A toxic form of the neural protein Elk-1 is linked to three degenerative brain disorders: Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Huntington's disease. The study found that this modified form of Elk-1 strongly associates with pathological markers present in diseased tissue from these diseases.
Research finds that dopamine in the brain stimulates a craving for new experiences, contributing to addictive behaviors like drug abuse and gambling. The study used PET scans to map brain activity, revealing stronger urges among those with more dopamine, suggesting a link between stimulation-seeking behavior and hormonal activity.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have discovered that acetaminophen can prevent oxidative damage and kidney failure after muscle injury in a rat model. The study's findings support further investigation into the drug's effects in patients with severe muscle injuries.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center discovered that deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) enzyme plays a crucial role in the development of healthy immune systems. Mice without this enzyme have defects in their adaptive immune system, producing very low levels of T and B lymphocytes.
A study published in the Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics reveals Pycnogenol improves microcirculation, retinal edema, and visual acuity in early stages of diabetic retinopathy. Visual acuity improved by 17/20 after two months of treatment.
Researchers discovered that neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, lose their direction when the protein p55 is absent. This leads to impaired healing and slower response times to infections.
Stress-evoked changes in serotonin-regulating brain pathways can lead to low mood and cocaine-seeking. Researchers found that the dynorphin/kappa opioid system, activated by stress or chemicals, weakens serotonin levels in the nucleus accumbens.
A new study found that exposure to folic acid antagonists in the first trimester of pregnancy increases the risk of neural tube, cardiovascular, and urinary tract defects. The risk more than doubles, with neural tube defects increasing by six-fold after exposure.
A large cohort study found no significant risks of major congenital malformations associated with H2 blocker exposure during pregnancy. The study involved 1,148 infants exposed to H2 blockers and 84,823 unexposed infants, showing no increased risk of perinatal mortality or birth complications.
A new computer system has been successfully tested at Heidelberg University Hospital to improve pain therapy for cancer patients. The system, AiDPainCare, was found to have little variance from international guidelines and reduced patient pain.
The American College of Clinical Pharmacology warns of the lack of supervision in direct-to-consumer genetic testing, emphasizing the need for clinical pharmacologists to educate patients on potential risks and limitations. Effective government regulation and professional guidance are crucial to ensure safe and informed decision-making.
Dr. Huijing Xia, a postdoc at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, has been awarded the American Physiological Society's Postdoctoral Fellowship in Physiological Genomics for her research on ACE2, an enzyme that regulates blood pressure. The two-year fellowship will cover $37,000/year in stipend and trainee allowance.
Scientists at the University of California, San Diego, have developed a new class of infrared-fluorescent proteins (IFPs) that can be expressed in mammalian cells. These proteins are suitable for whole-body imaging in small animals and may provide a prototype for future studies in animal models.
Researchers found that lymphocytes, a type of immune system cell, produce the inflammatory protein RANKL when breast cancer cells are present. This leads to increased lung metastases. Blocking RANKL can halt cancer progression and may be a potential target for drug therapy.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found a way to change one cell type into another by flooding it with specific messenger RNAs from another cell type. This approach, called Transcriptome induced phenotype remodeling (TIPeR), offers the possibility for a new type of cell-based therapy for neurodegener...
Scientists at Heidelberg University Hospital have identified a previously unknown protein called SCAI that inhibits the movement and spread of tumor cells. The study suggests that SCAI could be an interesting starting point for research into new mechanisms for fighting cancer.
Dr. Athena Papas receives IADR's highest honor for her outstanding research on dry mouth, tooth sensitivity, and oral health in cancer patients. Her nearly 30-year career has secured over $20 million in grant funding.
Researchers found a specific gene mutation that increases the risk of adverse side effects from immunosuppressive drugs used in kidney transplants. The study suggests a genetic approach to personalized screening and drug dosing could reduce toxicity and rejection risk in pediatric patients.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found a biomarker, guanylyl cyclase 2C (GUCY2C), that predicts disease recurrence in colorectal cancer. The study revealed that 87.5% of patients had positive GUCY2C expression and 20.9% developed recurrent disease.
SUNY Downstate researchers discovered that the PKMzeta molecule stores complex memories while leaving other brain functions intact. This finding suggests that targeting specific debilitating memories with PKMzeta erasure could be effective in treating conditions like depression, anxiety, and addictions.
