Articles tagged with Neurology
A large study of 91,460 mother-offspring pairs found no link between prenatal corticosteroid and beta-2 adrenergic agonist exposure and offspring neurodevelopmental issues. The findings suggest these medications are safe for pregnant individuals with asthma.
A smart brain-wave cap can diagnose stroke in ambulances, allowing for prompt treatment and potential lifesaving. The cap uses EEG tests to recognize large ischemic strokes, directing patients to specialized hospitals for mechanical removal of blood clots.
A randomized clinical trial found that cefepime increased neurological dysfunction in adults hospitalized with acute infection, while piperacillin-tazobactam did not. The study involved 2,511 participants and suggested that cefepime may be associated with adverse outcomes.
Researchers developed AI tools to analyze speech patterns in people with schizophrenia and found that these patterns can be distinguished from those of healthy individuals. The study uses an AI language model trained on internet text to represent the meaning of words, and it was able to predict the words generated by control participan...
Researchers found that antidepressant escitalopram increases synaptic density in the brain over weeks, leading to greater brain plasticity. This explains why effects of antidepressants take time to kick-in, with significant differences in synapse density between treatment and placebo groups.
Researchers found that fly brain uses a three-step computation to distinguish motion patterns, dividing the workload across multiple levels. This approach helps flies detect even slight changes in motion and stay on course.
Cancer researchers at University of Cincinnati Cancer Center are exploring a new method called lattice therapy, which delivers higher doses to tumors and lower doses to surrounding tissues. The approach has shown promise in reducing treatment time and improving patient outcomes for head and neck, lung, and brain tumors.
A randomized controlled trial found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) significantly reduces fibromyalgia pain by decreasing pain-catastrophizing, a negative response that amplifies pain. CBT participants showed reduced connectivity between brain regions associated with self-awareness and emotional processing.
Researchers discovered that brain nerve networks are organized into interconnected modules to segregate and integrate inputs, enabling efficient processing. This modular architecture allows the brain to balance local activity with global integration, essential for information representation.
The new guidelines provide a framework for genetic testing and counseling, recommending comprehensive testing and gene-targeted therapies for all persons with ALS. The guidelines aim to improve access and standardize practice among neurologists and genetic counselors.
The ECNP 2023 conference will feature discussions on a wide range of new work in clinical and applied neuroscience among over 5000 attendees from around the world. Accredited journalists are welcome to attend and register for online access.
A new study suggests that transcranial ultrasound stimulation can be used to change specific types of activity within the brain, paving the way for targeted treatments of mental health conditions. The research found that TUS induced significant changes in GABA concentration and altered communication between brain regions.
This exploratory study reveals racial differences in clinical presentation among individuals diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. The findings suggest that racially minoritized individuals may experience more severe dementia severity, functional impairment, and neuropsychiatric symptoms.
The Stevens INI is expanding its health disparities research with a new award to examine vascular causes of dementia in Asian Americans. The project aims to use innovative imaging techniques and clinical translations to better understand cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and its impact on cognitive impairment and dementia.
A new NYU Langone Health program trains neurology residents to diagnose neurological ailments using simulated virtual exams. The curriculum includes 'actor-patients' and self-testing, improving residents' comfort levels and interest in teleneurology, a crucial skill for the future of healthcare.
Researchers investigated how previous forces affect tactile neuron responses in the fingertip, revealing a viscoelastic memory that influences brain signals. This discovery may aid in navigating daily manual tasks by providing accurate motor commands.
A case series reveals that young brain donors with a history of repetitive head impacts exhibit severe symptoms, which may be caused by multiple factors. Further research is needed to clarify the association between exposure to head impacts and clinical symptoms in young athletes.
A large cohort study found that post-9/11 veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experienced a more than 10-fold increase in suicide rates compared to the US adult population, highlighting a significant public health concern. The study also revealed that TBI exacerbates the risk of suicidal behavior among this vulnerable population.
A study at the University of Gothenburg found that preterm babies given a supplement with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids had improved visual function by age 2.5. The supplement also seemed to improve the brain's ability to interpret visual impressions.
A recent NIH-supported study found a significant association between a genetic variant in people of African ancestry and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The variant, in the GBA1 gene, is associated with a higher risk of 3.5 times for those carrying two copies.
