Articles tagged with Neurological Disorders
A study found that autistic males have lower levels of estrogen receptors and aromatase, an enzyme converting testosterone to estradiol. This could lead to increased testosterone levels, potentially contributing to the disorder's prevalence in men. The findings suggest a possible reason for the gender bias in autism diagnosis.
Researchers have found that the growth factor neuregulin-1 can restore balance to impaired Schwann cells in genetically modified rats with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. This imbalance leads to insufficient myelination and nerve damage, resulting in symptoms such as numbness and weakness.
A recent study has found that a rare genetic mutation in the DISC1 gene can corrupt neural connections, leading to disruptions in brain circuitry. The research, published in Nature, used induced pluripotent stem cells to model the effects of the mutation on human neurons.
The Tufts team created a modular design that replicated fundamental features relevant to the brain's tissue-level physiological functions. The model exhibits biochemical and electrophysiological responses, offering new options for studying brain function, disease, and trauma, and treatment.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine developed an effective treatment for the rare disorder, which causes continuous feelings of swaying or rocking. The treatment re-adapts the vestibulo-ocular reflex, a mechanism in the inner ear that maintains balance, and achieves significant recovery rates in patients.
A Japanese research group found that individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have decreased activity in the extrastriate body area when imitated, indicating a lack of proper understanding of movement. This study provides new insights into ASD and can be used to evaluate behavioral interventions for alleviating the disorder.
Research found that people with bipolar disorder have stronger brain activity in the 'pleasure centre', guiding them towards riskier decisions. In contrast, a healthy control group's prefrontal cortex guides safer choices. This study aims to design and monitor therapies for bipolar disorder using neuroscience.
Research reveals how neurons create and integrate with each other, shedding light on neurological diseases like autism. The study identifies Dscam1 protein variations as key to forming complex neural networks.
The Lawrence Livermore Laboratory will develop an implantable neural interface to record and stimulate neurons in the brain for treating neuropsychiatric disorders such as PTSD and TBI. The device is part of DARPA's SUBNETS program and aims to provide a revolutionary treatment option for patients suffering from these conditions.
Researchers have discovered a key gene mutation responsible for impaired mental function in children with intellectual disabilities. TUBB5 is essential for healthy brain development, and mutations can cause problems with normal fetal brain development.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital identified a disrupted brain circuit that may contribute to auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia. The study, published in Science, suggests that reducing information flow between two brain structures involved in processing auditory information sets the stage for stress triggers.
A transgenic mouse model was created with the K141N mutation in HSPB8 to study Chinese Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2L. The mice exhibited decreased muscle strength and impaired motor coordination, but not sensory disturbance. Pathological analysis revealed reduced myelinated fiber density and axonal damage.
A new study has identified several risk factors for Ménière's Disease, including female sex, white background, age, poverty, and overweight status. The research also found links to immune system disorders and diseases related to the autonomic nervous system.
Researchers have created a high-resolution blueprint for the developing human brain, mapping where genes are turned on and off during mid-pregnancy. This atlas provides insight into diseases like autism and the origins of human uniqueness, revealing key genetic hubs linked to social behavior and cognitive features.
A study published in Neurology found that patients with restless legs syndrome had a higher mortality rate than similar men, and were more likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and hypertension. RLS screening may become more common as a tool for primary care providers to identify patients at risk of serious disease.
A large cohort study found that females diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders have a greater number of harmful genetic mutations than males. This suggests that the female brain requires more extreme genetic alterations to produce symptoms of ASD or neurodevelopmental disorders.
The European Human Brain Project, Allen Institute for Brain Science, and US BRAIN Initiative are developing new methods to study the brain in health and disease. Researchers aim to reconstruct brain structure in computer models and analyze vast amounts of brain data.
Researchers have discovered a potential therapy to enhance brain repair after a stroke by stimulating the brain's inherent plasticity with molecular components of stem cells. This approach has shown promising results in promoting neurological recovery and may lead to revolutionary treatments for other diseases.
Scientists from the Scripps Research Institute will investigate axonal transport, a cellular process crucial for signaling and long-term memory storage. The goal is to identify molecular regulators of axonal transport to develop new approaches for treating memory disorders.
