Researchers analyzed data from over 18,000 patients to find more than two dozen genetic risk factors involved in Parkinson's disease, including six previously unknown. The study confirms that the more variants a person has, the greater their risk of developing the disorder.
Researchers have discovered that invading glioblastoma cells hijack cerebral blood vessels to extract nutrients, damaging the brain's protective barrier and potentially leading to new cancer treatments. This finding could enable earlier delivery of anti-invasive agents to attack tumor cells.
Researchers used X-ray crystallography to study how tubulin acetyltransferase (TAT) interacts with microtubules, revealing that TAT only labels stable microtubules. This discovery may help cells distinguish between stable and unstable microtubules, influencing nerve cell health and behavior.
Researchers discovered that people with a variant of the longevity gene KLOTHO have improved brain skills, such as thinking and learning, which decreases with age. Increasing KLOTHO levels in mice may boost cognitive abilities by strengthening connections between nerve cells.
A clinical study of 158 patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) found that combining Copaxone with estriol improved symptom reduction by 12 months, but the effect waned over time. The results suggest a potential benefit to supplementing Copaxone therapy with estrogen.
Astrocytes are support cells for neurons that provide nutrients and signaling molecules. A new mouse study reveals that astrocytes listen in on neuronal activity only during large bursts of activation, triggering a response with increased calcium levels.
A study funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke found that mutations in the LRRK2 gene may cause excessive protein production, leading to cell death. This could provide a new target for monitoring Parkinson's disease and developing therapies.
Researchers found that the C9orf72 mutation alters DNA shape, leading to cell death and abnormal protein processing. The mutation also affects nucleolin, a key protein involved in stress response, causing cells to become stressed and die.
The NIH has selected eight projects to study the long-term effects of repeated head injuries and develop more accurate concussion diagnoses. The partnership between the NIH and the NFL aims to reduce the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in athletes and military personnel.
A study in mice reveals that breakdown of brain blood vessels may amplify problems associated with Alzheimer's disease. Pericytes, a type of blood vessel cell, may provide novel targets for treatments and diagnoses.
The NIH Stroke Trials Network, or NIH StrokeNet, aims to address the three prongs of stroke research: prevention, treatment, and recovery. The network will fund and manage 25 regional centers, each with a team representing every medical specialty needed for stroke care.
A newly developed mouse trauma model reveals that the brain's protective coverings feel the brunt of even mild traumatic brain injuries. Researchers discovered a similar immune response in patients with mild head injury, suggesting a new potential treatment approach.
Researchers used RNA interference to identify dozens of genes that may regulate mitochondrial disposal, opening new drug targets for Parkinson's and related disorders. Four helper genes were found to enhance or inhibit tagging of damaged mitochondria.
A NIH-funded study found that a therapy combining medication and lifestyle changes is more effective than surgically implanted stents at preventing recurrent stroke. The novel approach resulted in lower stroke rates and improved blood pressure and lipid levels among participants.
A new study funded by NIH suggests that sleep plays a crucial role in removing toxic molecules from the brain, which can contribute to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. The glymphatic system, a plumbing system in the brain, is found to open during sleep, allowing fluid to flow rapidly and clearing out toxins.
Researchers used brain scans to find an anatomical marker for chronic pain in the brain, which may lead to changes in treatment. The study found a consistent difference in white matter between subjects who recovered and those with persistent pain.
A recent study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that birth defects and poor fetal growth are the most common risk factors for cerebral palsy and infant death. The research suggests that these risk factors, rather than asphyxial birth events, may contribute to the development of cerebral palsy and infant mortality.
A new study suggests that zebrafish carrying a Scn1a mutation can serve as a model for Dravet syndrome, allowing researchers to quickly identify potential treatments. The study found that clemizole, an FDA-approved drug, was effective in inhibiting seizure activity in the mutant fish.
A genetic study of childhood epilepsies has discovered two new genes associated with severe forms of the disease. The study used exome sequencing to identify disease-causing gene mutations and found an unusually large number of mutations, providing a wealth of information for epilepsy research.
Researchers have successfully used a new class of genetically engineered proteins, called genetically encoded fluorescent voltage indicators (GEVIs), to monitor nerve cell electricity in live brains. These proteins enable researchers to watch brain cells spark and fire while the flies were awakening and smelling.
The NIH has launched three new projects to develop therapeutics for Fragile X syndrome, nicotine addiction, and age-related macular degeneration. Researchers aim to create novel treatments using cutting-edge science to address debilitating disorders.
Researchers found that the presence of stationary power plants at synapses controls the stability of nerve signal strength, while rapid mitochondrial movement causes fluctuating signals. This discovery may advance our understanding of human neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers found that adenosine-releasing silk implants can reduce DNA methylation levels in the brain and prevent the progression of epilepsy. The study suggests that the implants could be used to prevent seizures after head trauma or following conventional surgery.
A NIH-funded study found that rapidly removing defective proteins can help protect brain cells from death. Researchers developed a new technique to track protein turnover in neurons, revealing differences in how individual cells handle proteins. This discovery may lead to improved treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study published in the journal Stroke found that regularly exercising to break a sweat lowers stroke risk. The study of over 27,000 participants showed that those who exercised four or more times a week had a 20% lower risk of stroke compared to those who were inactive.
