Articles tagged with Neurology
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 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.
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 discovered that ocular drifts, tiny jitters in the eyes, can be influenced by prior knowledge of expected visual targets, indicating a surprising level of cognitive control. This study adds to our understanding of how vision is controlled and directed by cognitive processes.
A new Boston University study suggests that repetitive blows to the head in tackle football may lead to less white matter in the brain, potentially causing impulsive behavior and other cognitive issues. Researchers found players who start playing at a young age or play for over 11 years are at greater risk.
A Dartmouth study found that COVID-19 can cause 'prosopagnosia,' or face blindness, and impairments in navigational abilities. Researchers worked with a patient who experienced difficulty recognizing faces and navigating, leading to dissociation between face recognition and cognitive map representation.
A phase two trial found that exenatide significantly reduced brain pressure and monthly headaches in seven patients with Idiopathic Intercranial Hypertension (IIH). The study showed a rapid action of the drug, with results indicating significant reductions in brain pressure and headache days compared to the placebo arm.
Scientists have identified a key molecular mechanism linking gene expression to synaptic plasticity in the aging human brain. The study reveals that age-related reductions in neurotransmitter receptor genes contribute to alterations in synaptic function, providing potential targets for Alzheimer's disease therapy.
Researchers explore how AI language models like ChatGPT understand and respond to user input, mirroring their users' intelligence. The Reverse Turing Test reveals that chatbots reflect the intelligence level of their interviewers, incorporating their biases into responses.
Research on caregiving after neurotrauma and neurological disability emphasizes the need to address unmet caregiver needs, which can impact the quality of care provided. Studies found that brain injury caregivers experience higher burden, decreased physical and neuropsychological functioning, and lower mental health.
Researchers created a novel approach to deliver anti-cancer drugs directly to brain tumor sites in children, targeting specific locations while sparing normal brain regions. This targeted delivery method enhances the efficacy of existing treatments and reduces adverse side effects.
Recreational nitrous oxide use can lead to subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, causing serious disability in young people. The new guidelines provide practical solutions for early recognition and effective treatment to alleviate pressure on hospitals.
A team of international experts has established new criteria for diagnosing myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), a condition causing inflammation and potential damage to the brain and spinal cord. The proposed guidelines, published in The Lancet Neurology, provide an important framework for distingui...
Research found PIRI to be an independent predictor of infarct growth rate and 90-day outcomes in large-vessel occlusive stroke. The study suggests PIRI may help identify patients who could benefit from late-window endovascular thrombectomy.
Researchers found that platelet depletion increased amyloid plaque size and neuronal damage in APP-PS1 mice. However, platelets may have a beneficial role in limiting plaque growth and attenuating neuritic dystrophy at advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease.
The study, conducted by the University of Malaga and others, analyzed the skeleton and brain architecture of Miracinonyx trumani, finding that it had retractable claws and was able to grapple with its prey like cougars. Its brain surface also showed differences from cheetahs, suggesting an intermediate form between the two species.
A new program, backed by a $1.5 million grant, provides education and training on stroke care for paramedics and healthcare providers in seven Central Virginia counties. The program aims to reduce disparities in stroke deaths among non-Hispanic Black individuals in these communities.
A new UCLA-led study found that many patients do not receive sufficient rehabilitation therapy after a stroke, which can lead to long-term disability. Hispanic patients were particularly affected, receiving lower amounts of physical and occupational therapy.
Scientists from the University of Vienna found that grid cells in the brain play a crucial role in detecting movements of people around us. This mechanism may help explain disorientation in dementia patients. The study suggests that grid cells create a mental map of our surroundings, including the movements of others.
Researchers identified 7 key symptoms of long COVID, including heart issues and joint pain, in a study of 52,461 patients. The findings could help healthcare providers diagnose and treat the condition more effectively.
A new study by University of British Columbia researchers found that brief exposure to diesel exhaust causes decreased brain connectivity and may impair cognitive performance. The study's findings suggest a link between air pollution and altered brain network connectivity in humans.
A Michigan Medicine study found that hospitals with the highest stroke care designation reported significantly higher rates of stroke detection after TAVR. The study suggests that comprehensive stroke centers are better at detecting smaller strokes, but this does not necessarily mean they are finding more strokes overall.
