A new microscope-integrated OCT system has been developed to identify tumor margins during brain surgery, providing high-resolution images of subsurface anatomy. The system has shown promising results in clinical studies, with the potential to improve outcomes for neurosurgery procedures.
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery analyzed 333 slap fighting competitions and found that more than half of sequences resulted in visible signs of concussion. The research also showed that nearly 80% of fighters demonstrated a visible sign of concussion at least once in the series of matches.
USC Keck School of Medicine has received a $12.5 million gift from Jerre Stead to support neurological surgery innovation and entrepreneurship. Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol, a renowned neurosurgeon, has joined the faculty, bringing his education and innovation platform, Neurosurgical Atlas.
A new study reveals that a third of glioma cells, a type of brain tumor, fire electrical impulses. These hybrid cells combine features of neurons and glia, challenging the long-held notion that only neurons generate electric signals in the brain.
A new blood-based assay has been developed to detect IDH1.R132H-mutant gliomas with a high sensitivity of 75.0% and specificity of 88.7%. This minimally invasive test can monitor disease progression and response to treatment without the need for a biopsy.
A new study published in the Stroke journal found that people with brain aneurysms are at higher risk of developing mental health conditions, including anxiety. The study, which analyzed data from over 85,000 people, found that younger adults were particularly vulnerable to this increased risk.
A study published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry suggests that psychological wellbeing noticeably declines 2-6 years before mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnosis. Key findings include lower levels of purpose and personal growth among participants with MCI, even without apparent cognitive impairment.
A study published in Cell Reports found that Western classical music elicits positive effects on the brain by synchronizing neural oscillations between the auditory cortex and rewards circuit. Patients with treatment-resistant depression who received high music appreciation showed better antidepressant effects, while those with low mus...
Researchers discovered that serotonin-producing neurons slow tumor growth by regulating histone serotonylation, while other neural circuits promote tumor growth. Restoring neurotransmitter levels also slows down tumor progression.
A breakthrough in brain-computer interfaces allows a patient to communicate using only the power of thought. The study, led by Dr. Ariel Tankus, enables individuals with paralysis to signal 'yes' and 'no' through electrical signals in their brain.
Researchers have developed a minimally invasive surgical technique to remove lesions in the skull base region, reducing damage to the brain and preserving neurological functions. The endoscopic approach results in shorter operative times and less blood loss compared to conventional microscopic surgery.
The study aims to understand the activation of the internal clock that regulates body processes in cluster headache patients. Researchers found a new circadian pattern of pain in a laboratory headache mouse model, which disappeared when clock genes were genetically altered.
Researchers developed a rapid genotyping test for patients with central nervous system lesions, detecting key mutations associated with brain cancers in samples taken during a lumbar puncture. The test eliminated the need for surgical brain biopsies in seven cases and significantly accelerated time to treatment, from an average of 12 d...
The HKU Engineering team has developed an interactive multi-stage robotic positioner for MRI-guided stereotactic neurosurgery. The system enables precise interventions with a precision error of less than 3mm, demonstrating immense potential for integration into clinical practice.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a synthetic molecule that mimics the effects of compounds in the saliva of blood-sucking critters, providing a dual-action anti-clotting function. The new molecule can be swiftly reversed, enabling clotting to resume when needed after treatment.
Researchers at University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new method for developing immunotherapy drugs using engineered peptides. The approach improved tumor control and prolonged survival in preclinical models of breast cancer.
A study of 360 adult moyamoya disease patients found that high glutamine levels are positively correlated with an increased risk of stroke. Manipulation of Integrin Subunit Beta 4 and atorvastatin were reported to alleviate the glutamine-induced EndMT, offering potential new therapeutic approaches for MMD.
Researchers discovered a group of neurons that help coordinate brain focus and storage functions for short-term information retention. These 'category' and 'phase-amplitude coupling' (PAC) neurons work together to enhance recall, offering new insights into Alzheimer's and ADHD treatments.
Researchers at the University of Rochester are developing a multimodal, non-invasive method to study the brain's physiology and reduce neurological issues associated with ECMO therapy. The technique uses electroencephalography, diffuse correlation spectroscopy, and evoked potentials to monitor blood flow and neural activity in the brain.
Researchers used a novel microscopy technique to image human brain tissue with unprecedented detail, revealing new cells and structures previously invisible. The method could help diagnose tumors, generate more accurate prognoses, and guide treatment decisions.
