Articles tagged with Neurological Disorders
A new study by researchers at the University of Minnesota reveals that non-invasive brain stimulation can change a specific brain mechanism related to human behavior. The technique, called transcranial alternating current stimulation, modulates brain activity by shifting when brain cells are active.
Researchers have discovered new genetic mechanisms related to spinocerebellar ataxia type 37, a rare neurological disorder that affects balance and movement. The study employed advanced techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and machine learning to uncover the disease's underlying causes.
A study by Michigan Medicine found that recreational activities such as golfing, gardening, and woodworking may increase the risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in men. The study surveyed over 700 individuals with and without ALS to assess their hobbies and non-work related activities.
The chikungunya virus infects CD14+ CD16+ monocytes and affects proteins holding epithelial cells of the blood-brain barrier together. The study found severe alterations in coagulation cascade, hemodynamic damage in organs, and high levels of inflammatory cytokines.
A new study led by Swansea University found that people with epilepsy had a significantly higher risk of COVID hospitalizations and deaths during the pandemic. Researchers analyzed data from 27,000 people with epilepsy in Wales and compared them to a control group of 135,000 without epilepsy.
The Federation of European Neuroscience Societies is open to media registration for its 2024 event. Journalists can access the latest research discoveries in neuroscience fields such as dementia, addiction and depression.
Researchers develop AI model to predict combinations of gene perturbations that can transform cell type or restore diseased cells. The study's findings have potential applications in regrowing injured tissues and transforming cancer cells back into normal cells.
UCSF scientists discover delivering therapeutic molecules to amniotic fluid can effectively treat Angelman syndrome and other neurological conditions. The treatment uses antisense oligonucleotides, which can alter gene expression, and has shown improved motor function and learning outcomes in mice.
Researchers found that faulty mtDNA replication causes mitochondria to leak genetic material, triggering an immune response and leading to disease. By targeting this process, doctors may develop therapies to prevent harmful inflammation.
Two new studies explore the link between attention and eye movements, showing that attention can be lost when objects change suddenly before gaze falls on them. Researchers also found distinct neuronal signatures in primate visual cortex for attention and eye movement signals.
Dr. Ryyna Ethell's lab at UC Riverside has been awarded a $2.4 million NIH grant to investigate the role of astrocytes in inhibitory synapse development and their connection to neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD and autism.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute found that stimulating a key brain rhythm with light and sound increases peptide release from interneurons, driving clearance of Alzheimer's protein. The study suggests that 40Hz sensory stimulation promotes increased amyloid clearance via the glymphatic system.
A study analyzing ELSA data found that osteoporosis, heart disease, and poor hearing increased frailty risk in men, while high fibrinogen levels, diabetes, and stroke were linked to higher risks in women. This highlights the importance of gender-specific action plans and intervention for older people.
A new neuroscientific paradigm, the synergistic model, allows better understanding of brain-body-environment interactions. This framework enables more accurate personalized diagnoses and treatments of brain diseases.
Researchers decode underlying mechanisms of DCM, hippocampal neurotoxicity, and dysbiosis mediated AD progression using mass spectrometry imaging. The studies found metabolic changes in DCM rat hearts and regulation of CYPs in the hippocampus, providing new perspectives on treatment strategies.
The Almodóvar lab is studying the link between HIV and pulmonary hypertension, a condition that increases pressure in lung arteries. By examining the interactions between different cell types and using a humanized mouse model, researchers hope to propose novel therapies to prevent lung diseases in people with HIV.
A new brain stimulation technique called Patterned Low-Intensity Low-Frequency Ultrasound (LILFUS) has been developed by researchers at the Institute for Basic Science. This non-invasive method uses ultrasound to induce long-lasting changes in brain function and has shown promise in treating various neurological disorders.
Delta opioid receptors play a crucial role in anxiety development, and research reveals its therapeutic effects in animal models. KNT-127, a DOP agonist, reduces anxiety-like behavior by suppressing glutamatergic transmission, offering new potential for treating anxiety disorders.
A new study has revealed how mutations in a gene called Trabid can cause microcephaly, an incurable brain disorder. The research shows that Trabid helps control neuronal development and that mutations to this protein can lead to abnormal brain development in newborns and infants.
Frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods in the US diet is associated with increased rates of colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal diseases. This may be attributed to additives such as emulsifiers that can disrupt the balance of gut microbiota, leading to disease promotion.
