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.

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

Atrasentan reduces cancer risk by 20 percent in men with advanced hormone-resistant prostate cancer

Recent clinical studies led by Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center researchers have found that a drug called atrasentan reduces the risk by 20 percent that cancer will progress in men with advanced hormone-resistant prostate cancer.

7 Jun 2004

New study to determine the effectiveness of a new pediatric screening method for Wilson's disease

Mayo Clinic seeks normal healthy children and young adults between the ages of 3 months and 18 years for a research study to determine the effectiveness of a new pediatric screening method for Wilson's disease.

7 Jun 2004

Research may help treat muscular dystrophies and other muscle diseases caused by glycosylation defects

Expressing high levels of a sugar-adding protein known as LARGE in mice that lack the protein can prevent muscular dystrophy in these animals, according to studies by researchers at the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine.

7 Jun 2004

Alzheimer’s Association joins the world in mourning the loss of former President Ronald Reagan

The Alzheimer’s Association joins the world in mourning the loss of former President of the United States Ronald Reagan. Our heart-felt condolences go out to the Reagan family.

6 Jun 2004

Computational design used to engineer and construct a protein that could sense the nerve agent soman

Duke University Medical Center biochemists have used computational design to engineer and construct a protein that could sense the nerve agent soman. They said their achievement constitutes a proof-of principle that such engineered proteins can be made to detect nerve agents such as sarin and other toxic substances.

5 Jun 2004

Neuroscientists have overcome a major obstacle in gene therapy research

Northwestern University neuroscientists have overcome a major obstacle in gene therapy research. They've devised a method that will safely deliver and regulate expression of therapeutic genes introduced into the central nervous system to treat Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

5 Jun 2004

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

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

Atrasentan reduces cancer risk by 20 percent in men with advanced hormone-resistant prostate cancer

New study to determine the effectiveness of a new pediatric screening method for Wilson's disease

Research may help treat muscular dystrophies and other muscle diseases caused by glycosylation defects

Alzheimer’s Association joins the world in mourning the loss of former President Ronald Reagan

Computational design used to engineer and construct a protein that could sense the nerve agent soman

Neuroscientists have overcome a major obstacle in gene therapy research

Parkinson's disease breakthrough

Cancer rates falling in the US

Disease-causing microbes found in baby food

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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