Articles tagged with Neurological Disorders
A 10-year clinical trial found that both surgery and stenting reduce the risk of stroke by about 7%, with low rates of restenosis over time. The procedures are safe and durable for preventing stroke in various patient groups.
The Charleston Alcohol Research Center has received a $7 million NIH grant to fund innovative treatments for alcohol addiction. The center aims to develop new therapies using transcranial magnetic stimulation and other technologies.
Researchers identified 27 hotspots of frequent DNA breaks in genes associated with brain tumors and neurodevelopmental/psychiatric diseases. These break hotspots may play a role in generating neural diversity during development.
A professor of psychiatry argues that schizophrenia should be replaced with 'psychosis spectrum syndrome' due to the complexity and heterogeneity of psychotic illness. The current classification system uses outdated language and may lead to misdiagnosis or overemphasis on this condition.
Children with sensory processing disorder (SPD) have altered brain connectivity pathways compared to typically developing children, affecting auditory and tactile processing. The study found strong correlations between white matter integrity and sensory functioning, paving the way for personalized treatments.
Researchers from Loyola University Medical Center identified 60 genetic diseases that involve the skin, central nervous system, and/or peripheral nervous system. These conditions, including neurofibromatosis, can cause a range of symptoms such as tumors, learning disabilities, and bone deformities.
Researchers have identified a modifier gene for copper toxicosis in Labradors, which could lead to early detection and treatment of Wilson disease. Mutations in ATP7A protect against hepatic copper accumulation, suggesting antagonistic roles with ATP7B.
Researchers found hyperconnectivity between brain networks in adolescent boys with Internet gaming disorder, which may help them respond to new information but also increase distractibility and poor impulse control. The study provides insights into the neural basis of compulsive video game play.
Researchers found that PTSD patients exhibit heightened brain activity when viewing non-threatening images similar to their trauma, suggesting a generalized response. The study identifies key brain regions involved in this process, including the fusiform gyrus and locus coeruleus.
Researchers found female infants have larger gray matter volumes around the temporal-parietal junction, which integrates social information processing. By age two, myelination of long fiber tracks is more developed in males than females, a potential clue to autism risk disparities.
Researchers discovered a single genetic mutation responsible for 20% of severe congenital heart disease cases accompanied by neurodevelopmental disorders. The study used genomic sequencing to analyze 1,213 children with congenital heart disease and identified a subset of genes that act as conductors in organ formation.
A recent study found that delay discounting, the tendency to choose smaller rewards now rather than larger ones later, is strongly influenced by genetics. As individuals age, their ability to wait for larger delayed rewards improves. The study suggests that genes related to serotonin synthesis and binding may play a role in impulsivity.
Obese children show increased brain activity in areas linked to impulsivity and obsessive-compulsive disorder when exposed to food smells. In contrast, normal-weight children exhibit brain connections between taste processing and reward anticipation.
A new study maps specific schizophrenia symptoms to distinct brain circuits, revealing novel connections between cognitive, emotional, and intellectual symptoms. The findings have important implications for diagnosis and treatment, suggesting that brain scans could help identify individual patients and track progress during therapy.
A new supplement published by the NIH details a research strategy to tackle global brain disorders, which affect millions worldwide. The initiative aims to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions such as depression, dementia, and substance abuse in low- and middle-income countries.
Researchers found that injecting viruses carrying gene codes into the brain's ventricles can slow down Batten disease progression. The treatment improved symptoms and reduced damage caused by the disease in dogs with a similar disorder.
Researchers found that treatment with Lovastatin can correct high levels of protein production in the brain linked to intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. The study suggests that different types of intellectual disabilities may share common disease mechanisms, which could benefit from common therapeutic approaches.
Scientists have characterized six major molecular subtypes of serotonergic neurons in mice, revealing distinct expression patterns of hundreds of genes. These subtypes modulate different behaviors and vary in developmental lineage, anatomical distribution, and electrical firing properties.
Studies examine effects of TBI, stroke, and repetitive stimulation on functional brain networks, revealing hyper-connectivity and reduced coherence in TBI patients. Researchers also describe remodeling of neuronal axons and myelin after stroke, as well as improvements in motor symptoms with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.
A new study by HHMI scientists found that a single neuron in an adult human brain may have more than 1,000 genetic mutations not present in surrounding cells. These mutations mostly arise while genes are in active use after brain development is complete.