Researchers found that bavituximab, a PS-targeting antibody, can cure lethal virus infections in animal models of cytomegalovirus and Lassa fever. The drug showed potent anti-viral activity and may represent a new class of drugs for treating viral infections.
Researchers created a new model of behavior for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, showing that cholesterol is essential for its structure and function. The findings have broad implications for pharmacology and may shed light on recent data indicating low cholesterol's harmful effects on brain cells.
John van den Anker, MD, PhD, director of Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology at Children's National Medical Center, has received the American College of Clinical Pharmacology (ACCP) Distinguished Investigator Award. The award recognizes his sustained and prolific contributions to pediatric clinical pharmacology.
Research at the University of Warwick has challenged a century-old rule in pharmacology, suggesting that key chemicals can pass across cell walls much slower than predicted. The findings have major implications for the development and testing of future drugs.
Researchers develop powerful tool for investigating gene function using siRNA and lentiviral vectors. The method enables long-term down-regulation of specific target genes in various cell types, facilitating cancer cell biology studies.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a new target for RNAs that regulate genes, finding that these tiny strands bind to non-coding RNA transcripts and recruit proteins to activate or inhibit gene expression.
Dr. Fischman has made significant contributions to the evaluation of drugs used to prevent and treat dental caries and periodontal diseases through his design and analysis of clinical trials and publication of guidelines for colleagues. His research studies have evaluated over 100 chemical agents, providing benchmarks for clinical trials.
Researchers discuss inhibiting glutamate receptors as a promising approach for treating chronic pain, migraine and muscle spasticity. Glutamate receptor antagonists like tezampanel have shown potential in clinical trials for treating various conditions.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine found that activated vitamin D treatments can prevent heart muscle cells from growing bigger and reduce contractions associated with heart failure. The study's results suggest a new way to treat heart failure and provide hope for people affected by the condition.
Research in BMC Pharmacology disproves the false claims surrounding benfotiamine, a synthetic derivative of thiamine, and its supposed benefits. The study reveals that benfotiamine is not more physiologically active or easily absorbed by the body than other precursors.
A study by McGill University scientists found that child abuse may cause differences in epigenetic marking on genes in the brains of men who killed themselves. The researchers also discovered that simple maternal behavior during early childhood has a profound effect on genes and behavior, which can be reversed through treatments.
Dr. David Mangelsdorf, chairman of pharmacology at UT Southwestern, was elected to the National Academy of Sciences for his contributions to understanding lipid and bile acid metabolism. His work on nuclear receptors and ligands has led to insights into cholesterol regulation.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology has made a significant breakthrough in treating aortic valve stenosis, a common form of heart valve disease. The experimental treatment, which raises high-density lipoproteins (HDL), showed promising results, including reduced aortic valve narrowing and calcifications.
Researchers identified a mechanism by which seizures increase production of a drug transport protein in the blood-brain barrier, leading to reduced medication effectiveness in epilepsy patients. This discovery offers promising new therapeutic targets to improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that chronic use of beta blockers alleviates asthma by helping airways relax and dilate, providing longer-term respiratory function. The study builds on earlier breakthroughs in treating congestive heart failure, where beta blockers improved outcomes despite initial worsening symptoms.
A new study found that combining reishi mushroom and green tea extracts creates a synergistic effect to inhibit tumor growth and delay death in mice with sarcomas. The combination reduced tumor weight by 45% compared to treatment with only reishi, confirming the synergy of the two substances.
The Protein Data Bank has reached a significant milestone with its 50,000th molecule structure archived. The archive now contains vital information for pharmacology, bioinformatics, and education.
Adult male monkeys exposed to cocaine in the womb show altered function of dopamine 3 receptors, linked to increased vulnerability to drug abuse. The study's findings have implications for human cocaine overdose victims with higher D3 receptor numbers.
Animal research in monkeys shows that treating with amphetamine reduces self-administration of cocaine for up to a month by about 60 percent. The study demonstrates the feasibility of using amphetamine-like drugs to treat cocaine addiction.
A study at Heidelberg University Hospital found that well-designed e-mails increase the use of Internet links and reduce spam. The researchers discovered that a simple trick, such as switching from Courier to Times font, boosted legibility and attractiveness.
