Researchers have discovered a group of nerve cells in the midbrain that can completely stop all forms of movement and slow down breathing and heart rate when stimulated. The study provides valuable insight into how the nervous system controls movement and may help understand Parkinson's disease.
Researchers discovered that adult and aged mice demonstrated improved performance in behavioral tasks after environmental enrichment, with MSK1 playing a vital role. The study highlights the importance of MSK1 in converting positive experiences into cognitive benefits across the lifespan.
A study published in Science reveals that ganglia in the neck region are responsible for disrupting melatonin production and causing sleep disturbances in people with heart conditions. Researchers found that macrophages accumulate in the ganglion, leading to inflammation and scarring, which can be treated with drugs.
Researchers have developed a new study showing that targeted electrical stimulation in patients with traumatic brain injury improved memory recall by 19%. The technology delivers the right stimulation at the right time, informed by the wiring of the individual's brain and that individual's successful memory retrieval.
Researchers analyzed genes and conducted family studies, discovering mutations in the DHX9 gene disrupting its normal function. The study supports that variations of DHX9 underlie human neurodevelopmental disorders and neuropathy.
Researchers identify genes that directly influence what we eat and find foods that can boost brain health and protect the planet. New insights into genetic basis for food preferences could help improve personalized nutrition.
A team of scientists at Harvard Medical School has identified six chemical cocktails that can restore cellular aging and rejuvenate human cells. The study builds upon the discovery of Yamanaka factors, which can convert adult cells into induced pluripotent stem cells, raising hopes for treating age-related diseases and injuries. The im...
A Lehigh University professor has received $4 million in NIH grants to develop an AI-driven approach for precision mental health diagnosis and care. The project aims to identify biomarkers in the brain that can predict treatment response and personalize interventions for patients with depression and other mental disorders.
A new study found critical gaps and disparities in access to Parkinson's disease care among Medicare beneficiaries. Only 9% of people with Parkinson's disease receive care from movement disorder specialists.
A new study by investigators from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that lesions associated with epilepsy are connected to a common brain network, suggesting the brain connections disrupted by the lesions are key. This discovery may have clinical implications for predicting epilepsy risk and targeting treatments.
Researchers tested 25 active agents in a small animal model and found seven substances more effective than standard therapy. Caffeine proved to be the most effective in reducing brain damage, with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.
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.
A study of over 22,000 people with MS discovered the first genetic variant associated with faster disease progression, which can rob patients of mobility and independence. Understanding this variant will hopefully pave the way for new treatments that can prevent disease progression.
A third of under-fives attending Paediatric Emergency Departments have unmet vaccination need, with tetanus and MMR vaccination coverage levels below target. Researchers call for catch-up campaigns to reach this vulnerable group.
The Kessler Foundation will evaluate the long-term effects of a myoelectric orthosis on improving hand/wrist/elbow capability in individuals with spinal cord injuries. The goal is to increase muscle strength, joint range of motion, and daily task ability.
A small-scale clinical trial suggests a modified CAR-T therapy could effectively reduce myasthenia gravis symptoms, with three patients showing complete elimination of symptoms. The treatment was well-tolerated and has the potential for longer-lasting results compared to current treatments.
Researchers identified 756 patients with rare forms of spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA), revealing diverse disease manifestations and symptoms. The study highlights the importance of sequencing the genome to improve diagnosis and treatment for these previously underdiagnosed cases.
A new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that consuming omega-3 fatty acids, particularly alpha-linolenic acid, may help slow the progression of disease in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Higher blood levels of ALA were associated with a slower disease progression and lower risk of death.
Researchers developed outcome indicators to measure health issues in children with cancer, allowing for improvement in care and treatment. The indicators consider physical, psychosocial, and neurocognitive outcomes, providing a clear and comparable measurement of quality of survival.
A group of international experts developed a consensus statement on concussion management, including new tools and strategies for identification, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. The statement includes evidence-based recommendations for return to active sport, education, and light intensity exercise to aid recovery.
Researchers developed an innovative imaging approach using two-photon microscopy to analyze retinal microcirculation, revealing significant changes in blood flow that may indicate brain diseases. The study suggests that microcirculation in the retina could serve as a promising predictor of cerebrovascular diseases.
Researchers at Niigata University developed a machine-learning model to predict the age of onset for spinocerebellar degeneration diseases like SCA3 and DRPLA. The model achieved higher prediction accuracy than traditional parametric survival analyses, making it a valuable tool for genetic counseling.
