Articles tagged with Neurology
A Mayo Clinic case study finds Botox effective in treating disabling low cerebrospinal fluid headaches. The patient's headaches improved significantly after receiving Botox treatments, allowing her to live a more normal life.
A new approach to studying the brain uses a mathematical sequence to strengthen fMRI data, revealing how nerve cells represent information. This method measures changes in brain responses and corrects an important limitation of fMRI, making it more powerful than before.
A study by researchers at New York University found overlapping neurological mechanisms between goal-directed actions and habitual behaviors. The findings suggest that the brain's systems for different behaviors are more intertwined than previously thought, paving the way for addressing addiction and similar maladies.
A new clinical prediction rule has been developed to predict a patient's chances of walking independently after a spinal cord injury, with accuracy exceeding 95%. The model uses a combination of age and four neurological test results, providing a simple yet effective tool for physicians to counsel patients and their families.
Mayo Clinic researchers confirmed that patients who receive therapeutic hypothermia after resuscitation from cardiac arrest have favorable chances of surviving the event. High NSE levels in the blood were shown to predict poor outcomes in non-hypothermia cases, but elevated levels also occurred in some patients who recovered well.
Researchers found a significant increase in street drug use among stroke patients, from 0.5% to 4.6% between 1993 and 2005. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, suggests that street drug use may be contributing to rising stroke incidence among younger age groups.
A new CPR technique has been shown to increase long-term survival after cardiac arrest, with a 53% improvement in survival rates compared to standard CPR. The active compression-decompression cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) method provides nearly three times more blood flow to the heart and brain.
New studies from researchers at the University of Cincinnati show that certain measurement tools for assessing non-clinical work intensity can also be used to determine physician work intensity in clinical settings. This could lead to improved health care delivery, increased efficiency, and higher quality of care.
Scientists at Caltech have identified a delicate balance in the brain that controls fear output from the amygdala. Two neural subtypes act like a seesaw to regulate fear levels, with PKCδ+ neurons forming one end and inhibiting outflow from the region.
A study published in Archives of Neurology found that stroke patients who show improvement within one hour of receiving rt-PA are more likely to have a favorable outcome three months later. Researchers followed 120 patients and found that 68.2% had a favorable outcome, compared to 29.6% for those who did not show early improvement.
Research suggests that patients with stroke experiencing improvement within one hour of receiving clot-dissolving medication are more likely to have favorable outcomes three months later. This improvement is associated with reduced risk of death and better recovery rates.
A new anticoagulant drug dabigatran has been found to be equally effective as warfarin in preventing stroke in patients who have previously had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack. The study also showed that dabigatran has a lower risk of intracranial bleeding compared to warfarin.
Researchers found that brains of congenitally blind individuals showed greater reorganization of the visual cortex, which processes motion, compared to sighted individuals who became blind at a later age. This suggests that early life plays a crucial role in shaping brain function and that retraining may be possible.
A University of Louisville researcher has received a three-year grant to explore how the nervous system grows and develops. The study aims to identify genes involved in dendritic growth using animal models.
Researchers found that people retain memories more effectively when their brain activity is similar each time they study the same information. This challenges the long-held belief that variable contexts enhance memory retention. The findings provide new insights into effective studying and cognitive processing.
EMBL scientists uncover counterpart of cerebral cortex in marine worm Platynereis dumerilii, a relative of the earthworm. The finding suggests that the pallium is much older than previously thought and likely evolved as an adaptation to early marine life.
Health risks from Gulf Coast oil spill include toxic vapors, oil slicks, tar balls, and contaminated seafood posing respiratory problems, skin irritation, mental health concerns, and neurological impairment. The risk factors are improving as the oil leak has been stopped.
A recent study found that East Asian cultures process information differently than Western cultures, with differences in attention, categorization, and reasoning. Aging has a greater impact on cognitive processes than culture.
Researchers found differing responses for neutral observers, those who wished the player to fail, and those who wanted to see them succeed. The study used event-related potentials to measure brain activity in response to different game scenarios.