Fetal mice exposed to maternal immune system inflammation show signs of brain damage lasting into adulthood, raising questions about sex-based mechanisms. Researchers suggest that chronic inflammation may play a role in inhibiting proper brain development, potentially explaining why more males have diseases like autism and schizophrenia.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have successfully treated mouse models of Hurler syndrome with gene therapy delivered via platelets and bone marrow cells. The treatment resulted in complete metabolic correction of the disease, normalizing IDUA levels in peripheral organs.
Researchers at Kessler Foundation found an association between acute, severe spatial neglect post-stroke and long-term recovery of mobility. The study suggests early detection and intervention of spatial neglect may be necessary to achieve better return of mobility.
A Swedish cohort study found a strong association between the Pandemrix anti-swine flu vaccine and an increased risk of narcolepsy in individuals under 20 years old. The study also detected a trend towards increased risk in young adults between 21-30.
A recent study led by Boston University School of Medicine researchers found that diflunisal successfully reduced neurological decline and preserved quality of life in patients with familial transthyretin amyloidosis. This repurposed generic drug demonstrates an effective alternative to liver transplantation for this devastating disease.
A study suggests that immune cells outside the brain may contribute to depression, with elevated levels of interleukin-6 linked to increased depressive behaviors in rodents. Researchers found that mice transplanted with high-responding donors exhibited increased depression-like behaviors compared to those with low-responding donors.
A study found that high maternal care during early post-natal periods can re-program genes controlling stress responses, reducing sensitivity to stressful events. This rewiring has implications for understanding early environment influences on stress-related disorders.
Meniere's disease affects 3-5 million people in the US, causing dizziness, ringing, and hearing loss. Researchers suggest a new theory linking the disorder to low blood flow in the brain and inner ear, offering a potential treatment avenue by addressing vascular risk factors.
Researchers discovered a potential new treatment for malaria by targeting the parasite's vulnerability to oxytocin, a naturally occurring hormone. Oxytocin has been shown to enhance brain activity while processing social information in children with autism spectrum disorders.
Researchers found significant differences in the expression of genes in male and female brains, involving 2.5% of all brain genes. These differences could contribute to the higher incidence of autism in males.
A Yale-led team identified common neural circuits affected by autism-risk genes and when they exert their effects on the developing human brain. The findings suggest new targeted treatments for autism may be possible, focusing on specific neural circuits at specific times.
Researchers have generated disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cell lines from a patient with familial transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR), a lethal protein-folding disorder. The study successfully recreates essential aspects of the disease in vitro, validating this iPSC-based system as a platform for testing therapeutic strategies.
Researchers at UC Davis have found a biomarker that can differentiate between the inattentive and combined subtypes of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study used electroencephalograms (EEGs) to examine brain waves in adolescents with ADHD and typically developing teens.
The NIH has awarded $17 million to support genomics research in Africa, enhancing the continent's research capacity and training African genomic scientists. The new grants will study various health conditions important in Africa, including neurological disorders and respiratory diseases.
Research attributes high smoking rates among mentally ill to brain susceptibility to addiction, not self-medication. The study found that psychiatric disease makes the brain more vulnerable to nicotine addiction, which has severe health consequences.
A team of researchers led by LA BioMed's Patricia Dickson will use state-of-the-art brain imaging to study the brains of disease models with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), a genetic disease causing cognitive deterioration, memory loss and dementia. The goal is to gain greater understanding of MPS brain disease and develop new treatments.
Research at UC Davis Center for Neuroscience found that maternal viral infection alters brain cell communication and increases risk of autism spectrum disorder. The study discovered a novel biological signaling pathway linking maternal immune activation to disease-linked behaviors.
The Society for Neuroscience announced the winners of its third annual Brain Awareness Video Contest, featuring videos on a little-known brain disorder, memory, and mind reading. The top ten videos will compete for a People's Choice Award and will join over 1,000 resources on BrainFacts.org.
UC Riverside researchers have created a novel transparent skull implant made of yttria-stabilized zirconia, allowing doctors to aim laser-based treatments without repeated craniectomies. This technology has strong potential for positive impact on patients with life-threatening neurological disorders.
Researchers have successfully used a new class of genetically engineered proteins, called genetically encoded fluorescent voltage indicators (GEVIs), to monitor nerve cell electricity in live brains. These proteins enable researchers to watch brain cells spark and fire while the flies were awakening and smelling.
