Scientists at McGill University have identified a unique 'on/off' switch for a major neurotransmitter receptor in the brain, known as the kainate receptor. This discovery highlights a new target for drug development to treat diseases such as epilepsy and neuropathic pain.
The European Society of Cardiology emphasizes the need for a resurgence in cardiovascular research and development to address the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases. The society proposes a forum to discuss ways to rejuvenate R&D, including simplifying regulation and increasing EU funding.
Anurag Singh, PhD, has received a $100,000 ALA Lung Cancer Discovery Grant to study targeted therapies for drug-resistant lung cancers. He aims to develop strategies to block KRAS protein function and improve treatment outcomes.
Drusano's work in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling has been instrumental in simulating and validating dosing regimens to maximize the safety and efficacy of antibiotics. He is recognized for his groundbreaking research on anti-infective pharmacology and antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers discovered a novel pathway to enhance NMDA receptor function using pregnenolone sulfate, increasing functional receptors on cell surface within minutes. This finding suggests potential treatments not only for schizophrenia but also age-related memory and learning issues.
Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have found that the hypothalamus controls aging throughout the body, opening up new avenues for treating age-related diseases. Activating specific pathways can accelerate or slow down aging, and blocking them may increase longevity by up to 20 percent.
FitzGerald shared the prize with Carlo Patrono for developing low-dose aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease. The breakthrough work assessed prostaglandins' role in blood clotting and saved millions of lives worldwide.
Researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital have developed a new method to detect drug interactions at very low doses, which can be used to study interactions between drugs without posing risks to patients. This breakthrough improves the reliability of pharmacological studies and has the potential to reduce medication errors.
Elizabeth Shenk, a BU Biomedical Engineering and Pharmacology Training Program student, received the Research Scholar Award from the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation. The $10,000 grant supports her research on determining which melanomas are likely to metastasize using a three-dimensional engineered platform.
Researchers found that threonyl tRNA synthetase (TARS) plays a critical role in angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, to support cancer growth. A potent inhibitor of TARS activity blocks its induction of angiogenesis.
A previously poorly investigated signalling pathway is crucial for prostate cancer cell proliferation, involving the production of cAMP at multiple locations in the cell. Inhibiting the soluble adenylyl cyclase enzyme suppresses cancer cell growth, suggesting a promising new therapeutic approach.
A recent study found that tenofovir gel achieves substantially higher concentrations of active drug in vaginal tissue than the oral tablet, suggesting it should be highly effective in protecting women against HIV transmitted through vaginal sex. However, this has not been borne out in HIV prevention trials to date.
Research at George Washington University reveals that genetic lesions associated with autism disrupt cellular mechanisms for interneuron development. LaMantia found that the Cxcr4 cytokine receptor plays a crucial role in regulating interneuron migration.
A new study found that budding yeast can be a good model system to study KP1019, an anti-cancer drug. KP1019 was shown to cause cell death and delay proliferation in yeast cells, likely due to DNA damage.
Researchers at OHSU School of Dentistry discovered a direct role of BDNF in regulating blood pressure, which may help prevent or treat high blood pressure. The study found that BDNF levels increase dramatically in nerve cells during hypertension.
A recent study found that true aspirin resistance is extremely rare, with no cases identified. However, coated aspirin may lead to a false diagnosis due to delayed absorption and coating effects.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College reveal that taxanes work by stopping protein movement in cancer cells, not just cell division. This understanding could lead to novel therapies and improved treatment outcomes for prostate cancer patients.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology suggests that psychotropic drugs such as antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and Z-drugs may increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents. The research found a significant association between higher doses of these medications and a greater risk of accident involvement.
Researchers have identified several South African daffodil plant compounds that can potentially bypass the blood-brain barrier, a key challenge in developing new antidepressant drugs. The study's findings, published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, offer hope for the development of novel treatments for depression.
Researchers identify a critical neurological factor in aggression, blocking it in mice to suggest potential treatments for severe aggression. The study's findings have significant breakthrough potential for developing drug targets for pathological aggression.