Researchers found that the human neck played a crucial role in the evolution of the human brain by enabling improved movement and dexterity in terrestrial and aerial environments. This innovation allowed for a wide range of forelimb abilities, from flying to swimming and playing piano.
Researchers used brain potentials to study the influence of context on letter recognition. The study found that linguistic context impacts access to single abstract representations, which are partially independent from physical properties. This suggests a complex processing mechanism for word recognition.
Researchers have developed a new drug that targets peripheral CB1R, reducing glucose and fat levels in the blood without causing weight loss or neurological side effects. This approach aims to reduce health risks associated with obesity, but caution is needed to ensure the drug does not access the brain.
A study found that the human brain regions growing during infancy and childhood are similar to those with the most changes when comparing humans to apes and monkeys. This research helps assess adverse effects of premature birth on brain development, including increased risks of learning disabilities and cognitive impairments.
A study found that soccer experts made more foul calls when action moved right-to-left compared to left-to-right, suggesting a bias in refereeing. Researchers suggest that referees should avoid switching diagonals at halftime to prevent unfair advantages.
A recent study by UCL scientists found that the brain is intrinsically unreliable due to high levels of noise. The researchers proposed a rate code strategy as a possible solution to this problem.
Research by scientists at Rockefeller University shows that adult brain circuits continually modify themselves in response to experience. After removing a mouse's whisker, excitatory connections rapidly sprout and inhibit networks adjust to maintain balance between excitation and inhibition.
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 discovered a DCC gene mutation responsible for mirror movements, where individuals move one side of the body without intention. The condition affects young children and persists into adulthood, with approximately half being able to suppress their symptoms.
A clinical study found that stroke patients can regain limb movement long after an injury through intensive therapy with specially trained personnel and newly created robotic aids. The study showed statistically significant improvements in quality of life, upper-arm function, and everyday activities.
A recent Harvard Medical School study found that uninsured individuals are twice as likely to receive substandard treatment for migraines compared to their privately insured counterparts. This disparity affects approximately 5.5 million people in the US who lack health insurance, leading to needless suffering and economic burden.
Researchers link differences in brain network harm to impairment in stroke patients, offering a new predictive tool for clinicians. This approach, known as resting-state functional connectivity, may help determine treatment and assess its effects.
Researchers found Ritalin enhances learning and focus by increasing brain plasticity and activity of dopamine receptors. The study showed Ritalin improves cognitive abilities in animals by strengthening communication between neurons.
A new hand-held device delivering magnetic pulses to the back of the head effectively treats migraine with aura in some patients, reducing pain and associated symptoms. The treatment is well-tolerated and non-inferior to sham stimulation for symptom improvement, making it a promising acute treatment option.
Research confirms that brain areas for noun and verb processing are distinct, with nouns primarily activating the left fusiform gyrus and verbs activating other regions like the left inferior frontal gyrus. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to show neural differences in learning new nouns and verbs.
Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital found that vitamin B3 increases 'good' cholesterol, which improves blood vessels and neural growth in the brain after a stroke. The study suggests niacin may be a low-cost treatment option for stroke patients.
A study published by the American Heart Association found that stroke incidence is increasing among young adults (20-45 years) while decreasing among older adults. The average age of stroke patients dropped significantly between 1993 and 2005, with a notable increase in younger patients.
A Johns Hopkins neurologist argues that futile and expensive end-of-life care can be a major contributor to the unaffordable cost of healthcare. He suggests weighing patient autonomy against societal costs and suggests 'nudging' families towards comfort care, particularly in cases of premature births.
This special issue of NeuroRehabilitation focuses on community-based residential designs for persons with neurodisability, highlighting the importance of holistic, functional, and individualized design modifications. The issue presents evidence-based literature, expert insights, and practical recommendations to facilitate independence ...
New research confirms the effectiveness of alteplase in treating strokes up to 4.5 hours after symptoms appear, regardless of age, gender, or underlying health conditions. The study's findings suggest that extending the treatment window could improve outcomes for stroke patients.