Scientists at University College London have identified two cell proteins that relax the gut and help accommodate large meals. The P2Y1 and P2Y11 receptor proteins could provide a new approach to combatting weight gain by preventing stomach expansion.
Researchers found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor TrkB play a crucial role in age-specific responses to stimulants. The study suggests that BDNF/TrkB might be used as a target for new treatments for childhood neuropsychiatric disorders or addiction.
Researchers found Celecoxib reduces heart rate and increases irregularities, but not through COX-2 inhibition. Drosophila model reveals a direct effect on potassium channels generating heartbeat.
Researchers found that erythropoietin administration can prevent acute cardiotoxic effects induced by chemotherapy agents doxorubicin and trastuzumab. The study suggests that rhEPO may be used to reduce acute cardiotoxic effects during chemotherapy, potentially preventing long-term development of cardiomyopathy.
A graduate student at Kansas State University has received a national research award for his presentation on diagnosing bovine anaplasmosis. His research aims to identify and distinguish between Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections, providing an accurate diagnostic tool for livestock producers.
Researchers found that alcohol activates a stress-linked pathway in neurons to release key genes that can influence the health and activity of brain cells. The study sheds light on how this process occurs and may help scientists understand alcohol-linked disorders such as chronic alcoholism and fetal alcohol syndrome.
David Farb's abstract details how antioxidants affect dopamine release from synaptosomes, suggesting potential for treating oxidative damage in neurodegenerative diseases. Antioxidants like glutathione and NAC may rapidly stabilize dopamine release, raising their therapeutic potential.
A Duke University professor developed an instructional tactic to boost science knowledge in high school students, teaching them about the chemistry of cocaine addiction and methamphetamine harm. The 'stealth learning' method increased basic science knowledge by 16 percent among 7,210 students.
McGill University has been awarded $10.5 million in federal funding to support the work of 12 new and three renewed Canada Research Chairs. The chairs focus on various fields including green chemistry, biochemical pharmacology, international security, and ethnic conflict.
Researchers found that vitamin E's antioxidant effect is only significant at high doses, exceeding previously used amounts in clinical trials. The optimal dose was determined to be around 1600 IU/day for maximum suppression of oxidative stress.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that pomegranate juice does not impair the clearance of oral or intravenous midazolam, a test drug used to assess CYP3A activity. This suggests that pomegranate juice is safe for patients taking medications.
Medical schools are adopting problem-based learning to improve personal drug selection. Students learn to choose medications based on efficacy, safety, cost, and convenience. This approach leads to better medicine use worldwide.
Dr. Steven S. Gross receives the 2007 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award for his work on nitric oxide and its role in vascular complications of diabetes. The $2.5 million grant will support research into potential pharmaceutical targets.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina Health Care identified protein Ack1 as a trigger for advanced prostate cancer recurrence in men undergoing hormone treatment. This finding may lead to the development of targeted therapies against this protein.
Treatment with Simvastatin significantly improved spatial memory in mice genetically bred to have an Alzheimer's-like disease, with more pronounced effects in males. The study found that statin increased levels of nNOS, a substance that causes dilation of blood vessels and improves circulation to the brain.
Researchers at OHSU have identified a G protein-coupled receptor called TAAR1 as a key player in the brain's response to methamphetamine. The discovery offers new hope for developing therapies to reverse meth's adverse health effects and reduce addiction, by targeting this newly found receptor.
Dr. Elliot V. Hersh has been recognized for his research on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and local anaesthetics used in dentistry, including the approval of articaine by the US FDA. He is a prominent figure in the IADR Pharmacology, Therapeutics & Toxicology Group, having served in leadership roles and organized symposia.
Researchers found that acute colitis was associated with decreased body weight, food intake, and fat content, while chronic colitis led to reduced bone mineral density and lower energy expenditure. Chronic inflammation also altered metabolism, reducing the use of nutrients as an energy source.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a novel method to activate specific genes using RNA strands, which can help alleviate disease conditions. By introducing tailor-made RNA strands into cells, the researchers can nudging genes into activity, potentially treating diseases such as cancer.
Researchers have discovered that spinal cord neurons show irregular firing patterns during network activity, similar to the cerebral cortex. This finding enables exploration of how spinal cords generate movements, shedding light on the complex system controlling human motion.