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.

America's biopharmaceutical companies researching 98 medicines for Alzheimer's: PhRMA report

As the champagne corks are popping this New Year's Eve, the first American Baby Boomers will turn age 65. Members of the demographic bulge that transformed American politics and culture are expected to usher in yet another momentous change a huge increase in the number of Alzheimer's disease patients.

1 Nov 2010

UCSD announces agreement with PHP to develop UC San Diego Proton Therapy and Research Center

Building on a plan announced in September of 2007, UC San Diego Health Sciences and the Department of Radiation Oncology are pleased to announce an agreement with Proton Health Partners, LLC (PHP) to plan, develop, and operate The UC San Diego Proton Therapy and Research Center.

1 Nov 2010

Child Life Program organizes Halloween celebration for children undergoing treatment

Once a year cartoon characters, fairy princesses and action heroes gather at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as hundreds of employees work together to turn the hospital into a giant trick-or-treat trail for children battling cancer and other catastrophic diseases. The event spans buildings and floors throughout the campus in Memphis, Tenn.

1 Nov 2010

Study examines effects of social stimulation and personality on humans' sleep functions

A study in the Nov. 1 issue of the journal SLEEP found that vulnerability to sleep deprivation is influenced by the interaction between waking social activity and individual personality traits.

1 Nov 2010

Philips launches HFO Oncology Configuration for radiation therapy

Royal Philips Electronics today introduced the Philips Panorama High Field Open (HFO) Oncology Configuration for radiation therapy, a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging solution for dedicated oncology use, at this year's American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) in San Diego, CA.

From Philips Healthcare 1 Nov 2010

FDA approves Afinitor drug for tuberous sclerosis complex

The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance (TS Alliance) today announced the first drug approved for a tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) indication by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). This drug, manufactured by Novartis Oncology, is called Afinitor and will be used to treat subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) in individuals with TSC.

1 Nov 2010

Neuroscientists investigate mechanism of neural activity on complex psychological phenomena

People love to speculate about differences between the sexes, and neuroscience has brought a new technology to this pastime. Brain imaging studies are published at a great rate, and some report sex differences in brain structure or patterns of neural activity.

30 Oct 2010

Researchers discover agouti family gene regulates pigmentation, body weight

Researchers led by Vanderbilt's Roger Cone, Ph.D., have discovered a new member of a gene family that has powerful influences on pigmentation and the regulation of body weight.

30 Oct 2010

CONCERTA improves handwriting performance in children with ADHD: Study

Data presented today at a major medical meeting include findings that demonstrate improved handwriting performance in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when taking CONCERTA® (OROS® methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Tablets CII) compared to placebo.

30 Oct 2010

Study finds relation between cortical thickness and nicotine dependence

s there a relation between the structure of specific regions of the brain and nicotine dependence. This is the question researchers of the Charit Universit-tsmedizin Berlin and of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) Berlin have been investigating lately. The results of these investigations extend and specify those of preceding studies: A specific region of the cerebral cortex of smokers is thinner than that of people who have never smoked in their lives.

30 Oct 2010

Study finds SBRT therapy delays pancreatic cancer progression

For pancreatic cancer patients unable to undergo surgery the only known cure for this form of cancer a highly targeted cancer radiation therapy may help slow cancer progression and lessen disease symptoms, according to researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

30 Oct 2010

Karmanos, WSU SOM present long-term results of fast neutron radiotherapy in localized prostate cancer

Scientists from the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University School of Medicine (WSU SOM) in Detroit will present the world's largest study that shows the long-term results of fast neutron radiotherapy (FNRT) in the treatment of localized prostate cancer. The findings will be formally announced Tuesday, Nov. 2, at the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting

30 Oct 2010

Researchers to investigate new drugs for parasitic disease

Urgently-needed new treatment for a parasitic disease is being investigated in research led at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. Human African Trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, affects between 50,000 and 70,000 people in Africa and South America. It is transmitted through the bite of the tsetse fly and attacks the nervous system and brain, leading to fever, headaches and disturbed sleep patterns.

30 Oct 2010

OHSU to lead next phase of HuCNS-SC trial for NCL in children

Oregon Health & Science University Doernbecher Children's Hospital will lead the next phase of a landmark clinical trial to further assess the safety and preliminary effectiveness of purified human neural stem cells (HuCNS-SC-) as a potential treatment for infantile or late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), a rare and currently fatal neurodegenerative disorder that affects infants and children.

30 Oct 2010

FDA approves NUEDEXTA capsules for pseudobulbar affect

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved NUEDEXTA (dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate) capsules, as the first treatment for pseudobulbar affect.

30 Oct 2010

Study suggests curcumin may be an effective therapy for liver fibrosis

Curcumin, a chemical that gives curry its zing, holds promise in preventing or treating liver damage from an advanced form of a condition known as fatty liver disease, new Saint Louis University research suggests.

30 Oct 2010

New Chicago Sports Concussion Clinic at Rush University provides proper diagnosis for athletes

Concussions, like any injury, need proper assessment and time to heal. Some may brush off an injury to the head, but an injury to the brain may be severe with possible long-term consequences. Athletes or individuals who suffer a bump or blow to the head now can see a physician for assessment within 24 to 48 hours at the new Chicago Sports Concussion Clinic at Rush University Medical Center.

29 Oct 2010

We can consciously control neurons inside our head

Every day our brains are flooded by stimulation - sounds, sights and smells. At the same time, we are constantly engaged in an inner dialogue, ruminating about the past, musing about the future. Somehow the brain filters all this input instantly, selecting some things for long- or short-term storage, discarding others and focusing in on what's most important at any given instant.

29 Oct 2010

Merck reports $342 million net income for 2010 third quarter

Merck & Co., Inc. today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2010. The company reported non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings per share (EPS) for the third quarter of $0.85, which excludes purchase accounting adjustments, restructuring costs, merger-related expenses and a $950 million legal reserve.

29 Oct 2010

Coherex achieves two milestones in structural heart disease field

In honor of World Stroke Day (October 29, 2010), Coherex Medical, Inc. today announced it has achieved two milestones that further strengthen its position as an emerging medical device company in the field of structural heart disease.

29 Oct 2010