A study found that nearly all US physicians in six high-risk specialties reported practicing defensive medicine, with common practices including ordering unnecessary tests and referring patients for consultation. Defensive medicine may reduce access to care and pose risks of physical harm, particularly in women's health.
The OHSU study found that ThinkFirst significantly improves knowledge of injury prevention among program participants, leading to a decline in traffic-related fatalities and injuries. The program has educated over 250,000 children on injury prevention since its inception in Oregon.
A new study suggests that ICD therapy can be beneficial for patients with recently diagnosed cardiomyopathy, reducing overall mortality risk. The findings support earlier implantation of ICDs in this patient population.
Researchers found that induced moderate hypothermia (32–33°C) is a safe therapeutic intervention for children with severe traumatic brain injury, reducing mortality and intracranial hypertension. The treatment protocol also showed potential to improve functional outcomes in young patients.
Researchers developed a classification system to treat thrombotic aneurysms, finding that one-third can be treated surgically with conventional clipping. The study also discovered that bypass and occlusion procedures yield more favorable results for unclippable aneurysms.
Researchers have genetically altered a herpes simplex virus to selectively target and kill malignant glioma cells, with promising results in mouse studies. The modified virus can extend the lives of animals with implanted human gliomas by several days.
A study published in Health Services Research found that patients with head injuries transferred from rural trauma centers to Level I trauma centers in Oregon and Washington had a 10% lower mortality risk. This improvement is attributed to the comprehensive care and training programs available at Level I centers.
A study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that golf-related head injuries in children increased by 15% between 1996 and 2002. The majority of these injuries occurred outside golf courses, highlighting the need for cautionary guidelines and safety training programs to prevent accidents.
A Penn State-led education program has significantly reduced incidents of shaken baby syndrome in western New York, resulting in a 47% decrease in cases. The program, which costs less than $10 per infant, provides critical information to parents at the time of birth and is designed to be implemented with minimal time and resources.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have identified a specific genetic variation associated with a 10-fold increased risk of a ruptured brain aneurysm. This discovery could lead to the development of a fast and inexpensive blood test to predict stroke risk, saving thousands of lives annually.
A study of surgically implanted electrodes in patients with refractory depression found significant clinical response in four out of six participants, with sustained improvement through six months. The technique involves high-frequency electrical stimulation to modulate brain activity in the subgenual cingulate region.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that treatment with recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) significantly reduces bleeding in brain, decreases mortality by nearly 40%, and reduces long-term disability for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The study showed a significant improvement in cli...
A new device study shows spinal cord injury patients experiencing some degree of functional recovery after six months, with improved sensation and motor function recorded at one year. The oscillating field stimulator device has been shown to promote nerve fiber regeneration, offering a potential treatment option for severe injuries.
Researchers developed a real-time patient dose-tracking system to prevent radiation-induced skin injuries. The system tracks radiation exposure on the skin, providing physicians with real-time visual feedback to adjust and minimize the risk of burns.
Researchers at Sick Kids confirm that cancer stem cells are responsible for initiating and growing brain tumors in a mouse model. This discovery opens the door for new therapeutic targets to conquer brain tumors.
Scientists at Vanderbilt University have discovered that low-intensity infrared laser light can spark specific nerves to life, exciting a leg or even individual toes without touching the nerve cells. The technique offers greater precision and accuracy than conventional electrical stimulation.
A new study reveals that iron deficiency in the brain's substantia nigra region may contribute to restless legs syndrome. Elevated levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were found in individuals with RLS, suggesting a link between cellular iron deficiency and dopamine regulation.
Researchers discovered that patients with medically intractable epilepsy may develop new adult brain cells post-operatively. This cell generation could be the cause of recurring seizures and provide a potential target for future treatment and prevention strategies.
Researchers found that mice with brain tumors treated with stem cells showed increased blood supply and decreased tumor growth, living on average 50 percent longer than untreated mice. The Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting presented this promising research.
A genetic predictive test identifies brain cancer patients who benefit from temozolomide, a targeted treatment. The study found a 46% survival rate for those with methylated MGMT promoter status.