Researchers used former Colombian guerrillas to study brain structure changes after learning to read. They found higher grey matter density in left hemisphere areas responsible for letter recognition and increased white matter connections, particularly with the angular gyrus.
Research found that brain processes living and non-living objects in different areas, regardless of visual experience. The brain categorizes objects based on their functional importance, such as edibility or spatial awareness.
A Canadian study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that sounds and images share a similar neural code in the human brain. Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) to examine how people distinguish between different types of sounds, such as speech and music, or different images. ...
A recent study published in The Journal of Headache and Pain found that smoking more than five cigarettes a day increases the frequency of migraine attacks. The research involved 361 medicine students who were aware of their migraine status and reported higher prevalence of smokers among those with migraines.
A new Stanford University School of Medicine study found that administering a potent clot-busting medication can benefit patients up to 4.5 hours after they experience their first symptom, improving outcomes without negatively affecting mortality.
Researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital have shown that certain immune cells in the blood inhibit inflammation after a stroke. Regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg) play a key role in this protection and may offer a new approach to stroke therapy.
Researchers at UT Houston are conducting a Phase I safety trial using patient's own stem cells to treat strokes. The study aims to reduce disability in patients and could be an exciting new therapeutic approach.
Researchers created a method called Minimum Mutual Information (MinMI) to understand how brain cells process information. The tool can identify which neurons encode specific stimuli, such as facial reactions or movement, and how they collaborate.
French and American scientists used synchrotron holotomography to reveal the first fossil brain, a 300-million-year-old relative of sharks and ratfish. The discovery sheds light on brain evolution during major transitions and demonstrates the potential for microtomographic techniques in studying fossil brains.
A study by neurology residents at Barnes-Jewish Hospital showed that they can safely administer clot-busting enzyme tPA to stroke patients, reducing door-to-needle times from 81 minutes to 60 minutes. With proper training and feedback, residents can make complex decisions without increasing the risk of brain bleeding.
A clinical trial of laser therapy for stroke patients found that those with moderate to moderately severe strokes experienced significant improvement, with a 9.7% absolute gain in treated patients. However, the treatment did not significantly reduce overall stroke disability, missing its primary endpoint.
Patients arriving at hospitals within the golden hour are more likely to receive clot-busting treatment, with a significant reduction in brain damage. Researchers emphasize the importance of quick action and education for patients and physicians to improve stroke care outcomes.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center are evaluating a new mechanical arm, Armeo, to help patients with strokes and traumatic brain injuries regain arm strength through virtual exercises. The device allows for increased repetitions of tasks, potentially leading to quicker recovery.
A new study by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that geographic and racial differences do not fully explain the South's higher stroke death rate, with a greater-than 40 percent higher mortality rate in eight southeastern states.
Dr. Marc Nuwer, UCLA professor, argues that US healthcare's high cost is due to individualistic approach and lack of attention to care-related expenditures. He recommends educating physicians about costs to reduce defensive medicine and promote more efficient care.
Researchers found that patients who received both intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular interventions experienced significantly lower mortality and greater improvement in neurological ability. The study suggests that combining these treatments could be a game-changer for stroke patients, especially those under 80 years old.
Researchers found no significant difference between pediatric patients who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass and those who did not, in terms of I.Q. scores and neuropsychological tests. The study provides good news for school-aged children with less complex heart defects undergoing surgery.
Two pacemakers in the brain regulate breathing by working together in harmony, with the preBotC taking control in adulthood and pFRG kicking in during respiratory stress. This fail-safe network is evolutionarily conserved and appears to be related to cases of crib death and central sleep apnea.
Researchers have developed a new technique using Granger causality to analyze brain activity, revealing the flow of information between brain regions. This breakthrough could advance efforts to help patients recover from brain injuries and mental disorders.
Researchers found no significant differences in adverse events or outcomes between patients who received antihypertensive treatments and those who didn't. Patients requiring blood pressure lowering therapy had more severe strokes and higher blood glucose levels, but still benefited from clot-busting treatment.