FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·August 2, 2019·6 min readBlood test 94% accurate at identifying Alzheimer’s before symptoms appearA new blood test for Alzheimer's disease is up-to 94% accurate at predicting dementia before symptoms appear. The test's accuracy is increased when genetic predisposition and age are taken into account. The new test may eventually replace PET neuroimaging, currently considered the gold standard, for early detection of Alzheimer's.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·August 1, 2019·3 min readLargest ever study finds links in epilepsy genesA large-scale study identified rare genetic variations associated with both severe and less severe forms of epilepsy.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·July 31, 2019·4 min read‘Love hormone’ has stomach-turning effect in starfishOxytocin, a hormone commonly associated with love and bonding in humans, causes starfish to turn their stomachs inside-out to feed. The findings provide vital new evidence for the evolutionary role of oxytocin and vasopressin neuropeptides as regulators of feeding in animals.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·July 30, 2019·3 min readA paradoxical proinflammatory effect of endocannabinoids in the brain discoveredWhile endocannabinoids have been reported to play a role in anti-inflammation in some areas of the brain, a new study reveals they may cause inflammation in the cerebellum.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·July 30, 2019·4 min readThe surprising link between a babies’ weeble-wobble and the genetics of motor controlA new fruit fly study reveals a simple genetic system is behind complex movements. The finding sheds light on motor control issues associated with neurodegenerative diseases.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·July 29, 2019·4 min readDiscovery could lead to new treatments for Parkinson’s, other brain diseasesNew model could inform the development of new treatments for Lewy body diseases by targeting alpha-synuclein DNA repair mechanisms.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·July 29, 2019·2 min readImpaired brain activity in rats with family history of alcohol abuseNeural patterns of activity in the medial prefrontal cortex associated with the intention to drink alcohol are influenced by the genetic risk for alcohol use disorder.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscience·July 28, 2019·4 min readCBD and genetic testing provide hope for ‘intractable’ epilepsy in childrenGenetic testing can help identify children at risk of epilepsy, in addition to identifying new genetic mutations associated with the condition. Using CBD based medications can also help reduce seizures in children with epilepsy.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·July 27, 2019·3 min readGenes underscore five psychiatric disordersNineteen gene sets have been identified that contribute to at least five psychiatric disorders. The gene sets were associated with ADHD, ASD, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia.Read More
AutismFeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·July 26, 2019·3 min readBrain region linked to altered social interactions in autism modelThe anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays a critical role in regulating social behaviors. In mouse models of ASD, dysfunction in the ACC was linked to social impairments associated with the disorder.Read More
AutismFeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscience·July 25, 2019·5 min readExploring genetic ‘dark matter,’ researchers gain new insights into autism and strokeStudy illuminates the role of non-coding mutations in autism spectrum disorder. Researchers say non-coding mutations may also shed light on an array of other neurological and health disorders.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·July 25, 2019·4 min readTo become, or not to become… a neuronBcl6 acts as a driver of neurogenic transition by directly silencing a selection of genes that belong to multiple extrinsic pathways promoting self-renewal. Bcl6 is only expressed in specific subsets of neurons and progenitor cells during brain development.Read More