A recent study published in World Neurosurgery found that the use of a 3D exoscope in spinal surgery resulted in more favorable outcomes for patients, including shorter hospital stays and operating room times. The device allows for increased visualization during procedures, leading to fewer errors and better patient outcomes.
A recent study reveals the importance of brain hubs in neural networks and their rapid compensation when lost. The researchers obtained direct recordings of human brain activity before and after surgically disconnecting a critical language hub.
A recent study led by Stanford Medicine researchers found that national lung cancer screening guidelines are less effective for African Americans than whites. An alternative risk-based method showed better results in eliminating disparities among races. The disparities persist despite guideline revisions implemented in 2021.
Researchers at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center are testing a novel diagnosis and treatment combination for painful diabetic neuropathy using spinal cord stimulation and small fiber nerve activity measurement. The approach has the potential to provide effective pain relief and potentially reverse neuropathy reversal.
The WVU School of Medicine and Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources will support clinical trials and engineering technology development. The project aims to improve care and rehabilitation for people with neurological disorders through novel physician-engineer programs and human research.
In a phase I trial, an oncolytic virus treatment designed by Brigham researchers extended survival among patients with recurrent glioblastoma, especially those with pre-existing viral antibodies. The therapy reshaped the tumor's surrounding environment to stimulate an anti-tumor immune response.
Researchers have pinpointed the molecular mechanism by which a large portion of BRCA1 mutations cause cancers in women. The study found that the E3 ligase activity of BRCA1 is crucial in several stages of DNA repair and tumor suppression, reinterpreting previous findings.
Researchers have developed a noninvasive brain biopsy technique using ultrasound and microbubbles to access brain tissue without surgery. The technique increases circulating tumor DNA by 1.6- to 5.6-fold, providing valuable genetic information for treatment decisions.
Researchers discovered age-related differences in how the liver filters the bloodstream, affecting nanomedicine distribution and effectiveness. Younger livers are more efficient at filtering out toxins but also filter out beneficial treatments.
UTHealth Houston researchers have developed a new mouse model for brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) that will be presented at the NIH meeting. The research explored how humoral immune mediators interact with cells surrounding the AVM and found insights into finding therapeutic methods.
A new study from the University of Michigan Department of Neurosurgery and Rogel Cancer Center shows promising early results that a therapy combining cell-killing and immune-stimulating drugs are safe and effective in extending survival for patients with gliomas, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. The treatment improved survival...
Researchers found that individuals with higher body mass indexes have impaired connections between the hippocampus and hypothalamus, leading to an inability to control eating habits. The study suggests that targeting this brain circuit may lead to new treatments for obesity and related disordered eating conditions.
Researchers at Penn State have received a $2 million NIH grant to develop high-throughput spheroid (HTS) bioprinting technology, which can quickly fabricate scalable, native tissues. The technology has the potential to repair bone in sensitive places like the skull and could be used for implantation, research, or disease modeling.
Research from UTHealth Houston reveals that different brain regions are engaged when processing simple versus complex melodies and sentences. The study used intracranial electrodes to map brain activity during music and language tasks, finding shared temporal lobe activity but distinct sensitivities to melodic and syntactic complexity.
A study published in Neurosurgery found that surgical stabilization of odontoid fractures is associated with better outcomes, including lower rates of nonunion, myelopathy, and mortality. The study used propensity score analysis to compare surgical stabilization with nonoperative treatment and found significant benefits in both surviva...
Duke researchers discovered a new approach to CRISPR RNA variants that can specifically target challenging areas of DNA for editing. This improvement enables the repair of mutations associated with more diseases, leading to safer and more effective gene editing therapy.
Research suggests that glioblastoma cells possess large-scale coordination, allowing them to respond unison to therapies. Disrupting this organization may result in more powerful treatments for brain tumors.
Researchers found that obese patients with mild traumatic brain injuries had higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers and prolonged symptoms compared to those with healthy body mass indexes. The study suggests that obesity may mediate the inflammatory response and symptoms in mTBI patients.
Researchers have developed a therapy using nanocarriers engineered from adult skin cells that curb inflammation and tissue injury in damaged mouse lungs. The treatment has shown promise for treating acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a condition that leads to respiratory failure and puts patients on ventilators.
