Articles tagged with Brain Tissue
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center successfully cultured stem cells from human bone marrow that can differentiate into neurons and other central nervous system cells. These cells exhibit behaviors similar to those derived from brain tissue, suggesting a promising approach for treating brain disorders and tumors.
Research has found that brain damage to a specific area called the insula may help smokers quit by eliminating their addiction to nicotine. Twelve out of thirteen participants who experienced this type of damage were able to quit smoking without any reported struggles.
Patients with hippocampal damage experience severe impairments in imagining new experiences and planning for the future. They struggle to visualize complex scenarios, instead seeing fragmented images. Researchers suggest a common brain mechanism underlying memory recall and imaginative thinking may be affected.
A team of physicists and neuroscientists has discovered a bottleneck in the brain's blood supply, specifically in penetrating arterioles, which makes it vulnerable to strokes. This finding may explain the origin of gray matter damage detected in brain scans, especially among the elderly.
Research reveals that alcoholics' brains can regain volume and function after six to seven weeks of abstinence, with increased levels of chemicals indicating nerve cell regeneration. Patients who abstain from drinking for longer periods show better performance in attention tests.
Researchers found a decrease in blood circulation in some areas of the brain and verbal memory performance among low-dose ecstasy users compared to non-users. The study suggests that even small amounts of ecstasy may cause subtle changes in brain structure and function.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have developed a potential new treatment for stroke using Activated Protein C, which has shown promise in reducing brain damage by 70 percent. The treatment aims to temper the side effects of current medication TPA and expand its 'window' beyond three hours.
A new study uses MRI techniques to discriminate between patients who will benefit from clot-dissolving drugs and those who may be harmed. The technique helps doctors make informed decisions about treatment timing, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Researchers analyzed thousands of proteins from brain tissue samples to find novel changes related to cocaine addiction. The study reveals profound effects on brain function and identifies potential new targets for medication development.
Scientists found that orangutans confined to resource-limited areas of Borneo had smaller brains than those living in more abundant Sumatra. The study suggests an evolutionary connection between food availability and brain size in primates.
Researchers at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine have been awarded a $2.9 million NIH grant to develop a stem cell repair therapy for stroke damage. The project aims to regenerate damaged brain cells and blood vessels, providing a new source of neural and vascular cells that can be transplanted into the damaged brain.
A study of 14 Swedish amateur boxers found higher levels of certain chemicals in their cerebrospinal fluid indicating injuries to neurons and astroglia after a bout. The findings suggest that amateur boxing is associated with acute neuronal and astroglial injury, warranting further investigation for medical counseling of athletes.
A Wake Forest University research team is analyzing brain changes in individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to better understand the diseases. They are comparing post-mortem brain tissue with normal tissue, focusing on the temporal lobe's structures involved in learning and memory.
A study published in Biochemistry reveals that damage to proteins caused by oxidative stress is linked to a natural byproduct called nitration, which could be used to predict the earliest stages of brain impairment. The research uses the most detailed proteomic analysis of a mammalian brain to date.
Researchers discover altered activity in NRG1-erbB4 and NMDA receptor pairs, suggesting a relationship between the two and contributing to schizophrenia symptoms. The study's findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease.
The 'brain-chip' from Martinsried allows biophysicists to visualize the influence of pharmaceutical compounds on neural networks. This breakthrough enables a novel test system for brain and drug research, advancing neurochip prosthetics and neurocomputation.
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.
A recent study has found that damage to the right insula area of the brain is associated with a significantly higher risk of heart muscle injury after a stroke. This discovery has potential implications for identifying at-risk patients and tailoring treatment approaches.
A University of Toronto study found that increasing vitamin E levels during pregnancy may alter the onset of cancer in adult life. While it reduced in utero deaths, it also accelerated cancer development, suggesting a potential link between antioxidant intake and cancer risk.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have made a breakthrough in understanding the cause of brain damage and its link to various neurological diseases. The study identified glutamate receptors as the culprit behind oligodendrocyte damage, paving the way for potential treatments to block these receptors and prevent injury.
Researchers found that anandamide, a brain's own cannabis compound, protects neurons from inflammation after damage. Adding AEA to damaged brain tissue abolished inflammatory damage, but not primary excitotoxic damage.