Researchers found two distinct strains of alpha-synuclein that promote different patterns of misfolding, leading to unique sets of symptoms in neurodegenerative disorders. The study suggests that different structural shapes of the protein may contribute to co-occurrence of synuclein and tau accumulations in certain brain diseases.
Researchers found that small increases in cardiovascular health scores, even by just one point, significantly reduced the risk of stroke over a five-year period. This study highlights the importance of maintaining good cardiovascular health in preventing strokes.
Researchers at the University of California at San Francisco have made a breakthrough in treating epilepsy by transplanting new inhibitory nerve cells into the brains of adult mice. This innovative approach has shown promising results in reducing seizure occurrence and reversing associated learning and memory problems.
Researchers used Botox to discover a novel role for SNARE molecules in nerve cell signaling, linking fusion and retrieval processes. The findings have broad implications for understanding neuronal communication and diseases, including epilepsy and schizophrenia.
Researchers have created a new genetically engineered rat model that closely represents the brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease, including tau pathology and extensive neuronal cell death. The rats developed memory and learning problems with age, supporting the idea that increases in beta-amyloid causes the disease.
A recent NIH-funded study found that using advanced imaging shortly after an acute ischemic stroke did not identify a subgroup of patients who could benefit from clot removal procedures. The study, MR RESCUE, tested an invasive clot removal strategy in patients with large clots blocking major brain arteries.
A randomized controlled trial involving 656 patients found that intra-arterial device-based approach plus standard drug therapy did not improve functional independence after 90 days. Intra-arterial therapy was more effective at removing clots and re-establishing blood flow, but it did not lead to improved disability.
A training program to adjust motor reflexes may help individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries walk more efficiently. The study found that participants who could suppress hyperactive reflexes experienced significant improvements in their walking speed and gait symmetry.
The NIH has launched a collaborative effort to find biomarkers for Parkinson's disease, which could help predict, diagnose, or monitor the condition. Researchers are exploring various approaches, including non-invasive imaging and protein analysis, to identify potential biomarkers that could improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers find that leakage of fibrinogen into the central nervous system activates immune cells called microglia, leading to nerve damage. Targeting the interaction between fibrinogen and microglia may be an effective alternative for treating multiple sclerosis.
A nine-year follow-up study found that women with migraines did not exhibit declining cognitive abilities, unlike previous research suggesting a link between migraine and impaired cognition. Brain changes associated with bright spots on MRI scans were present in both men and women with migraines.
The NIH-sponsored workshop recommends that preclinical animal studies be reported with more detail, including randomization and data handling, to improve replicability and interpretation. This aims to funnel promising therapies to patients more efficiently.
The Aspirin-clopidogrel trial found that the combination did not offer significant benefits for stroke prevention in patients with lacunar strokes. Instead, it increased the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Meanwhile, overall stroke risk has decreased by more than three-fold over the past decade.
A new study by NIH researchers reveals that lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi) cells contribute to multiple sclerosis, and daclizumab appears to reduce their numbers. The drug also activates natural killer cells, which counteract autoimmunity.
Researchers identified gene mutations in profilin that affect nerve cell structure and growth, shedding light on how ALS destroys cells. The study provides a new piece of the puzzle in understanding ALS mechanisms, supporting existing studies on cell cytoskeleton disruptions.
Researchers derived iPS cells from patients with genetic forms of Parkinson's and found common signs of distress in neurons, including abnormalities in mitochondria. The cells' responses to treatments depended on the type of Parkinson's each patient had.
Researchers have shown that microglia in the brain target and remove unused connections between brain cells during normal development. The study highlights the newly found importance of the immune system in shaping brain wiring.
A paralyzed woman was able to sip from a drink on her own for the first time in nearly 15 years using a thought-controlled robotic arm. The BrainGate neural interface system, which records brain signals and turns them into digital commands, showed significant promise in clinical trials.
A new study funded by the NIH found that the ApoE4 gene variant damages blood vessels in the brain, leading to increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers discovered that ApoE4 triggers an inflammatory reaction that weakens the blood-brain barrier, allowing harmful substances to enter the brain.
Researchers have developed a neuroprosthesis that combines brain-computer interface and functional electrical stimulation to restore complex hand movements in paralyzed monkeys. The device bypasses the spinal cord, allowing intentional, brain-controlled muscle contractions.
Researchers have found that an epigenetic blockade affects people with Alzheimer's disease, leading to a blockade of genes involved in learning and memory. A treatment approach using gene therapy reduced HDAC2 levels, preventing the blockade and improving neuroplasticity.
A study sponsored by NIH found that intramuscular injection of anticonvulsant drugs, like midazolam, is as safe and effective as giving medicine directly into a vein. This method may be faster and more reliable, especially for patients having convulsions, reducing the risk of severe consequences if seizures are not stopped quickly.
A recent NIH-funded twin study found a significant link between occupational chemical exposure and the development of Parkinson's disease. The study, published in Annals of Neurology, suggests that two common solvents, trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PERC), may increase Parkinson's risk sixfold and ninefold, respectively...
Researchers have developed a flexible brain implant that could pinpoint seizure start points and shut them down. The device conforms to the brain's surface, allowing for unprecedented brain activity observation.
A recent study by the National Institutes of Health has discovered a correlation between high blood pressure and stroke risk factors with cognitive impairment. The research, which followed over 30,000 participants, found that age, left ventricular hypertrophy, and high blood pressure were independent predictors of cognitive decline.