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neurodegenerative diseases

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.

The image shows multi-colored jigsaw pieces around a dictionary definition of autism.

Autism Featured

·February 4, 2013·3 min read

Children with Autism at Significant Risk for Feeding Problems and Nutritional Deficits

A comprehensive analysis of feeding behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders indicates that these children are five times more likely to have a feeding problem, including extreme tantrums during meals, severe food selectivity and ritualistic mealtime behaviors.

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.

Featured Neurology

·February 2, 2013·3 min read

Researchers Identify Biomarker and Potential Therapy Target in MS

Researchers discover proteins in the IL-6 signaling pathway may be leveraged as novel biomarkers of multiple sclerosis (MS) to gauge disease activity and as a target for new therapies.

The image shows a section of mouse liver showing an apoptotic cell.

Electrophysiology Featured

·February 2, 2013·3 min read

Caught in the Act: Researchers Capture Key Moments in Cell Death

Researchers visualize the molecular changes in a critical cell death protein that force cells to die. Defects in cell death have been linked to the development of diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative conditions.

The image shows outlines of 3 people with a band measuring the waist circumference.

Featured Neurology

·February 1, 2013·2 min read

Obesity May Increase Risk of MS in Children and Teens

Researchers suggest obesity may increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) in children and teenage girls. The study found the risk was one and a half times higher in overweight girls.

The image shows a structure of protein LRRK2.

Featured Neurology

·January 31, 2013·5 min read

Examining the so-called Basque Mutation of Parkinson’s

Researchers examine mutations of the LRRK2 gene and R1441G, known as the Basque mutation, to better understand Parkinson's disease among patients in the Basque Country.

The image shows a schematic structure of Insulin-like growth factor-1.

Autism Featured

·January 31, 2013·4 min read

Researcher Uncovers Potential Cause, Biomarker for Autism and Proposes Study to Investigate Theory

Based on prior findings, researchers propose that depressed levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) in the blood of newborns could potentially serve as a biomarker for the later development of autism.

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.