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.

Collaborative project to consider new hypotheses for causation of subdural hematomas in SBS

New research led by the East Midlands Forensic Pathology Unit at the University of Leicester will consider new theories as to the cause of subdural hematomas in infants. Support for the research has been provided by the NPIA, and the project is multi-disciplinary and collaborative.

1 Jul 2010

New Stanford Hospital to include one entire floor of hybrid rooms

Whether it's called a hybrid room or an interventional platform, Room 9 at Stanford Hospital & Clinics is that singular space where a patient can stay in one place to be diagnosed and treated, either with surgery or the latest interventional procedure, in an environment as sterile as an operating room, with all-important imaging devices, microscopes and monitors right at hand.

1 Jul 2010

CDC issues new guidelines on detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections

Today the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new and important guidelines on the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections, the causative agent of tuberculosis. In these landmark guidelines, CDC advises that Interferon Gamma Release Assay blood tests are now preferred over the 100+-year-old tuberculin skin test for diagnosing TB infection in certain populations, including people who typically do not return for the necessary reading of TST results, and those who have received Bacille Calmette-Guerin as a vaccine or for cancer therapy

1 Jul 2010

Study examines long-term effect of TBI on women's reproductive health

After a brain injury, women often ask how the injury will affect their fertility, pregnancy and postpartum health. Now a new study provides some much-needed answers. Published in the June issue of the Journal of Women's Health, the study is the most comprehensive investigation to date of women's health issues after traumatic brain injury.

1 Jul 2010

Sleep enhances ability to remember to do something in future

When it comes to executing items on tomorrow's to-do list, it's best to think it over, then "sleep on it," say psychologists at Washington University in St. Louis.

1 Jul 2010

Research findings open new ways to enhance memory function and treat catastrophic brain diseases

For the first time, scientists have linked a brain compound called kynurenic acid to cognition, possibly opening doors for new ways to enhance memory function and treat catastrophic brain diseases, according to a new study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. When researchers decreased the levels of kynurenic acid in the brains of mice, their cognition was shown to improve markedly, according to the study, which was published in the July issue of the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

1 Jul 2010

Studies link anti-cholesterol statin drugs to increased risk of anxiety and depression

Scientists are reporting a possible explanation for the symptoms of anxiety and depression that occur in some patients taking the popular statin family of anti-cholesterol drugs, and reported by some individuals on low-cholesterol diets. These symptoms could result from long-term, low levels of cholesterol in the brain, the report suggests. It appears in ACS' weekly journal Biochemistry.

1 Jul 2010

Neuralstem announces completion of $10 million registered direct offering

Neuralstem, Inc. (NYSE Amex: CUR) announced that it has completed its previously announced registered direct offering of $10 million of units to institutional investors. The units were priced at $2.80 and consisted of: (i) one share of common stock, and (ii) 3/4 common stock purchase warrant. The warrants have an exercise price of $3.25 and a term of three years. Net proceeds from this offering, after deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses, total approximately $9.2 million. All of the securities were offered pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement.

1 Jul 2010

Transition commences dosing in TT-301 Phase 1 clinical study for rheumatoid arthritis, ICH, TBI

Transition Therapeutics Inc. announced today that the first patient has been dosed with drug candidate TT-301 in a Phase 1 clinical study. TT-301 is a small molecule compound that has demonstrated efficacy in preclinical models of rheumatoid arthritis, intracerebral haemorrhage and traumatic brain injury.

30 Jun 2010

ERC awards VIB-K.U.Leuven scientists 3 million euros in research grants

VIB landed two research grants worth 1.5 million euros each. The prestigious grants are courtesy of the European Research Council (ERC) and are aimed at giving talented young scientists the opportunity to develop their own research team. The honor fell to Adrian Liston and Patrik Verstreken, both recently transferred to VIB-K.U.Leuven from abroad.

30 Jun 2010

Blind people and people with vision think about manipulating tools in same brain regions

Blind people think about manipulating tools in the same regions of the brain as do people who can see, according to a new study. The researchers say this adds to evidence that the brain has a fairly defined organization, while still being able to adapt to unusual conditions, such as not having any vision.

