FeaturedNeurology·October 3, 2012·3 min readDrug Reverses Abnormal Brain Function in Rett Syndrome Micein a mouse model of Rett syndrome, researchers were able to reverse abnormalities in brain activity and improve neurological function by treating animals with an FDA-approved anesthesia drug, ketamine.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsPsychology·October 3, 2012·4 min readNew de novo Genetic Mutations in Schizophrenia IdentifiedColumbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers have identified dozens of new spontaneous genetic mutations that play a significant role in the development of schizophrenia, adding to the growing list of genetic variants that can contribute to the disease. The schizophrenia study was the largest and most comprehensive of its kind.Read More
FeaturedNeurology·October 2, 2012·2 min readNew Research Model to Aid Search for Degenerative Disease CuresEfforts to treat disorders like Lou Gehrig’s disease, Paget’s disease, inclusion body myopathy and dementia will receive a considerable boost from a new research model created by UC Irvine scientists.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsPsychology·October 2, 2012·2 min readIntelligence Is in the Genes, but Where?A new study reveals that most of the specific genes long thought to be linked to intelligence probably have no bearing on one’s IQ. And it may be some time before researchers can identify intelligence’s specific genetic roots.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·October 2, 2012·4 min readStudy Suggests Immune System Can Boost Regeneration of Peripheral NervesResearch 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.Read More
FeaturedNeurology·October 1, 2012·3 min readResearchers Halt Autoimmune Disease Myasthenia Gravis in MiceWorking 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.Read More
FeaturedOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·September 26, 2012·3 min readReady for Your Close-Up?Caltech study shows that the distance at which facial photos are taken influences perception.Read More
Brain CancerFeatured·September 21, 2012·2 min read‘Fingerprinting’ Breakthrough Offers Improved Brain Tumor DiagnosisResearchers have shown that infrared and Raman spectroscopy – coupled with statistical analysis – can be used to tell the difference between normal brain tissue and the different tumor types that may arise in this tissue, based on its individual biochemical-cell ‘fingerprint’.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·September 21, 2012·4 min readResearch Identifies Protein that Regulates Key Fate Decision in Cortical Progenitor CellsResearchers solved an important piece of one of neuroscience's outstanding puzzles: how progenitor cells in the developing mammalian brain reproduce themselves while also giving birth to neurons that will populate the emerging cerebral cortex, the seat of cognition and executive function in the mature brain.Read More
FeaturedPsychology·September 20, 2012·2 min read‘Psychopaths’ Have An Impaired Sense of SmellPeople with psychopathic tendencies have an impaired sense of smell, which points to inefficient processing in the front part of the brain (orbitofrontal cortex) according to a new study.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·September 20, 2012·2 min readBrain Study Reveals the Roots of Chocolate TemptationsResearchers have new evidence in rats to explain how it is that chocolate candies can be so completely irresistible. The urge to overeat such deliciously sweet and fatty treats traces to an unexpected part of the brain and its production of a natural, opium-like chemical.Read More
FeaturedNeurology·September 19, 2012·4 min readScientists Show Biological Mechanism Can Trigger Epileptic SeizuresResearchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center report that molecular disruptions in small neurons called granule cells – located in the dentate gyrus region of the brain – caused brain seizures in mice similar to those seen in human temporal lobe epilepsy.Read More
