Athletes who experience repeated impacts to the head may be at risk of neurological and psychiatric problems. A study of 450 students found that the way concussions are diagnosed varies greatly and may not accurately determine who is at risk.
A study of 486,000 head impacts in 450 athletes found that concussions diagnosed by trainers had a wide range of symptoms and symptoms onset times. The authors highlight the heterogeneity in concussion diagnoses and emphasize the need for further investigation to determine predictors of long-term risks.
Researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute and Arizona State University have made a breakthrough in understanding why brain tumors are difficult to treat. The study reveals that the immune system behaves differently in different regions of the brain, including tumors, leading to potential limitations in effective treatment.
A virtual reality simulator called NeuroTouch provides neurosurgery trainees with valuable opportunities to practice essential skills and techniques for brain cancer surgery. The system uses 3-D graphics and haptic technology to simulate common tasks and tools, allowing surgeons to practice basic surgical skills.
A nationwide hospital database analysis found no significant difference in the risk of death for operations performed in July compared to all other months. The complication rate was also similar, with rates ranging from 1.4% to 7.2%. The results suggest that there is no 'July phenomenon' affecting neurosurgical risks.
A study published in Neurosurgery found that women with moyamoya disease are at higher risk of adverse outcomes, including stroke, after surgical treatment. Despite this, both men and women experience significant improvements in health and functioning after surgery.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that multifocal glioblastoma patients have significantly shorter overall survival compared to those with single tumors, even when treated with the same therapies. Median overall survival for multifocal patients was six months, while single-tumor patients survived 11 months.
Scientists at UCLA and the Technion have identified two brain regions that encode vowel pronunciation. The discovery may lead to new technology that verbalizes unspoken words of people paralyzed by injury or disease.
Scientists at UCLA and the Technion have unraveled how our brain cells encode vowel pronunciation in speech. They found two distinct areas in the brain responsible for this process, one responding to all vowels and another firing exclusively for specific vowels.
A new experimental immune-based therapy has more than doubled median survival of patients diagnosed with the most aggressive malignant brain tumor. The vaccine targets six antigens involved in glioblastoma cell development and shows promise in attacking cancer stem cells.
A study published in Therapeutic Hypothermia and Temperature Management found that therapeutic hypothermia can limit the devastating consequences of brain injury after cardiac arrest. The survey results show a wide variation in patient selection criteria for therapeutic hypothermia across New Jersey hospitals.
A study at McGill University Health Centre found that caffeine improved motor symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease by increasing speed of movement and reducing stiffness. Larger-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore caffeine as a treatment option.
A new probe developed at Norris Cotton Cancer Center and Dartmouth College helps surgeons differentiate between cancerous tissue and normal tissue in low-grade tumors. The probe reads how light travels through tissue, producing a straightforward answer as to whether the tissue is cancerous.
A study found that higher population density of neurosurgeons in the US is associated with lower mortality rates from motor vehicle accidents, which are often caused by traumatic brain injuries. Rural areas tend to experience more MVA-related deaths due to slower medical response times and reduced access to trauma resources.
The study found that while initial results of 2-level axial lumbar interbody fusion were promising, complications arose within 2 years, including screw breakage and rod detachment. Solid spinal fusion was achieved in only 8% of patients at 24 months postoperatively.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed a novel system to monitor real-time chemical changes in the brain using fast scan cyclic voltammetry and wireless neurochemical sensing. This technology can help treat brain disorders by adjusting neurotransmitter levels, reducing symptoms such as tremors.
Researchers found that a diet enriched with DHA and curcumin preserved walking ability in rats with spinal-cord injury, while a Western diet caused measurable walking problems. The study suggests that dietary supplements may help repair nerve cells and maintain neurological function after degenerative damage to the neck.
Researchers found that a diet enriched with DHA and curcumin can protect the injured spinal cord and minimize clinical and biochemical effects of myelopathy in rats. The combination reduces inflammation, provides structural material to plasma membranes, and produces strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Researchers used deep brain stimulation to treat binge eating in mice and found a significant reduction in consumption of high-fat food. The study suggests that deep brain stimulation may be an effective therapy for obesity by modulating activity of neurons expressing the type 2 dopamine receptor.
Researchers discovered that the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) optimizes behavioral responses by predicting task difficulty. The study used a complex task to evaluate dACC function, revealing that the structure speeds up responses when difficulty levels are constant but slows down response time when faced with changing demands.
