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Neurology

The image shows a lego man acting as a gatekeeper for the brain activity to neuronal growth.

·February 7, 2013·4 min read

Researchers Uncover Key to Antidepressant Response

Researchers identify a protein that appears to be the target of both antidepressant drugs and electroconvulsive therapy. The experimental results explain how these therapies likely work to relieve depression by stimulating stem cells in the brain to grow and mature.

The image shows comparative brain scans of veterans with mild TBI and those without TBI.

Featured Neurology

·February 7, 2013·3 min read

Veterans with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury have White Matter Abnormalities

A new study found soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with mild TBI have measurable abnormalities in white matter when compared to returning veterans who have not experienced TBI. These abnormalities appear to be related to the severity of the injury and are related to cognitive deficits.

The image shows Newborn neurons in the brain of a 3 month old mouse.

Featured Neurology

·February 7, 2013·3 min read

Dickkopf Makes Fountain of Youth in the Brain Run Dry

Scientists have discovered that significantly more neurons are generated in the brains of older animals if the signaling molecule Dickkopf-1 is turned off. The results give rise to the question whether the function of Dickkopf-1 may be turned off using drugs to prevent age related cognitive decline.

The image is The Fruit Vendor by painter J W Godward. The image shows a woman sleeping next to a statue of a lion and a table of fruit.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 6, 2013·4 min read

Eat to Dream: Study Shows Dietary Nutrients Associated with Certain Sleep Patterns

A study shows for the first time that certain nutrients may play an underlying role in short and long sleep duration and that people who report eating a large variety of foods; an indicator of an overall healthy diet, had the healthiest sleep patterns.

The image shows the structure of protein LRRK2.

Featured Genetics

·February 6, 2013·4 min read

Study Points to Possible Cause and Treatment for Non-familial Parkinson’s

Researchers identify a protein trafficking defect within brain cells that may underlie common non-familial forms of Parkinson’s disease. The study implicates two genetic variants that disrupt protein sorting in neurons.

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

Featured Neurology

·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 is a topography of the primary motor cortex, on an outline drawing of the human brain. Different body parts are listed in this area.

Featured Neurology

·February 5, 2013·3 min read

Stroke Damage in Mice Overcome by Training Which ‘Rewires’ Brain Centers

A new study discovers mice can recover from physically debilitating strokes that damage the primary motor cortex, if the rodents are quickly subjected to physical conditioning that rapidly “rewires” a different part of the brain to take over lost function.

A man is standing with the help of a walker in front of a tower of electronics as a woman sits nearby.

Electrophysiology Featured Neurology

·February 5, 2013·5 min read

Reflex Control Could Improve Walking After Incomplete Spinal Injuries

A training regimen to adjust the body's motor reflexes may help improve mobility for some people with incomplete spinal cord injuries. During training, the participants were instructed to suppress a knee jerk-like reflex elicited by a small shock to the leg. Those able to calm hyperactive reflexes saw improvements in their walking.

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 brain scans of damage to the amgydala. The caption explains this best.

Featured Neurology

·February 4, 2013·4 min read

Human Brain is Divided on Fear and Panic

A new study provides proof that the amygdala is not the only gatekeeper of fear in the human brain. Other regions, such as the brainstem, diencephalon, or insular cortex, could sense the body’s most primal inner signals of danger when basic survival is threatened.

The FMRI image shows regions of activation including primary visual cortex (V1, BA17), extrastriate visual cortex and lateral geniculate body.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 3, 2013·3 min read

Pioneering Research Helps to Unravel the Brain’s Vision Secrets

A new study has identified the two areas of the brain responsible for our perception of orientation and shape. Research found that the two neighbouring areas, known as human visual field maps, process the different types of visual information independently.