Neural transplants have provided long-term clinical benefits to three patients with Huntington's disease, improving motor and cognitive function. The procedure also led to focal improvements in brain metabolic activity, while secondary clinical alterations were observed due to the ongoing disease process.
A study of 3,778 individuals found that 52.1% of those with circulatory disorders continued to smoke. Only 3.4% of smokers had received counselling in the past year.
A report by the University of Toronto Joint Center for Bioethics advocates for a global network of scientists to balance biodevelopment and biosecurity. The proposed strategy aims to create conditions for fighting bioterrorism by building capacity for scientific discovery, particularly in developing countries.
A large-scale search for new drugs to suppress autoimmune disease symptoms led researchers to a biochemical mechanism involving gold compounds. Gold, particularly in its special form, renders MHC class II proteins inactive, a key component of the immune system involved in autoimmunity.
Diabetic rhesus macaques achieved sustained insulin independence after receiving neonatal porcine islets transplanted with an anti-rejection protocol. The study's success suggests that xenotransplantation may be a viable solution for type 1 diabetes treatment.
Researchers at University College London discovered that brain activity before an event is linked to memory recall. The study used EEG scans to show that preparing the brain for a task can enhance long-term memory, and that this preparation can be done by being 'in the right frame of mind' and staying alert between cues.
Researchers found KCNC3 gene mutations in two families, one with adult-onset ataxia and the other with childhood-onset ataxia and mild mental retardation. These findings suggest that potassium channel abnormalities may contribute to a wide variety of neurodegenerative diseases.
A study of 76 adolescent hamsters found that anabolic steroid use led to increased aggression, lasting up to two years and affecting brain chemistry. The research suggests that humans may experience similar long-term behavioral problems if they abuse steroids during adolescence.