Researchers developed MOVA to evaluate the pathogenicity of missense variants based on their structural position. The new method showed superior performance in predicting pathogenicity, especially for hotspot mutations in ALS-causing genes like TARDBP and FUS.
The American Heart Association invites researchers to compete in a data challenge to better understand how lipoprotein(a) levels impact cardiovascular disease and stroke risk. The winning project can receive a $40,000 cash prize.
Researchers have developed an effective treatment that accelerates recovery after stroke by modulating astrocyte reactivity and cortical connectivity. The treatment, which involves administering a molecule called C3a in nasal drops, has shown positive results in mice with stroke, offering new hope for faster and better recovery.
Scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center discovered a link between Alzheimer's disease and hearing loss in mice, finding that plaque location in the brain may contribute to hearing decline. The study suggests that tracking disease progression through amyloid PET imaging could be a potential biomarker for hearing loss.
Scientists discovered a novel method to activate G protein-coupled receptors from inside cells, which can help develop drugs with fewer or no side effects. This new process uses a non-peptide message molecule called PCO371 that binds to the intracellular region of the receptor and interacts directly with G protein subunits.
Researchers updated their protein localization prediction model, MULocDeep, to provide more targeted predictions for biological discoveries. The tool helps researchers design more effective experiments and advance scientific discoveries related to drug development and treating diseases like epilepsy.
A retrospective case-matched study found prism adaptation therapy (PAT) to be beneficial for treating both right- and left-sided spatial neglect. PAT showed improvements in neglect symptoms for patients with right-sided neglect, suggesting greater potential benefits compared to those with left-sided neglect.
SourceKessler Foundation·JournalArchives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 31, 2023
A large UK case series reveals a predominance of young Asian men among those with nitrous oxide-induced myeloneuropathy, suggesting genetic or social factors. The study found that these patients often experienced severe symptoms such as pins and needles, bladder difficulties, and poor balance.
SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateMay 30, 2023
Alternative gene splicing has been linked to an increased risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD), according to a recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry. The researchers identified 27 exon skipping events that may contribute to AUD risk, opening up new possibilities for finding new therapeutics.
A recent study on canine brain networks has provided insights into the evolution of human brain function, revealing that the cingulate cortex played a central role in mammalian brain development. The research used fMRI to analyze brain activity in dogs and identified functional networks that differ from those in humans.
A team of scientists led by Professor Ivan Đikić and Christian Hübner identified the role of ubiquitin in regulating ER-phagy, a process involved in the degradation of the endoplasmic reticulum. This discovery sheds light on neurodegenerative diseases caused by defective FAM134B and ARL6IP1 proteins.
Scientists have found that siblings with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) share more of their father's genome than initially thought. In many cases, it is the father who may play a bigger genetic role in ASD. This discovery offers new potential sources for understanding and treating the disorder.
Researchers at UCLA and Harvard have identified 10 pesticides toxic to dopaminergic neurons, which play a key role in voluntary movement. The study used California's pesticide use database and found that co-exposure of certain pesticides increased toxicity, with combinations involving herbicides like trifluralin producing the most harm.
Researchers developed a neural device that detects specific neurotransmitters in the brain, enabling new brain research methods for prevention and treatment of diseases. The device combines multifunctional fibers and DNA molecular probes, providing high sensitivity and selectivity.
A recent review suggests that neurotrophins play a significant role in the development of the cerebellum and its connection to higher-order cognitive functions. The study reveals potential links between cerebellar dysfunction and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia.
Glioblastoma steals cognitive faculties as it spreads, but its insidious ability to infiltrate neighboring networks may be its undoing. Researchers found neural activity can restructure connections in surrounding tissue, causing decline. The drug gabapentin blocks this growth-causing activity in mice with glioblastoma.
A study by University of California, Riverside found that older adults are less likely to ignore distractors in their surroundings while engaging in a cognitive task and an effortful physical task. This decline is greater when simultaneously performing a physical task, such as driving or carrying grocery bags.
The UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute will run the Data Coordination Center for the Scalable and Systematic Neurobiology of Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Disorder Risk Genes (SSPsyGene) Consortium. The team will coordinate an initial selection of 250 relevant genes from nearly 30,000 protein coding genes in the human genome.
