A recent NIH-funded study found that using advanced imaging shortly after an acute ischemic stroke did not identify a subgroup of patients who could benefit from clot removal procedures. The study, MR RESCUE, tested an invasive clot removal strategy in patients with large clots blocking major brain arteries.
Scientists at the University of Bonn have identified a new signaling pathway involved in chronic inflammation, which contributes to nerve cell malfunctions and death. By deactivating key genes, they observed reduced inflammation, memory loss, and beta-amyloid peptide deposition in genetically modified mice.
The New York Stem Cell Foundation has announced funding of $9 million to six new investigators conducting innovative stem cell and neuroscience research. The award will support these researchers as they establish their own laboratories and expand their work.
A special issue of Cell Transplantation features studies on clinical translational medicine for successful neurorestoration in human patients with various neurological conditions. The field of neurorestoratology aims to optimize regimes and develop treatment guidelines through the integration of current methods.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered the genetic cause of double-cortex syndrome, a form of epilepsy that affects primarily females. The study found that disease-causing mutations disrupt teamwork between proteins necessary for brain cell skeleton construction, leading to malformation and seizures.
The Pew Scholars Program identifies and invests in talented researchers, enabling them to pursue innovative research and take calculated risks. This year's class of scholars is exploring various human health issues.
A Duke University study found that videogamers are not better at multitasking while driving than non-gamers, contrary to popular belief. The researchers measured the performance of 60 undergraduate students on visual tasks and had them answer Trivial Pursuit questions over a speakerphone while driving.
A $1.5 million gift from Motorola Solutions will create the Gregory Q. Brown Endowed Chair at Rutgers University's Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience. The gift aims to find treatments for stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia, as a tribute to Brown's mother, who suffers from dementia.
Researchers discovered a mutated version of human APP, which causes rapid death of olfactory nerve cells. The study suggests that reducing APP production may prevent or reverse cell death and dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Blocking a transport pathway through brain cells offers new prospects for preventing Alzheimer's disease development. Researchers discovered that the amyloid beta precursor protein and beta secretase enzyme follow different paths, leading to the formation of amyloid plaques.
The 2011 Pew Scholars will advance research leading to medical breakthroughs and treatments, covering human diseases like Alzheimer's and diabetes. The program, investing over $125 million, recognizes early-career scientists with innovative ideas.
Researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses Center have successfully maintained human taste cells in culture for seven months, providing a valuable tool for understanding the sense of taste. The breakthrough enables scientists to test drugs to promote recovery from taste loss due to infection, radiation, or chemotherapy.
Research found that a high-fat cholesterol diet in rats caused memory impairment, inflammation, and brain damage similar to Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests a possible link between chronic high cholesterol levels and the pathology of this disease.
University of Oklahoma researchers have developed a new method for understanding brain function in humans, leveraging advances in genetic techniques to manipulate small subsets of brain cells. This breakthrough has significant implications for studies of human neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at UC Irvine discovered that stimulating a single whisker can prevent strokes in rats by quickly expanding alternate arteries. The technique was 100% effective in preventing strokes when applied within two hours of blockage.
A recent study published in Neurology found that individuals with larger heads who have Alzheimer's disease tend to exhibit better memory and cognitive skills. The research suggests that brain reserve, or the individual capacity to withstand changes in the brain, plays a crucial role in protecting against Alzheimer's symptoms.
In a three-year study, UCLA scientists found that networks of brain cells in culture can learn to generate simple timed intervals after being stimulated with patterns. The research provides new insights into how the brain tells time and enhances understanding of its workings.
Scientists at Northwestern University found that tiny blood vessels in the brain have a unique method of clearing debris by growing a membrane that envelopes the obstruction and then shoves it out. This process is slower in an aging brain, resulting in more capillary death and potentially contributing to age-related cognitive decline.
Researchers found that rapamycin blocks brain changes believed to cause seizures in rats and reduces spontaneous seizures in mice with a genetic condition. The drug may also help prevent common forms of epilepsy caused by brain injury, offering new hope for patients.
Rutgers University has received a $3.2 million grant from the NSF to equip experts in fields such as cell and molecular biology, computational modeling and biomaterials to move stem-cell breakthroughs from the biology lab into practical therapies. The program will also support training for underrepresented minorities and enhance divers...
Researchers at VIB have identified a molecular link between Alzheimer's disease and the formation of amyloid plaques in the brain. The study suggests that microRNAs may play a role in increasing BACE1 protein, a key component of plaques.
Researchers have created 3D images of fruit fly brains using optical projection tomography, shedding light on genetic research into Alzheimer's and other human diseases. The images allow scientists to visualize gene expression patterns and gain insights into the human brain.
Dr. John H. Morrison has received a $5 million MERIT Award to support his research on brain cell adaptability and its impact on age-related cognitive decline. This recognition highlights the strength of Mount Sinai faculty during a challenging time for researchers.
Researchers have found that proteins essential for brain growth during development are equally important for forming long-term memories. Growth factors like BDNF play a critical role in retaining long-term memory by binding to specific receptors in the brain, and their absence can block this process.
Frontotemporal dementia is caused by defects in chromosome 17, specifically in the progranulin protein. Genetic analyses identified a shortage of progranulin in FTDU families, leading to brain cell death. This discovery offers new diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities for FTD and other brain diseases.
A new study has found a significant link between lead exposure and long-term brain cell loss and damage. Researchers measured the brains of former employees exposed to lead in their workplaces, finding those with higher levels had smaller brain volumes and more damage.
Researchers found that people taking all three medications experienced less severe strokes, shorter hospital stays, and better brain function after a stroke. The study suggests that these medications may work together to improve blood flow and reduce brain cell damage.
Researchers accurately predicted fMRI signals in patients while watching a movie, validating its use in human neuroscience research. The findings also highlight the importance of further study to understand the correlation between fMRI and single neuronal activity.
Researchers found that clearing Alzheimer's plaques leads to rapid recovery of normal brain structure in just three days. The study suggests that plaque-clearing treatments may slow or halt disease progression, and researchers plan to investigate the underlying mechanisms.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have made a groundbreaking discovery that prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) protects brain cells from damage caused by stroke. The finding provides a new strategy for tackling and understanding the condition, which affects 4 million Americans annually.
Scientists at University of Toronto have found a major mechanism causing brain cells to die after stroke, leading to the development of new treatments. They discovered that the TRPM7 channel activates a lethal chain reaction when oxygen and nutrients are deprived, resulting in massive free radical production and cell death.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have identified a novel gene mutation causing Huntington's Disease-like 2 (HDL2), a condition identical to Huntington's but caused by a different mutation. The discovery provides a window into the mechanisms of brain cell death and could shed light on other neurodegenerative disorders.
A study published in Radiology found that Gulf War veterans experienced significant brain-cell loss, particularly in the brain stem, right basal ganglia, and left basal ganglia. The loss of functioning brain cells was linked to various symptoms, including joint pain, fatigue, dizziness, and mental confusion.
Researchers found changes in brain cells in rats treated with anti-depressant and obesity drugs, including shriveling and abnormal corkscrew shapes. The study raises concerns about the prolonged use of such commonly prescribed drugs as fluoxetine and sertraline.
Lab tests conducted by Allan Butterfield show that vitamin E can prevent the death of brain cells exposed to a toxic protein found in Alzheimer's brains. The study suggests that antioxidants may be a key to unlocking better therapies for the devastating disease.