A new study finds aggressive surgery followed by targeted radiotherapy is effective in treating a rare form of childhood brain cancer. The treatment improved event-free survival rates, with children under 3 years old showing excellent outcomes.
High levels of specific proteins in spinal fluid may signal the onset of Lou Gehrig's disease. Researchers developed a diagnostic kit using these biomarkers, achieving 92% accuracy in identifying ALS patients.
A new study reveals a consistent pattern of brain injury to the frontal lobe and right hemisphere causes delusions. The overcompensation of the left hemisphere leads to the creation of false narratives that cannot be edited, resulting in pathologic beliefs.
Using a three-dimensional image-guided system to help place screws in the spine results in safe and accurate surgery with decreased nerve injuries and misplaced screws compared to traditional operations.
Scientists present reports on novel technologies to restore memory circuits, alter drug effects, deliver targeted therapies and improve brain imaging. The advancements aim to pinpoint seizure causes and deliver precise treatments, promising a new era in epilepsy care.
A new spinal deformity classification system has been developed to define the range of normalcy for spine alignment. The system, published in Neurosurgery, uses a systematic approach to define neutral upright spinal alignment across different age groups.
The study shows significantly increased disc tissue density and extracellular matrix components at 12 months post treatment, suggesting a potential link between ADRCs and improved disc condition. Viable ADRCs were identified within the discs, indicating a possible novel therapeutic for spinal surgery patients.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center presented several studies on brain-immune interactions, including the role of cilia in regulating hippocampal neurogenesis and the use of dendritic cells to boost anti-glioma immune responses. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the brain's immune system and p...
A study published in Neurosurgery found that routine testing with cerebral angiography following endovascular treatment of brain aneurysms carries a very low risk of complication. The test was shown to have a complication rate of 0.43 percent, with only one major and permanent complication occurring.
A recent clinical trial has shown remarkable results for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), with 7 out of 10 participants experiencing a substantial reduction in symptoms after deep cerebral stimulation. The treatment, which involves targeting the subthalamic nucleus in the brain, offers a promising alternative to tradi...
A study published in Nature Genetics has identified three chromosome segments where common genetic variations can create significant risk for ruptured aneurysms, leading to strokes. The findings could lead to new screening tests and therapies to strengthen blood vessels in the brain.
A daily oral dose of MK-677 increased muscle mass in healthy older adults by restoring 20% of lost muscle mass associated with aging. The study shows promise for a treatment that could help prevent age-related frailty and maintain independence as seniors age.
A study published at the TCT scientific symposium found that a novel blood flow reversal system used during carotid stenting is safe and effective, with a low death rate of 0.8% and major adverse event rate of 3.7%. The system offers potential advantages over existing devices by directing embolic particles away from the brain.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital used gene therapy to restore useful vision to mice with retinal degeneration by expressing a light-sensitive protein in other neuronal cells. The treatment showed promise, enabling the mice to find dark refuges and learn to associate light with safe platforms.
A novel nerve stimulator alleviates pain in patients with hemicrania continua, a rare form of chronic daily headache. The study found that five of six patients reported sufficient benefit to recommend the device.
A US neurosurgeon reports promising results treating soldiers with severe brain injuries in Iraq, where aggressive therapies led to unexpected survival rates. In contrast to predicted dire outcomes, some patients showed remarkable recovery, challenging the predictive value of standard neurological assessments.
Researchers have discovered two types of astrocyte support cells generated from a common stem cell-like precursor cell, one effective at promoting nerve regeneration and the other causing neuropathic pain. The study offers a promising approach to repairing spinal cord injuries without inducing pain syndromes.
Scientists at UCLA and the Weizmann Institute of Science recorded individual brain cells as they recalled memories from epilepsy patients' brains. The study confirms that spontaneous memories arise with activity of the same neurons that were recorded as they fired when the memory was first being made.
A consortium of researchers is undertaking a five-year initiative to improve diagnosis and treatment of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). The Department of Defense has awarded $35 million to support the project, which aims to develop innovative methods for diagnosing and treating MTBI. The research will focus on basic and clinical st...
