Articles tagged with Neurology
A large cohort study found that heavy drinking was associated with a higher risk of stroke in Chinese men. Drinking more than 21 drinks per week increased the risk by 22%, while heavier drinking correlated to higher mortality rates.
Researchers found that axon stimulation can increase signal transmission to the cortex, suggesting a new mechanism for brain processing. This discovery may lead to treatments for psychiatric disorders where brain cells communicate incorrectly.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center discovered the key site in the brain where a hormone called prostaglandin E2 causes fever responses during infections. This discovery sheds light on the adaptive function of fever in protecting the body from illness, including increased sensitivity to pain and achiness.
Most UK sports clubs do not conduct comprehensive preparticipation medical evaluations, despite recommended guidelines. A survey found that less than half of cricket and rugby union clubs recorded player concussion histories before employment.
A new review in Science discusses the convergence of evolutionary, neurological, and social-psychological insights on morality's origins. Haidt identifies three key principles: intuitive primacy, moral thinking for social doing, and morality binds and builds.
A multi-center study shows that repeated Botox treatments over a year significantly decrease spasticity and pain in upper limbs following a stroke. The treatment improves quality of life for post-stroke patients with significant and lasting relief from debilitating symptoms.
A study found that the use of antithrombotic drugs like aspirin has led to an increase in intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke deaths among older adults. The researchers analyzed data from two studies and found that the proportion of patients taking these medications who experienced strokes increased significantly over time.
Wernicke encephalopathy, a serious neurological condition, is increasingly reported after obesity surgery due to vitamin deficiency and vomiting. Patients should be alert for symptoms such as confusion, lack of coordination, and visual changes.
A large Canadian study found that patients admitted to hospitals on weekends had a 14% higher risk of dying within seven days compared to those admitted during the week. The 'weekend effect' was more pronounced in rural hospitals and among general practitioners.
A new unified score, ABCD², has been developed to predict stroke risk within 2 days of TIA more accurately than existing scores. This improvement can help guide clinical decisions and optimize secondary prevention strategies.
Women are more likely to inherit an increased risk of ischaemic stroke than men, with a higher likelihood of having a family history of stroke in mothers and sisters. The age at stroke for women and their siblings correlates with the age at stroke for their mothers.
A study of 3,718 residents found that eating at least 2.8 servings of vegetables per day slowed cognitive change by 40% compared to those who consumed less than one serving per day.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School found increased thickness of two brain areas in people with migraine compared to healthy controls. The study used magnetic resonance imaging and identified structural differences that may explain visual processing problems during attacks.
A study examining stroke recurrence in Mexican Americans found they have a higher risk of recurrent strokes compared to non-Hispanic whites. This increased risk is associated with a higher mortality rate, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve outcomes.
Biomedical engineers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered a new learning strategy called categorical adaptation, which suggests that learning does not necessarily scale proportionally with error size.
A Stanford scientist who has lived as both male and female argues that women's underrepresentation in science is due to bias, not innate differences. He cites studies showing bias in grant applications and research evaluations, highlighting the need for a more inclusive approach.
A Mayo Clinic study found that patients with widely fluctuating blood pressure during the first three hours in the emergency room were much less likely to survive more than 90 days after a stroke. The study suggests that managing blood pressure acutely after ischemic stroke is crucial to improve survival rates.
A study by UCL scientists found that people's brains struggle to distinguish between real and imagined events, leading to hallucinations in schizophrenia. The researchers used fMRI scans to observe brain activity while participants remembered whether words had been seen or imagined.
Researchers at Ohio State University Medical Center have developed a device that effectively eliminates migraine pain by targeting the aura phase. The TMS device sends an electric current to the brain, interrupting the neural disturbances that signal the onset of migraines.
The study, led by Dr Nathaniel Daw and Dr John O'Doherty, used fMRI scans to measure brain activity while subjects gambled for money. Most people switch between exploring and exploiting strategies seamlessly, making it hard to distinguish between them.
A recent UCLA study found no association between the MCPH1 and ASPM gene variants and differences in brain size. The researchers used MRI scans to measure brain size in 120 healthy individuals and identified those with these genetic variations, but their findings suggest caution when interpreting evolutionary advantages of these variants.
