Articles tagged with Neurological Disorders
A new study funded by the NIH found that amygdala overgrowth in autism spectrum disorder begins between 6-12 months of age, suggesting early intervention may be effective in reducing symptoms. The study also identified distinct brain growth patterns in infants with Fragile X syndrome.
Researchers discovered a group of neurons in the striatum that encodes information about potential decision-making outcomes, including rewards and penalties. These 'error signals' help the brain adapt to changing circumstances and make impulsive decisions or become paralyzed with indecision.
This year's Experimental Biology 2022 meeting features groundbreaking studies on COVID-19 vaccine-associated symptoms in non-menstruating people, a plant compound showing promise for alleviating food allergies, and the potential of omega-3s to boost immunotherapy's cancer-fighting power. Researchers also explore the safety of using CBD...
A multidisciplinary clinical pathway for functional neurological disorder (FND) patients has been successfully implemented at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. The approach optimizes patient care through collaboration among healthcare professionals. This study aims to provide a roadmap for other institutions and encourage broader deve...
The Human Brain Project (HBP) has brought together neuroscientists from different disciplines to work collaboratively on common goals. The HBP researchers outline their scientific approach and illustrate the potential of EBRAINS infrastructure for neuroscience research.
The Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) robot has been shown to improve gait ability in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), allowing them to walk longer distances with reduced assistance. The therapy sessions, lasting only 20-40 minutes per day for four weeks, also demonstrated preservation of other vital functions.
Researchers found that biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease pathology, such as amyloid-beta and tau proteins, were associated with increased anxiety and apathy in cognitively unimpaired older adults. Higher levels of apathy were also linked to a more rapid cognitive decline.
A study published in eLife found that measuring changes in immune cell populations may help predict the prognosis of patients with ALS. Certain immune cells were associated with better or worse survival rates, providing new insights into the disease's progression.
A Johns Hopkins study shows that a higher dose of the antibiotic rifampin may be more effective in treating TB meningitis, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes. The research suggests that high doses of rifampin can kill bacteria faster while minimizing brain inflammation.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have developed patient-derived cells that can be used to study leptomeningeal disease, a rare complication of cancer. The cells provide a new opportunity for scientists to understand the disease and identify potential therapeutics.
A study found that intact astrocyte networks are essential for neural homeostasis, synaptic plasticity, and spatial cognitive abilities in adult mice. Disrupting these networks impairs spatial learning and memory due to altered neuronal excitability and compromised synaptic transmission.
A team from UNIGE demonstrates that a reduction in gamma wave activation is correlated with the emergence of psychotic symptoms in children and adolescents at genetic risk. This study makes it possible to envisage an early diagnosis and identifies potential therapeutic targets for treating schizophrenia.
Researchers investigated whether COVID-19 led to a worsening of tinnitus symptoms, but found no significant difference in severity. Despite this, the pandemic can exacerbate anxiety and stress, potentially affecting individuals with tinnitus.
Researchers found an association between certain cancers and Guillain-Barré syndrome, with people diagnosed with lymphomas, blood cancers, lung, prostate, or breast cancer having a higher risk. The study suggests that unidentified factors in several types of cancer may contribute to this increased risk.
The guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for managing symptoms and improving access to multidisciplinary care for children with CMT. The guidelines promote optimal, standardized care globally and are critical for clinical trial readiness.
A CAMH-led study found that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) reduced self-reported cannabis use by up to 60% among people with schizophrenia and CUD. The treatment was associated with reduced cravings and improved quality of life.
A new report in NeuroRehabilitation found significant variability in prior Functional Movement Disorder studies, particularly in the use of inclusion criteria. The authors propose potential fixes to develop evidence-based diagnostic criteria.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered 110 genes, circular RNAs, lipids and metabolites that differ between medulloblastoma patients' cerebrospinal fluid and healthy controls. These findings provide proof of principle for novel biomarkers to detect and track the disease.
The Bárány Society has developed a comprehensive curriculum to promote high-quality vestibular training for healthcare professionals. The curriculum sets out a framework of suggested topics and skills, covering anatomy, physiology, and physics, as well as history taking, bedside examination, ancillary testing, disorders, treatment, and...
The SynGAP Research Fund has developed a pre-screening tool to identify potential SYNGAP1 patients through a free online survey. The partnership with Probably Genetic aims to screen undiagnosed patients and provide them with genetic testing resources, ultimately advancing treatment development for SYNGAP1.