Researchers at the University of Michigan Health System discovered that digoxin, a centuries-old heart drug, enhances the body's natural protection against high blood pressure and heart failure. By activating RGS proteins, digoxin may improve survival rates in patients with congestive heart failure.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have identified HIPK2 as a crucial regulator protein in kidney fibrosis, leading to improved conditions when eliminated or inhibited. The study provides a new therapeutic target for the treatment of kidney failure, affecting millions of Americans.
Researchers have gained a realistic insight into the operation of the P2X1 receptor, a key player in blood clotting. By visualizing the receptor's structure and detecting changes upon activation, scientists have identified a crucial mechanism that could lead to the development of new drugs to prevent strokes and heart attacks.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that pridopidine binds to the sigma-1 receptor, a previously unknown mechanism of action. This finding could lead to new treatments for schizophrenia, Parkinsonian tremors, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) causes significant and rapid bone loss in mice, promoting fat cell growth but inhibiting bone cells. The study suggests a potential tradeoff between the anti-obesity benefits of FGF21 and its risk of osteoporosis.
Researchers used advanced imaging technology to visualize minute structural elements within blood vessels and found elastin plays a key role in supporting arterial function. This knowledge could help understand and treat complications of cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure and diabetes.
Researchers at Addex Pharmaceuticals have discovered a novel interaction between GLP-1 and GIP receptors, which has the potential to trigger new therapies for Type 2 diabetes. The discovery was made possible by the company's allosteric modulation platform and could lead to the development of orally available small molecule treatments.
Researchers have successfully measured dopamine release in a human brain, tracking its movement between brain cells while a subject makes decisions. The study provides preliminary evidence that dopamine can predict future market changes.
SUNY has received $4.3 million in NIH grants to support ROP research and participate in NeuroNEXT clinical trials. The grants aim to develop novel drug therapies to prevent blindness in preterm newborns and accelerate neurological disorder treatments.
Researchers found that babies' brain activity changes from non-specific 'neuronal bursts' to localized activity in specific areas of the brain, indicating they can perceive painful stimulation as separate from touch. This shift may occur around 35-37 weeks gestation.
Researchers have discovered a potential treatment for cancer of the immune system, targeting the Epstein Barr virus receptor EB12. The discovery was made by mapping the bio-antenna molecule and creating a blueprint of a tiny molecule that can bind to the B cell EB12 receptor, blocking its activation.
A collaborative study between UNC and Duke scientists reveals that disruptions in protein signals can lead to improper mitochondrial distribution during cell division, resulting in reduced ATP levels. This finding has implications for diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College developed an RNA mimic of green fluorescent protein called Spinach to track the mysterious workings of various forms of cellular RNA. This technology will help unlock secrets of RNA's diverse roles in human biology and disease.
Fetal exposure to nicotine causes permanent changes in blood vessel behavior, leading to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. This study provides novel information on the fetal programming underlying these risks.
Mutations in Timothy syndrome can cause severe cardiovascular disorders by disturbing calcium homeostasis. The current research focuses on the structure of L-calcium channels and reveals a highly conserved motif called G/A/G/A, essential for sealing the closed channel pore.
Scientists have determined the atomic architecture of a sodium channel, which generates electrical signals in excitable cells. This achievement opens new possibilities for designing drugs for pain, epilepsy, and heart rhythm disturbances, with potential breakthroughs in treatments for neurological disorders.
UBC researchers used an innovative method to uncover the molecular mechanism behind some anti-arrhythmia drugs, which control irregular heartbeats. The study found that variations in electrostatic interactions between the drugs and amino acids in the cardiac sodium channel affect their binding and effects.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered a hormone pathway that could lead to new ways of treating type 1 diabetes independent of insulin. Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) has insulin-like characteristics and may offer an alternative treatment for diabetes.
Dr. Bryan Roth has received the PhRMA Foundation Award in Excellence in Pharmacology/Toxicology for his groundbreaking research on drug discovery and development. His work aims to understand how central nervous system drugs affect brain neurons and mitigate side effects, particularly for conditions like schizophrenia and depression.
Researchers at Brandeis University have developed a method to study the splicing of pre-messenger RNA molecules using lasers and a custom microscope. This technique allows for the visualization of the spliceosome's assembly process in unprecedented detail, providing insights into the fundamental biology of protein synthesis.