Researchers found that more growth hormone is produced in females than males and in adults, with the hormone responding to estrogen. The study has implications for menopausal women using estrogen replacement therapy and athletes taking growth hormone and anabolic steroids.
A multicenter trial of two spinal cord injury therapies found that weight-supported treadmill training and conventional overground mobility therapy produce similar outcomes. The study showed that individuals with partial spinal cord injuries can walk independently by six months, regardless of the therapy strategy.
A team of University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists reports that the brain can be rewired in anticipation of sensory input to respond in prescribed ways. By manipulating expectancy, the brain code for tastes is activated less when a cue suggests a lesser taste, and the perception of the taste matches the prediction.
Researchers have established that microsaccades are responsible for driving 80 percent of our visual experience, resolving a scientific debate. This discovery brings new hope to patients who are blind much of the time due to fixational eye movement problems.
Researchers propose that brain regions like cerebral cortex and spinal cord are designed with low conduction delays in mind, allowing for efficient signal transmission. The study provides a mathematical framework for understanding the segregation of gray and white matter in the brain.
A Barrow researcher has received a $965,000 grant to investigate nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain's pleasure-reward centers. The research aims to develop novel drug treatments for nicotine dependence, building on previous findings that an anti-depressant medication, bupropion, mimics nicotine's effects at these receptors.
Researchers monitored the accuracy with which subjects could step onto a target, finding that vision was blocked only after the foot had left the floor. This suggests that people use visual information to adjust their footfall while their foot is moving forwards.
Researchers used brain scans to predict volunteer performance in a motion discrimination task. They found that brain signals related to spatial attention predicted performance, suggesting the brain uses internal signals to influence perception.
A prestigious team of international editors led by Professor Donnan is launching the International Journal of Stroke, focusing on clinical aspects of stroke and providing regional news, world press reports, and topical reviews. The journal aims to reduce the burden of stroke worldwide through research and debate.
Researchers identified areas of the brain where neuronal activity decreases when objects are made invisible, suggesting a relationship between conscious experience and visual perception. The findings may advance understanding of the brain's interaction with the eye and its importance in medicine, neurology, and psychology.
A six-year study found that consuming one or more fish meals per week was associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline. The study, which analyzed data from over 1,000 Chicago residents aged 65 and older, suggests that eating fish may help protect against age-related cognitive decline.
Scientists at University College London found that the parietal cortex is crucial for detecting changes in a visual scene, explaining why we often miss dramatic changes while concentrating. The discovery sheds new light on 'change blindness,' a phenomenon where people fail to notice large visual changes.
A German study found that patients with right-brain stroke were less likely to receive thrombolysis treatment and be admitted to hospital within 3 hours of stroke onset compared to those with left-hemispheric events. This underdiagnosis poses challenges for optimizing stroke management, particularly in the early stages.
Researchers investigated the role of genital neurological integrity and found that almost half of women with female sexual dysfunction (FSD) reported symptoms. Decreased sensation in the clitoris was particularly prevalent among those with multiple forms of FSD.
A survey of 1,105 emergency physicians found that many are hesitant to use tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) due to bleeding risks, despite its potential to restore blood flow in the brain. Team-based approaches and risk-reducing measures may help increase tPA adoption.
Researchers found that pretreating with DHE can prevent migraines from progressing to debilitating sensitization. This breakthrough suggests that more patients can benefit from standard treatment using intravenous DHE.
A recent UCSF study has identified a genetic mutation in the casein kinase1 delta (CK1 delta) gene that is associated with familial advanced sleep phase syndrome (FASPS), a rare sleep disorder. The research, published in Nature, also suggests that circadian rhythm variants may contribute to psychiatric disorders such as depression.
Hopkins researchers identify NKCC1 as key player in maintaining high chloride levels in odor-detecting cells. The same transporter facilitates secretion of digestive juices and communication between the nose and brain. This finding sheds light on how our bodies process smells and could lead to new understanding of neurological functions.
Researchers found that visual signals can quickly adjust leg movement to prevent balance loss. This fast reaction enables bipedal locomotion over unpredictable terrain, improving balance and stability.
Researchers found testosterone sped up recovery from strokes in castrated rat studies, showing significant improvement in neurological deficits. Plans are underway to investigate whether testosterone can help people recover from strokes.
