Articles tagged with Neurological Disorders
The neocortex's layered structure is critical for healthy brain function. A team from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin identified two key processes that direct this organization, involving the regulatory protein Zeb2.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have discovered a single-gene cause of a neurodevelopmental disorder, identifying 28 unique variants in the SPTBN1 gene. The study provides hope for diagnosis and potential treatment for affected individuals.
Researchers found that people with mental health disorders experience brain activity differently when sensing internal bodily conditions. The dorsal mid-insula region showed distinct activity patterns across various disorders, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
Two studies report a rare variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome characterized by prominent facial weakness following COVID-19 vaccination. The frequency of the condition was estimated to be up to 10 times greater than expected in areas where the vaccine was administered.
Researchers found significant alterations in serum amino acid profiles in children with ADHD, including lower levels of histidine, glutamine, and proline, as well as higher levels of aspartic acid and hydroxyproline. These findings may help develop new treatment strategies for the disorder.
Research reveals brain changes in obese children, similar to those seen in OCD and Prader-Willi syndrome, causing obsession with food and anxiety. The study suggests a multidisciplinary approach is needed for treatment.
Researchers have identified a new gene mutation responsible for non-familial cerebral cavernous malformation cases. The MAP3K3 c.1323C>G mutation is found in almost all patients with type II CCM lesions, allowing for potential targeted treatment without surgery.
Researchers at Boston University developed a new method to predict language recovery in Hispanic patients using computer models of the brain. The breakthrough could be a game changer for speech therapy and stroke survivors impacted by aphasia.
Scientists from Kanazawa University use HS-AFM to study DNA-histone interactions, revealing spatiotemporal dynamics and real-time observations of wrapping, sliding, sandwiching, and wrapping motions. The study provides valuable insights into the compactification of DNA and its potential applications in understanding human diseases.
The NIH awarded $4.7 million to Dr. Amy Bastian's research on movement learning mechanisms and their impact on neurological damage. The study aims to develop tailored therapeutic training strategies for children with neurological conditions.
The researchers generated human brain organoids of the arcuate nucleus, which exhibits high cell diversity, to model development and disease. The organoids maintained disease-specific gene signatures, including those related to Prader-Willi syndrome, a genetic disorder causing hunger and obesity.
A study published in EBiomedicine found that epigenetic variations predict COVID-19 severity, particularly in genes related to inflammation and overall health. The 13% of the global population with this signature is considered the group at maximum risk requiring special care.
Researchers discovered epigenetic variations in individuals with severe COVID-19, associating them with excessive inflammatory response and poor health state. These findings enable the identification of a high-risk group (EPICOVID), warranting special care and personalized medicine approaches.
Georgia State University researchers have received a five-year, $3 million grant to develop new strategies for identifying mood disorders using whole brain dynamics. The team will integrate four-dimensional brain imaging with clinical and cognitive data to identify clues about how mental illness presents in the brain.
Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a disruption in the brain's normal mechanisms for controlling the body and can be triggered by physical or emotional events, including vaccinations. Individuals with FND may experience symptoms such as limb weakness, gait problems, jerky movements, tremor and facial spasms.
A new study links cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) to intracerebral hemorrhages under anticoagulation, suggesting SVD as a precondition. The study suggests blood thinning alone can no longer be considered a cause of intracerebral hemorrhages.
Research using three mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders found distinct basal metabolism patterns, with varying energy expenditure and fat utilization. The studies suggest all three models may exhibit mitochondrial dysfunction, highlighting the need for personalized treatments and diagnostic methods.
New research suggests that microbes in the gut contribute to symptoms associated with complex neurological disorders, and modulating the gut microbiome improves social behavior but not hyperactivity. The study opens the possibility of treating other conditions like cancer, diabetes, and viral infections with microbiome-targeted therapies.
Michael A. Moskowitz, a leading migraine researcher supported by the NIH, has won The Brain Prize 2021 for his groundbreaking contributions to understanding migraine triggers. By blocking the action of released neuropeptides, Moskowitz proposes a new approach to treating this debilitating condition.
Sanfilippo syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that causes childhood dementia and premature death. Researchers are developing a new combination therapy using gene therapy and stem cells to restore metabolic defects in brain cells.