A new experimental drug, morphine-6-0-sulfate, has been found to be more potent and longer-lasting than standard morphine, with less likelihood of causing constipation. The study, led by Dr. Joseph Holtman Jr., tested the drug on rats and demonstrated its potential clinical advantages compared to morphine.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine will study and develop new treatments for diseases of the retina, a leading cause of blindness. The $10.1 million grant aims to accelerate the development of effective therapies, particularly for age-related macular degeneration.
A new microfluidics-imaging platform can detect cancer growth signaling in tiny biopsy samples, allowing for faster and more efficient screening. This method uses an integrated platform to measure kinase activity from as few as 3,000 cells, enabling direct experimentation on patient samples.
Researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans have discovered that two brain proteins, Gαq and Gαz, act as valves to regulate vasopressin secretion and water retention in salt-sensitive hypertension. This finding may lead to new treatment options for high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and cirrhosis of the liver.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have successfully tested a semi-synthetic opioid called buprenorphine to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms in infants. The treatment reduced days of hospital stay by 40% and showed promise in reducing healthcare costs, which could save up to $1 billion annually.
Toxoplasma gondii parasite triggers stress response mechanism to survive outside host cells, enabling it to find new hosts and infect them. Researchers identify critical pathway that helps the parasite overcome environmental stresses, offering potential new treatments for toxoplasmosis infection.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have gained atomic-level insight into how organisms synthesize their major form of chemical energy using the enzyme ATP synthase. The discovery provides a clearer understanding of how these nano-machines function, including the role of water molecules in the rotary mechanism of ATP synthesis.
Researchers at NC State University developed a screening tool to predict nanoparticle interactions with biological systems, allowing for improved safety and applications in drug delivery. The study uses molecular probes to create 'fingerprints' identifying how nanoparticles will behave inside the human body.
Dr. Thomas J. Walsh, Director of the Transplantation-Oncology Infectious Diseases Program at Weill Cornell Medical College, has been selected as the 2010 laureate of the sanofi-aventis ICAAC Award for his groundbreaking work on antifungal pharmacology and therapeutics.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a microfluidic image cytometry platform that can measure cell-signaling pathways in brain tumor samples at the single-cell level. This technology marks an advance toward predictive and personalized medicine, enabling physicians to predict patient prognosis and guide treatment.
The University of Montreal has received $1.6 million in new funding to advance healthcare research over the next three years. The funding will support various collaborative health research projects across multiple disciplines, including physics, pharmacology, chemistry, and dentistry.
The University of North Carolina has launched a new imaging center with advanced microscopes and equipment, providing researchers with cutting-edge technology and collaboration opportunities. The center is designed to stimulate scientific inquiry in fields such as cancer, neuroscience, and pharmacology.
Researchers identified a key receptor in the brain that influences serotonin-related antidepressants, providing a potential new target for treatment. The discovery could lead to more effective and targeted treatments for depression and anxiety with fewer side effects.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a novel technique to produce genetically modified rats, offering potential for biomedical research on human diseases. The new method enables the creation of rat lines with mutations in specific genes, including those linked to cancer, diabetes, and mental illness.
A small trial of bone marrow stem cell therapy in patients with MS found the procedure to be well-tolerated and suggested potential benefits. The study's results, published in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, provide a promising lead for further research into this emerging treatment option.
Iain Buxton, a pharmacology professor at University of Nevada School of Medicine, received a share of $2.6 million in grants to study genetic variants contributing to preterm birth. His study aims to predict and prevent preterm births by identifying alterations in a specific gene.
The American Society for Nutrition will present a symposium on responsive feeding and how to promote healthy growth and development for infants and toddlers. Meanwhile, the American Physiological Society will discuss personalized, 'systems' medicine, integrating biologic and informational sciences to address complex biomedical problems.
Researchers have discovered that targeting the blood-brain barrier can slow the accumulation of a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study shows that activating a certain receptor in the brain can increase the expression of a blood-brain barrier protein that transports beta-amyloid out of the brain.
Research by LSU Health Sciences Center scientists has found that drug metabolism is influenced by the interaction between enzymes, which can affect a drug's elimination from the body or conversion into toxic byproducts. The study suggests that testing individual enzymes alone may not be sufficient to predict drug effectiveness and safety.
A study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics reveals Pycnogenol lowers urinary proteins and improves blood flow to the kidneys. Pycnogenol also reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as inflammatory markers.