The study identifies two patients with a novel neurodevelopmental disorder linked to MRTFB gene variants, which disrupt the protein's ability to regulate other genes. The mutations result in altered wing development in fruit flies and are associated with intellectual disability, difficulty speaking, and other symptoms.
A study with 116 participants found associations between microRNAs in extracellular vesicles and mental health disorders such as depression and ADHD. While no biomarkers were identified, the results suggest genetic material can be non-invasively accessed through blood samples.
Researchers identified three novel dual-purpose therapeutic targets using PandaOmics, which could treat both aging and glioblastoma multiforme. The target hypotheses include cyclic nucleotide gated channel subunit alpha 3 (CNGA3), glutamate dehydrogenase 1 (GLUD1) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1).
A large study found that people with dementia are at higher risk of self-harm within the first 12 months after diagnosis. The researchers emphasize the importance of providing psychosocial and mental health supports to patients upon diagnosis, particularly men, who are more likely to develop dementia after self-harm.
Researchers found that psilocybin facilitates fear extinction in mice by promoting hippocampal neuroplasticity. The study's results improve our understanding of the restorative effects of psilocybin on the brain and may lead to alternative treatments for PTSD.
A large-scale genomic study of 240 mammal species reveals previously uncharacterized regulatory elements in the human genome, linked to disease risks and distinctive traits. The research provides insights into the evolutionary development of mammalian genomes and their potential applications in medical research.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly increases the risk of Bell palsy, whereas vaccination poses a lower risk. The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine did not differ significantly from the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine in terms of BP incidence.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai created computational models to bridge the gap between
A study by Brigham researchers reveals that childhood trauma and biological sex are associated with epigenetic changes in functional movement/conversion disorder. Female patients and those with an history of childhood trauma show distinct profiles of epigenetic changes linked to this condition.
Researchers have developed a computer-assisted method to automate the assessment of speech severity in ataxia patients, achieving an 80% hit rate. The new methodology leverages artificial intelligence and could simplify procedures for determining ataxia severity, facilitating research and clinical practice.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered how oligodendrocyte-lineage cells transfer cell material to neurons in the mouse brain, providing a new mechanism for understanding brain maturation and finding treatments for neurological conditions. This discovery opens new possibilities for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and P...
Dr. Roland Martin is honored for his work on immune mechanisms underlying multiple sclerosis, identifying key genes and nerve-insulating components targeted by immune attacks. His experimental therapy aims to make the immune system ignore those targets while preserving protective immunity.
Researchers at Nagoya University found an alternative route for microglia colonization in the embryonic brain, suggesting a novel approach to combat diseases like fetal brain dysfunction. Macrophages can convert into microglia later in development, providing new insights into microglial plasticity and behavior.
A team of scientists at MUSC identified a key gene that plays a role in the link between long-term stress and a common type of depressive behavior in mice. The study suggests that there may not be one central mechanism by which stress causes depression, but rather multiple pathways connecting stress with different symptoms.
Researchers discovered a single amino acid mutation in glutamate transporter protein causes transient loss of muscle control. The mutation affects the protein's shape and transport rate, leading to reduced glutamate transport and increased anion imbalance in neural cells.
A recent Brazilian study found that the Spike protein from SARS-CoV-2 is implicated in post-COVID-19 memory loss, with researchers identifying TLR4 receptor as a potential therapeutic target. The study involved experiments with mice and showed that infusion of the Spike protein induced delayed memory impairment.
A Virginia Tech researcher has identified a key factor in DiGeorge syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting brain development. The study finds that mitochondrial deficits can be targeted with dietary supplements or more precisely-targeted drugs to support final connections during brain development.
A review from UTHealth Houston identifies key benefits of telehealth in addressing health disparities among stroke survivors. The study suggests that telehealth can expand access to care and treatment while minimizing barriers related to digital literacy, physical limitations, and limited English proficiency.
Researchers developed O-ClickFC technology to analyze lipid metabolic state in cells at high speed. The technology combined with genome editing enabled identification of causative genes of metabolic disorders, including FLVCR1 and its role in choline uptake.
Scientists at the University of Helsinki have discovered that genetic mutations can significantly impact the accuracy of stem cell-based disease models. The researchers found that somatic mutations in genes like BCOR can affect the differentiation process and gene expression, leading to variations in the model's reliability.