A study published in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics found that exercising alone twice or more weekly decreased the risk of developing cognitive impairment by 15.1%, while those who exercised with others showed a 29.2% decrease. Regular social exercise may be beneficial for preventing age-related cognitive disorders.
A new American Heart Association scientific statement emphasizes the importance of rapid evaluation for TIA, which can lead to full-blown stroke. The statement offers a standardized approach to evaluating people with suspected TIA, including guidance for hospitals in rural areas with limited resources.
A freely available measure of autism symptoms can help screen for autism and monitor changes over time in symptoms. The Autism Symptom Dimension Questionnaire (ASDQ) was applied to 1,467 children and adolescents, including 104 with autism spectrum disorder, and found to be reliable and valid.
A nationwide registry of AVM patients from 52 hospitals in mainland China investigated the efficacy of different treatments on patient groups. The study found that categorizing treatment strategies based on disease severity is an ideal approach, and a multidisciplinary comprehensive assessment promotes individualized treatment protocols.
A University of Cincinnati researcher is leading a study to examine the effectiveness of a stroke treatment for patients with a pre-stroke disability, which are often overlooked in clinical trials. The study, funded by PCORI, will enroll over 1,100 patients across the US and collect data on outcomes such as disability, function, and qu...
MIT scientists use single-cell profiling to analyze the cellular function of brain cells affected by Alzheimer's disease, identifying five main areas of disruption. The study reveals specific molecular programs and gene regulation changes that could lead to valuable biomarkers and therapeutic interventions.
Researchers at Hokkaido University identify a nerve pathway in the brain stem involved in processing rewarding and distressing stimuli, opposing a previously identified pathway. This finding could lead to developing drug treatments for mental disorders like addiction and major depression.
Researchers created an AI platform called DystoniaBoTXNet that uses brain MRIs to identify patients who will respond to botulinum toxin treatment. The platform achieved a 96.3% accuracy rate in predicting treatment efficacy, offering clinicians a new tool for refining clinical decisions.
Researchers discovered significantly elevated plasma TDP-43 levels in patients with Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE), a newly recognized form of dementia. This finding could lead to the development of new diagnostics for LATE, currently poorly understood and difficult to identify in living patients.
A new study identifies the FGF14 gene as the most common genetic cause of late-onset ataxia in Quebec, a debilitating neurodegenerative condition. The discovery opens treatment possibilities and may lead to improved diagnosis for thousands of people worldwide.
Researchers created an avatar mouse model with the same genetic alteration as patients with Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome, allowing them to study targeted therapies. The study found distinct neurological alterations in the mice, including cerebral hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Early stage clinical studies confirm 40Hz sensory stimulation is safe, with no serious adverse effects. The therapy also showed significant neurological and behavioral benefits, including improved brain activity, reduced brain atrophy, and better sleep patterns.
A new study published in the KeAi journal Global Transitions found that consuming a high sodium, low potassium diet can increase the risk of cognitive decline in elderly people. Participants who replaced 1000mg/day of sodium with an equal intake of potassium showed an average increase of ~1 point on their cognitive test score.
The UC San Diego Alpha Stem Cell Clinic will receive $8 million in funding to launch new clinical trials and improve accessibility of stem cell therapies. The clinic has already launched 59 clinical trials and treated 277 patients with various diseases.
A new study published in the journal Nature has identified medin as a key player in Alzheimer's therapies. Medin, a protein that accumulates in the blood vessels of the brain, promotes vascular pathology and cognitive decline. The researchers hope to develop a treatment targeting medin to prevent vascular damage and cognitive decline.
The APOE4 gene variant increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease by disrupting the insulation of brain wiring. Research found that oligodendrocytes mismanage cholesterol, failing to transport fat molecules to myelinate axons. This deficiency may contribute to the pathology and symptoms of Alzheimer's.
The study aims to assess the effectiveness of recombinant Factor VIIa (rFVIIa) in decreasing bleeding in the brain of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). ICH is a deadly stroke type with no effective treatment, and this trial seeks to improve outcomes.
