neuroimmunology

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neuroimmunology

·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 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 Neuroscience

·October 16, 2012·3 min read

Attack! Silent Watchmen Charge to Defend the Nervous System

Research provides the first evidence that mechanisms regulated by the Runx1 gene control the balance between the surveillant versus activated microglia states.

Scientists in front of computer monitors examine microscope images showing the growth of axons.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 2, 2012·4 min read

Study Suggests Immune System Can Boost Regeneration of Peripheral Nerves

Research seeks the 'master knob' to turn on nerve repair. Modulating immune response to injury could accelerate the regeneration of severed peripheral nerves, a new study in an animal model has found. By altering activity of the macrophage cells that respond to injuries, researchers dramatically increased the rate at which nerve processes regrew.

MRI image of a patient with multiple sclerosis is shown.

Featured Neurology

·October 2, 2012·4 min read

Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to More Severe Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

Low blood levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased number of brain lesions and signs of a more active disease state in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study finds, suggesting a potential link between intake of the vitamin and the risk of longer-term disability from the autoimmune disorder.

A patient with Myasthenia Gravis is shown.

Featured Neurology

·October 1, 2012·3 min read

Researchers Halt Autoimmune Disease Myasthenia Gravis in Mice

Working with mice, Johns Hopkins researchers say they have developed a gene-based therapy to stop the rodent equivalent of the autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis by specifically targeting the destructive immune response the disorder triggers in the body.

Autism Featured Psychology

·July 17, 2012·4 min read

Researchers Find Evidence of Link between Immune Irregularities and Autism

A new Caltech study suggests that specific changes in an overactive immune system can indeed contribute to autism-like behaviors in mice, and that in some cases, this activation can be related to what a developing fetus experiences in the womb.

Featured Genetics Neurology

·July 11, 2012·3 min read

Gene Link to Multiple Sclerosis Explains Drug Side Effects

The biological role of a gene variant implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been determined by researchers at Oxford University. The researchers investigated one particular genetic variant - found in a gene called TNFRSF1A - which has previously been associated with the risk of developing MS.

Featured Neurology Psychology

·July 2, 2012·6 min read

Women Infected with Toxoplasma Gondii Parasite Have Increased Risk of Attempting Suicide

Women infected with the Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) parasite, which is spread through contact with cat feces or eating undercooked meat or unwashed vegetables, are at increased risk of attempting suicide, according to a new study of more than 45,000 women in Denmark.