A Mayo Clinic study found that nearly three-quarters of patients with autoimmune cerebellar ataxia were women. The median duration from symptom onset to last follow-up was 25 months, with 51 patients experiencing physician-reported neurologic improvement with immunotherapy and cancer therapy.
A study of 118 adults with autoimmune cerebellar ataxia found that nonparaneoplastic disorders, detection of PMP antibodies, and GAD 65 antibodies predicted better immunotherapy response and neurological outcomes. Among the patients, 45.8% showed physician-reported neurologic improvement.
A study published in Neuron found that the rostrolateral prefrontal cortex (RLPFC) plays a crucial role in internally monitoring and guiding our behavior through sequences of tasks. By disrupting this region, researchers observed an increase in errors, highlighting its importance for cognitive control.
Researchers at TUM and Georgetown University have discovered a common gatekeeping system for tinnitus and chronic pain, which may play a central role in the development of both conditions. The study found significant loss of gray matter and compromised circuit function in regions important for emotional experiences.
A highly detailed model of mouse brain connections may provide new insights into mental illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia. The study used diffusion MRI scans to create a 3D digital map of the brain's circuitry, exceeding previous resolution by 1,000 times.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals how the protein centrosomin controls the growth of microtubules within neurons, influencing dendritic branching. The researchers found that centrosomin acts as a 'glue' to fix microtubules, preventing excessive branching and promoting more complex arbors.
Researchers created miniature brains from patient skin cells to study autism, finding altered gene expression networks and an imbalance in neuron type. Suppressing a key gene corrected this bias, suggesting possible clinical interventions.
A large-scale study has identified structural brain abnormalities in patients with schizophrenia, including smaller hippocampus and amygdala volumes and larger ventricle volumes. The findings provide new insights into the condition's development and potential treatment responses.
A new UCLA study uses brain scans to identify patients with OCD who are more likely to relapse after cognitive-behavioral therapy. The research found that brain connectivity before treatment can predict worsening symptoms after treatment.
A genetic mutation in the TEAD1 gene has been identified as the first associated with Aicardi syndrome, a debilitating childhood neurological condition. The study found that children with this disorder experience severe symptoms, including seizures, retina damage, and brain abnormalities, and that boys may also be affected.
Researchers discover that genetic mutations disrupt a delicate balance of excitatory and inhibitory signals in the brain, contributing to schizophrenia. The study finds strong evidence for the role of copy number variants in disrupting this balance, with potential implications for developing new treatments.
The Lieber Institute for Brain Development (LIBD) has been awarded a $200,000 grant by the Pennington Family Foundation to investigate the factors contributing to varying outcomes in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The study aims to identify biological associations that can improve treatment strategies and prevent long-term ...
Researchers found that FDA-approved cancer drugs nilotinib or bafetinib can prevent overgrowth of neuron endings associated with Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome. The study used fruit fly models, showing the drugs did not harm healthy brain development.
Emerging model systems of reprogrammed human neurons will drive discovery of new patient-specific therapies, accelerating research on understanding neuronal activity, brain development, and neurological diseases. The article discusses recent technological advances, current challenges, and future clinical applications.
Researchers found that nerve cells act as barriers or guides to position themselves correctly, creating a map for other cells to follow. This study uncovers an exciting new mechanism for how nerve cells position themselves in the first place, with important implications for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders.
New research from Griffith University uncovers significant genetic changes in receptors associated with immunological and cellular function, potentially shedding light on CFS/ME. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex illness's pathology.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that neurons use minor 'DNA surgeries' to toggle their activity levels, shedding light on brain disorders and learning. The study found a mechanism where Tet3 levels respond to synaptic activity, enabling neurons to maintain consistent levels of communication.
Recent breakthroughs in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research focus on precision medicine approaches, leveraging genetic technologies to identify risk genes and develop personalized therapies. Neuroimaging studies are also helping understand brain structure and function across the lifespan.
A new Wayne State University study demonstrates altered communication between brain centers in children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The research found that the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex exerts exaggerated brain network effects in OCD, suggesting a putative scientific framework for understanding the disorder.
Scientists have developed a mouse model that lacks the nSR100 gene, which regulates microexon splicing. This process is essential for protein production and brain function. The study found defects in neuron formation and wiring, similar to those found in people with autism and schizophrenia.
