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.

Lung protective strategy after brain death doubles lungs eligible for donation

Use of certain measures for lung preservation after brain death in potential organ donors resulted in a nearly doubling of lungs eligible for donation, compared to a conventional strategy that is used, according to preliminary research published in the December 15 issue of JAMA.

15 Dec 2010

Researchers examine expression of toxic mRNA in patients with Fragile X Tremor Ataxia Syndrome

Expression of a toxic RNA that leads to Fragile X Tremor Ataxia Syndrome is modifiable by genetic or pharmacologic means, according to new research from U-M Medical School scientists.

15 Dec 2010

Elekta to sell 49% stake in Motala Verkstad to Qeep

Elekta has signed an agreement to sell its 49 percent stake in Motala Verkstad AB. The buyer is Qeep Group.

From Elekta 15 Dec 2010

New hypothesis emphasizes the value of anti-inflammatory approaches to prevent Alzheimer's disease

Karl Herrup thinks that the national research effort to understand Alzheimer-s disease has gone about as far as it can go with its current theories.

15 Dec 2010

Case study sheds light on pathological course of Alzheimer's disease

A case study from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet sheds light on the pathological course of Alzheimer's disease. The brain of the first Alzheimer's patient to display amyloids demonstrable with a PET scanner has been studied, both during progression of the disease and after death.

15 Dec 2010

NCI initiates crolibulin/cisplatin combination Phase II trial in anaplastic thyroid cancer

EpiCept Corporation today announced that the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has initiated a Phase II trial with crolibulinTM (EPC2407). The trial will assess the drug's efficacy and safety in combination with cisplatin in patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). CrolibulinTM is a vascular disruption and apoptosis inducing agent that has demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity in both preclinical and early clinical studies.

15 Dec 2010

Lung protective strategy can increase the number of lungs available for transplant

Simple changes to how ventilators are used could almost double the number of lungs available for transplants, according to new international research involving a doctor at St. Michael's Hospital.

15 Dec 2010

Marin announces new joint venture with Mt. Tam Spine Center and UCSF Neurosurgery

Marin General Hospital has announced a new joint venture that provides a single point of access in Marin for world-class, comprehensive multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary treatment and management of spine and brain disorders and disease.

15 Dec 2010

DBS targets same class of neuronal cells that respond to physical exercise and drug Prozac

Shooting steady pulses of electricity through slender electrodes into a brain area that controls complex behaviors has proven to be effective against several therapeutically stubborn neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Now, a new study has found that this technique, called deep brain stimulation (DBS), targets the same class of neuronal cells that are known to respond to physical exercise and drugs such as Prozac.

15 Dec 2010

UCSF scientists explain why oligodendroglioma is more responsive to therapy than other brain tumors

For patients with glioma, the most common primary brain tumor, new findings may explain why current therapies fail to eradicate the cancer. A UCSF-led team of scientists has identified for the first time that progenitor rather than neural stem cells underly a type of glioma called oligodendroglioma.

15 Dec 2010

Neuropeptide S protein boosts memory

UC Irvine researchers have identified a novel mechanism in the brain that boosts memory.

15 Dec 2010

Study: HUCBs boost survival and maturation of hippocampal neurons

Laboratory culture studies examining the activity of human umbilical cord blood cells on experimental models of central nervous system aging, injury and disease, have shown that HUCBs provide a 'trophic effect' that enhances survival and maturation of hippocampal neurons harvested from both young and old laboratory animals.

15 Dec 2010

World's first remote 3D keyhole surgery to be performed at University of Surrey

Doctors will shortly be performing the world's first remote 3D keyhole surgery during a symposium at the University of Surrey. Keyhole surgery - where doctors operate on organs through a tiny incision - reduces the length of hospital stays and post-operative complications. This also means that patients experience less scarring and pain. 3D keyhole surgery is a state-of-the-art extension of standard keyhole surgery that uses 3D cameras like those used to make the film 'Avatar'. It puts the surgeon right inside the patient's body and significantly improves accuracy.

