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Blood pressure highly likely to cause neurotic personality trait

Research published in General Psychiatry finds a significant causal relationship between diastolic blood pressure and neuroticism, while systolic blood pressure has no association. Controlling high diastolic blood pressure may help reduce neurotic behaviors, anxiety, and cardiovascular diseases.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalGeneral Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateNov 21, 2022

Repairing gut saves brain function after stroke

Scientists at Texas A&M University found that transplanting intestinal epithelial stem cells can repair the gut and reduce inflammation, potentially preserving cognitive function after a stroke. The study suggests that targeting gut health may be key to developing more effective stroke therapies.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalBrain Behavior and Immunity·DateNov 18, 2022

Cleveland Clinic study identifies blood pressure drug as potential treatment for Black patients with Alzheimer’s disease

A new study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that telmisartan, a blood pressure medication, is associated with lower risk of Alzheimer's specifically in Black patients over 60. The study analyzed data from over 5 million patients and suggests that future clinical trials should prioritize minority populations to find or reinfor...

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·DateNov 4, 2022

Speaking your mind: patients' speech can reveal type of dementia

A study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring found that analyzing patients' speech can distinguish between different types of dementia. The research team developed a machine learning model using speech features to identify Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia Diagnosis Assessment & Disease Monitoring·DateNov 3, 2022

Huge unveiling of schizophrenia brain cells show new treatment targets

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have made a breakthrough in understanding schizophrenia by analyzing individual brain cells. The study identified specific neurons and networks affected by the disease, suggesting that targeting these areas could lead to new treatment options.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 24, 2022

Small-molecule drug reverses neural effects of concussion

Researchers at UCSF discovered a small molecule called ISRIB that can reverse the neural and cognitive effects of concussion in mice, weeks after an injury occurred. The drug blocks the integrated stress response, which became chronically activated in damaged neurons, restoring normal spine dynamics and cognitive function.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 10, 2022

Mapping human brain development

Scientists have developed a new method to study human brain development by growing millimetre-sized three-dimensional tissues called organoids from pluripotent stem cells. The researchers characterized the cells in molecular-genetic terms, creating a kind of map showing the molecular fingerprint of each cell within the organoid.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2022

Scientists chase down what motor proteins deliver to healthy cells to find what’s altered in neurological diseases

Researchers investigate how motor proteins transport vital proteins and RNAs to the right location within cells, where they can cause or prevent genetic neurological diseases. By understanding these highly regulated transport systems, scientists hope to develop new treatments for conditions like spinal muscular atrophy and Charcot-Mari...

National Institutes of Health Awards Cleveland Clinic $10.7 Million to expand national consortium studying Dementia with Lewy Bodies

The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $10.7 million grant to Cleveland Clinic to expand a national research consortium focused on improving diagnosis and treatments for Dementia with Lewy Bodies. The consortium, which includes multiple clinical sites, aims to identify biomarkers for disease and develop new therapies.

Lipids in blood predict nerve damage risk among patients with type 2 diabetes

A study at Michigan Medicine found multiple lipid biomarkers linked to diabetic neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes. High scores for neuropathy were associated with changes in lipids reflecting impaired energy metabolism, suggesting a potential target for testing and managing the condition.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 29, 2022

Two birds one stone strategy to treat both joint pain and cognitive impairment in rheumatoid arthritis

A study found that aberrant expression of MAO-B causes both peripheral and neuroinflammation in RA patients, leading to joint pain and cognitive impairment. Administering an MAO-B inhibitor called KDS2010 improved both joint inflammation and cognitive function in a RA animal model.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalExperimental & Molecular Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

Study finds different comorbidities have different impacts on COVID outcomes

A new study found that certain pre-existing conditions have a more significant impact on COVID-19 outcomes than previously thought. Researchers developed a novel prediction model, PDeathDx, which outperformed conventional models and identified degenerative neurological diseases, dementia, and severe disabilities as major risk factors.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalBiology Methods and Protocols·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 27, 2022

Shedding light on the happy hormone

A novel fluorescent sensor has been developed to visualize the release of oxytocin, also known as the 'happy hormone', in living animals. The sensor, called MTRIA OT, allows for real-time measurement of extracellular oxytocin dynamics in the brain, revealing variability in OT levels dependent on behavioral and physical conditions.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Methods·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 22, 2022

Rare human gene variant in ADHD, autism exposes fundamental sex differences

A new study reveals key differences in dopamine disposal machinery between male and female mice with a rare human genetic variant found in boys with ADHD or ASD. Females exhibit unique behavioral changes, such as increased anxiety and novelty recognition issues, while males display reduced social behavior and perseverative traits.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2022

Researchers decipher the mechanism that enables skin cancer to metastasize to the brain - and inhibited its spread by 80%

Tel Aviv University researchers discovered that skin cancer cells interact with astrocytes in the brain, promoting metastasis. By inhibiting this interaction using existing treatments, they delayed the spread of melanoma to the brain by 60-80%. This breakthrough has implications for treating advanced-stage melanoma.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalJCI Insight·DateSep 20, 2022

Interactions between genetics and the environment can explain variability seen in common neuropsychiatric disorders

Researchers used data from over 400,000 individuals to model genetic and environmental factors influencing common neuropsychiatric disorders. Gene-environment interactions accounted for a significant proportion of variability in some disorders, while others showed more substantial contributions.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateSep 7, 2022