Research on diseases of the nervous system. Covers mitochondrial protection, macrophage replacement, Parkinson's costs, and brain-injury recovery.
Researchers have developed a new interface technology that can provide natural sensory feedback from robotic prosthetics to amputees, reducing abnormal sensations and cognitive burden. The innovation uses ultra-small recording sites and molecular guidance cues to stimulate sensory axons selectively, improving control of robotic limbs.
A study found that 73% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients developed delirium, leading to lasting cognitive impairment and increased need for skilled nursing care. The disease itself, sedatives, and inflammation can contribute to this outcome.
Researchers at RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research have found that Kleefstra syndrome, a genetic disorder leading to intellectual disability, can be reversed after birth. Postnatal treatment with artificially induced GLP production resulted in improved brain and behavioral symptoms.
A new study published in the Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases found that starting treatment with an ACE inhibitor as soon as cardiac function drops below normal reduces the risk of severe cardiomyopathy and heart failure in BMD patients. Early treatment significantly improves long-term cardiac outcomes, reducing hospitalizations for h...
A common blood test could identify patients with schizophrenia at high risk for cardiovascular disease, enabling early intervention. Elevated white blood cell counts are suspected to be a signal, and a large-scale analysis of over 20,000 patients will examine its associations.
Researchers from University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine found that combining long-term injectable medications with psychosocial intervention improves adherence and symptoms in patients with bipolar disorder. The study enrolled 30 people with bipolar disorder who had adherenc...
Researchers at Penn State have imaged a protein facilitating RNA modification, allowing them to reconstruct the process. The study reveals how a chemical tag is added to tRNA, improving its ability to translate messenger RNA into proteins.
A large epidemiology study found associations between higher HDL and apoA1 levels with a lower risk of ALS. Lower LDL and apoB levels were also linked to decreased risk. These findings may support population screening and preventative therapy for ALS.
A study led by Ruixue Zhaoyang found that frequent and pleasant social interactions can boost cognitive performance in older adults. Participants who reported more social interactions had better cognitive performance on the same day and for days following.
Scientists have identified two new candidate genes, ULK4 and PTTG1, that positively influence the development of an embryo by restoring a strong Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway. This finding provides new insights into the causes of holoprosencephaly, a congenital malformation affecting around one to four in every 1,000 unborns.
A UNSW psychology researcher recommends a set of neurocognitive and mental health questionnaires to harmonize the assessment of long COVID patients. These tests can be used internationally and in various cultural settings to address key questions about the problem, including brain fog and dementia risks.
Researchers have discovered a new pathway in the brain that plays a key role in rewards and reinforcement. GABA neurons from the ventral tegmental area project to the nucleus accumbens shell, promoting reward processing. This finding offers new avenues for understanding psychiatric diseases such as depression and addiction.
The Cleveland Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center will receive funding to accelerate research on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The center aims to develop individualized treatment approaches for individuals with aging-associated brain disorders.
A study by KAIST scientists shows that neurons carrying somatic mutations in MTOR can lead to focal cortical dysplasia, the most common cause of uncontrolled seizures. Nearby non-mutated neurons become hyperexcitable due to adenosine kinase overproduction, triggering seizures.
Researchers have created brain organoids from people with 16p11.2 genomic variations, which exhibit differences in brain size seen in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The study revealed new information about molecular mechanisms that malfunction when this region is disrupted, providing opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
Researchers identified a vulnerability in developmental signaling pathways that can drive pediatric low-grade glioma formation. Targeted treatment prevents tumor formation, long before irreversible damage to the optic nerve can cause permanent vision loss.
A new study from University of California - San Diego suggests that protein deposits in the retina and brain may be a sign of Alzheimer's disease risk. Retinal imaging may potentially serve as an early biomarker for detecting AD risk, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional brain scans.
Researchers from Kessler Foundation found that cognitive rehabilitation programs are effective in treating multiple sclerosis-related cognitive dysfunction. Behavioral interventions such as restorative and compensatory approaches improve cognition and daily life functioning.
Researchers at UC San Diego have discovered the main components driving amyloid beta-associated synapse degeneration in Alzheimer's disease. They found that blocking a toxic signaling pathway can protect synapses and preserve cognitive function, offering a potential therapeutic agent.
Rutgers researchers have developed a novel technique to quantify protein droplets involved in neurodegenerative diseases. The technique measures the surface tension and viscosity of protein droplets, allowing for improved understanding of disease mechanisms and potential drug treatments.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have successfully used a synthetic compound to regulate the TREM2 gene, implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. The findings raise hope for developing new treatments for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The National Institute on Aging's $280 million investment in small businesses has advanced research on care interventions, diagnostic tools, and therapies for Alzheimer's disease. This funding has enabled the commercialization of technologies such as ActivePERS and PrecivityAD, which aim to improve care and diagnosis.
Researchers found that a mobile interventional stroke team treated patients faster and with better outcomes than standard care. Patients treated by the MIST team were more likely to be functionally independent at 90 days post-stroke.
Researchers from NUS have discovered that brain cells rely on the TDP-43 protein to maintain the myelin sheath, which is crucial for neuron insulation. The study suggests that restoring cholesterol levels through drug intervention could be a novel therapeutic approach for diseases associated with TDP-43.
A study from the University of South Carolina's Environmental Health & Disease Laboratory found that andrographolide successfully restored bacteriomes and viromes, increasing beneficial bacteria and decreasing harmful bacteria. The treatment also decreased gut inflammation and neuroinflammation in veterans with Gulf War Illness.
A study found that women with severe large vessel occlusion ischemic strokes are approximately 11% less likely to be sent to comprehensive stroke centers compared to men. Stroke severity, travel distances, and comorbidities were similar between genders.
A new study has found that harmful body fat can increase the risk of dementia and stroke, with grey matter atrophy being a key indicator. The research used genetic data from over 336,000 individuals to establish a link between obesity and declining brain health.
Researchers have discovered the amygdala's role in pre-attentive mechanisms, shedding light on its connection to schizophrenia and other disorders. The study found that activating brain stem inhibitory neurons via the amygdala is crucial for startle inhibition.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital report positive results with risplidam, a small-molecule drug that treats SMA by correcting the root cause: a mutated gene. Infants receiving risplidam showed improvements in motor function and lived longer than expected.
A new study suggests that gene therapy delivered into the brain may be safe and effective in treating AADC deficiency. The therapy resulted in clinical improvement of symptoms, including reduced oculogyric crises, improved movement and motor function, and better sleep patterns.
A comprehensive study of over 70,000 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the UK found that one in two developed at least one health complication. Common complications included renal, respiratory, and cardiovascular issues, affecting people across all age groups.
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.