14 Dec 2010

Marketers must pay $2.1M to refund purchasers of Disney- and Marvel heroes-licensed vitamins

As part of its ongoing efforts to stop bogus health claims, the Federal Trade Commission has reached a settlement requiring major marketers of children's vitamins to stop making false and unproven claims that their supplements promote healthy brain and eye development in children. The companies have agreed to pay $2.1 million to provide refunds to consumers who purchased certain multivitamins in their Disney and Marvel Heroes line.

14 Dec 2010

Clinical trial investigates pomalidomide in only U.S. study for multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer in which malignant plasma cells are overproduced in the bone marrow, has led to an estimated 20,000 new diagnoses and 11,000 deaths in 2010. Patients with the disease, who have already failed previous treatments, may be considered for a currently enrolling Phase II study, examining a unique drug combination.

14 Dec 2010

Strength training exercise program for seniors provides sustained cognitive, economic benefits

A one-year follow-up study on seniors who participated in a strength training exercise program shows sustained cognitive benefits as well as savings for the healthcare system. The research, conducted at the Centre for Hip Health and Mobility at Vancouver Coastal Health and the University of British Columbia, is published today in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

14 Dec 2010

Alzheimer Society applauds House of Commons motion calling on government to address dementia in Canada

The Alzheimer Society of Canada applauds a motion passed Friday by the House of Commons calling on the Federal Government to "address the rising financial and human costs of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in Canada."

14 Dec 2010

Mercury Policy Project welcomes WHO's support for 'phasing down' amalgam

While an FDA panel re-examines risks of amalgam over the next two days, the World Health Department is expected to release a key report soon recommending that amalgam use be "phased down" globally, consistent with its earlier recommendations.

14 Dec 2010

ONC enters exclusive long term strategic agreement with Wilmar

Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited (ONC), the world's largest Omega-3 EPA/DHA solutions provider, and supplier of MEG-3® brand Omega-3 EPA/DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid) ingredients, is pleased to announce that it has entered into an exclusive long term strategic agreement with Wilmar International Limited (Wilmar), based in Singapore.

14 Dec 2010

Lack of 'systematic reviews' in stroke research lead to waste of time, resources

Research being conducted into stroke needs to slow down and take stock if a therapeutic breakthrough is ever likely to happen, says a leading stroke expert.

14 Dec 2010

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Lung protective strategy after brain death doubles lungs eligible for donation

Researchers examine expression of toxic mRNA in patients with Fragile X Tremor Ataxia Syndrome

Elekta to sell 49% stake in Motala Verkstad to Qeep

New hypothesis emphasizes the value of anti-inflammatory approaches to prevent Alzheimer's disease

Case study sheds light on pathological course of Alzheimer's disease

NCI initiates crolibulin/cisplatin combination Phase II trial in anaplastic thyroid cancer

Lung protective strategy can increase the number of lungs available for transplant

Marin announces new joint venture with Mt. Tam Spine Center and UCSF Neurosurgery

DBS targets same class of neuronal cells that respond to physical exercise and drug Prozac

UCSF scientists explain why oligodendroglioma is more responsive to therapy than other brain tumors

Neuropeptide S protein boosts memory

Study: HUCBs boost survival and maturation of hippocampal neurons

World's first remote 3D keyhole surgery to be performed at University of Surrey

Marketers must pay $2.1M to refund purchasers of Disney- and Marvel heroes-licensed vitamins

Clinical trial investigates pomalidomide in only U.S. study for multiple myeloma

Strength training exercise program for seniors provides sustained cognitive, economic benefits

Alzheimer Society applauds House of Commons motion calling on government to address dementia in Canada

Mercury Policy Project welcomes WHO's support for 'phasing down' amalgam

ONC enters exclusive long term strategic agreement with Wilmar

Lack of 'systematic reviews' in stroke research lead to waste of time, resources

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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