Spinal cord stimulation significantly decreased pain and reduced motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease, both as a singular therapy and for those who deep brain stimulation proved ineffective. Read More
Study describes how the loss of the SMARCB1 gene negatively impacts neural development and promotes tumor growth in ATRT, a rare and fast-progressing form of pediatric brain cancer. Read More
Researchers implanted specialized neural stem cell grafts directly into mice with spinal cord injuries. As the grafts grew, they integrated with and mimicked the animal's existing neural network. Read More
Memories are dynamic, not static, researchers report. Sleep helps reorganize memories and presents them in the most efficient ways. Even old memories are not final. Sleep helps to keep memories constantly updated. Read More
Botox injections appear to improve symptoms of depression, regardless of the injection site, a new study reports. Researchers found depression was reported 40 - 88% less often in patients treated with Botox. Read More
Researchers administered PTB antisense oligonucleotide treatment directly to the midbrain of mice. In the mouse models exposed to the treatment, a small subset of astrocytes converted to neurons, increasing the number of neurons by 30%. Three months after treatment, mice were completely free of Parkinson's disease symptoms and remained in remission for the rest of their lives. Read More
When hippocampal firing rates are high before exposure to a learning task, people are better able to successfully encode memory. Findings suggest the hippocampus may have a "ready to encode" mode that facilitates memory recall. Read More
Neurons in the caudal pedunculopontine nucleus, an area of the brain that regulates motor coordination, switch neurotransmitters from acetylcholine to GABA as a result of exercise. The switch appears to provide feedback control that regulates motor coordination and skill learning. Read More
UCSD has launched a Phase III clinical trial to assess whether tocilizumab (Actemra), a drug commonly prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory disorders, has therapeutic value for those at risk of developing severe COVID-19 infection. The drug is a monoclonal antibody-based therapy that blocks receptors for interleukin-6, a cytokine that triggers inflammation as an early immune response to coronavirus. Blocking IL-6 could prevent the risk of the COVID-19 associated cytokine storm many with severe infection experience. Read More
COVID-19 patients who reported smell loss as a symptom of their infection are ten times less likely to be hospitalized for coronavirus than those who do not report anosmia. Read More
Mouse models of corticospinal injuries reveal adult neurons begin a natural regeneration process by reverting back to an embryonic state. The regeneration is sustained with the help of a gene more commonly associated with Huntington's disease. Read More
Reviewing data from past pandemics, researchers suggest some of those exposed to COVID-19 could have an increased risk of developing neurological and mental health disorders in the long term. Acute viral infections can result in encephalopathy, psychosis, depression, demyelination disorders, and problems with neuromuscular function. Read More