Researchers highlight concerns among healthcare providers about patients with cognitive decline living alone, who are vulnerable to missing medical appointments and failing to respond to follow-up phone calls. The study emphasizes the need for improved support systems to prevent untreated medical conditions, self-neglect, and falls.
TDP-43 accumulation in neurons initiates disease progression, spreading to other motor-related neurons. The protein causes mild degeneration in cortical neurons but severe atrophy and cell death in spinal motor neurons.
Glycosaminoglycans, complex sugars in the brain's extracellular matrix, regulate neural connectivity through sulfation patterns. This discovery could lead to treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders by manipulating these patterns.
A first-in-human trial of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for post-stroke rehabilitation patients has shown that DBS to target the dentate nucleus improves motor impairment and function, with gains nearly tripling initial scores. The study also found significant improvements in quality of life.
Researchers developed a novel maze design that allows for the tracking of mice's navigational strategies, revealing three primary approaches: random, spatial, and serial search. The study provides valuable insights into how animals select these strategies based on environmental factors.
A recent study by Tufts University researchers found that myo-inositol in human breast milk increases synaptic connections between neurons, indicating stronger brain connectivity. This finding could lead to improved infant formulas and better brain health outcomes for adults with certain psychiatric conditions.
Researchers developed a blood test to detect nerve injury in MS and found it works for children, even when symptom-free. The test measures neurofilament light chain levels, which reflect nerve cell injury.
A study published in Neuron found that a structure in rat brains called the periaqueductal gray is essential for play and laughter. The researchers used tickling to simulate playful environments and measured brain activity, finding strong neural responses to both tickling and playing.
A study published in Science reveals that ganglia in the neck region are responsible for disrupting melatonin production and causing sleep disturbances in people with heart conditions. Researchers found that macrophages accumulate in the ganglion, leading to inflammation and scarring, which can be treated with drugs.
A new study from UTHealth Houston found that women with large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke are less likely to be routed to comprehensive stroke centers compared to men. Despite having worse stroke symptoms and living within comparable distances, women were approximately 9% less likely to be routed to these centers.
Researchers have developed a new study showing that targeted electrical stimulation in patients with traumatic brain injury improved memory recall by 19%. The technology delivers the right stimulation at the right time, informed by the wiring of the individual's brain and that individual's successful memory retrieval.
Fetuses use a copy of a gene inherited from their dad to force their mum to release as much nutrients possible during pregnancy. This 'remote-control' system is operated by genes that can be switched on or off depending on whether they are a 'dad's' or 'mum's' gene.
A new strategy targeting hospital procedures and community education led to a significant increase in thrombolysis rates, reducing post-stroke disability. The program, known as Stroke Ready, improved equity in stroke treatment for Black individuals who experience more strokes at younger ages.
Researchers at North Carolina State University discovered that slower gait speeds in older dogs are linked to increased cognitive decline and dementia. The study measured gait speed on and off leash in senior dogs and found a significant correlation between walking speed and cognitive performance.
Researchers at TUM developed a new approach to measure human brain activity using microelectrodes and awake brain surgery. They found individual neurons specialize in handling specific numbers, providing insights into cognitive functions and developing solutions for brain function disorders.
A new study examining brain tissue from 631 former football players found that the cumulative force of hits, not just the number of concussions, was the strongest predictor of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The study suggests that reducing the force and frequency of head impacts could help prevent CTE in athletes.
A new study found that football players' cumulative repetitive head impact exposure was associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) status and severity. The study suggests that reducing both the number of head impacts and their force could lower CTE risk.
A pilot study suggests that high-definition cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (HD C-tDCS) may be beneficial for acute ischemic stroke patients. In the study, patients who received HD C-tDCS showed improved blood flow and a significant rescue of threatened brain tissue, compared to those in the sham group.
Researchers applied machine learning to brain responses and achieved near-perfect classification accuracy for songs that may become hits. The approach, called 'neuroforecasting,' uses data from a small group of people to predict population-level effects without needing to measure the brain activity of hundreds of people.
Researchers have developed a technique to measure the effectiveness of clemastine in repairing myelin, allowing for future therapies to be assessed. Patients with MS treated with clemastine experienced modest increases in myelin water, indicating myelin repair.