The overall winner of the Wellcome Image Awards is a visceral photograph of a living human brain, showcasing its beauty and fragility. The image, taken during a surgical procedure to treat epilepsy, highlights the importance of medical photography in helping doctors make diagnoses.
A team of researchers has discovered that a part of the brain, known as the frontopolar cortex, plays a critical role in making short-term predictions about what will happen next. This region helps individuals make decisions in rapidly changing environments by learning from past experiences and anticipating future events.
Johns Hopkins researchers discovered a cellular mechanism driving meningioma growth and progression. The study identified the activation of YAP1 protein in nuclei as a crucial step in tumorigenesis, suggesting new treatment targets.
Research by Dr. Avery Nathens found that seriously injured car accident victims are 30% more likely to survive at least 48 hours if taken directly to a trauma centre. However, fewer than half of those injured in Ontario are taken directly to a trauma centre.
A study in Neurosurgery found that surgeons with low experience (less than 4 procedures/year) have higher complication rates for spinal stenosis surgery. Hospital volume was unrelated to complication rates, suggesting individual surgeon expertise is key.
The University of Louisville has received a $6.3 million grant to develop technology to help paralyzed people regain movement in their limbs, with the goal of improving quality of life. Researchers aim to advance research and treatment options for individuals with spinal cord injuries.
A study published in Neurosurgery found that surgical and nonsurgical treatment for C2 fractures in older adults resulted in similar short- and long-term outcomes, including mortality rates and complication rates. The researchers analyzed the outcomes of 56 older adults treated for C2 fractures over a ten-year period.
A new surgical technique has restored some hand function to a quadriplegic patient with a spinal cord injury, allowing for basic independence. The procedure involves rerouting working nerves in the upper arms and can potentially benefit patients with C6 and C7 spinal cord injuries.
A new UCLA study reveals that a high-fructose diet can slow the brain and impair memory and learning. However, adding omega-3 fatty acids to the diet may help minimize this damage.
A 71-year-old man regained partial thumb and finger movement after undergoing nerve transfer surgery to bypass a cervical spinal cord injury. The procedure, described as reducing the severity of the injury by placing healthy motor nerves close to damaged ones, took less time than traditional repair methods.
A small phase I study suggests that deep brain stimulation, a therapy used for Parkinson's and depression, may increase neuronal activity in people with mild Alzheimer's disease. The treatment showed promising effects on brain function, including sustained increases in glucose metabolism.
Researchers have discovered that the NKCC1 protein may hold key to understanding how glioblastoma, the deadliest type of brain cancer, moves and invades healthy brain tissue. Blocking NKCC1 with a cheap FDA-approved drug slows movement of glioblastoma cells, suggesting a potential new approach to treat this aggressive cancer.
Researchers have discovered that NKCC1 protein facilitates the movement of glioblastoma cells, which are notoriously aggressive and deadly. The study also suggests that a cheap FDA-approved drug, bumetanide, could slow cell migration and contain tumor spread.
Researchers have discovered that immune cells in the brain use a two-tier approach to combat infections, sending signals to neighboring cells while focusing their attack on infected cells. This finding may help researchers develop new treatments for brain tumors and autoimmune diseases.
A new study from UCSF found that brain surgery for epilepsy has not increased in the decade since a landmark clinical trial demonstrated its effectiveness. Despite this, thousands of Americans suffer from uncontrolled seizures each year, highlighting disparities by race and insurance status.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have developed a new device called mechanical tissue resuscitation (MTR) that uses negative pressure to reduce cell death and improve brain function after traumatic brain injury. The technology showed significant promise in reducing brain swelling and preserving more than 50% of damaged...
Researchers found carotid endarterectomy to be a safe, less expensive treatment option for certain patients at risk for stroke. Mayo Clinic neurosurgeons also present findings on intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas and giant aneurysms using flow diversion.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is funding a study to examine the effects of sports-related concussions on student-athletes over their college careers and beyond. The study aims to identify factors that contribute to later problems, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, in order to minimize risks.
Research finds astrocytes play a key role in reducing electrical signals, influencing neuron firing and synaptic fidelity. The discovery offers new insights into diseases like epilepsy, schizophrenia, and ADHD.
A recent study published in PloS ONE suggests that immediate skull reconstruction following traumatic brain injury can exacerbate brain damage. In contrast, delaying surgical repair for two days resulted in reduced secondary brain swelling and damage in animal models.
