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.

Virginia Health urges women of childbearing age to take folic acid

According to data from a report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2004, only 35 percent of Virginia women of childbearing age take a vitamin pill that contains folic acid.

11 Jun 2004

Just six months of yoga significantly reduces fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis

Just six months of yoga significantly reduces fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis, but it has no effect on alertness and cognitive function, says a new Oregon Health & Science University study.

11 Jun 2004

Pathogens have the ability to cause late-onset sporadic Alzheimer's disease

The possibility of an infectious etiology of chronic diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, has long been debated and is difficult to prove.

11 Jun 2004

Postnatal exposure to a mercury preservative commonly used in a number of childhood vaccines can lead to the development of autism-like damage

A new study published online June 8 in the Nature publication, Molecular Psychiatry, indicates that postnatal exposure to thimerosal, a mercury preservative commonly used in a number of childhood vaccines, can lead to the development of autism-like damage in autoimmune disease susceptible mice

11 Jun 2004

Drug commonly used for diabetes might be effective in treating multiple sclerosis

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago are launching a clinical trial to determine whether a drug commonly used for diabetes might be effective in treating multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease that affects 350,000 Americans.

10 Jun 2004

New shaped-beam radiation delivery system provides patients with targeted cancer treatment

The Cleveland Clinic has installed the latest in radiation oncology technology, making it possible to treat a wider range of cancer patients with more precisely targeted radiation treatments that largely spare healthy tissues.

10 Jun 2004

Conflicting views on embryonic and adult stem cells complicate research in stem cell therapeutics

Though there has been considerable biological and political debate over the use of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) vs. adult stem cells (ASCs) as therapies for tissue engineering and organ transplants, inherent benefits and drawbacks in both techniques compel them to coexist and complement each other.

10 Jun 2004

Drink that enhances the effectiveness of medication given to treat psychiatric illnesses

Scientists funded by the UK's largest biomedical research charity, The Wellcome Trust, have developed a drink that enhances the effectiveness of medication given to treat psychiatric illnesses such as mania and schizophrenia.

10 Jun 2004

FDA approval for miniature robot for spinal procedures

A miniature robot for fail-proof spinal procedures has received FDA approval. Named SpineAssist, the robot is the brainchild of Technion-Israel Institute of Technology Mechanical Engineering Professor Moshe Shoham.

10 Jun 2004

Brain builds early warning detection system by working out the odds on potentially harmful experiences

An experiment conducted by Dr Ben Seymour and colleagues at the Wellcome Department of Imaging Neuroscience, University College London, revealed that volunteers couldn’t recall the details of a specific test which had resulted in them receiving a mild electric shock.

10 Jun 2004

Howard Hughes researchers find Alzheimer's may leave some forms of memory intact

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) researchers have made the surprising discovery that people with Alzheimer's disease retain the capability for a specific form of memory used for rote learning of skills, even as their memories of people and events are extinguished.

10 Jun 2004

Patients play computer games using only the signals from their brains

For the first time in humans, a team headed by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis has placed an electronic grid atop patients' brains to gather motor signals that enable patients to play a computer game using only the signals from their brains.

10 Jun 2004

Epilepsy drugs can increase the rate of bone loss in older women

Epilepsy drugs can increase the rate of bone loss in older women, according to a study published in the June 8 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

9 Jun 2004

Gene that affects alcohol sensitivity

Since one of the basic risk factors for alcoholism is a tolerance to alcohol, researchers have long sought to understand the genetic differences among people that affect their sensitivity to alcohol. So far, scientists have met with little success.

9 Jun 2004

Genetic signature associated with the aging human brain

Unraveling the mysteries of the aging brain is a major goal for brain science, especially given the exploding population of senior citizens and the obvious desire to preserve brain function as long as possible.

9 Jun 2004

Untreated transient ischemic attacks put 21,000 Canadians at increased risk of death, stroke or heart attack

The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation warns that untreated transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are putting nearly 21,000 Canadians at increased risk of death, stroke or heart attack.

9 Jun 2004

Possible new type of zoonose in England

A short item was considered by the UK Zoonoses Group on a nervous condition in a heifer which had suffered partial leg paralysis. It was initially diagnosed as suspected botulism.

9 Jun 2004

Many epilepsy and multiple sclerosis patients believe marijuana is an effective treatment

Despite limited evidence of effectiveness, many epilepsy and multiple sclerosis patients believe marijuana is an effective treatment and are actively using it, according to two Canadian studies published in the June 8 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

9 Jun 2004

Assessment of spinal cord stimulator in treatment of chronic pain

A neurosurgeon at the University of Illinois at Chicago is assessing how well an implanted electronic device that stimulates nerve fibers in the spinal cord relieves chronic pain.

7 Jun 2004

New medical imaging research helps diagnosis fetal brain abnormalities, epilepsy and autism

The world's leading neuroscience and radiology experts today shared new research and technological developments in medical imaging that facilitate diagnosis and breakthrough treatments of fetal brain abnormalities, epilepsy and cognitive disorders such as autism and Alzheimer's.

7 Jun 2004

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Virginia Health urges women of childbearing age to take folic acid

Just six months of yoga significantly reduces fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis

Pathogens have the ability to cause late-onset sporadic Alzheimer's disease

Postnatal exposure to a mercury preservative commonly used in a number of childhood vaccines can lead to the development of autism-like damage

Drug commonly used for diabetes might be effective in treating multiple sclerosis

New shaped-beam radiation delivery system provides patients with targeted cancer treatment

Conflicting views on embryonic and adult stem cells complicate research in stem cell therapeutics

Drink that enhances the effectiveness of medication given to treat psychiatric illnesses

FDA approval for miniature robot for spinal procedures

Brain builds early warning detection system by working out the odds on potentially harmful experiences

Howard Hughes researchers find Alzheimer's may leave some forms of memory intact

Patients play computer games using only the signals from their brains

Epilepsy drugs can increase the rate of bone loss in older women

Gene that affects alcohol sensitivity

Genetic signature associated with the aging human brain

Untreated transient ischemic attacks put 21,000 Canadians at increased risk of death, stroke or heart attack

Possible new type of zoonose in England

Many epilepsy and multiple sclerosis patients believe marijuana is an effective treatment

Assessment of spinal cord stimulator in treatment of chronic pain

New medical imaging research helps diagnosis fetal brain abnormalities, epilepsy and autism

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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