A new flu vaccine that includes four strains of inactivated influenza has been found to be more protective than a similar vaccine containing only three strains. The addition of the fourth strain increases the chance the vaccine will match the circulating flu B strains without compromising protection against other strains.
People with anorexia nervosa and body dysmorphic disorder share similar abnormalities in their brains that affect processing of global visual information. The study's findings suggest that perceptual retraining may be an effective therapy for both disorders.
The American Gastroenterological Association has received a $2.25 million endowment to support young researchers studying neuroenteric disease. The AGA-Athena Troxel Blackburn Research Scholar Award will fund studies on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and its impact on the brain-gut axis.
Researchers found that the Gomafu gene is dynamically regulated in the adult brain, affecting behavior related to anxiety and schizophrenia. The discovery sheds light on the gene's potential as a surveillance system for rapid brain responses to environmental changes.
The Kessler Foundation Neglect Assessment Process (KF-NAP) effectively assesses severity of spatial neglect during activities of daily living. Spatial neglect is a complication of stroke that contributes to poor rehabilitation outcomes.
Scientists used a modified form of superabsorbent chemical to expand brain structures, enabling the use of common microscopes for high-resolution imaging. This technique, called expansion microscopy, has potential to study diseases in human brain tissue and answer various scientific questions.
Researchers have discovered a link between Sox10 protein defects and post-operative GI dysfunction in Hirschsprung's disease patients. The study found that mutations in the Sox10 gene disrupts the balance of cell types in the intestine, leading to impaired GI motility.
Researchers found that brain structure and connectivity can predict which patients with refractory OCD are likely to respond to dorsal anterior cingulotomy. The study analyzed preoperative imaging data from 15 patients, identifying key neuroanatomical features associated with treatment success.
TGen researchers developed a new test that leverages the unique genetic difference between men and women to track down neurological disorders in young girls. By analyzing DNA sequences, they were able to identify a previously unrecognized disorder in a pre-teen girl and provide more accurate diagnosis for families.
The insula is essential for selecting salient stimuli, and dysfunction can lead to deficits in attention, social, and cognitive processes. Mapping the structure and function of the insular cortex may provide targeted treatments for developmental and degenerative disorders.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University used brain-reading techniques to identify altered 'thought-markers' of autism, detecting changes in the way certain concepts are represented in the brains of autistic individuals. This biological approach shows promise for complementing clinical assessments and enabling quicker diagnoses.
UCL scientists have discovered a new pathway to deliver therapies to the nervous system, offering a potential treatment for tetanus and neurological disorders such as motor neuron disease. By blocking the entry of tetanus neurotoxin into nerve cells, researchers hope to develop targeted treatments with fewer side effects.
New Rutgers research suggests that an overabundance of the NOS1AP protein in developing brains can lead to abnormalities and faulty connections, potentially triggering schizophrenia. The study's findings offer a potential explanation for the biological process of the disease and may pave the way for targeted treatment therapies.
Researchers found that African Americans have impaired blood flow regulation in the brain, contributing to a greater risk of stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases. The study suggests underlying mechanisms of blood vessel dysfunction occur in relatively young and healthy African Americans.
Researchers identified significant alterations in the thalamus and putamen of premature babies, which may lead to designing effective prevention strategies and early interventional treatments for cognitive disabilities. These findings suggest that brain structure and circuitry changes related to prematurity can affect important functio...
Researchers are working to develop a therapy for Sanfilippo disease, a devastating inherited disorder that affects the brain. The $223,102 grant will be used to create an enzyme replacement therapy to treat the underlying causes of the neurologic symptoms of MPS III.
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are associated with dendritic spine loss, suggesting shared pathophysiological features. Individuals with these disorders have reduced average spine density and number of spines per dendrite compared to control group individuals.
Research identifies two genes, FOXC1 and PITX2, that cause cerebral small vessel disease, a condition increasing stroke risk up to tenfold. Mutations lead to impaired vascular stability, ultimately resulting in long-term stroke risk.
Researchers studied brain development in people with and without schizophrenia, finding altered trajectories of growth in highly-connected brain regions. The findings provide clues to the underlying causes of schizophrenia, supporting a neurodevelopmental disorder hypothesis.
Using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), researchers discovered that schizophrenia patients' hiPSC-derived neurons release more neurotransmitters, including dopamine. This finding could lead to a better understanding of brain disorders and the development of new therapeutic strategies.