A recent study found that exposure to fine particulate matter during pregnancy is associated with delays in children's gross motor, fine motor, and personal-social development. The study of 17,683 infants in Taiwan suggests that protection from air pollution should start during pregnancy.
Researchers have discovered two novel drugs that can block the growth and shrink the size of schwannoma tumors, a type of nerve sheath tumor found in the nervous system. The treatment works by inhibiting the Hippo signaling pathway, which is dysregulated in multiple types of cancer.
Researchers found age-related changes in the balance of inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters in the prefrontal cortex during adolescence. This study provides first-ever evidence of plasticity in the frontal cortex during this critical developmental period.
Researchers created a detailed map of the hippocampus's connections to the rest of the brain, finding fewer links with frontal lobes but more with visual networks. This discovery may change how we think about human memory and cognition, potentially shedding light on why some primates excel at certain memory tasks.
Researchers propose that delayed recoveries in COVID-19 patients may be due to a protective response from their brains, similar to those seen in animals exposed to extreme conditions. This theory could lead to new approaches for ICU sedation and recovery from disorders of consciousness.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute suggest that Covid-19 patients in comas may enter a protective hibernation state to shield cells from oxygen scarcity. This hypothesis is supported by observations of cardiac arrest patients treated with hypothermia and the painted turtle, which also enters a similar state during prolonged anoxia.
A study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring found that analyzing patients' speech can distinguish between different types of dementia. The research team developed a machine learning model using speech features to identify Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.
Dr. Volpp's research on behavioral economics and health incentives has significantly advanced understanding of cardiovascular outcomes, leading to changes in benefit design and program offerings. He is also the founder of Penn Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics.
Scientists have created an extensive new map of the brain's olfactory circuits, revealing a complex system that processes different aspects of odor information. The map suggests the existence of parallel neural circuits dedicated to assessing smell identity, pleasantness, and origin, offering new insights into olfactory processing.
A large stroke trial found that intensive blood pressure lowering after clot removal compromises the return of blood flow to the affected area, leading to more brain tissue deterioration and major disability. The study suggests that this increasingly common treatment strategy should be avoided in clinical practice.
A Tel Aviv University study shows that pressure chamber therapy can improve social skills and reduce neuroinflammation in the autistic brain. The treatment, which involves high-pressure chambers with oxygen enrichment, was found to increase blood and oxygen supply to the brain, leading to improved brain function and social behavior.
A new theory by UMass Amherst sleep scientist Rebecca Spencer suggests that young children's brain development, not age, determines when and why they stop napping. The hippocampus, a memory area of the brain, plays a critical role in nap transitions.
A new study found that SARS-CoV-2 causes significant neuron damage and inflammation within a week of infection in rhesus macaque monkeys. Aged animals with Type 2 diabetes experienced worse virus-induced neurological damage, raising concerns about potential spikes in neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers analyzing over 3,000 blood samples from Alzheimer's patients and healthy individuals to identify reliable biomarkers. They investigate how well blood tests can diagnose Alzheimer's disease and predict its progression.
Researchers at UCSF discovered a small molecule called ISRIB that can reverse the neural and cognitive effects of concussion in mice, weeks after an injury occurred. The drug blocks the integrated stress response, which became chronically activated in damaged neurons, restoring normal spine dynamics and cognitive function.
The CMU Array, a new microelectrode array, offers customized treatments for neurological disorders by allowing for three-dimensional sampling and ultra-high-density configurations. This technology has the potential to transform how doctors treat conditions like epilepsy and limb function loss.
Scientists at UC San Francisco's Neuroscape Center have developed video game interventions that improve key aspects of cognition in aging adults, including short-term memory, attention and long-term memory. The games use adaptive closed-loop algorithms to challenge players, keeping them engaged while adapting difficulty levels.
A study by Queen Mary University of London and University of Nottingham found that patients with young onset dementia are at a high risk of suicide, particularly if under 65 or have psychiatric illness. Early recognition and support after diagnosis are crucial in reducing distress caused by this devastating condition.
A new study found that fewer Asian, Black, and Hispanic patients qualify for anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody treatments, which may slow Alzheimer's progression. The treatment's effectiveness depends on the presence of amyloid plaques, with lower incidence in minorities.