Scientists have mapped out the proteins involved in motor neurone disease (MND) across its trajectory, identifying potential therapeutic pathways for further investigation. The study found that a protein-folding factor called DNAJB5 is elevated early on in MND, sparking curiosity about its role in disease progression.
Researchers discover dopamine signals affect movement sequence length, shedding light on Parkinson's Disease symptoms and potential therapeutic targets. The study's findings suggest a complex role of dopamine neurons in movement, with distinct effects on movement-related and reward-related dopamine neurons.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science achieve first total synthesis of merrillianin, a complex sesquiterpene with potential anti-rheumatic activity. The breakthrough method involves 30 reaction steps and could lead to the development of new treatments for nervous system diseases.
Rats fed high-fructose diets exhibit disturbances in autonomic nervous and cardiovascular systems, increasing risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity. Fructose consumption by parents is also associated with impaired physiological regulation of their offspring's cardiovascular system.
A recent study has uncovered 145 genes crucial for genome stability, shedding light on genetic factors influencing human health over a lifespan. The research highlights the potential of SIRT inhibitors as a therapeutic pathway for cohesinopathies and other genomic disorders.
The new guideline aims to improve diagnosis and treatment of cryptococcosis, a fatal fungal infection that affects mainly the lungs and brain. It provides practical guidance for medical staff to recognize and manage invasive fungal infections, with the goal of improving patient survival rates.
The new advisory highlights the dramatic advances in understanding and treatment of cardiovascular diseases over the past century. These advancements have saved millions of lives and reduced heart disease death rates by more than half since 1950.
People with aphasia struggle to come up with words when prompted by images and words carrying negative emotional meaning. Researchers found that neutral prompts yield the best results, with negative emotional context disrupting word retrieval. The study has implications for clinical assessments and therapy.
The Vilcek Foundation has awarded $250,000 to four immigrant scientists for their pioneering work in biomedical science. Luciano Marraffini, Gerta Hoxhaj, Tomasz Nowakowski, and Takanori Takebe are recognized for their contributions to cancer research, pluripotent stem cells, and CRISPR-Cas systems.
A phase II clinical trial found Muse cell-based product CL2020 to be highly tolerated and improved ALS symptoms, but may not halt disease progression. The treatment's efficacy depends on combining it with other drugs for future treatments.
A Scripps Research team identified the energetic reactions in brain cells that malfunction and lead to neurodegeneration. They successfully restored many neuron-to-neuron connections in nerve cell models derived from human Alzheimer's patient stem cells by addressing a bottleneck in mitochondrial energy production.
A four-week intervention of resonant breathing, tracked using a heart rate variability app and chest strap monitor, significantly improved symptoms among 13 Long Covid patients. Participants reported reduced symptoms, better sleep, and improved physical functioning.
Researchers report a case of a patient with EGFR L858R mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who experienced durable disease improvement after empirical treatment with osimertinib. The 'Lazarus effect' refers to the phenomenon where cancer appears to recur after seeming to be in remission.
A recent survey found that 51% of Americans are unaware that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US. This lack of knowledge can be deadly, with nearly half of adults having some form of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers developed a new technology to track when brain cells shut off, providing insights into normal brain function and diseases like depression and Alzheimer's. The technique identifies a protein called pyruvate dehydrogenase that is rapidly changed immediately after brain cells are inhibited.
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 is a rare disease that disrupts brain function and coordination. Researchers have identified endosomal dysfunction as a key contributor to the disease's progression, and found a potential treatment using the compound 7,8-DHF.
A new study reveals that RNA binding motif protein X-linked (RBMX) plays a crucial role in predicting cancer prognosis and response to immunotherapy. Abnormal expression of RBMX is associated with immune regulation, tumor microenvironment, and therapeutic effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Researchers at UC Davis found that men with FMR1 premutation who experienced reduced executive function were at higher likelihood of developing fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. Executive function challenges, particularly working memory and organization issues, were strongly associated with the development of FXTAS.
Rice bioengineer Jerzy Szablowski and colleagues have engineered a synthetic serum marker that enables non-invasive neural monitoring by tracking gene expression dynamics in the brain. This breakthrough allows researchers to investigate brain development, cognitive function and neurological diseases more effectively.
The European Commission has awarded €38 million to further develop EBRAINS, a digital ecosystem for neuroscientific research. The project aims to establish a new standard for brain atlases and push forward digital twin approaches.
