Articles tagged with Central Nervous System
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A new study reveals that etizolam and gabapentinoids contribute to a rising culture of polydrug use and increased drug-related deaths in Scotland. The analysis of 18 studies found a significant increase in gabapentinoid-related deaths, primarily due to concurrent opioid use.
A new study by researchers at MIT and MGH found that even low stimulation currents could sometimes still cause electrographic seizures in awake mice, with a rate of 2.2 percent of tests experiencing seizures. The study cautions against the use of brain stimulation-based therapies without proper monitoring.
A new study found that 40Hz sensory stimulation preserves myelination, protects oligodendrocytes, and sustains electrical signal transmission in the brains of mice with cuprizone-induced myelin loss. The researchers also identified molecular mechanisms underlying these benefits.
Researchers at WVU created a motion-compatible brain scanner that allows patients to move around during imaging. The Ambulatory Motion-enabling PET (AMPET) scanner can help study human behaviors, balance, and emotions, and may be used to monitor brain activity for PTSD treatment and mindfulness meditation.
Chong Xie and his team at Rice University have won a $2.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop an implantable neural electrode system for high-resolution, long-term neural recording and stimulation. The project aims to improve the resolution of existing devices by increasing the density of neurons sampled.
A novel peptide, KS-133, has been developed to target genetic mechanisms associated with schizophrenia. The nanoparticle-based drug delivery system, where KS-133 is encapsulated with a brain-targeting peptide, shows effective distribution in the brains of mice and improves cognitive functions in mice with induced schizophrenia.
A Kobe University study finds that a new treatment for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder shifts the balance of immune cells, increasing anti-inflammatory signals. The discovery may enable clinicians to determine treatment effectiveness and move towards personalized medicine for autoimmune diseases.
A new study from Tsinghua University and Imperial College London reveals that social interactions can significantly enhance brain-computer interface (BCI) systems. The research found that familiar social connections and physical interactions like eye contact and hand touch improve BCI decoding accuracy and neural synchronization.
Researchers developed a modified sugar that increases the effectiveness and safety of antisense oligonucleotides, a treatment strategy for central nervous system disease. The modification, called BNAP-AEO, decreases toxic side effects while improving gene silencing in brain cancer cells and mice.
A new study uses computational modeling to understand how ketamine affects individual neurons, leading to changes in brain network function. The model predicts that ketamine can disinhibit network activity by shutting down certain inhibitory interneurons.
Researchers have developed a novel rigid endoscope system for visible-to-OTN hyperspectral imaging, enabling non-destructive imaging and visualization of lesions in normal tissues. The system demonstrated high accuracy in classifying molecular vibration information of various targets with an OTN wavelength range.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have identified a blood coagulation protein, fibrin, as the culprit behind toxic inflammation and neuron loss after a major head injury. This finding can inform new treatment strategies for traumatic brain injuries, which often lead to dementia, depression, and difficulty concentrating.
A team of researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology identified the molecular mechanisms involved in synaptic communication using Drosophila. They found that Side-IV/Beat-IIb immunoglobulin superfamily protein molecules play a crucial role in inducing synapse formation and regulating preferential signaling among neuron pairs.
Researchers discovered that mature oligodendrocytes, critical for brain function, can survive for up to 45 days after a fatal trauma, defying the classical programmed cell-death pathway. This finding opens new avenues for understanding and potentially preventing damage caused by aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers discovered that MEIS2 plays a critical role in activating genes necessary for the formation of inhibitory projection neurons, vital for motion control and decision-making. A MEIS2 mutation found in patients with intellectual disability disrupts these processes.
Researchers have solved the long-standing question of what triggers the alarm response in fish by identifying two distinct chemical signals: Daniol sulphate and Ostariopterin. These substances convey separate pieces of information that must be detected simultaneously to trigger a flight-or-freeze response.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute found that stimulating a key brain rhythm with light and sound increases peptide release from interneurons, driving clearance of Alzheimer's protein. The study suggests that 40Hz sensory stimulation promotes increased amyloid clearance via the glymphatic system.
A study conducted at a FAPESP-supported research center discovered a link between the protein VAPB and tumor cell proliferation in medulloblastoma, one of the most common and aggressive brain tumors in children. High expression of VAPB correlated with reduced patient survival.