Cerebral small vessel disease requires a holistic assessment due to its complex symptoms and lack of effective treatments. A multidisciplinary approach can help identify patients at risk and develop management strategies.
Researchers identified a new gene variant, MAP3K6, associated with cerebral small vessel disease and stroke in an extended Swedish family. This discovery may lead to better understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind early stroke and potential prevention strategies.
Researchers at Swansea University found a six-fold increase in brain pressure disorder cases among women between 2003 and 2017. Obesity rates in Wales rose significantly during this period, and women from deprived areas had a higher risk of developing the condition, independent of body mass index.
Researchers found that using medical terminology can reduce certain types of stigma but increase others. Non-medical terms, on the other hand, may boost confidence in recovery and perceptions of danger. The study suggests tailoring language to specific purposes is key to reducing stigma.
Researchers used machine learning to redesign a bacterial protein into a highly sensitive sensor that can monitor brain serotonin levels in real time. The new sensor detected subtle changes in serotonin signaling during sleep, fear, and social interactions, as well as testing the effectiveness of new psychoactive drugs.
Scientists have uncovered the mechanism of glutamate transport using X-ray crystallography and molecular simulations. The study revealed that sodium ions bind to glutamate, driving its uptake into cells via specialized transport proteins called EAATs.
Researchers discovered massive glutamate surges in brain, sparking spreading depolarizations, a precursor to migraine with aura. The study suggests an imbalance between glutamate release and reuptake may contribute to neurologic diseases, including stroke.
A study from Oregon Health & Science University found that damage to a small number of brain cells can stop activity across a vast network of neural circuits. This effect, known as the bystander effect, may help explain temporary but severe loss of cognitive function in traumatic brain injury or disease cases.
Research highlights three key periods of dynamic brain changes sensitive to alcohol's effects: gestation, later adolescence, and older adulthood. Low or moderate drinking during pregnancy is associated with poorer outcomes in offspring, while binge drinking in adolescence and aging affects brain volume and cognitive functions.
Researchers found that domesticated Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Asia, Africa, and the Americas are more susceptible to acquiring Zika virus than their African counterparts. Genetic differences on chromosome 2 are believed to be the cause of this increased susceptibility.
The new issue of NeuroRehabilitation focuses on the challenges of classifying, assessing, and treating neurogenic pain disorders. Experts describe the latest advancements in neurogenic classification and pain management, including new treatment options for peripheral neuropathic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, and craniofacial ne...
Researchers used a technique called Patch-seq to capture data from over 4,200 mouse neurons, classifying them into 28 different types based on their morphology, electrical properties, and gene expression profiles. This new categorization lays the groundwork for a more complete understanding of the mammalian brain.
Researchers identified Nrp1 as a novel Reelin receptor, essential for superficial-layer neuron dendrite development in the mouse neocortex. The Reelin-Nrp1 interaction regulates apical dendrite formation, suggesting a new mechanism for normal network establishment.
Researchers at the University of Maryland are developing an ingestible capsule that can monitor and model gut microbiome serotonin activity. The platform provides access to the specific site of serotonin production, allowing for real-time processing and neurological effects assessment.
Reelin signaling suppresses OPC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, regulating their radial distribution in the late embryonic mouse neocortex. The regulation of Reelin function by proteolysis is crucial for normal OPC development.
Researchers found that AI techniques are being used to process information about brain structure and connectivity, assess surgical candidacy, and predict disease trajectory. However, they emphasize the need for explainable algorithms to ensure trust in algorithmic prescriptions or diagnoses.
The project aims to employ people formerly injected drugs and provide a robust recovery ecosystem by aiding recovery and physical health, with state-certified peer navigator/recovery coaches at the forefront. The goal is to create a comprehensive and sustainable approach to support those in recovery.
Laminin plays a crucial role in regulating interactions between migrating neural crest cells and the extracellular matrix. The study found that alterations in LAMR expression contribute to neural crest cell migration failure in Hirschsprung disease, leading to colonization of the distal colon when YIGSR is applied.
A Penn State College of Medicine researcher is leading a three-year project to create an atlas of developing mice brains using computational tools and high-resolution imaging. The goal is to better understand brain development and identify key cells that may contribute to disorders like autism and schizophrenia.
Researchers analyzed focus groups with individuals who experienced post-exertional malaise (PEM), a key feature of ME/CFS. PEM symptoms included exhaustion, cognitive difficulties, and neuromuscular complaints, affecting daily life and requiring complete rest to reduce symptoms.