Researchers found that Perlecan deficiency causes axonal segments to break apart during development, leading to synaptic connection loss. The protein's critical role depends on its secretion from multiple cell types, not just neurons.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital identified distinct brain network connections for visual and motor anosognosia, as well as a shared network for awareness of deficits. The study found that the hippocampus and precuneus play a key role in memory-based recognition of neurological deficits.
A new study found that obstructive sleep apnea causes widespread changes in gene activity in mice, affecting up to 16% of genes, particularly in lung tissue. The findings may lead to diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, including blood tests tracking dysregulated gene products.
A multidisciplinary team led by Hong Chen successfully induced a torpor-like state in mice using ultrasound, which also worked on rats. The researchers found that stimulating the hypothalamus preoptic area with ultrasound activated neurons and induced changes in body temperature and metabolism, allowing for the preservation of energy.
A team of scientists has developed an automated algorithm to reconstruct the shape of each neuron inside a light microscopy image using deep learning. This breakthrough addresses the challenge of generalizing algorithms across diverse species, brain locations, developmental stages, and microscopy image sets.
Researchers have found that reduced oxygen intake is associated with a 50% increase in lifespan and delayed onset of aging-associated neurological deficits in fast-aging mice. The study's findings suggest that oxygen restriction may hold anti-aging potential for mammals, including humans.
Research highlights challenges in scalability and sustainability of stroke care quality improvement efforts, with multifaceted patient needs requiring multidisciplinary teams. The study identifies five key gaps in stroke quality improvement research, emphasizing the need for policy evaluation and comparison of hospital performance data.
A new study by MIT scientists shows that 40 Hz vibration can reduce levels of the hallmark Alzheimer's protein phosphorylated tau, preserve neurons, and improve motor function in mouse models. This research demonstrates a third sensory modality to increase gamma power in the brain, offering new hope for Alzheimer's treatment.
Researchers found that modern dog breeds, which are genetically more distant from wolves, have relatively larger brain sizes compared to ancient breeds. This increase in brain size cannot be attributed to the roles or life history characteristics of the breeds.
Researchers develop innovative data compression scheme to facilitate multispeckle diffuse correlation spectroscopy with high pixel resolutions, enabling non-invasive measurement of brain blood flow. The scheme uses field-programmable gate array compression to alleviate computational burdens and expand the use of SPAD cameras in biomedi...
The UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute will run the Data Coordination Center for the Scalable and Systematic Neurobiology of Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Disorder Risk Genes (SSPsyGene) Consortium. The team will coordinate an initial selection of 250 relevant genes from nearly 30,000 protein coding genes in the human genome.
More than half of stroke survivors develop cognitive impairment within a year, with 1 in 3 at risk for dementia. Early screening and comprehensive care are advised to support stroke survivors with cognitive impairment.
Scientists have created a detailed map of human spinal cord cell formation, shedding light on how injuries and diseases arise. The study's findings hold promise for developing new therapies for spinal cord injuries and diseases like ALS.
A nationally representative sample of community-dwelling adults found that stroke prevalence remained stable overall, but increased among men. The study's estimates underestimate the total burden due to institutional settings not included in National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.
Researchers have developed a computer-assisted method to automate the assessment of speech severity in ataxia patients, achieving an 80% hit rate. The new methodology leverages artificial intelligence and could simplify procedures for determining ataxia severity, facilitating research and clinical practice.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered how oligodendrocyte-lineage cells transfer cell material to neurons in the mouse brain, providing a new mechanism for understanding brain maturation and finding treatments for neurological conditions. This discovery opens new possibilities for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and P...
Researchers have identified hundreds of genes with significant stroke-driven changes and likely relevance in human strokes. The study found alterations in sphingolipid production, which are involved in regulating blood vessels, and pinpointed several molecular pathways that can be targeted for stroke treatment.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital developed a genetic therapy to correct myotonic dystrophy in mice by targeting the abnormal splicing of the Clcn1 gene. The treatment restored muscle strength and corrected muscle stiffness, reversing muscle fiber type transitions.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover that mechanical and chemical itch sensations are encoded by different brain pathways, which act together to drive chronic itch. The study reveals key molecules regulating these pathways and opens avenues for new therapies.
Researchers identified potential neurological biomarkers of long COVID-19 in nonhuman primates, which could aid in diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. The study found elevated proteins associated with neurodegenerative disorders in the brain, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood after SARS-CoV-2 infection.