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and UCSF have uncovered new origins for childhood brain tumors, suggesting that targeting the mutated cell-signaling pathway may lead to more effective treatment approaches. The findings hint that not all patients' tumors may be born from the same cells.
Researchers found a correlation between the intensity of a patient's immune response and clinical outcomes in brain cancer patients. The study showed that stronger immune responses were associated with longer survival times and improved treatment outcomes.
A UCLA professor's analysis of over 160 studies reveals that a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can enhance cognitive abilities, protect the brain from damage, and counteract aging. Omega-3s have been shown to improve learning and memory, fight depression and mood disorders, and even support synaptic plasticity.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham has joined a national consortium working to improve treatment and survival for patients with glioma, a type of malignant brain tumor. The Ivy Genomics-Based Medicine Project will use advanced molecular profiling and testing to identify personalized treatments for patients.
A study published in Journal of Neurosurgery found that early nutritional supplementation can improve survival rates for traumatic brain injury patients, with a four-fold increase in chances of survival. The researchers recommend a minimum of 25kcal/kg daily intake to achieve optimal healing.
Researchers found that interrupting a signaling pathway in immune system cells opened the possibility of a new strategy against Alzheimer's disease. Immune cells from outside the brain devoured plaque deposits, reducing their numbers by up to 90 percent.
Arman Jahangiri, a University of Houston biology graduate, has been awarded the Merage Foundation American Dream Fellowship to pursue his dream of becoming a neurosurgeon. He plans to use his scholarship to further his medical education and advocate for affordable healthcare as a physician, policy maker, and educator.
A new study found that elderly patients with brain tumors aged 75 and older do not receive aggressive treatments like younger patients. However, treating these patients aggressively with multi-modality therapies can lead to better survival rates without affecting mental abilities or causing unbearable side effects.
The American Society for Neural Therapy and Repair (ASNTR) has awarded neuroscientist Paul M. Carvey for his groundbreaking research on Parkinson's Disease, while recognizing patient advocate Joan Samuelson for her tireless advocacy efforts.
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.
Researchers found that luteolin and diosmin reduced levels of amyloid-beta, a protein that builds up in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's. The flavonoids work by targeting presenilin-1, a protein linked to the disease.
Cancer researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh are developing novel treatments for gliomas, a common type of brain tumor, through three projects funded by the NIH grant. The goal is to take these approaches from laboratory testing to clinical trials and improve treatment outcomes for patients.
A new neuroimaging study maps functional brain areas to improve cognitive skills before, during, and after brain tumour surgery. The study uses fMRI to localize important areas and preserve motor, sensory, and cognitive abilities.
Researchers found a correlation between smoking history and increased risk of aneurysm recanalization in patients treated with coil embolization. Cigarette smoking is the only factor consistently identified as a predisposition for cerebral aneurysms.
Researchers at Penn have engineered living human nerve cells into a network that can be transplanted to repair damaged nerves. The three-dimensional neural network, created through the stretch growth technique, maintained its geometry and function after transplantation.
A University of Cincinnati study found that new coiling devices are no more effective than traditional bare platinum coils in preventing brain aneurysm recurrence. The study analyzed 100 patients and found a higher rate of repeated treatments with the newer, more expensive coils.
Pak H. Chan receives the Thomas Willis Award for major contributions to stroke understanding, while S. Claiborne Johnston and Pooja Khatri receive awards for clinical stroke research and young investigator recognition respectively.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine used human embryonic stem cells to generate neural cells that helped repair damage in the brains of rats and improved their physical abilities. The study showed promising results, with the transplanted cells forming only three families of neural cells and not forming tumors.
A new minimally invasive surgery for craniosynostosis has been found to be just as effective in correcting the problem, with a quicker recovery time compared to the traditional procedure. The study followed 78 patients and showed promising results, including good facial features and successful neurological development.
A study found that the general public tends to support life-saving treatment for severely ill patients, whereas doctors are more reluctant due to concerns about quality of life. The majority of both groups agreed on administering pain relief and sedatives.
A new study found that deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the hypothalamus can evoke detailed autobiographical memories in a patient with morbid obesity. After three weeks of continuous stimulation, the patient showed significant improvements in learning tests and was more likely to remember unrelated objects.
