Nervous System News and Research

Latest Nervous System News and Research

Understanding hereditary medulloblastomas in children

This is a combined press release between EMBL, the Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg and the German Cancer Consortium.

1 Apr 2020

GABA is a key regulator to metamorphosis, shows study

Metamorphosis, or a dramatic change in physical appearance, is a normal part of the life cycle of many animals, carried out to take advantage of different ecological niches.

1 Apr 2020

Study reveals how hormone leptin contributes to weight loss

Some call it baby fat. But recent research has shown that adults have it too--which is a good thing. Brown fat, the so-called good fat that can protect against obesity and associated health risks, like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, is located in small pockets throughout the body.

31 Mar 2020

Scientists model human CMV-induced microcephaly using brain organoids

A City of Hope scientist is one step closer to discovering what weakens a pathogen that appears to cause babies to be born with abnormally small heads.

30 Mar 2020

Gene that could affect the progress of ALS discovered

Researchers from the Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University have successfully found a gene that could work towards accelerating the progression of ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The study titled, "The loss of TBK1 kinase activity in motor neurons or in all cell types differentially impacts ALS disease progression in SOD1 mice," was published in the latest issue of the journal Neuron.

29 Mar 2020

Newly developed laboratory model helps reveal how HIV infection affects the brain

Though many negative repercussions of human immunodeficiency virus infection can be mitigated with the use of antiretroviral therapy, one area where medical advances haven't made as much progress is in the reduction of cognitive impacts.

27 Mar 2020

Despite failures, chemotherapy still promising against fatal pediatric brain cancer

The pediatric brain cancer known as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma is almost uniformly fatal. In part, this is due to where and how it grows, forming as a diffuse net of cells in a part of the brainstem called the pons, which controls essential functions like breathing and swallowing.

25 Mar 2020

Lung cancer medication may have benefits for patients with metastatic brain cancers

A medication commonly used to treat non-small cell lung cancer that has spread, or metastasized, may have benefits for patients with metastatic brain cancers, suggests a new review and analysis led by researchers at St. Michael's Hospital of Unity Health Toronto and Harvard Medical School.

25 Mar 2020

Researchers examine efficiency of non-invasive brain stimulation for memory improvement

A group of scientists from the Research Center of Neurology and Skoltech showed that human working memory can be tweaked using non-invasive magnetic stimulation of the brain. Also, they discovered that the effect of magnetic stimulation weakens as the brain works on a cognitive task under stimulation.

25 Mar 2020

Researchers simulate 'brain swaps' in fish to reveal how senses control body movement

Plenty of fictional works like Mary Shelly's Frankenstein have explored the idea of swapping out a brain from one individual and transferring it into a completely different body.

24 Mar 2020

Research team identifies a molecule that directs neurons

The habenula is a small region at the centre of the brain, but is crucial for people's lives. It is made up of groups of nerve cells that control the "neurotransmitters" of the brain, that is to say substances like dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin.

24 Mar 2020

Researchers identify novel blood-based markers to detect Alzheimer’s disease

In a recent study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers at Okayama University developed a technique to uncover molecules within the blood which can help doctors differentiate patients with Alzheimer’s disease from healthy individuals.

24 Mar 2020

Spinal stabilization exercise program designed by Lithuanian scientists is 3 times more efficient

With the significant part of the global population forced to work from home, the occurrence of lower back pain may increase. Lithuanian scientists have devised a spinal stabilization exercise program for managing lower back pain for people who perform a sedentary job.

23 Mar 2020

Scientists discover new genetic editing powers in squid

Revealing yet another super-power in the skillful squid, scientists have discovered that squid massively edit their own genetic instructions not only within the nucleus of their neurons, but also within the axon -- the long, slender neural projections that transmit electrical impulses to other neurons.

23 Mar 2020

Study sheds light on myelin's role in 'chemobrain' and multiple sclerosis

Scientists have discovered that myelin is not as metabolically inert as has previously been thought.

23 Mar 2020

Study uncovers a new childhood-onset neurodegenerative disorder

A study has uncovered a new neurodegenerative disorder in which children experience developmental regression and severe epilepsy.

21 Mar 2020

Cryo-electron microscopy helps visualize ball-and-chain inactivation of ion channels

Ion channels, which allow potassium and sodium ions to flow in and out of cells, are crucial in neuronal 'firing' in the central nervous system and for brain and heart function.

19 Mar 2020

Listening to music for 30 minutes a day provides benefits after heart attack

Listening to music can be enjoyable, but is it also good for your heart? Patients who suffered episodes of chest pain soon after a heart attack, known as early post-infarction angina, had significantly lower levels of anxiety and pain if they listened to music for 30 minutes a day, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session Together with World Congress of Cardiology

18 Mar 2020

Shorter and longer sleep duration may affect your cardiovascular health

Whether you like to burn the midnight oil to check emails or binge watch your favorite series, toss and turn or sleep until mid-morning, it seems the amount of sleep you get matters when it comes to your future vascular and heart health.

18 Mar 2020