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.

Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde linked with increased risk of myeloid leukemia

Long durations of exposure to formaldehyde used for embalming in the funeral industry were associated with an increased risk of death from myeloid leukemia, according to a new study published online November 20 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

21 Nov 2009

Groundbreaking discovery provides fundamental insights into neurological disorders

Dr. Jeremy Schmahmann, Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and neurologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, on Thursday, November 19, presented his laboratory's research on the new field of study called "Connectivity" at the launch of the MINDlink Foundation.

21 Nov 2009

RBC Life Sciences reports net sales of $6.49M for third-quarter 2009

RBC Life Sciences, Inc., a provider of proprietary nutritional supplements, wound care and pain management products, reported today company-wide net sales of $6.49 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, compared to net sales of $9.93 million for the same quarter last year.

20 Nov 2009

20th anniversary of the international Convention on the Rights of the Child today

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the international Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the United Nations on November 20, 1989. The CHU Sainte-Justine and The Montreal Children's Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre are joining forces to highlight the importance of this day, a reminder of the many injustices committed against children around the world.

20 Nov 2009

Alzheimer Research Forum reports on the highlights of the Society of Neuroscience conference

Between 17-21 October 2009, the 39th annual conference of the Society of Neuroscience drew some 30,500 people to the great city of Chicago, which was more balmy than windy for the occasion. Your Alzforum reporters have been busy roaming the halls, buttonholing scientists for their comments on the presentations, and putting together reports on the most significant advances.

20 Nov 2009

Scientists find how 4-HB is metabolized by the body

It's a naturally occurring brain chemical with an unwieldy name: 4-hydroxybutyrate (4-HB). Taken by mouth, it can be abused or used as a date-rape drug.

20 Nov 2009

UCH introduces RapidArc technology from Varian Medical Systems

Two female brain tumor patients have become the first people in the south of England to be treated using a faster form of radiotherapy that extends more advanced care to more patients. RapidArc technology from Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR) makes it possible to deliver image-guided IMRT (intensity modulated radiotherapy) two to eight times faster than is possible with conventional IMRT.

20 Nov 2009

Workshop on "Neuroeconomics and Endocrinological Economics" organized

A workshop on "Neuroeconomics and Endocrinological Economics," to be held Nov. 20 and 21 at UC Davis, will be the first to bring together experts in neuroscience, economics and hormone physiology in one event, according to organizers.

20 Nov 2009

Direct link between insulin and core body temperature discovered

A team led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have discovered a direct link between insulin-a hormone long associated with metabolism and metabolic disorders such as diabetes-and core body temperature. While much research has been conducted on insulin since its discovery in the 1920s, this is the first time the hormone has been connected to the fundamental process of temperature regulation.

20 Nov 2009

Curemark begins enrolling patients in Phase III clinical trials for CM-AT

Curemark LLC, (www.curemark.com), a drug research and development company focused on the treatment of neurological diseases, announced that the company has begun enrolling patients in Phase III clinical trials for CM-AT, its autism treatment, at three additional clinical trial sites.

20 Nov 2009

"Micro-endoscopes" to detect tumors at earlier stages being developed

Traditional endoscopes provide a peek inside patients' bodies. Now, a University of Florida engineering researcher is designing ones capable of a full inspection.

19 Nov 2009

New bone matrix implant offers hope for babies born with skull deformities

A synthetic bone matrix offers hope for babies born with craniosynostosis, a condition that causes the plates in the skull to fuse too soon. Implants replacing some of the infant's bone with the biodegradable matrix could eliminate some of the operations currently used to treat the condition.

19 Nov 2009

EIN News launches "Mesothelioma News Today"

EIN News, an online leader in industry news monitoring and press syndication, has today added a new publication to its portfolio of health-related international news sites for industry professionals and analysts: Mesothelioma News Today (http://mesothelioma.einnews.com).

19 Nov 2009

UCLA study: Structural changes in brain may help offset vision loss and strengthen other senses

Visually impaired people appear to be fearless, navigating busy sidewalks and crosswalks, safely finding their way using nothing more than a cane as a guide. The reason they can do this, researchers suggest, is that in at least some circumstances, blindness can heighten other senses, helping individuals adapt.

19 Nov 2009

Brain uses a mechanism to filter out distracting thoughts to focus on single information

The human brain is bombarded with all kinds of information, from the memory of last night's delicious dinner to the instructions from your boss at your morning meeting. But how do you "tune in" to just one thought or idea and ignore all the rest of what is going on around you, until it comes time to think of something else?

19 Nov 2009

System to help identify patients at high risk of developing delirium

A specialist in caring for elderly patients, Turner-Hubbard is a geriatric nurse practitioner trained to quickly spot the sudden changes in mental status that signal the onset of the sudden, severe confusion known as delirium. She knows the hospital “triggers” that can bring on fluctuations in behavior: blood loss during surgery, anesthesia, pain medications and anti-anxiety drugs, infections, dehydration, IV lines and catheters, as well as being immobilized for an extended period of time.

19 Nov 2009

Global 'phase down' of dental mercury use finds support

Hailed as "a breakthrough" by Green Groups, an agreement in concept was reached yesterday by a World Health Organization (W.H.O.)-convened international expert group, supporting the "phase down" of dental mercury use worldwide. However, the groups note that there is still much work to be done in deciding how and when a global dental amalgam phase down will occur.

19 Nov 2009

NeuroRehabilitation: A one-stop resource for persons with neurodisabilities

IOS Press announces the November 2009 publication of a special issue of NeuroRehabilitation: An International Journal devoted to residential design for persons with neurodisability.

19 Nov 2009

Possible new approach to slow the progression of cognitive decline in Down's syndrome

A study by neuroscientist William C. Mobley, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of Neurosciences at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, and colleagues at Stanford University Medical School has demonstrated a possible new approach to slowing the inevitable progression of cognitive decline found in Down's syndrome.

19 Nov 2009

Diagnosing patients with syndrome similar to neurofibromatosis type 1 may be difficult

An analysis of patients with a syndrome similar to the genetic disorder, neurofibromatosis type 1, indicates that diagnosis may be difficult because of shared clinical findings, such as certain pigmentary characteristics, according to a study in the November 18 issue of JAMA.

19 Nov 2009

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde linked with increased risk of myeloid leukemia

Groundbreaking discovery provides fundamental insights into neurological disorders

RBC Life Sciences reports net sales of $6.49M for third-quarter 2009

20th anniversary of the international Convention on the Rights of the Child today

Alzheimer Research Forum reports on the highlights of the Society of Neuroscience conference

Scientists find how 4-HB is metabolized by the body

UCH introduces RapidArc technology from Varian Medical Systems

Workshop on "Neuroeconomics and Endocrinological Economics" organized

Direct link between insulin and core body temperature discovered

Curemark begins enrolling patients in Phase III clinical trials for CM-AT

"Micro-endoscopes" to detect tumors at earlier stages being developed

New bone matrix implant offers hope for babies born with skull deformities

EIN News launches "Mesothelioma News Today"

UCLA study: Structural changes in brain may help offset vision loss and strengthen other senses

Brain uses a mechanism to filter out distracting thoughts to focus on single information

System to help identify patients at high risk of developing delirium

Global 'phase down' of dental mercury use finds support

NeuroRehabilitation: A one-stop resource for persons with neurodisabilities

Possible new approach to slow the progression of cognitive decline in Down's syndrome

Diagnosing patients with syndrome similar to neurofibromatosis type 1 may be difficult

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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