Latest

Neurology

The image shows amyloid plaques in a mouse's hippocampus. The caption best explains the image.

·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.

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 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 number of brain scans.

Featured Psychology

·February 1, 2013·2 min read

Brain Activity Study Lends Insight into Schizophrenia

Researchers discover four spectral features in the brain signals of schizophrenia patients that changed with age compared to healthy control subjects, suggesting that schizophrenia affects the way in which brain activity evolves with age.

The image shows a black fly with Onchocerca volvulus emerging from its antenna. Onchocerca volvulus is responsible for the parasitic disease Onchocerciasis.

Featured Neurology

·February 1, 2013·2 min read

Parasites and Poor Antenatal Care are the Main Causes of Epilepsy in Sub-Saharan Africa

A new study found adults in sub-Saharan Africa who had been exposed to parasitic disease were 1.5 to 3 times more likely to have epilepsy.

The image shows the bone structure of an owl/

Featured Neurology

·January 31, 2013·5 min read

Owl Mystery Unraveled Scientists Explain How Bird Can Rotate Its Head Without Cutting Off Blood Supply to Brain

Researchers have figured out how night-hunting owls can almost fully rotate their heads without damaging the delicate blood vessels in their necks and heads, and without cutting off blood supply to their brains.