30 Jun 2010

Renowned experts discuss new approaches to cancer therapy at international conference

An international conference attended by more than 70 of the world's leading experts and investigators in the field of Ephs and ephrins was held locally this week and hosted by Waldemar Debinski, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Brain Tumor Center of Excellence at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

30 Jun 2010

Physically-active women have lower risk of dementia in later life

Women who are physically active at any point over the life course (teenage, age 30, age 50, late life) have lower risk of cognitive impairment in late-life compared to those who are inactive, but teenage physical activity appears to be most important.

30 Jun 2010

UK scientists find no link between mobile phone masts and early childhood cancers

UK scientists have found no evidence to suggest that children whose mothers lived close to mobile phone base stations during pregnancy face an increased risk of early childhood cancers.

30 Jun 2010

Amylin presents improved indices of beta-cell function after three years of BYETTA(R) therapy

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company today announced results from a study comparing the effect of long-term treatment with either BYETTA® (exenatide) injection or Lantus® (insulin glargine) on overall beta-cell function. (Beta cells are cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.) Three years of BYETTA therapy improved indices of beta-cell function assessed four weeks after discontinuing therapy. These findings were presented at the 70th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in Orlando, Fla.

30 Jun 2010

New hope for patients with drug-resistant depression

New research shows that a unique strain of laboratory mice characterized at Penn State University has behavioral, hormonal, and neurochemical characteristics that are similar to those of human patients with drug-resistant forms of depression.

30 Jun 2010

Preliminary findings show RA drug reduces brain damage in stroke patients

A drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis also reduces the damage a stroke inflicts on the brain according to lab research and preliminary findings from a clinical trial of stroke patients. The results open the door for a larger clinical study to refine the drug anakinra's use as an effective therapy for victims of stroke.

From The University of Manchester 30 Jun 2010

Uganda children have high blood lead levels: Researchers

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have found that children living near the Kiteezi landfill in Kampala, Uganda, have blood lead levels nearly 20 times as high as the typical lead level found in U.S. children.

30 Jun 2010

U.S., China open Shanghai Epidemiology Center for chronic, epidemic diseases

Chinese and U.S. health officials opened an epidemiology center in Shanghai Tuesday to train experts to deal with and prevent chronic and epidemic diseases, the Associated Press reports.

30 Jun 2010

Study evaluates potential risks and benefits of moderate alcohol consumption

A discussion by renowned epidemiologist Kenneth Mukamal has recently been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA. It provides a discussion in response to a theoretical question, - if you are a 42 year old male, should you drink alcohol ( in moderation) for your health?

30 Jun 2010

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Collaborative project to consider new hypotheses for causation of subdural hematomas in SBS

New Stanford Hospital to include one entire floor of hybrid rooms

CDC issues new guidelines on detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections

Study examines long-term effect of TBI on women's reproductive health

Sleep enhances ability to remember to do something in future

Research findings open new ways to enhance memory function and treat catastrophic brain diseases

Studies link anti-cholesterol statin drugs to increased risk of anxiety and depression

Neuralstem announces completion of $10 million registered direct offering

Transition commences dosing in TT-301 Phase 1 clinical study for rheumatoid arthritis, ICH, TBI

ERC awards VIB-K.U.Leuven scientists 3 million euros in research grants

Blind people and people with vision think about manipulating tools in same brain regions

Renowned experts discuss new approaches to cancer therapy at international conference

Physically-active women have lower risk of dementia in later life

UK scientists find no link between mobile phone masts and early childhood cancers

Amylin presents improved indices of beta-cell function after three years of BYETTA(R) therapy

New hope for patients with drug-resistant depression

Preliminary findings show RA drug reduces brain damage in stroke patients

Uganda children have high blood lead levels: Researchers

U.S., China open Shanghai Epidemiology Center for chronic, epidemic diseases

Study evaluates potential risks and benefits of moderate alcohol consumption

Leveraging the power of automation to boost research

Automating research - solutions and best practices

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

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