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.

Researchers identify genetic mutation responsible for acromegaly disease

An international research team, spearheaded by scientists from the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, has identified the genetic mutation responsible for a disease known as "gigantism" or acromegaly.

7 Jan 2011

NARSAD awards $12.6 million for mental health research

NARSAD: The Brain and Behavior Research Fund awards $12.6 million in new research grants, strengthening its investment in the most promising ideas to lead to breakthroughs in understanding and treating mental illness.

7 Jan 2011

New research: NFKBIA gene loss induces glioblastoma development

New research shows that loss of a gene called NFKBIA promotes the growth of glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and deadly form of brain cancer, and suggests that therapies that stabilize this gene may improve survival for certain glioblastoma patients.

7 Jan 2011

Isis Pharmaceuticals announces addition of two new drugs to development pipeline

Isis Pharmaceuticals, announced today that it has added two new drugs to its development pipeline, ISIS-FGFR4Rx and ISIS-STAT3Rx.

7 Jan 2011

Urine tests could detect Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Australian researchers have found a novel and easy way to detect a common and debilitating anxiety disorder called the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD. Scientists at the Centenary Institute in Sydney discovered a gene responsible for a rare kidney disorder is also behind OCD. This may make detecting OCD easier through a simple urine test. This test could also identify babies with risk of early-onset OCD. OCD affects up to 3 per cent of all Australians and in its worst cases can be completely debilitating, causing people to have to stay at home. OCD sufferers feel intense anxiety and are compelled to practice rituals - such as hand washing or arranging objects.

6 Jan 2011

Antigenics announces name change to Agenus

Antigenics Inc. today announced that effective immediately it is changing its name to Agenus Inc. The company's stock will continue to be traded on NASDAQ under the symbol AGEN. The new name reflects the broadening of the company's product portfolio of clinical candidates beyond autologous antigen-based vaccines, as well as its commitment to actively pursuing licensing opportunities to leverage its development capabilities and expand its product portfolio.

6 Jan 2011

Synageva BioPharma, to-BBB to evaluate brain drug delivery technology

Synageva BioPharma Corp. and to-BBB technologies BV, the Dutch drug brain delivery company, have entered into a research collaboration to evaluate the potential of transporting therapeutic proteins across the blood-brain barrier into the central nervous system.

6 Jan 2011

First web-based TBI screening tool for veterans

A team of researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine has developed the first web-based screening tool for Traumatic Brain Injury. This instrument has recently been used by soldiers returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who participated in the Sixth Annual Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute in Orlando to determine if they sustained a TBI.

6 Jan 2011

J&JPRD submits New Drug Application to FDA for rivaroxaban

Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. announced today that it has submitted a New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for rivaroxaban, an investigational, oral, once-daily anticoagulant, for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

6 Jan 2011

Mutated TDP-43 can cause neurons to die: Study

Lou Gehrig's disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and frontotemporal lobar degeneration are characterized by protein clumps in brain and spinal-cord cells that include an RNA-binding protein called TDP-43. This protein is the major building block of the lesions formed by these clumps.

6 Jan 2011

Sanofi-aventis announces publication of positive BSI-201 phase II results for breast cancer

Sanofi-aventis and its wholly-owned subsidiary, BiPar Sciences, today announced that The New England Journal of Medicine published the final phase II data for the investigational drug iniparib demonstrating significant clinical benefit in women with metastatic triple negative breast cancer when iniparib was administered in combination with chemotherapy agents gemcitabine/carboplatin.

6 Jan 2011

Research says regular intake of green tea can prevent Alzheimer's disease

Regularly drinking green tea could protect the brain against developing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, according to latest research by scientists at Newcastle University.

6 Jan 2011

AOA says 3D viewing may help uncover vision disorders in children

The American Optometric Association, representing America's family eye doctors, says 3D in movies, TV and even 3D on Nintendo's 3DS isn't necessarily bad for adults or children.

6 Jan 2011

Positive topline results from ZGN-433 Phase 1b study in obesity patients

Zafgen, a pharmaceutical company pioneering novel obesity therapeutics to help the body regain and sustain a lean, healthy state by targeting imbalances in fat metabolism, today announced positive topline results from its Phase 1b study of ZGN-433, a methionine aminopeptidase 2 inhibitor, for the treatment of severe obesity.

6 Jan 2011

IV fluids for trauma patients may not be life savers all the time

Severely injured patients who are routinely given IV fluids by paramedics before transport to the nearest trauma center are significantly more likely to die than similarly injured patients who don't get the time-consuming IV treatment before hospitalization, new Johns Hopkins-led research suggests.

6 Jan 2011

Breakthrough in MRI allows brain scans more than seven times faster

An international team of physicists and neuroscientists has reported a breakthrough in magnetic resonance imaging that allows brain scans more than seven times faster than currently possible.

6 Jan 2011

Researchers say women with multiple sclerosis have more HLA genes than men

Women who have multiple sclerosis (MS) are more likely to have a gene associated with multiple sclerosis than men with the disease and it is this gene region where environment interacts with the genetics, according to a study published in the January 5, 2011, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

6 Jan 2011

Winter depression is more common in women than men

As the winter months approach bringing holidays and good cheer, certain health issues may arise that women should have on their radar. From mental health issues like stress, depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), to physical concerns like skin care, the winter can certainly pack a punch.

6 Jan 2011

Researchers investigate umbilical cord blood stem cells for traumatic brain injury in children

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston has begun enrollment for the first Phase I safety study approved by the Food and Drug Administration to investigate the use of a child's own umbilical cord blood stem cells for traumatic brain injury in children.

6 Jan 2011

Boston Scientific announces acquisition of Intelect Medical

Boston Scientific Corporation today announced it has acquired Intelect Medical, Inc., a development-stage company located in Boston. Intelect Medical is developing advanced neuromodulation technologies for deep brain stimulation therapy.

5 Jan 2011