parkinson's patients

Two signaling molecules communicate across nerve cells to regulate electrical, chemical activity: Study

AFQ056 drug improves symptoms in Fragile X patients: Study

Gigantism gene inherited by hundreds: Study

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

Latest News