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cytokines

·April 29, 2020·5 min read

How could Covid-19 and the body’s immune response affect the brain?

Mounting evidence suggests coronavirus affects the brain, in addition to the lungs. Researchers are examining the threat COVID-19 posses to long term brain health. They speculate maternal inflammation could lead to an increased risk of autism-like behaviors and neurodevelopment deficits in children born to mothers diagnosed with coronavirus. Other studies are exploring how the virus may spread in the nervous system via synaptic transmission.

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Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 29, 2019·3 min read

The ‘inflammation’ of opioid use: Research correlates inflammation in the brain and gut to negative emotional state during opioid withdrawal

Inflammation caused by opioid use to both the brain and gut may exacerbate symptoms of negative emotions associated with withdrawal. Targeting the inflammation could help alleviate the negative experiences of opioid withdrawal and prevent dependence.

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Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·August 18, 2019·3 min read

Immune system and mental health are connected

Researchers explore the link between the immune system and mental health disorders. Cytokines appear to play a critical role in the development and progression of mental illness. They question if administering prednisolone, a steroid that curbs inflammation, can have a beneficial effect on treating and preventing mental health problems.

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Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·July 23, 2019·3 min read

Fingerprint of Multiple Sclerosis Immune Cells Identified

T helper cells in the blood of patients with multiple sclerosis infiltrate the central nervous system, causing inflammation and neural damage.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 4, 2019·3 min read

How chronic inflammation may drive down dopamine and motivation

Computational model sheds light on the impact chronic, low-grade inflammation has on the mesolimbic dopamine system and motivational impairments.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 12, 2019·4 min read

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Linked to Inflammation and Organ Dysfunction

A new study makes the case that obstructive sleep apnea should be viewed as a low grade chronic inflammatory disease.

Featured Neurology Psychology

·December 13, 2018·6 min read

How Teens Deal with Stress May Affect Immune System

A new study reports teens faced with chronic family stress have higher blood pressure and worse immune response to bacterial infections. However, those who used cognitive reappraisal had lower blood pressure, despite the pressures they faced.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 2, 2018·3 min read

Nature of Immune Cells in Brain Discovered

Researchers have discovered how the nature of T cells help protect the brain from viruses. The findings shed light on the role the immune system plays in a number of neurodegenerative disorders.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 19, 2018·4 min read

Neuroinflammation Play a Critical Role in Stress Induced Depression

Researchers report repeated social defeat stress activates microglia in the medial prefrontal cortex, triggering inflammation related cytokines. This leads to impaired neural responses in the mPFC, resulting in depressive behavior.

Featured Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 4, 2018·4 min read

How Does Alcohol Influence Alzheimer’s Development?

A new study reports alcohol may impede the clearance of amyloid beta, a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease, in the brain.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·March 25, 2018·4 min read

Bugs and Allergies in Pregnancy Linked to Child Developmental Disorders, Including ADHD and Autism

Researchers investigate the effects of maternal immune activation on the developing brain.

Featured Genetics Neurology

·March 21, 2018·4 min read

Parkinson’s Gene Initiates Disease Outside of the Brain

A new study reveals the LRRK2 genetic mutation may alter cells circulating outside of the brain. Researchers report the mutation may alter how immune cells react to common illnesses, causing an inflammatory reaction in the brain that can lead to the development of Parkinson's disease.