Researchers discover a genetic mechanism linking ALS and dementia to UNC13A protein corruption, providing hope for new treatments by blocking corrupted instructions. The study found that genetic variants increase the risk of UNC13A mRNA corruption in patients with ALS and FTD.
Researchers have clarified the mechanism behind activating genes in drosophila fly sex cells, which may hold clues to understanding diseases. The study's findings suggest that DNA packaging plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression, with abnormal packaging potentially leading to misregulation and disease.
Researchers found that blocking an overactive signaling pathway during the first five weeks of life prevents autism symptoms from developing in mice. The study suggests that targeting this critical period could lead to a potential cure for autism.
Researchers found that higher levels of dietary fiber, particularly soluble fiber, are associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. The study suggests that a high-fiber diet may play a preventative role in reducing the incidence of dementia.
A recent review of e-cigarette research highlights the significant health risks associated with vaping, including lung inflammation and injury. The study found that e-cigarettes can cause negative effects in multiple organs, from the brain to the bladder, and may even increase the risk of lung cancer.
A UTSA-led study found that post-9/11 military veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at higher risk of chronic disease, mortality, and mental health issues compared to the general population. The study estimates excess deaths among a large cohort of veterans and highlights the need for better methods of intervening.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago found a promising treatment for neurodegenerative diseases by stopping nerve cell degeneration. A peptide has been identified that inhibits mitochondrial fission and lets nerve cells grow normally.
Research reveals that people who have had COVID-19 are more likely to experience mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders, within a year after recovery from the virus. The study found that COVID-19 survivors were 60% more likely to suffer from mental health problems than those who were not infe...
A research team developed an algorithm that instantly assesses and adjusts brain stimulation placement using electroencephalography (EEG) feedback. The method can find the optimal stimulation parameters in just 1-2 minutes, potentially improving the efficacy of TMS treatment for brain disorders like chronic pain and depression.
A study tracking 425 patients post-COVID-19 found high prevalence of cognitive deficits, psychiatric impairments, and significant memory decline. Researchers observed no correlation between the severity of the disease or socio-economic factors with psychiatric alterations, suggesting a possible link to delayed inflammatory processes.
Prenatal exposure to industrial toxin TCDD may cause long-term damage to brain circuits and potentially lead to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD. Researchers found that pharmacological manipulation can restore microglia function, suggesting a possible therapeutic avenue for these disorders.
A new Dartmouth-led study found that antimony and other metals are associated with lower birthweight, while some metals show group- and sex-dependent associations. The research suggests that reducing exposure to these metals could help prevent harmful effects on fetal growth.
Researchers have identified a specific location in the hippocampus called the dentate gyrus where schizophrenia may originate. Studying rats with damaged SAP97, they found changes in activity in this region, directly linking alterations to the development of schizophrenia.
Researchers found that 30% of fetuses who later developed ASD had heart, kidney, and head anomalies detected during routine prenatal ultrasounds. These anomalies were more common in girls and linked to the severity of ASD. The study suggests that doctors can use these signs to evaluate the probability of a child being born with ASD.
A University of Houston researcher has identified potential biomarkers for neuropsychiatric symptoms of lupus, which include CSF Lipocalin-2, M-CSF, IgM, and complement C3. Elevated levels of these proteins in cerebrospinal fluid may indicate a diagnosis of NPSLE.
Researchers discovered that toxic goiter causes shrinkage in central brain regions, such as the hippocampus and amygdala, which can lead to mental symptoms. The study provides key insights for patients with Graves' disease, a common form of hyperthyroidism.
Markita del Carpio Landry, a young immigrant scientist, receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise for her groundbreaking research on neurochemical communication and gene-editing technologies. Her work aims to address medicine's most compelling problems, including aberrations in neurotransmitter signaling.
Researchers found lower functional connectivity between brain areas involved in social and emotional processing in individuals at risk of developing alcohol use disorder. This impairment may affect their ability to interpret facial expressions and respond to their environment, increasing the likelihood of disordered drinking.
New research reveals that one in three US stroke survivors experience food insecurity, which can exacerbate cardiovascular disease and stroke risk. Healthcare professionals can play a crucial role in addressing food insecurity by engaging with patients and providing support or resources.
Researchers analyzed fMRI studies on healthy individuals and stroke survivors to understand the neural mechanisms underlying prism adaptation therapy. The study found differences in brain activity patterns between healthy individuals and those with spatial neglect, suggesting a shift in spatial processing to the left hemisphere.