Researchers at Penn State are part of a multi-institutional project studying restless legs syndrome (RLS), a condition characterized by creepy-crawly sensations in the legs. The study aims to explore treatment options and causes of RLS, including iron deficiency and FDA-approved pharmaceuticals.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center are exploring a new gene transfer technique that uses CERE-110 to deliver nerve growth factor to specific areas of the brain affected by Alzheimer's disease. The goal is to prevent cell death and reverse cell atrophy, which may have a widespread effect on the entire brain.
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School Medicine have induced axon growth rates of up to ten centimeters per week, defying previous understanding. The stretched axons maintained a normal internal structure and appeared invigorated by extreme growth, suggesting new mechanisms for neuronal physiology.
A five-year head-to-head trial of three common anti-epileptic drugs will enroll 439 children aged two to 13. The study aims to determine the best initial medicine for childhood absence epilepsy, which affects 10-15% of all epilepsy cases in children.
Researchers found that worms seek mates when alone but remain near food sources with potential mates. In cone-only retinas, rod bipolar neurons maintain their morphology and connectivity despite lacking rods, while remaining light-sensitive.
A phase III study uses IL13-PE38QQR, a hybrid protein that attaches to specific receptors on tumor cells, to target residual GBM brain tumors. The treatment, convection-enhanced delivery, facilitates infusion of the drug into the brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier.
Fluorescence spectroscopy can quickly and accurately discriminate between brain tumor and normal tissue, according to researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The technique analyzes biochemical and functional changes in cells, providing high diagnostic specificity.
A vaccine targeting cancer-related antigens in glioblastoma cells appears to prolong patient survival by a median of 103 weeks. The dendritic cell vaccine generated an immune response against these antigens, significantly improving survival rates compared to patients without the treatment.
A study by McGill scientists identifies a new function for the Runx1 gene in the development of hindbrain visceral motor nerve cells. These cells regulate internal environment stability and vital functions such as blood pressure and heart rate.
A recent study published in Neurosurgery found that administering clot-dissolving medication directly to the site of blockages resulted in a 50% success rate in reducing neurological disability, compared to 39% with IV treatment. The intra-arterial therapy showed better results in re-opening blood vessels and improving stroke outcomes.
The study established four principles of olfactory system development: without sensory activity there is no full maturation, a sensitive period influences organization maturation, sensitive periods occur at different times for different receptors, and glomeruli may be innervated by multiple nerves during early development.
Perfusion CT scans can reveal how much blood is present in the brain and how quickly it's moving, helping doctors decide on treatments such as surgery or clotbuster drugs. The technique has shown promise in assessing patients with stroke or carotid artery issues, potentially improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers at Yale University have developed a method to target specific populations of nerve cells in the brain using viruses. By injecting an adeno-associated virus into the brain, they can trigger the expression of a jellyfish gene that glows green in certain neurons. This approach has significant potential for the treatment of neu...
Researchers analyzed 770 seizure records to investigate the possible link between lunar phases and frequency of epileptic seizures. The study found that epileptic seizures were lowest during the full moon and highest in its last quarter.
A subset of neural stem cells has been identified as having the ability to track malignant brain tumors called gliomas. The researchers found that astrocytic progenitors express a chemokine receptor called CXCR4, which is attracted by stromal-cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) secreted by glioma cells.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have demonstrated the feasibility of brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) in humans, using arrays of electrodes to record brain signals and control external devices. The study showed that patients with Parkinson's disease and tremor disorders could use BMIs to play a hand-controlled video game.
Researchers at McGill University have identified 209 proteins involved in the cellular uptake process, shedding light on protein interactions and disease mechanisms. The study provides a comprehensive molecular inventory of clathrin-coated vesicles, with broad implications for various fields in biology and medicine.
Researchers infused decorin into spinal cord injury sites in rats, reducing inflammation and scar formation by 80-95%. This allowed nerve fibers to regrow across the injury site within four days.
The new centre will combine functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) to study brain processes involved in everyday mental tasks. Research at the centre may lead to improved treatments for conditions like strokes, multiple sclerosis, and schizophrenia.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital found that minocycline reduces later-stage tissue loss by blocking mitochondrial cytochrome c release, potentially improving quality of life for those with spinal cord injuries. The study suggests a novel post-trauma strategy using a safe, FDA-approved drug.
Researchers have discovered that a compound used to treat sepsis also protects vital brain cells from programmed cell death. The finding opens the possibility of creating a new compound with similar effects without increased bleeding side effects.