Scientists from Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a new immuno-therapeutic approach using twin stem cells that can target brain metastatic melanomas. The therapy, which uses an engineered 'twin stem cell model,' activates the immune system to suppress tumor growth and prolong survival in representative preclinical models.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have developed a new blood test that can measure biomarkers in the blood before and after neurosurgery, correlating with the extent of brain injury. The study found that high levels of certain markers may indicate damage that could cause cognitive problems for patients in the long term.
A Phase I/II clinical trial combining intratumoral delivery of an engineered oncolytic virus with subsequent immunotherapy improved survival outcomes in a subset of patients with recurrent glioblastoma. The study demonstrated the combination was well-tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxicities.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that neuronal activity is necessary and sufficient for astrocyte development into a bushy-shaped cell. The team discovered that neurons produce GABA, which binds to astrocytes via the GABA B receptor, promoting their maturation.
A multicenter international study found that medical management is a viable alternative to surgery for patients with pituitary apoplexy. The study compared outcomes in 97 patients with the condition and found no significant difference between surgical and nonsurgical treatment options.
A multicenter study found stereotactic radiosurgery to be highly effective in controlling vestibular schwannoma growth in NF2 patients while maintaining serviceable hearing. The procedure was also shown not to cause radiation-related tumor development or malignant transformation, addressing long-standing concerns.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston identified two brain networks involved in reading, working together to integrate word meanings. The study used electroencephalography recordings from patients with epilepsy to measure neural activity while reading complex sentences.
A study published in Brain found that disconnecting nerve pathways in the brain can lead to improved seizure freedom in patients with frontal lobe epilepsy. The research, involving 47 patients, revealed that cutting these connections resulted in 88% of patients being seizure-free after three years.
Dominique Higgins and his team found that a specialized diet can induce ferroptosis, a type of cell death, in glioblastoma cells, making chemotherapy drugs more effective. This approach has shown promise in animal models and is being explored as a potential treatment for brain tumors.
A new focused ultrasound treatment has been shown to improve dyskinesia and motor impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease. The study, led by UNC School of Medicine researchers, found that 69% of patients who underwent the treatment experienced a response, compared to 32% of those in the control group.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston received $15 million in NIH BRAIN grants to study brain processes related to speech, epilepsy, and reading. A new minimally invasive device will be developed to record brain activity during speech, while another project aims to disrupt seizures using neuromodulation.
Researchers found that social isolation triggers astrocyte-mediated deficits in learning and memory due to hyperactive astrocytes suppressing brain circuit function. Inhibiting astrocyte hyperactivity reversed cognitive deficits, suggesting a new role for astrocytes in brain physiology.
A team of researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that glioma-related epilepsy is driven by IGSF3-mediated potassium dysregulation. This disruption leads to seizure activity, which favors disease progression. The study used human patients and animal models to confirm the findings.
A new study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine has demonstrated altered dopamine signals in the brain's striatum region related to counterfactual information and relief. Dopamine levels were lower in participants with a history of alcohol use disorder, suggesting impaired decision-making processes.
Bonn researchers create micropipette-based local perfusion of capillaries to analyze BBB transport at the cellular level, providing insights into epilepsy and drug development. The approach reveals the barrier's integrity remains largely intact, offering a tool for evaluating active ingredients' brain penetration.
Researchers found that patients diagnosed with behavioral-variant frontotemporal dementia may have a cerebrospinal fluid leak, which can be treated. The study discovered CSF-venous fistulas in nine patients, who had their symptoms reversed after surgical closure.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine discovered a gene, ZMYND8, that contributes to the survival of mutant IDH1 glioma cells in response to radiation. Knocking out ZMYND8 renders the cells radiosensitive, offering a new therapeutic avenue for patients.
Researchers at University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center develop a novel mRNA delivery system using extracellular vesicles, which can initiate collagen production in cells and has potential for other mRNA therapies
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a dual-action cell therapy approach to eliminate established tumors and induce long-term immunity. The vaccine, engineered using CRISPR-Cas9, is designed to kill tumor cells and stimulate the immune system to destroy primary tumors and prevent cancer recurrence.
Researchers found that Black patients were more likely to be recommended against surgical removal of their brain tumors, regardless of tumor size or socioeconomic status. The study provides a basis for future research on racial bias in clinical decision-making and its impact on patient outcomes.
Researchers developed a mouse model of pediatric glioma with a histone mutation called H3.3-G34, revealing a promising outlook for long-term survival through radiation therapy combined with small-molecule inhibitors. The treatment approach also showed immune memory, allowing mice to eliminate new tumor growth without additional treatment.