A rare genetic deletion of the TOP3B gene has been identified as a common biological pathway for both schizophrenia and a learning disorder associated with autism, increasing susceptibility by two-fold. The study uncovers an important biological process underlying these brain disorders, potentially leading to new drug targets.
The NIH has launched three new projects to develop therapeutics for Fragile X syndrome, nicotine addiction, and age-related macular degeneration. Researchers aim to create novel treatments using cutting-edge science to address debilitating disorders.
Using a device that detects molecules in real-time, researchers can now observe biomolecule interactions in a sample of water. This technology has major implications for medicine, enabling scientists to study proteins, medicines, and cells with unprecedented precision.
Research reveals delayed brain development in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) compared to those without the disorder. Children with FASD show greatest gains in reading ability among other cognitive measures as their brains develop.
Astrocytes, a type of glial cell, respond to neurological trauma by changing shape and forming scars that can either repair or hinder brain function. The study identified proteins controlling this process, revealing a complex mechanism involved.
Researchers have found quantifiable differences in brain structure among children with sensory processing disorders (SPD), which are often overlooked and misunderstood. The study provides a potential biological basis for the disease, using advanced MRI techniques to examine white matter tracts in the brain.
Researchers used optogenetics to re-establish normal behavior in mice with obsessive-compulsive disorder-like symptoms. Light stimulation attenuated compulsive behavior, and the approach may help identify dysfunctional neuron circuits contributing to the disorder.
A study published in Fluids and Barriers of the CNS found a significantly altered level of six specific proteins in people with restless leg syndrome (RLS), consistent with iron deficiency, dopamine dysregulation, and inflammation. The discovery could lead to new treatments for RLS and its associated cardiovascular disease risk.
Dr. Peter Williamson's research reveals distinct neural networks affected by different psychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. The study uses advanced imaging techniques to uncover differences between patients and healthy individuals.
A genetic mutation in gene GNAQ on chromosome 9q21 is identified as the cause of Sturge-Weber syndrome and port-wine birthmarks. The discovery opens up new avenues for targeted therapies and offers renewed hope to families affected by the conditions.
Researchers developed a test to predict cerebral malaria progression in children with malaria. Testing patients' blood for HRP2 protein levels can identify those likely to develop life-threatening cerebral malaria, allowing for targeted treatment and improved outcomes.
Researchers at UCLA found that individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) have abnormal brain connections, which may impair information processing. The study suggests that these patterns in the brain relate to impaired symptoms, particularly compulsive behaviors.
Researchers from Scripps Research Institute have received a $10M NIH grant to develop anti-smoking drug candidates. The team aims to create novel compounds that target hypocretin-1 receptors, which play a critical role in maintaining tobacco addiction.
Researchers at Mount Sinai are studying spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological disorder characterized by vocal cord spasms. The team aims to identify new drug targets and diagnostic biomarkers using advanced neuroimaging methodologies.
A new study suggests schizophrenia is associated with accelerated aging, particularly in cerebral white matter. Individuals with schizophrenia have shorter average lifespans and are at increased risk of cardiovascular illnesses.
A large-scale genetic study has identified four shared genetic risk loci across five major psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The findings suggest that a new classification system based on underlying causes may be possible in the future.
A new study found that low-birth-weight newborns with enlarged ventricles on an ultrasound are seven times more likely to be diagnosed with autism later in life. The research suggests that an early brain abnormality may indicate a higher risk of developing autism.
A study by Dalhousie University researchers found that immersion in total darkness can rapidly restore vision in kittens with amblyopia. The recovery depends on the loss of neurofilaments holding the visual system in place. Darkness therapy holds promise for treating children with amblyopia, but more research is needed to determine the...
Researchers are investigating how macrophage activation affects nerve damage in HIV patients, with the goal of developing biomarkers for early detection and potential treatments.
Researchers have identified multiple brain regions responsible for generating fear and panic, including the amygdala, brainstem, diencephalon, and insular cortex. The findings suggest that an intact amygdala normally inhibits panic, and its absence can lead to anxiety-related conditions.
Scientists at the University of Melbourne have successfully transplanted neural stem cells into mice, which then migrated to the gut and developed into functional neurons. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for intestinal motility disorders such as Hirschsprung's disease.