A Cardiff University team has secured funding to develop a new surgical simulator that accurately reproduces the effects of cutting in real time. The project, led by Professor Stéphane Bordas, aims to reduce risk to neurosurgery patients and aid training worldwide.
Researchers developed a noninvasive imaging technique using magnetic resonance spectroscopy to detect 2-hydroxyglutarate, a chemical produced by some brain tumors' warped metabolism. The technique can predict the presence of IDH1/2 mutations with 98% accuracy and may help doctors tailor treatment plans.
University of Michigan researchers lead a longitudinal study on concussions and sports, aiming to create unprecedented data on brain health. The study will follow athletes through their lifetime, monitoring the long-term effects of head injuries.
A case report reveals the devastating consequences of dabigatran-induced brain hemorrhage, emphasizing the importance of rapid assessment and intervention after minor head trauma in patients taking anticoagulant medications. The study's findings underscore the need for medical providers to be aware of this high-risk complication.
A study published in PLoS One found that surgery less than 24 hours after a traumatic cervical spine injury leads to reduced neural tissue destruction and improved clinical outcomes. The research, known as the Surgical Timing in Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study (STASCIS), involved 313 patients with spinal cord injuries.
A study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that aggressive treatment of severe traumatic brain injury results in better patient outcomes and is cost-effective across all age groups. Aggressive care outperformed routine care, while comfort care had poor outcomes and high costs.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers finds that aggressive treatment for severe traumatic brain injuries significantly improves outcomes and reduces long-term costs. The study suggests that invasive interventions like ICP monitoring and decompressive craniotomies are cost-effective across all patient populations, inclu...
A University of Alberta research team discovered that ozone-treated water can eradicate infectious proteins from cattle brain matter, providing a potential solution for decontaminating wastewater and sterilizing neurosurgical equipment. This breakthrough technique offers improved prion removal methods in meat processing plants and surg...
A powerful new imaging technique called High Definition Fiber Tracking (HDFT) has been developed to clearly see for the first time neural connections broken by traumatic brain injury. HDFT scans have identified disruptions in neural pathways, allowing researchers to pinpoint breaks in the cables and quantify the proportion of fibers lost.
Researchers at Emory University identified a new function for p14 ARF, a gene that normally prevents cancer. The protein regulates tumor-induced angiogenesis, attracting new blood vessels to growing tumors. Restoring p14 ARF interferes with this process, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.
Governor John R. Kasich joined medical researchers to discuss how the faster network speeds will help enhance innovation, collaboration and grant competitiveness. The new 100 Gbps network will enable remote evaluation and monitoring of patients' clinical status, facilitate research collaborations and transmit large data files efficiently.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have discovered that dorsal root ganglion neurons can create thick, healthy nerves without provoking an immune response. This breakthrough could lead to better treatment options for the over 350,000 patients with serious nerve injuries in the US each year.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai are exploring new treatments for Alzheimer's disease by targeting the immune system and amyloid plaques in the brain. The goal is to identify drugs that can stimulate macrophages to clean up these plaques, allowing brain regeneration.
Researchers found that padding reduced linear impact dosages, but did not eliminate rotational injury risk. They also discovered a heightened risk of brain strain injury in both boxing and MMA, despite padding, emphasizing the need for improved protective measures.
Researchers at UCLA have found that stimulating a critical junction in the brain can improve memory in human patients. The study focuses on the entorhinal cortex, which plays a crucial role in transforming daily experiences into lasting memories.
Researchers found that downregulation of CD97 gene expression by suppressing Wilms tumor 1 protein results in reduced cellular invasiveness exhibited by glial tumor cells, correlating with glioma cell invasiveness and proposed as a new target for anti-glioma therapies.
Research from Cleveland Clinic found that padded headgear and gloves can reduce linear impact forces but not rotational forces. The study suggests that young fighters should wear protective headgear whenever possible to minimize head and neck injuries.
The experimental drug clazosentan reduced the risk of blood vessel spasm in patients with a brain aneurysm. Patients on higher doses of the drug experienced a significant reduction in vasospasm-related complications, including neurological deficits and respiratory issues.
Researchers at UCSF are sequencing the DNA of 4,000 people with various forms of epilepsy in a bid to identify the genetic causes of the disease. The study, funded by a $25-million grant, will also explore ways to treat people with epilepsy and uncover new patterns of genetics.
A UCSF team has developed methods to reveal a molecular marker in tissue samples from brain tumors that has been linked to better survival odds. Monitoring this marker could provide doctors with a better way to follow their patients after surgery and assess how they respond to recommended treatments.