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.

Study explains how vesicular release of neurotransmitters is impaired

Effective brain function depends on the efficient signaling from one neuron to the next, a lightning-fast process that depends on a quick release of neurotransmitters at synapses. Exposure to lead during early childhood and even later in life has long been known to affect the release of these critical neurotransmitters. However, the precise mechanism by which lead ions (Pb2+) impair this process has remained unknown.

23 Jun 2010

Researchers study why the brain of newborn baby is particularly flexible

Science has long puzzled over why a baby's brain is particularly flexible and why it easily changes. Is it because babies have to learn a lot? A group of researchers from the Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience, the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization in G-ttingen, the Schiller University in Jena and Princeton University have now put forward a new explanation: Maybe it is because the brain still has to grow.

23 Jun 2010

Abusive attachments during infancy have negative consequences in social behavior development

In a new Biological Psychiatry article, Dr. Regina Sullivan and colleagues have dissected the behavior of mother rats and their infant pups, modeling nurturing by stroking and abuse with electric shock. In this animal model of infant abuse, they took into consideration the unique infant neurobehavioral learning attachment system that ensures infant rats' attachment to their caregiver regardless of the quality of care received.

23 Jun 2010

Excessive, uncontrolled vascular growth leads to development of cavernomas: Researchers

Benign vascular malformations known as cavernomas can occur in many tissues of the body. These abnormalities are characterized by enlarged, instable and unstructured blood vessels. Cavernomas of medical relevance are primarily those of the brain, which develop approximately in one out of two hundred people. In the brain, such growths often remain unnoticed and are typically found by chance in MRI scans. If they grow larger, they often cause unspecific symptoms such as headaches or dizziness.

23 Jun 2010

Resveratrol found in red wine neutralizes toxicity of proteins related to Alzheimer's disease: Research

An organic compound found in red wine - resveratrol - has the ability to neutralize the toxic effects of proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease, according to research led by Rensselaer Professor Peter M. Tessier. The findings, published in the May 28 edition of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, are a step toward understanding the large-scale death of brain cells seen in certain neurodegenerative diseases.

23 Jun 2010

UCL scientists explain Parkinson's disease patients' ICBs

Scientists at UCL have explained Parkinson's patients' risky behaviour, a rare side effect of standard treatments for the disease. The finding has implications for future medication of patients.

23 Jun 2010

Regular and long enough intake of EGb 761 protects against Alzheimer's disease: GuidAge study

For the very first time, a medicine has been shown to protect against the development of Alzheimer's disease. French scientists were able to demonstrate that taking 240 mg of Ginkgo extract EGb 761 per day regularly over a period of at least 4 years can cut the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by nearly 50%.

23 Jun 2010

Going barefoot in home may contribute to falls among elderly: Study

As summer rolls around, elderly people may want to think twice about taking their shoes off when they get home. Going barefoot in the home, or wearing slippers or socks with no shoes, may contribute to falls among the elderly, according to a new study from the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife.

23 Jun 2010

Recent study shows drinking coffee protects against head and neck cancer

Data on the effects of coffee on cancer risk have been mixed. However, results of a recent study add to the brewing evidence that drinking coffee protects against cancer, this time against head and neck cancer.

23 Jun 2010

Healthcare technology innovation projects to receive $3M in CIMIT medical research grants

A wide variety of early-stage, healthcare technology innovation projects in NeuroHealth, Traumatic Stress Disorders, and integrated clinical environments were among those chosen to receive more than $3 million in CIMIT seed grants for FY11.

23 Jun 2010

MJFF supports Ceregene's CERE-120 Phase 2 study for PD with $2.5M award

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) will provide $2.5 million to support Ceregene Inc.'s new Phase 2 study of CERE-120. This novel gene therapy product delivers the gene for neurturin, a potent neurotrophic (growth) factor that has shown potential to improve the status of degenerating neurons in both preclinical and clinical studies. CERE-120 has the potential to improve motor function as well as slow Parkinson's disease (PD) progression.

23 Jun 2010

Exercise alone without creatine supplements helps in cardiac rehabilitation

Athletes have been enjoying the benefits of creatine supplements to gain stronger muscles since the 1990s, and the supplement has also proven beneficial among other groups. Could it help cardiac patients regain strength to help with their heart-training workouts as part of rehabilitation? The evidence at this stage suggests not - exercise alone proved a far more powerful tonic for patients in a study out today. The results appear in the journal Clinical Rehabilitation, published by SAGE.