A team of Canadian and American scientists reports the first-ever finding of elevated levels of creatine, a newly discovered agent of Alzheimer's, in brain tissue. The study used infrared spectroscopy to detect creatine directly in situ, revealing an overlooked aspect of energy disturbance in Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center found that administering neuregulin-1 reduces cell death by 90% and protects neurons from damage after surgically induced strokes. The compound's therapeutic window is longer than existing treatments, offering potential for new stroke therapies.
A new study found that measles immunization can prevent fatal brain infections caused by SSPE. The researchers discovered wild-type measles virus in brain tissues from vaccinated individuals with SSPE, suggesting that the vaccine is highly effective in preventing these infections.
Researchers found that AIDS selectively attacks the brain's motor, language and judgment centers, but leaves other areas intact. Brain scans revealed specific patterns of tissue damage correlated with physical and mental symptoms, including impaired motor coordination and slowed reflexes.
The new imaging technique enables rapid acquisition of three planes, reducing examination time to 12 minutes compared to the standard method. Fetal MRI is being increasingly performed due to its excellent view of brain tissue and lack of radiation, usually done when ultrasound is inconclusive.
A study by USF researchers found that green tea's epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) decreases production of the Alzheimer's-related protein beta-amyloid, leading to a 54% reduction in brain-clogging plaques. EGCG may be effective in preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease through dietary supplementation.
Researchers have created a handheld device that uses two-photon microendoscopy to image individual cells in living subjects, enabling insights into cellular behavior and its impact on organisms. The technique has been successfully demonstrated using live mice, providing detailed images of blood vessels in the hippocampus.
A new study by UCLA researchers reveals that heart-failure patients suffer from both physical and mental injuries, with brain damage impacting their ability to exercise. The findings emphasize the need for cardiologists to recognize this connection and develop therapies to prevent brain injury and boost brain function.
A U of T study published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine found that a single exposure to methamphetamine during pregnancy can cause long-term neurodevelopmental problems. The developing fetus is vulnerable to DNA damage from the drug due to its lack of enzymes protecting it against free radicals.
Researchers discovered that neural stem cells can migrate to damaged brain areas and turn off activated immune cells, reducing inflammation. In a breakthrough, mice with MS-like disease showed significant recovery after transplanting, with reduced relapses and myelin damage.
A new study reveals severe tissue injury in the brains of children with CCHS, disrupting cardiovascular function and breathing control. Researchers hope to develop new strategies to help the brain compensate for the injury, including injecting nerve growth factors.
This study investigates the effects of alcohol on brain structure and function, highlighting permanent and transient changes due to excessive drinking. Abstinence has been shown to reverse some brain damage, including dendrite shrinkage, which may improve cognitive functions.
A new fluorescence device using time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TR-LIFS) has been developed to detect atherosclerotic plaque and brain tumors. The technique shows promising results in distinguishing between inflamed and stable plaque areas, as well as detecting tumor cells left behind after surgery.
Researchers at UC San Diego found that damage to a specific brain area, the angular gyrus, affects patients' ability to comprehend metaphors. The study suggests that this region plays a crucial role in processing conceptual metaphors and cross-modal abstractions.
A study found that damage to the orbital frontal cortex impairs an animal's ability to learn from new cues, leading to slowed neural responses. The researchers discovered a critical role of the OFC in decision-making and learning, with potential implications for treatments of brain injury and trauma.
A new study published in Experimental Neurology found that rats fed diets rich in blueberries, spinach, or spirulina experienced less brain cell loss and improved recovery after a stroke. The antioxidant-rich diets may counteract the burst of free radicals involved in brain cell death triggered by an ischemic stroke.
A new diagnostic technique, conformation-dependent immunoassay (CDI), is being considered as the standard approach for brain biopsies of patients suspected of having prion disease. The study found that CDI detected prions in 100% of samples studied, while traditional tests failed to detect them in a high proportion of cases.
Recent studies suggest that brain avalanches, triggered by neurochemicals, may be optimal for information storage. This discovery could lead to new treatments for memory disorders.
Researchers have identified integrin [alpha]v[beta]6 as a key risk factor for developing early-stage colorectal cancer. The molecule's high levels are also predictive of patient survival, with low expression associated with better outcomes.