A new brain pathway has been discovered linking motivation, addiction, and disease, with the cerebellum playing a crucial role. The basal ganglia and cerebellum are traditionally thought to function independently, but this connection may change our understanding of voluntary movements and conditioned learning.
The University of Rochester is establishing a new NIH-funded center focused on developing FDA-qualified drug development tools related to barrier functions in disease. Researchers will create microphysiological systems with ultrathin membranes of human cells, aiming to reduce animal trials and improve drug efficacy.
A study by researchers at the Medical University of Vienna found that natural killer cells may play a crucial role in protecting against multiple sclerosis (MS) disease. The investigation revealed that strong EBV-specific and autoreactive immune responses combined with poor autoimmunity control increase MS risk.
Researchers developed novel nanoparticles that deliver RNA to microglia immune cells, reducing inflammation linked to Alzheimer's disease. The study showed a 42% reduction of PU-1 expression and multiple inflammatory markers in human cell cultures and mice models.
A new study reveals that a genetic mutation in microglia can elevate Alzheimer's risk by reducing brain circuit connections, promoting inflammation, and impairing debris clearance. The mutation affects the TREM2 protein, leading to increased expression of inflammatory genes and impaired response to neuron injury.
Research suggests that consciousness requires synchronized communication across cortical regions; propofol general anesthesia cancels sensory processing by cutting it off. Neural activity in higher-level processing and cognitive regions fails to propagate during anesthesia.
Researchers found that patients with elevated NfL levels had a 91% higher risk of worsening disability with relapse within a year, and a 49% higher risk without relapse nearly two years later. The study suggests that interventions may prevent worsening symptoms by targeting nerve cell death.
Researchers discovered the STAT3 signaling pathway as a potential target for treating H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs), a uniformly lethal central nervous system malignancy. The current standard of care, including palliative radiation and chemotherapy, remains ineffective in this disease.
A new study resolves a long-standing contradiction in brain function by revealing that familiar stimuli trigger brief neural spikes, known as visually evoked potentials (VEPs), which suppress activity. The findings advance understanding of visual recognition memory, enabling prioritization of attention.
Researchers at State University of Campinas found that coconut oil supplementation led to significant alterations in food intake, weight gain, and anxious behavior in mice. The study suggests that long-term consumption of coconut oil can contribute to the development of obesity and associated comorbidities.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have designed a probiotic to suppress autoimmunity in the brain, which is at the core of several diseases including MS. The treatment offers a more precise way to target brain inflammation with reduced negative side effects compared to standard therapies.
A Pitt Professor believes oligodendrocytes, the nerve insulating cells, hold the solution to BCI's nagging problem. By understanding and preserving these cells, researchers aim to improve BCI's performance and expand its applications beyond paralysis.
New research shows that electric fields drive neural activity and coordinate memory across two key brain regions. The findings could lead to improved brain-controlled prosthetics for people with paralysis.
Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage-related hydrocephalus is a complex syndrome that can lead to cognitive impairment and neurological damage. The new consensus guideline recommends standard-of-care approaches, including history review, head CT scans, and medications or surgical interventions to manage excessive intracranial pressure.
A recent study found that microplastics and triphenyltin have a combined toxic effect on the gut-brain axis in common carp. The pollutants amplified toxicity when used together, causing changes in gut microbiome and immune system function.
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 found that eating small amounts of high-fat and sugar foods regularly rewires the brain to prefer these types of foods. The brain's dopaminergic system is activated, leading to a subconscious preference for rewarding food.
A new MIT study explains how the brain manages general and specific components of working memory, enabling flexibility in task demands. Spatial Computing theory proposes that distinct spaces in the cortex govern rule-based control, allowing for dynamic reshaping of memory representations.
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.
Researchers found that astrocyte cells directly impact motor learning by maintaining an optimal molecular balance. Astrocytes' ability to regulate neurotransmitter glutamate affects the smoothness of movement and refinement of technique.
Recent findings in spina bifida (SB) care highlight comorbidities such as autism and scoliosis, as well as the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare use. Telecommunication platforms like Zoom have evolved into clinical tools for SB care.
A Chinese Medical Journal study analyzed the temporal and spatial distribution of epilepsy across China, finding significant increases in incidence and prevalence rates between 1990 and 2019. The study also showed a general decrease in age-standardized DALY rates with increasing socio-demographic index.