Women with GAD exhibit abnormal interoception, perceiving intense heartbeats and lower neural activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. The study suggests a causal link between cardiovascular sensitivity and frontal cortex insensitivity, contributing to anxiety symptoms.
Researchers used 3D mini-brain models to study the effects of three autism risk genes on neural formation and development. The study found that despite unique molecular mechanisms, the genes converged on affecting specific types of neurons, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for autism treatment.
A team of scientists from Pusan National University conducted an updated meta-analysis to clarify the relationship between alcohol consumption and unprovoked seizures and epilepsy. They found that overall, alcohol drinkers were at a significantly higher risk of developing epilepsy compared to non-drinkers.
A phase 3 clinical trial is underway to test the safety and efficacy of jacifusen, an experimental drug that lowered levels of toxic protein FUS in a patient with juvenile ALS. The trial aims to determine if the drug can slow disease progression in symptomatic patients.
Researchers report COVID-19 can cause a range of neurological symptoms, including loss of taste and smell, headaches, and brain inflammation. A new study suggests Long Covid may share common risk factors with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.
A study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association found that 12 to 14 intervention sessions can improve cognition in older adults at risk of dementia. The optimal dose was determined by analyzing data from the Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial, taking into account individual characteristics su...
Scientists have identified a new tool to control the movement of motor proteins in neurons, which could lead to new treatments for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The study found that the GSK3β enzyme can act as a stop switch for kinesin 1 motors, preventing them from detaching from microtubule tracks.
A study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers found a strong association between Epstein-Barr virus infection and multiple sclerosis. The risk of MS increased 32-fold after EBV infection, while serum levels of neurofilament light chain, a biomarker of nerve degeneration, only increased after EBV infection.
Scientists at the University of Missouri discovered that bisphenol A (BPA) exposure during pregnancy can negatively impact fetal brain development. MicroRNAs in the placenta play a key role in regulating cellular functions, including neural development. Researchers believe that microRNA packages could reach the brain through the placen...
Researchers have developed a promising treatment approach for chronic stroke patients using carefully tuned electrical stimulation of the neuromuscular system. This method has been shown to improve motor control, sensory capabilities, and body perception in patients with long-term disabilities.
A new study led by Mount Sinai researchers found that microglia may play a critical role in some cases of brain disease, and provides a comprehensive guide for future studies. The study identified two new genes linked to brain disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Researchers have uncovered how the brain processes sensory information, revealing new insights into perception and cognition. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding neurological disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and stroke, as well as targeted treatments and interventions.
A new study reveals distinct DNA methylation profiles of human microglia cells across different age groups, disease states, and brain regions. The researchers found that interindividual differences in methylation variability had a larger impact than regional or diagnostic differences.
Cleveland Clinic researchers have identified the gut microbial gene cluster responsible for converting carnitine into TMAO, which promotes heart disease and stroke. The study found that dietary modifications may help reduce diet- and TMAO-associated cardiovascular disease risk by targeting the gbu gene cluster.
A long-term study found that academic education can positively affect aging of the brain, with reduced degenerative processes and improved cognitive performance. Participants with an academic background showed a lower increase in signs of brain degeneration and faster processing speeds.
Researchers found that a genetic mutation associated with severe congenital epilepsy also leads to neural degeneration, inflammation and behavioral symptoms in mice. The study suggests the mutation as a potential target for treatment.
A new study using the world's largest twin registry data finds that hormone levels before birth may contribute to migraine risk in adulthood. The research also suggests that genetic factors for migraine risk are different between men and women, potentially leading to more effective treatment options.
Researchers found correlations between brain morphology and sensory characteristics in adults with ASD, suggesting structural changes may cause sensory abnormalities. The study aims to improve diagnosis and treatment options for ASD beyond behavioral indicators.
Researchers from Tel Aviv University have identified the biological mechanism causing nerve destruction in ALS, a fatal neurodegenerative disease. They found that TDP-43 protein accumulation in neuromuscular junctions inhibits local protein synthesis and mitochondrial activity, leading to degeneration and death of motor neurons.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen studied how blocking certain enzymes affects brain adaptability in healthy and diseased mice. In healthy mice, inhibiting these enzymes blocked neuronal plasticity, while in stroke-affected mice, it restored lost plasticity.