Researchers found that adult stem cells can repair nerves, but the process is slow and scar tissue hinders healing. The study suggests that manipulating stem cells and growth factors could stimulate nerve regeneration.
A new study suggests that angioplasty can significantly reduce the risk of stroke in patients with clogged brain arteries. The procedure, which uses a tiny balloon to open blocked vessels, has been shown to be more effective than medication alone in improving outcomes.
Researchers tested a cooling helmet on patients with severe ischemic stroke, finding that it preferentially cools the brain rapidly and profoundly. The study showed excellent functional recovery in younger patients but only 20% in elderly patients.
A new procedure, carotid artery angioplasty with stenting (CAS) with distal embolic protection (DEP), has shown zero neurological complications in a study involving 21 patients. The minimally invasive technique adapts techniques used to open heart vessels for brain arteries, significantly reducing risk of stroke and death compared to t...
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding the origin of pediatric brain tumors, finding that they may develop from cells with characteristics similar to neural stem cells. This new perspective on brain cancer could lead to improved diagnostic tests and treatments.
A recent study found that levels of newly produced CD8+ T lymphocytes, known as recent thymic emigrant (RTE) CD8+ T cells, are crucial in determining age-dependent mortality and outcome in brain tumor patients. High RTE CD8+ T cell levels were associated with improved patient response to immune therapy.
A study analyzing 62 movies across four continents found that epilepsy is often stereotyped, with males shown as violent and females as exotic and vulnerable. The dramatic potential of seizures may contribute to these portrayals.
Researchers found that anti-inflammatory drugs can help new neurons form in the hippocampus, a memory center damaged by radiation. The study suggests that these drugs could be used to prevent long-term brain damage after radiation therapy.
Researchers found that stem cells from human peripheral blood improved motor and cognitive performance in transplanted rats, with reduced brain damage in the affected areas. The study suggests that using these stem cells may be a viable treatment option for stroke patients.
The UK trial found no objective evidence that cannabis benefits people with multiple sclerosis, but a majority of patients reported improved symptoms. The study involved over 600 patients and assessed the effectiveness of cannabinoids in reducing muscle stiffness and improving overall wellbeing.
Researchers analyzed data from 18 states and found that high-volume hospitals for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) cases have significantly lower mortality rates. The study suggests that centralizing treatment in these high volume centers may improve patient survival.
A UCSF-led study found no evidence of trans-differentiation when bone marrow-derived cells fused with damaged tissue in mice, casting doubt on their potential as a treatment for brain and heart diseases. The researchers suggest that cell fusion might be a physiological mechanism for repairing damaged cells, but more research is needed.
A large-scale study of 560 patients with malignant gliomas suggests that surgical resection is a critical factor in improving survival rates and quality of life. The study found that younger, more active patients tend to benefit more from aggressive treatment, while age and overall health also play significant roles.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center are studying the link between brain cancer and air pollution, led by Dr. Keith Black. The study aims to determine whether exposure to toxic air pollutants can cause changes in brain tissue associated with brain cancer formation.
A long-term follow-up study found that deep brain stimulation on the subthalamic nucleus improved motor scores by an average of 48% and reduced medication requirements. Younger patients with advanced Parkinson's Disease experienced sustained improvement in motor function for up to two years.
The STEPS study evaluates the safety and efficacy of Spheramine, a cell therapy that produces levodopa to enhance dopamine production in the brain. The study aims to provide a new method for Parkinson's patients to achieve continuous control of motor function.
Brain tumours are difficult to cure despite advances in surgery and drug treatments. Researchers have identified a cancer stem cell that drives tumour growth, leading them to design therapies targeting these cells., The discovery sheds light on metastases and may lead to new targets for brain tumour therapy.
A team of researchers used a computer game to study human navigation, identifying distinct brain cells responsible for spatial mapping (place cells) and goal-directed behavior (goal cells). The study demonstrates that humans use both visual and cognitive processes to navigate their environment.
The American Chemical Society is honoring a high school chemistry teacher for his exceptional mentoring skills and commitment to the ACS Scholars Program. The program has provided scholarships to 28 students from Puerto Rico who took Mr. Fonseca's chemistry class, with some going on to win national awards.