A team of researchers from Korea and USA identified the importance of lipid homeostasis in overcoming brain cancer radioresistance. They found that regulating diacylglycerol kinase B and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 could potentially sensitize brain cancer cells to radiotherapy, offering a new treatment strategy.
A new study by Italian neuroscientists found that blind and deaf individuals' brains possess an innate functional architecture for integrating sensory information. This suggests that brain architecture can develop independently from sensory experience, adding weight to the 'nature versus nurture' debate.
Researchers at Aston University discovered that mechanical vibrations can improve balance control and strengthen calf muscles. The study, published in Scientific Reports, suggests that whole-body vibration could be used to reduce falls and hospital bed days in older people.
A new laboratory test can measure levels of amyloid beta oligomers in blood samples, detecting toxic proteins up to years before cognitive impairment. The test, SOBA, has shown promising results in identifying individuals at risk or incubating Alzheimer's disease.
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.
Researchers found that IGF1 gene therapy increases kisspeptin expression and GnRH release, and alters microglial cell numbers, suggesting a potential protective effect against reproductive decline. This could lead to new strategies for optimizing lifespan and combating age-related health problems in women.
Researchers found that B-type procyanidins induce hormesis in hemodynamic and metabolic responses, with optimal doses triggering improved cognitive functions and stress resistance. The study suggests a link between B-type procyanidin intake and CNS neurotransmitter receptor activation.
Researchers have developed SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles (VLPs) that can mimic the virus's behavior, allowing for safer vaccine development and testing. These VLPs could help scientists understand how the virus invades the central nervous system and potentially lead to more effective vaccines.
A new study has found associations between plasma miRNAs and cognitive function among cognitively normal men, including those with higher MMSE scores and slower rates of cognitive decline. These findings suggest that extracellular microRNAs may play a role in the early stages of cognitive decline.
The National MS Society has launched 40 new research awards to explore myelin repair, clues to MS progression, and wellness strategies to move closer to a world free of MS. The $19 million investment is part of a projected total of nearly $30 million in 2022 to support over 250 new research studies.
A new treatment has shown clinically meaningful effects on pain intensity and disability, with participants reporting improved quality of life and long-term benefits. The sensorimotor retraining approach alters how people think about their body in pain and normalizes communication between the back and brain.
Children born to mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at a higher risk of developing infections, allergies, and other childhood illnesses by age 13. The study found that children of mothers with PCOS were 32% more likely to be admitted to hospital for various health problems.
Researchers developed a technology that uses surviving neurons to restore connection between brain and arm via specific stimulation pulses to the spinal cord. This allowed macaque monkeys with partial arm paralysis to improve precision, force, and range of movement in their arms.
A new model from researchers at the University of Southern California and Lund University suggests that spontaneous movements made by a fetus in the womb are key to getting the body's nervous system 'wired up.' This discovery has implications for treating neuromuscular disorders and designing better robots.
Daily gabapentin treatment restored fine motor functions in mice's upper extremities and continued to show functional improvements even after treatment was stopped. The drug blocks the activity of a protein that hinders re-growth of axons, enabling post-stroke central nervous system repair to progress in a coordinated way.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a method to identify the immune cells involved in autoimmune diseases and identified four new target molecules for personalized treatment of multiple sclerosis. This approach could lead to more precise treatments with fewer side effects, potentially benefiting other autoimmune diseases.
A study by Tokyo University of Science researchers has demonstrated that a computationally-light model can simulate complex brain cell responses, including periodic and quasi-periodic responses. The Izhikevich neuron model was found to be capable of reproducing both types of responses at lower computational cost.
A new study by MIT researchers confirms that a single memory is stored across many connected brain regions, challenging long-held assumptions. The study used advanced imaging techniques to map memory encoding and recall activity in mice, revealing dozens of brain regions involved in memory storage.
Researchers at Institut Pasteur discovered a mechanism that enables infected cells to evade immune responses and infect the brain, leading to life-long persistence of bacteria. This finding has implications for understanding other intracellular pathogens and developing new therapeutic strategies.
A new study published in Nature Communications found that amylin peptide plays a crucial role in regulating social contact-seeking behavior in female mice. The researchers discovered that isolation leads to a decrease in amylin levels, while social reunion increases them.