23 Jun 2010

IMUC signs exclusive licensing agreement with Targepeutics for acquisition of IL-13Ra2 receptor

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing new immune-based products to treat cancer, today announced it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Targepeutics, Inc. for ImmunoCellular's acquisition of Targepeutics' worldwide intellectual property rights surrounding the IL-13 receptor, alpha 2.

23 Jun 2010

No increased risk of childhood cancer if born near mobile phone stations: Study

There have been concerns regarding increased risk for cancer in children born to mothers who lived near mobile phone stations during their pregnancy after a report of a cluster of childhood cancer cases near such stations. A newly published study in the British Medical Journal refutes such beliefs and has found no link to early childhood cancers and living near mobile phone masts.

22 Jun 2010

Neurologix announces positive results from Phase 2 trial of NLX-P101 for advanced PD

Neurologix, Inc., today announced positive results in a Phase 2 trial of its investigational gene therapy for advanced Parkinson's disease, NLX-P101. Study participants who received NLX-P101 experienced statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in off-medication motor scores compared to control subjects who received sham surgery.

22 Jun 2010

MOFAS offers $6,400 in grant to Minnesota families living with FASD

The Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is giving $6,400 in grant money to Minnesota families living with FASD for summer family activities. Thirty-two families will receive a $200 mini grant to do something fun and creative with family and friends this summer. These mini grants are possible because of individual donations and funding from private foundations.

22 Jun 2010

Chocolate bar with resveratrol may help improve memory, learning skills

Wondering where you put the car keys? Can't remember what day of the week it is? Perhaps you need to eat a new kind of chocolate bar.

22 Jun 2010

Antibody treatment could significantly improve lives following spinal cord injury: Researchers

The United States Department of Defense Spinal Cord Injury Research Program has announced a grant of more than a million dollars U.S. to support research at the Robarts Research Institute at The University of Western Ontario (Western). The spinal cord injury research team of Gregory Dekaban, Arthur Brown, Lynne Weaver and Paula Foster, in collaboration with Brian Kwon of the University of British Columbia and Kyle Petersen of the U.S. Naval Medical Research Center, is working on a new therapy designed to limit the damage caused by inflammation immediately following spinal cord injury.

22 Jun 2010

University of Utah receives $2.4M, four-year grant to track children with ASDs

In the ongoing effort to understand the growing prevalence of autism spectrum disorders nationwide, the University of Utah has received a $2.4 million, four-year grant to estimate the number of Utah 8-year-olds with ASDs and other developmental disabilities.

22 Jun 2010

Brain abnormalities associated with schizophrenia risk are detectable in babies, find researchers

Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental disorder affecting one in 100 people worldwide. Most cases aren't detected until a person starts experiencing symptoms like delusions and hallucinations as a teenager or adult. By that time, the disease has often progressed so far that it can be difficult to treat.

22 Jun 2010

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Study explains how vesicular release of neurotransmitters is impaired

Researchers study why the brain of newborn baby is particularly flexible

Abusive attachments during infancy have negative consequences in social behavior development

Excessive, uncontrolled vascular growth leads to development of cavernomas: Researchers

Resveratrol found in red wine neutralizes toxicity of proteins related to Alzheimer's disease: Research

UCL scientists explain Parkinson's disease patients' ICBs

Regular and long enough intake of EGb 761 protects against Alzheimer's disease: GuidAge study

Going barefoot in home may contribute to falls among elderly: Study

Recent study shows drinking coffee protects against head and neck cancer

Healthcare technology innovation projects to receive $3M in CIMIT medical research grants

MJFF supports Ceregene's CERE-120 Phase 2 study for PD with $2.5M award

Exercise alone without creatine supplements helps in cardiac rehabilitation

IMUC signs exclusive licensing agreement with Targepeutics for acquisition of IL-13Ra2 receptor

No increased risk of childhood cancer if born near mobile phone stations: Study

Neurologix announces positive results from Phase 2 trial of NLX-P101 for advanced PD

MOFAS offers $6,400 in grant to Minnesota families living with FASD

Chocolate bar with resveratrol may help improve memory, learning skills

Antibody treatment could significantly improve lives following spinal cord injury: Researchers

University of Utah receives $2.4M, four-year grant to track children with ASDs

Brain abnormalities associated with schizophrenia risk are detectable in babies, find researchers

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