A recent study by Michigan Medicine reveals that Mexican-Americans are twice as likely to experience a stroke or near-stroke compared to non-Hispanic whites. The disparity holds true across various age groups, including younger populations, with unique genetic predispositions and potential factors contributing to the increased risk.
A study of 546 stroke patients found that higher NIHSS scores were associated with increased risk of being discharged to rehabilitation or nursing facilities. The NIHSS score was also found to be a predictor of discharge destination, even after accounting for other factors.
A UK study has shown a substantial reduction in stroke incidence over the past 20 years, with age-adjusted occurrence of first stroke decreased by around 30%. The decrease is associated with increased use of blood-pressure lowering and cholesterol-lowering drugs, leading to significant reductions in related risk factors.
According to a study, only 15% of stroke patients arrive at the hospital within three hours of symptom onset. This leads to a low rate of IV tPA use, which is critical for dissolving blood clots and restoring blood flow. The researchers found that shortening ED arrival times could significantly increase IV tPA use in the US.
USF researchers identify bone marrow-derived BNP as a potential candidate for treating stroke, spinal cord injury and neurological damage. Bone marrow stromal cells release levels of BNP far exceeding the amounts normally found in circulating blood and spinal fluid.
Researchers developed a device called NeuroFlo that increases blood flow to the brain by diverting it from lower extremities. The study tested its safety and effectiveness on 17 patients with ischemic strokes, resulting in improved treatment outcomes for 10 out of 15 conscious patients.
Rutgers-Newark has received a powerful computer grant, which will enable researchers to analyze brain activity more efficiently. The new supercomputing cluster allows for faster processing of massive amounts of data generated by human brain scans.
IVIg is the preferred treatment for Guillain-Barré Syndrome due to its ease of use and lower complication rate compared to plasma exchange. Early treatment within two weeks of symptom onset improves chances for a better outcome.
Researchers have directly observed the brain mechanisms involved in predictive associations, a key process in associative learning. The study found that changes in neural activity in the amygdala support changes in the orbitofrontal cortex, highlighting the importance of this brain system.
A study found that ID Migraine screener is reliable in detecting migraines in undiagnosed patients. The three-question survey showed a high accuracy rate of 93% for diagnosing migraines.
A new study suggests that children's brains are wired to downplay the sensation of their own physical actions, leading to increased force being used in play. This mechanism may also explain why kids can't tickle themselves, but feel the full effect when someone else does.
Research finds that spinal manipulative therapy may exacerbate pre-existing vertebral artery dissections, increasing the risk of stroke. Patients under age 60 who received chiropractic neck treatments were six times more likely to experience a stroke than those who didn't.
A reanalysis of previous studies found that new-generation antipsychotics were moderately more efficacious than low-potency conventional drugs but did not significantly reduce neurological side-effects. Clozapine was the only new-generation drug associated with fewer side-effects and higher efficacy.
A study published in The Lancet found that retrograde catheterization of the aortic valve can lead to clinically silent cerebral embolic lesions, with a substantial risk of structural ischaemic brain damage. Patients undergoing this procedure are at risk of clinical neurological complications, including impaired neurological function.
Researchers at Saint Louis University found that injecting human umbilical cord blood cells into rats after a stroke improved sensorimotor function. The treatment may provide a potential source for restoring neuronal function after a stroke.
A new study suggests that nearly 90 percent of healthy diabetes patients have experienced brain volume loss, potentially contributing to cognitive decline. The research, led by Drs. Jitendra Sharma and Richard Chan, used MRI scans to compare brain health in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals within the same age cohort.
A nationwide study found that frovatriptan succinate prevented menstrually associated migraines (MAM) in as many as half the women evaluated. The drug significantly reduced MAM severity and duration, as well as patients' functional impairment and use of rescue medications.
A new approach to brain angioplasty using local anesthesia with mild sedation safely performed on 10 patients, showing promising results in minimizing complications. The study found that the procedure was technically successful but resulted in three minor complications related to stenting and bleeding.
A study of Canadian children with shaken baby syndrome found nearly 20% died, 55% suffered lasting neurologic injuries, and 65% experienced visual impairment. The authors estimate at least 40 cases occur annually, calling for further research on prevention strategies.