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Alzheimer’s disease

Image shows brain slices with deposits of proteins associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

·February 5, 2013·3 min read

Study Confirms No Transmission of Alzheimer’s Proteins Between Humans

While evidence suggests pathological proteins linked to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disorders are capable of spreading from cell-to-cell within the brains of affected individuals, new research shows no evidence to support concerns that these abnormal disease proteins are “infectious” or transmitted from animals to humans or from one person to another.

The image shows amyloid plaques in a mouse's hippocampus. The caption best explains the image.

Featured Neurology

·February 5, 2013·5 min read

Damaged Blood Vessels Loaded with Amyloid Worsen Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers have discovered that amyloid peptides are harmful to the blood vessels that supply the brain with blood in Alzheimer's disease, thus accelerating cognitive decline by limiting oxygen-rich blood and nutrients.

Featured Neurology

·February 4, 2013·2 min read

Chemical Reaction Keeps Stroke Damaged Brain from Repairing itself

When the brain produces too much nitric oxide, it contributes to the severity and progression of stroke and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Researchers recently discovered that nitric oxide not only damages neurons, it also shuts down the brain’s repair mechanisms.

The image shows an oligodendrocyte transfected with GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein).

Featured Neuroscience

·January 30, 2013·2 min read

New Drug Target Identified for Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers report that the protein Klotho plays an important role in the health of myelin, the insulating material allowing for the rapid communication between nerve cells. These findings may lead to new therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

The image shows Courney Miller, the lead researcher for this memory research.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 30, 2013·2 min read

Scientists Uncover a Previously Unknown Mechanism of Memory Formation

A recent study indicates microRNAs may play a far more important role in memory formation than previously thought. The research suggests microRNA—miR-182 is involved in developing memory in the amgydala.

Cultured cells are shown and described in the caption.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 29, 2013·5 min read

A Better Way to Culture Central Nervous Cells

A protein associated with neuron damage in Alzheimer's patients provides a superior scaffold for growing central nervous system cells in the lab.

Featured Neurology

·January 15, 2013·2 min read

Major Step Toward an Alzheimer’s Vaccine

Researchers discovered a way to stimulate the brain's natural defense mechanisms in mice with Alzheimer's disease symptoms. This major breakthrough opens the door to the development of a treatment for Alzheimer's disease and a vaccine to prevent the illness.

Featured Neurology

·October 22, 2012·3 min read

Clue to Alzheimer’s Cause Found in Brain Samples

Researchers found a key difference in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease and those who are cognitively normal but still have brain plaques that characterize this type of dementia.

Featured Neurology

·October 21, 2012·5 min read

Natural Process Activating Brain’s Immune Cells Could Point Way to Repairing Damaged Brain

The brain’s key “breeder” cells secrete substances that boost the numbers and strength of critical brain-based immune cells believed to play a vital role in brain health. This finding adds a new dimension to our understanding of how resident stem cells and stem cell transplants may improve brain function.

Featured Neurology

·October 4, 2012·3 min read

A Molecular Scissor Related to Alzheimer’s Disease

An international research team revealed the atomic‐level structure of the human peptidase enzyme meprin β (beta).

Featured Neurology

·September 11, 2012·3 min read

Research Finds Ginkgo Biloba Doesn’t Improve Cognitive Function in MS

A new research study conducted has found that the herbal supplement Ginkgo biloba does not improve cognitive function in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS.)

Featured Neurology

·September 5, 2012·2 min read

NFL Players May Be at Higher Risk of Death from Alzheimer’s and ALS

Professional football players in this study were three times more likely to die as a result of diseases that damage brain cells compared to the general population. A player’s risk of death from Alzheimer’s disease or ALS was almost four times higher than the general population.