A new mechanism of vestibular neuritis has been discovered, linking it to autoimmunity and the presence of anti-GQ1b antibodies. The study found that these antibodies were associated with bilateral vestibular damage in 33% of patients, and improved upon conversion to negative, suggesting a potential for immunotherapy.
A new study reveals that Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can infect nerve cells, trigger inflammation, and cause nerve damage. RSV was previously thought to only infect the respiratory tract, but this finding suggests a potential link between the virus and neurological symptoms in children.
A study from Duke University found that people with PTSD have a significantly smaller cerebellum, especially in areas related to emotion and memory. Researchers hope this discovery will lead to targeted treatments and more research on the brain region's role in PTSD.
Researchers developed a novel test that detects single ⍺-synuclein fibrils in patient samples to identify patients with Parkinson's disease earlier. This breakthrough has the potential to create early applicable molecular diagnostics, improve clinical trials, and facilitate drug screening for neurodegenerative diseases.
The American Heart Association has made significant medical advancements over the past 100 years, including the development of artificial heart valves and implantable pacemakers. The organization continues to work towards health equity, with a focus on removing barriers to healthcare for diverse populations.
Researchers found that cognition scores remained stable two years after bariatric surgery, while secondary executive function tests showed improvement. However, one memory assessment declined following surgery. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings and understand how best to treat cognitive decline associated with obesity.
Researchers at Boston University's Center for Neurorehabilitation have made two important advances that may help people with Parkinson's disease walk more smoothly. Wearable soft robotic apparel and a music-based technology were tested in studies, showing promising results in increasing walking duration and distance.
Researchers developed a novel platform to transport therapeutic antibodies across the blood-brain barrier using a biocompatible polymer. The method showed promising results in both in vitro and mouse-model experiments, suggesting enhanced brain delivery of cancer-fighting antibodies without inducing adverse effects.
Researchers investigated the neural mechanisms of verbal working memory processing in healthy aging adults using magnetoencephalography. Age-related increases in theta activity were detected during encoding, and alpha and beta oscillations were stronger in older participants during maintenance and retrieval phases.
Researchers found that baseline amyloid burden and brain health are stronger predictors of Alzheimer's progression than age alone. The study also showed that individuals with higher amyloid levels developed dementia two years earlier than those without.
Mayo Clinic researchers used genetic sequencing to study the measles virus's spread in a human brain. The study found that the virus acquired distinct mutations that drove its spread from the frontal cortex outward. This knowledge may help develop effective antiviral drugs to combat SSPE, a rare and lethal brain disease caused by measles.
Researchers at Scripps Research have found a way to modify picrotoxinin, a plant-derived toxin, with improved properties, making it easier to synthesize and modify. The modified version, 5Me-picrotoxinin, shows better chemical stability and is safer for humans.
A new study published in Neurology found that nearly 30% of caregivers for severe stroke patients experience high levels of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress during the first year after hospital discharge. Post-traumatic stress was particularly common among Mexican American caregivers.
Scientists at the University of Washington School of Medicine developed a novel protein design approach using AI, creating proteins that bind to challenging biomarkers with exceptionally high affinity and specificity. The breakthrough has implications for drug development, disease diagnosis, and environmental monitoring.
A NSF-funded project, MABLE, is developing a digital app using crowdsensing, AI, and robotics to empower individuals with responsive maps and turn-by-turn instructions. The app aims to improve accessibility and navigation for persons with visual or mobility impairments, such as those with low vision and wheelchair users.
Researchers have mapped the lineage of neural stem cells in the superior colliculus, revealing an exceptional capacity to generate different types of neurons. The study also found that neural stem cells retain their ability to produce any type of neuron until the end of development.
Researchers at Salk Institute assembled the most complete atlas of the mouse brain by analyzing over 2 million brain cells. The detailed atlas reveals thousands of cell types, their connections, genes, and regulatory programs active in each cell, providing new insights into human disease vulnerabilities.
The study maps over 32 million cells in the mouse brain, describing their type, location, and molecular information. This atlas paves the way for a greater understanding of the human brain and development of precision therapeutics for mental and neurological disorders.
A new study found that HSP10 treatment improved exploratory preferences, object contacts, and swimming time in aged mice, while also increasing proliferating cells and differentiated neuroblasts. The protein also mitigated age-related gene reductions and increased sirtuin 3 levels.
Researchers developed novel nanoparticles that deliver RNA to microglia immune cells, reducing inflammation linked to Alzheimer's disease. The study showed a 42% reduction of PU-1 expression and multiple inflammatory markers in human cell cultures and mice models.