The Rice University project aims to optimize the use of flexible nanoelectronic thread (NET) probes to record neuronal activity in different brain regions. The biocompatible probes can be implanted in various areas of the brain, enabling researchers to analyze complex patterns of neural dynamics over time.
Researchers found abnormalities in brain function related to symptom severity in both disorders, with more severe symptoms linked to distinct patterns of activity and connectivity. The study suggests that addressing these brain abnormalities through psychotherapy or psychiatric medications could be key to treating these conditions.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School have been awarded a $6.6 million grant to develop a novel neuromodulation device for treating mental health disorders by synchronizing brain waves and reducing energy consumption.
Rats' brain activity shows that individual preferences for alcohol vary based on how the brain interprets it as a reward. The orbitofrontal cortex stores reward value and regulates reward seeking, with malfunctioning linked to drug use disorders.
A global review of COVID-19 cases found neurological complications such as strokes, delirium, and inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. The study analyzed data from over 900 patients and highlights the need for doctors to recognize COVID-19's potential to cause devastating brain problems.
A recent study has identified the precise spot in the brain where distracting stimuli are blocked, allowing concentration on a task. The researchers found that responses to distractor stimuli were abruptly suppressed beyond the sensory cortex, preventing further signal transmission within the cortex and triggering a motor response.
Researchers identified shared brain structural elements across major psychiatric disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The study also revealed distinct regional abnormalities for individual conditions, suggesting potential mechanisms underlying these disorders.
The study identified fluctuations in brain network connectivity during cravings, particularly between reward-related regions such as the central executive network and the nucleus accumbens. These dynamic patterns are associated with cannabis use disorder severity and can be used as biomarkers for treatment strategies.
Researchers found abnormal growth and increased neuroinflammation in the brains of animals exposed to air pollution, suggesting a potential risk for changes in developing brain relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders. The study used rodent models to mimic real-time exposure to traffic-related air pollution.
Researchers found that neurons in a specific brain region can switch between reference frames depending on the task, allowing for more efficient information transfer. This flexibility could be used in neural prosthetics and therapies to treat brain disorders.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh discovered that synapse type shifts with age in unique patterns across different brain areas. This shift helps explain why genes cause synapse damage at set ages and in set brain areas.
The Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics at UIC is continuing its research on the epigenetic mechanisms of alcohol abuse disorders. Researchers will use animal models and human postmortem brain tissue to examine how epigenetic changes mediate withdrawal symptoms and promote increased drinking.
A new study found patients with cavernous angioma have distinct gut microbiomes compared to healthy individuals. The imbalance of bacteria produces lipopolysaccharide molecules that cause brain lesions.
Probiotic intervention has been found to have a positive impact on neurologic manifestations of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including depression and cognitive impairments. Regular intake of probiotic bacteria has been shown to improve gut health and strengthen the brain-gut axis.
Researchers at NIH found that a single amino acid change in the NLGN4 gene can drive the difference in male and female cases of autism. The study suggests that this mutation may result in autism-related symptoms, including intellectual deficits, due to the inability of the Y-chromosome version of the protein to compensate.
A genetic study by the University of Trento identified a crucial molecule (Wnt inhibitory factor 1, Wif1) in the correct composition of habenula neurons and their connectivity. This discovery may provide new insights into the causes of neurological disorders like autism.
Purdue University researcher Alexander Chubykin is working on developing new biomarkers to diagnose autism and schizophrenia. He believes understanding how the brain predicts future events can help individuals with these disorders better navigate their environments and manage sensory overload.
The research team identified Abl1 gene as a key player in the development of inhibitory neurons and sensory circuits. Inhibiting Abl1 expression led to structural defects in brain development, causing hypersensitivity and sensory-related side effects.
A recent study reveals that migraine patients exhibit altered tactile sensation, particularly a decreased perception of pleasure in gentle touch. The research suggests that this disturbance may be related to the same neurophysiological processes underlying allodynia, a common symptom of migraine.
Research at Massachusetts General Hospital examines brains of individuals with early-life trauma and functional neurological disorder, finding correlations between childhood abuse severity and altered brain connectivity. The study's findings may provide new insights into the plastic brain mechanisms underlying FND.