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.

Neutralizing inhibitory molecules does not improve regeneration in damaged spinal axons

Neuroscientists at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have found that removing three key inhibitory molecules from myelin - the insulating material that surrounds nerve cell fibers - does not significantly boost the ability of injured spinal axons to regenerate and restore themselves to full function.

10 Jun 2010

Researchers validate effectiveness of genome sequencing process for hereditary genetic diseases

A research team led by Dr. Nada Jabado at the MUHC Research Institute and Dr. Jacek Majewski at McGill University has proven for the first time that it is possible to identify any genetic disease in record time thanks to a powerful and reliable exome sequencing method. The exome, a small part of the genome ((less than) 2%), is of crucial interest with regard to research on genetic diseases as it accounts for 85% of mutations.

10 Jun 2010

Brain stimulation with ultrasound may enhance cognitive function

The ability to diagnose and treat brain dysfunction without surgery, may rely on a new method of noninvasive brain stimulation using pulsed ultrasound developed by a team of scientists led by William "Jamie" Tyler, a neuroscientist at Arizona State University. The approach, published in the journal Neuron on June 9, shows that pulsed ultrasound not only stimulates action potentials in intact motor cortex in mice but it also "elicits motor responses comparable to those only previously achieved with implanted electrodes and related techniques," says Yusuf Tufail, the lead author from ASU's School of Life Sciences.

10 Jun 2010

Non-melanoma skin cancer is potential marker for survivors at risk for future malignant tumors

Childhood cancer survivors diagnosed later with non-melanoma skin cancer may be at increased risk for having a malignant tumor within 15 years, according to research led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators.

10 Jun 2010

UC emergency medicine assistant professor compares efficacy of two seizure medications to prevent SE

When seizures strike, the most immediate goal for caregivers is to get appropriate medication to the patient as quickly as possible to stop the seizing activity. In a paper published in the June Academic Emergency Medicine, UC emergency medicine assistant professor Jason McMullan, MD, found that the best means of stopping status epilepticus may be with the least direct medication.

10 Jun 2010

Voices Against Brain Cancer's fifth annual gala to fight brain cancer

Voices Against Brain Cancer's fifth annual gala, Sounding Off For A Cure, to fight brain cancer. Proceeds from the event will benefit innovative brain cancer research programs at, Columbia, Cornell, Duke, Harvard, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, University of Michigan, University of Pittsburg and Brookhaven National Laboratory.

10 Jun 2010

Copy number variants may cause autism: Study

An international consortium of researchers from more than 70 universities, including the University of Utah, has reported that a study of nearly 2,300 people supports the growing consensus that autism is caused in part by rare genetic changes called copy number variants (CNVs).

10 Jun 2010

World's largest DNA scan reveals new genetic changes in autistic children

The world's largest DNA scan for familial autism has uncovered new genetic changes in autistic children that are often not present in their parents. Identified in less than 1 percent of the population, these rare variants occur nearly 20 percent more in autistic children.

10 Jun 2010

Researchers develop new tool for removing blood clots in brain

When someone suffers a stroke, time is critical--more than a million brain cells die each minute, starved of nourishment due to critical damage in a cerebral blood vessel.

10 Jun 2010

Men with MS may require education, support to manage their disease and therapy: Research

New research co-published by Saint Louis University and Express Scripts, Inc., suggests that men with multiple sclerosis may require more education and support to manage their disease and therapy than women with MS. Men also may benefit from more targeted adherence interventions.

10 Jun 2010

Abnormalities in the process of blood clot formation contribute to pathogenesis of AD: Research

New research suggests that abnormalities in the process of blood clot formation may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The study, published by Cell Press in the June 10 issue of the journal Neuron, advances our understanding of the link between vascular pathology and AD and proposes a new therapeutic strategy aimed at slowing cognitive decline.

10 Jun 2010

Autism is caused in part by CNVs: Study

10 Jun 2010

Surgery through eyelids avoid major head trauma

Surgeons at Johns Hopkins have safely and effectively operated inside the brains of a dozen patients by making a small entry incision through the natural creases of an eyelid to reach the skull and deep brain.

9 Jun 2010

Intellect Neurosciences receives Notice of Allowance from Israeli patent office for OXIGON drug candidate

Intellect Neurosciences, Inc announced it has received a Notice of Allowance from the Israeli Patent and Trademark Office for a new patent related to the Company's clinical-stage drug candidate OX1 (OXIGON), which has disease-modifying potential for Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative disorders.

9 Jun 2010

New AAN guideline provides step-by-step process for determining brain death in adults

In an effort to create a uniform and accurate method for determining brain death, the American Academy of Neurology has issued an updated guideline that provides doctors with a step-by-step process for determining brain death in adults. The guideline is published in the June 8, 2010, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

9 Jun 2010

CXCR4 protein restores brain damage in multiple sclerosis patients

A protein that helps build the brain in infants and children may aid efforts to restore damage from multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurodegenerative diseases, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found.

9 Jun 2010

NWBT announces release of new detailed report by Pharmaceuticals and Biotech Analyst

Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc., developer of the DCVax personalized cancer vaccine, today announced the release of a new detailed report by Pharmaceuticals and Biotech Analyst Dr. Navid Malik of the London-based Matrix Group.

9 Jun 2010

Biofeedback training on MPA decreases performance anxiety, improves performance in musicians

Traditionally, the most successful methods used to combat stage fright have been prescribed medications (beta blockers) and aerobic exercise. In the most recent issue of Biofeedback, researchers studied another technique: the effect of biofeedback training on Musical Performance Anxiety (MPA). MPA is a severe form of stage fright marked by high anxiety levels and impaired performance.

9 Jun 2010

Promising technique to curb devastating effects of strokes

A clot vacuum cleaner that sucks out stroke-producing blockages from blood vessels in the brain sounds like science fiction. But 27 Calgary patients who were rescued from massive strokes know the endovascular procedure is for real, Dr. Mayank Goyal told the Canadian Stroke Congress today.

9 Jun 2010

Myriad Pharmaceuticals announces strategic initiatives to focus on oncology pipeline

Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced several strategic initiatives to focus the Company's efforts on its oncology pipeline and to conserve its financial resources to extend the Company's projected cash runway beyond 2013.

9 Jun 2010

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Neutralizing inhibitory molecules does not improve regeneration in damaged spinal axons

Researchers validate effectiveness of genome sequencing process for hereditary genetic diseases

Brain stimulation with ultrasound may enhance cognitive function

Non-melanoma skin cancer is potential marker for survivors at risk for future malignant tumors

UC emergency medicine assistant professor compares efficacy of two seizure medications to prevent SE

Voices Against Brain Cancer's fifth annual gala to fight brain cancer

Copy number variants may cause autism: Study

World's largest DNA scan reveals new genetic changes in autistic children

Researchers develop new tool for removing blood clots in brain

Men with MS may require education, support to manage their disease and therapy: Research

Abnormalities in the process of blood clot formation contribute to pathogenesis of AD: Research

Autism is caused in part by CNVs: Study

Surgery through eyelids avoid major head trauma

Intellect Neurosciences receives Notice of Allowance from Israeli patent office for OXIGON drug candidate

New AAN guideline provides step-by-step process for determining brain death in adults

CXCR4 protein restores brain damage in multiple sclerosis patients

NWBT announces release of new detailed report by Pharmaceuticals and Biotech Analyst

Biofeedback training on MPA decreases performance anxiety, improves performance in musicians

Promising technique to curb devastating effects of strokes

Myriad Pharmaceuticals announces strategic initiatives to focus on oncology pipeline

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Latest News