Researchers have discovered that reducing Abeta buildup in the brain can rapidly reverse structural nerve damage associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study used a mouse model to demonstrate the effectiveness of an anti-Abeta antibody treatment, suggesting a potential new approach for treating the condition.
Research found that cigarette smoking accelerates brain damage in individuals with alcohol dependence, particularly in the frontal lobes. This can lead to compromised executive functions, problem-solving abilities, and emotional regulation. Chronic smoking also impairs neuronal viability and cell membranes in other brain regions.
Long-term obesity is associated with a significant loss of brain tissue, particularly in the temporal lobe, increasing dementia risk. The study found that women with higher BMI experienced greater atrophy and increased dementia risk over time.
Weight-reduction surgery patients are at risk of developing peripheral neuropathy, a condition causing pain, numbness, and weakness. Following nutritional guidelines and attending post-surgical care programs can help prevent nerve damage.
Researchers identify a new mechanism for stroke damage, revealing acid-sensing ion channels as major players. Blocking these channels with existing pharmacologic agents may provide a potential therapeutic target for stroke therapy.
A study of healthy individuals aged 60-64 found a significant relationship between high homocysteine levels and changes in deep white matter hyperintensities in the brain, which may be related to mild cognitive impairment. However, HCY levels were not associated with brain atrophy.
Researchers at NIH/National Institute on Aging created synthetic prions that caused neurological disease in mice, distinct from other strains of prions. The study sheds light on the conversion process leading to dementing diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob and Alzheimer's.
Researchers found that genes critical for learning and memory are reduced in older brains, while those associated with stress and repair mechanisms are elevated. These changes suggest that gene damage may be contributing to age-related cognitive decline.
Researchers discovered that choroid plexus cells can stimulate stem cell production and release neurotrophic factors after a stroke, reducing damage in animal models. The study suggests potential for new therapy to supplement the natural healing response of this tissue.
A study suggests that peripheral blood analysis can help develop surrogate biomarkers of stroke risk and prognosis, providing insights into cellular and pathological mechanisms. Blood studies offer a faster and more practical alternative to brain tissue samples, allowing for serial data collection throughout the ongoing stroke.
Elderly individuals with white matter abnormalities and infarcts exhibited accelerated cognitive decline compared to those with fewer abnormalities. A serious increase in white matter lesions was associated with a higher risk of developing dementia and depression over a period of five years.
A new study has found that Bim regulation plays a crucial role in determining hippocampal vulnerability after injurious seizures and in temporal lobe epilepsy. The researchers suggest that understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating these conditions.
A new imaging probe detects small tumors in the brain, providing crucial information to surgeons during operations. The technology uses near-infrared fluorescence optical imaging to identify tumor margins and improve surgical treatment.
A new study found that exposure to low-level magnetic fields can cause significant DNA damage and increase cell apoptosis in rat brain cells. The cumulative effect of duration may be as damaging as intensity, suggesting a need for further research on the risks involved.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have confirmed that cord blood stem cells can differentiate into heart muscle cells and produce a critical enzyme to halt progressive damage. Additionally, cord blood transplants appear to slow or halt brain damage caused by metabolic diseases such as Sanfilippo Syndrome.
A new corkscrew-shaped retrieval system has been shown to restore blood flow and reverse paralysis in 61 of 114 patients with ischemic strokes. The device, MERCI Retrieval System, was able to dissolve clots and open blood vessels in patients who were not eligible for standard tPA therapy within three hours.
Researchers tested a cooling helmet on patients with severe ischemic stroke, finding that it preferentially cools the brain rapidly and profoundly. The study showed excellent functional recovery in younger patients but only 20% in elderly patients.
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.
Researchers discovered subtle brain damage in HIV patients taking antiretroviral drugs, despite no apparent symptoms or viral suppression. The study used brainwave recordings, neuropsychological testing, and MRI scans to compare 39 HIV-positive individuals with 35 control subjects.
Researchers found that four out of six patients treated with stents and tPA experienced permanent improvement in neurologic symptoms, while two critically ill patients died due to large clots. The study suggests a combined treatment approach may offer superior results for most patients with acute vertebrobasilar ischemic strokes.