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Research shows fatty liver disease endangers brain health

A study published in Journal of Hepatology found that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can cause a decrease in oxygen supply to the brain and inflammation to brain tissue. The research identified Monocarboxylate Transporter 1 (MCT1) as a potential therapeutic target for protecting against NAFLD-induced brain dysfunction.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJournal of Hepatology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 22, 2022

Down syndrome, like Alzheimer's, is a double-prion disorder

A recent study reveals that Down syndrome brains develop the same amyloid beta and tau prions as Alzheimer's disease, causing neurological dysfunction. With over 50% of people with Down syndrome developing Alzheimer's by age 40, this discovery offers new insights into the common underlying causes of these two diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2022

Light physical activity linked to milder symptoms from intracerebral hemorrhage

A University of Gothenburg study finds that light physical activity can lead to milder symptoms and improved survival rates for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. The research shows a clear link between physical activity and reduced severe symptoms, as well as higher survival rates compared to those who are less active.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNeurology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 10, 2022

How squid and octopus get their big brains

Researchers discovered that cephalopods develop their large nervous systems using similar mechanisms as vertebrates, with a focus on the retina. This study provides insight into the developmental process of these intelligent creatures and could lead to new discoveries about human brain development.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2022

Large stroke trial finds intensive blood pressure lowering after clot removal worsens recovery

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.

SourceGeorge Institute for Global Health·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 28, 2022

Huge unveiling of schizophrenia brain cells show new treatment targets

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have made a breakthrough in understanding schizophrenia by analyzing individual brain cells. The study identified specific neurons and networks affected by the disease, suggesting that targeting these areas could lead to new treatment options.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 24, 2022

New insights into lithium’s effectiveness for bipolar disorder

A recent study identifies a specific gene, GNL3, that regulates neural proliferation in response to lithium, which is used to treat bipolar disorder. This gene plays an important role in brain function and has been implicated in risk for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and inter-individual variations in intelligence.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2022

Mapping human brain development

Scientists have developed a new method to study human brain development by growing millimetre-sized three-dimensional tissues called organoids from pluripotent stem cells. The researchers characterized the cells in molecular-genetic terms, creating a kind of map showing the molecular fingerprint of each cell within the organoid.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2022

Mouse study explores Alzheimer’s link to the X chromosome

A mouse study found that female brains express higher levels of an X-linked enzyme called USP11, leading to greater accumulation of tau protein and increased vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease. The results suggest that excessive activity of USP11 drives this increased susceptibility in females.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2022

Mount Sinai researchers use artificial intelligence to uncover the cellular origins of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders

The study used a weakly supervised deep learning algorithm to analyze human brain autopsy tissues and predict the presence or absence of cognitive impairment. The model identified a signal associated with decreasing myelin staining, which was linked to cognitive impairment in the white matter.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalActa Neuropathologica Communications·DateSep 20, 2022

Reduction in brain tissue oxygenation placing older adults with multiple health conditions at risk of faints and falls

A study of 350 older adults found that those with multiple chronic health conditions, especially women, are more prone to large blood pressure drops and lower brain oxygenation after standing up. This increases their risk of dizziness, faints, and falls, highlighting the importance of detecting and managing multi-morbidity.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2022

​​​​​​​Researchers gain insights into the genetic and molecular machinery that predisposes individuals to Alzheimer's disease

A team of researchers from The Mount Sinai Hospital has made a groundbreaking discovery into the genetic and molecular mechanisms that predispose individuals to Alzheimer's disease. They identified 21 candidate risk genes, including SPI1, which regulates microglia and AD risk.

Microscopic blood vessel disease in the brain’s white matter associated with worse cognition in Alzheimer’s

Researchers found that microscopic blood vessel disease in the brain's white matter is associated with worse cognitive function and memory deficits in individuals with Alzheimer's. Lifestyle changes such as reducing hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and inactivity may help prevent or slow disease progression.

Taking your time makes a difference – Brain development differs between Neanderthals and modern humans

Researchers at MPI-CBG found that modern human variants cause longer metaphase and fewer chromosome segregation errors in neural stem cells, leading to more efficient brain development. This suggests that some aspects of modern human brain evolution may be independent of brain size.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG)·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 29, 2022

Dynamic cells linked to brain tumor growth and recurrence

A study by Michigan Medicine researchers has identified oncostreams, highly active cells connected to brain tumor growth and invasion. The team found that eliminating Collagen 1 production from tumor cells reduces tumor aggressive behavior. This discovery could lead to novel therapeutic targets for treating lethal brain tumors.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 28, 2022

Major expansion of open-source neuroimaging data set to boost stroke recovery research

A newly expanded data set of brain scans from stroke patients called ATLAS now includes 1,271 MRI images with manually segmented lesions, facilitating large-scale stroke recovery research. Researchers hope to develop algorithms to automate lesion segmentation, enabling clinicians to predict patient responses to therapies.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalScientific Data·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 27, 2022

Inhaled toxic particles take direct route from lungs to brain - study

A new study reveals that inhaled fine particles can take a direct route from lungs to brain through blood circulation, potentially contributing to brain disorders. The particles were found to stay longer in the brain than in other organs, raising concerns about the long-term effects of air pollution on cognitive function.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2022

‘Sting’ protein’s efforts to clean up brain cell damage may speed Parkinson’s disease progress

A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that a protein called STING responds to clean-up signals in brain cells damaged by Parkinson’s disease by creating a cycle of inflammation that accelerates the disease’s progression. In mice with deactivated STING proteins, there was less microglial activity and brain cell death.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 19, 2022