brain diseases

Study points to cocktail therapy for Alzheimer's

harminka — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:33:17 -0500

A dietary cocktail that includes a type of omega-3 fatty acid can improve memory and learning in gerbils, according to the latest study from MIT researchers that points to a possible beverage-based treatment for Alzheimer's and other brain diseases.

Nerve cells transplanted into mice may lead to improved brain treatments

harminka — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:40:46 -0500

Scientists at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research have, for the first time, genetically programmed embryonic stem (ES) cells to become nerve cells when transplanted into the brain, according to a study published today in The Journal of Neuroscience.

Drug reverses mental retardation caused by genetic disorder

harminka — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:12:32 -0500

UCLA researchers discovered that an FDA-approved drug reverses the brain dysfunction inflicted by a genetic disease called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).

Digging deeper into genetics of schizophrenia by evaluating microRNAs

harminka — Mon, 12 May 2008 06:06:09 -0500

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have illuminated a window into how abnormalities in microRNAs, a family of molecules that regulate expression of numerous genes, may contribute to the behavioral and neuronal deficits associated with schizophrenia and possibly other brain disorders.

First atomic-level look at protein that causes brain disease

harminka — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:16:16 -0500

For the first time, researchers have peered deeply at the atomic level into the protein that causes hereditary cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) -- a disease thought to cause stroke and dementia.

Pittsburgh Compound-B in identifying Alzheimer's disease brain toxins

harminka — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:32:18 -0500

A groundbreaking study conducted by University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer’s disease researchers reported in the journal Brain (currently online) confirms that Pittsburgh Compound-B (PiB) binds to the telltale beta-amyloid deposits found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Epilepsy marked by neural hub network

harminka — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:50:51 -0500

An increased number of neuron “hubs” in the epileptic brain may be the root cause for the seizures that characterize the disorder, according to a UC Irvine study.

Scientists determine structure of brain receptor implicated in epilepsy and PMT

harminka — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:48:19 -0500

Scientists funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) have published new research in the journal Molecular Pharmacology identifying the structure of a receptor in the brain implicated in conditions such as epilepsy and pre-menstrual tension. The same receptor has also been reported to be highly sensitive to alcohol

Breast cancer subtypes linked to survival from secondary brain tumors

harminka — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:40:42 -0600

Screening breast cancers for three receptors could help doctors predict the likely survival of patients with brain metastases. A study published in the open access journal Breast Cancer Research shows that patients with tumours that are negative for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth receptor-2 (HER2) or that are HER2+/ER- appear to be most at risk from developing brain metastases.

Scientists identify brain abnormalities of borderline personality disorder

harminka — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 02:49:28 -0600

Using new approaches, an interdisciplinary team of scientists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City has gained a view of activity in key brain areas associated with a core difficulty in patients with borderline personality disorder—shedding new light on this serious psychiatric condition.

New fluorescent label sheds light on brain diseases

harminka — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 10:36:28 -0600

In an advance that may speed progress toward new diagnostic tests for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (AD), scientists in New York are reporting development of the first direct method for measuring a key enzyme implicated in both of those chronic brain disorders. The study is scheduled for the Nov. 21 issue of ACS’ Journal of the American Chemical Society, a weekly publication.

Cell death in sparrow brains to provide clues in age-related diseases

harminka — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 06:14:08 -0500

A remarkable change takes place in the brains of tiny songbirds every year, and some day the mechanism controlling that change may help researchers develop treatments for age-related degenerative diseases of the brain such as Parkinson’s and dementia.