A study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that simultaneous implantation of radioactive seeds and chemotherapy wafers following surgery improved patient survival rates for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients. The median survival was 69 weeks, with nearly a quarter of patients surviving two years.
A survey of top US hospitals found significant differences in guidelines for determining brain death, including variations in specialty requirements and examination procedures. The study highlights the need for revised guidelines to ensure consistency across institutions.
Researchers found that human auditory neurons can detect subtle frequency differences down to a tenth of an octave, surpassing other mammals. This sensitivity may be linked to musical skill and cognitive abilities such as working memory.
Dr. Ian F. Pollack, a neurosurgeon at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, has received a $150,000 grant from the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation to study a category of brain tumors not well understood in children. His research aims to identify molecular features that will enable doctors to tailor specific treatments for patients.
Researchers find that adenosine, a sleep-inducing brain chemical, plays a central role in deep brain stimulation's success. The technique disrupts abnormal nerve signals and alleviates symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease and other brain disorders.
Researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center have identified cancer stem cells as a potential cause of brain tumors. The study aims to develop more accurate and specific cancer diagnoses using these stem cells.
A recent study assesses global brain-computer interface (BCI) research, finding that BCI technologies are rapidly growing and approaching first-generation medical practice. The report predicts significant influence on the medical device industry and accelerated growth in non-medical arenas, including gaming and robotics.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill used high-tech helmets to measure g-force and find that hits above 80g do not always result in concussions, challenging conventional theories about mild traumatic brain injuries. The study advises against a one-size-fits-all rule for evaluating concussions.
A study by researchers at University Hospitals of Cleveland and Johns Hopkins University found that intraoperative MRI can help detect residual disease and modify surgical plans, leading to additional resections in 73% of cases. The added imaging time was approximately 35 minutes per case.
A new study from University Hospitals Case Medical Center found that Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) can reduce tic frequency and severity in some adults with refractory Tourette Syndrome, improving quality of life. The treatment was safe and showed promising results in a double-blind clinical trial.
A coalition of physicians from various medical specialties urges the expansion of catheter-based treatments for stroke, citing a shortage of trained physicians and limited use of clot-busting drugs. They propose adapting neuro-rescue skills to increase the number of available physicians for 24/7 treatment.
A study found that 21% of patients taking verapamil for cluster headaches experienced irregular heartbeats, while 37% had slower than normal heart rates. Close monitoring with electrocardiograms is recommended to mitigate potential heart problems.
A University of Pittsburgh study links changes in brain function to recovery in children and adolescents with concussions, using functional MRI scans. The findings confirm the importance of objective neuropsychological testing for safe return-to-play decisions.
Researchers found that transplanted stem cells triggered the brain's self-repair mechanisms by boosting nerve survival and blood vessel development. The study suggests that stem cells may be more effective at repairing damaged brain tissue than previously thought.
The University of Cincinnati has received a $1.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to research molecular treatment of brain injury. Dr. Kenneth Strauss will study eicosanoids, which can protect healthy brain cells from further damage.
A new pacemaker-like device has been developed to treat treatment-resistant depression, showing statistically significant improvements in mood and cognitive abilities. The research, led by James McInerney and Elana Farace, offers hope for millions of people affected by the debilitating disease.
Researchers identified a surprising trend in their study of 53 Ohio children with intracranial arterial aneurysms: most cases occurred spontaneously, without trauma or infection. This finding suggests unknown genetic factors, environmental exposures, or interaction between the two may predispose certain children to aneurysm development.
Researchers from Yale University and others report that injecting human neural stem cells into primates with severe Parkinson's disease improved symptoms such as tremors and motor function. The study found that the stem cells survived, migrated, and had a functional impact, suggesting a potential therapeutic value.
A miniature robot developed by Prof. Leo Joskowicz and his team enables precise targeting in neurosurgical procedures, reducing complications and improving patient outcomes. The system, which uses preoperative scans and real-time image guidance, has been recognized with a Kaye Innovation Award.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have successfully tracked human neural stem cells transplanted into the brains of rats, which migrated towards damaged areas and matured into functional neurons. The study used iron particles to track the cells in real-time, paving the way for potential human clinical trials.