THE MACABRE WORLD OF MIND CONTROLLING PARASITES
Neuroparasitology could shed new light into the neurological basis for behavior and decision making, researchers say.… READ MORE…
MOM’S GUT PARASITES PROTECT BABIES’ BRAINS FROM INFLAMMATION
According to a new study, tapeworms can protect infant rats from neuroinflammation.… READ MORE…
RESEARCHERS DISCOVER MECHANISM THAT MAY HELP PARASITES MANIPULATE THEIR HOSTS
Researchers report they have identified a way in which Toxoplasma gondii may modify brain cells.… READ MORE…
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.… READ MORE…
WOMEN CAUGHT IN A PICKLE BY THEIR OWN IMMUNE SYSTEMS
Pregnancy Compensation Hypothesis may explain why women are more prone to developing autoimmune diseases, like multiple sclerosis and lupus, than men.… READ MORE…
COAT OF PROTEINS MAKES VIRUSES MORE INFECTIOUS AND LINKS THEM TO ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) interact with biological fluids, creating a coat of proteins around the viral surface. This results in the viruses becoming more infectious and can contribute to the formation of amyloid plaques. In animal models, researchers found these viruses can bind to amyloid proteins, which aggregate into plaques that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. HSV-1 is able to accelerate the transformation of soluble amyloid proteins into amyloid plaques.… READ MORE…
IS THE BRAIN PARASITE TOXOPLASMA MANIPULATING YOUR BEHAVIOR, OR IS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM TO BLAME?
Immune system response to chronic infection may be more directly to blame for health and behavioral changes associated with Toxoplasma gondii infections.… READ MORE…
THE DISCOVERY OF THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM: CENTURIES IN THE MAKING
Researchers shed light on the endocannabinoid system and report how cannabis is helping to provide relief to many with medical problems.… READ MORE…
HOW THE BRAIN TELLS YOU TO SCRATCH THAT ITCH
Researchers shed light on the mechanism that drives the uncontrollable urge to scratch an itch.… READ MORE…
CANCER HIJACKS THE MICROBIOME TO GLUT ITSELF ON GLUCOSE
Researchers report leukemia undercuts the normal ability of cells to consume glucose, leaving more glucose available to help feed the growth of cancer cells.… READ MORE…
A SENSE OF DISGUST IN BONOBOS?
Researchers report bonobos express disgust when presented with contaminated food. The study reveals their curiosity transforms into caution when food is presented near feces or a bad smell.… READ MORE…
NERVOUS SYSTEM PUTS THE BRAKES ON INFLAMMATION
A new study reveals ILC2 cells in the nervous system can halt immune response to infections that cause inflammation.… READ MORE…
HOW TOXOPLASMOSIS EXPLOITS IMMUNE CELLS TO REACH THE BRAIN
Stockholm University researchers have discovered how a common parasite found in cat feces moves through the body and enters the brain. Toxoplasma gondii is able to take control of immune cells and use them to move through the body, eventually reaching the brain.… READ MORE…
WHAT GROSSES OUT A CHIMP?
Exposure to biological contaminants, such as feces and blood, through smell, sight and touch influence feeding choices in chimpanzees, a new study reports.… READ MORE…
LINK BETWEEN TOXOPLASMA INFECTION AND COMMON BRAIN DISEASE
A new study in Scientific Reports reports T.gonfii infection may alter, or even amplify some neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.… READ MORE…
SEVERITY OF PARASITE’S VIRULENCE DEPENDS ON WHAT TIME OF DAY INFECTION OCCURS
The immune response varies greatly, depending on the time of day a parasitic infection occurs, a new study reports. Researchers note infections that occur early at night were more successful as this is a time when the immune response is strongest. Parasitic infection thrives when it is able to elicit a strong immune response.… READ MORE…
‘ADRENALINE’ OF IMMUNE SYSTEM DISCOVERED
Researchers have identified neurons in the mucosal tissue that detect infection and hasten the response of immune cells.… READ MORE…
NOVEL STEM CELL-DERIVED MODEL CREATED OF INFLAMMATORY NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER
UCSD researchers have successfully created a human stem cell based model of AGS, a rare, inherited autoimmune disorder.… READ MORE…
PLAYING IN THE DIRT AS A KID MAKES LATER LIFE CHRONIC DISEASE LESS LIKELY
Kids who play in dirt face exposure to germs and parasites that can help reduce risks of suffering certain allergies and illnesses later in life. Early microbial exposures help our bodies to learn how to regulate inflammation, researchers say.… READ MORE…
HOW TO STOP THE NASTY LURKING TOXOPLASMOSIS PARASITE? TARGET ITS ‘STOMACH’
Study suggests new avenues for treating toxoplasmosis parasite infections.… READ MORE…
CENTURY OLD DRUG COULD HELP TREAT AUTISM SYMPTOMS
According to researchers, a century old drug originally developed to treat African sleeping sickness shows promise for treating symptoms of autism.… READ MORE…
SUPER COMPUTER ASSISTS IN SEARCH FOR BETTER CANCER TREATMENTS
Researchers are turning to supercomputers in the quest to discover new treatments and targets for cancers.… READ MORE…
DEMENTIA GENE MAY GUARD AGAINST DECLINE ASSOCIATED WITH PARASITIC DISEASE
A new study reports carriers of APOE4 could have reduced risk of cognitive decline associated with parasitic infection.… READ MORE…
ANCIENT DNA CAN BOTH DIMINISH AND DEFEND MODERN MINDS
A new study raises the question of whether a genetic mutation associated with neurodegeneration in one environment could act in a positive way in a different setting.… READ MORE…
DEPRIVING DEADLY BRAIN TUMORS OF CHOLESTEROL MAY BE THEIR ACHILLES’ HEEL
Depriving glioblastoma brain cancer cells of cholesterol caused tumor regression and prolonged survival in mouse models of the disease, a new study reports.… READ MORE…
OLFACTORY GLOMERULI HAVE A UNIQUE STRUCTURE
Mapping the functional units of the vinegar fly’s brain, researchers discover the olfactory glomeruli differs in structure.… READ MORE…
IMMUNE SYSTEM AFFECTS AND CONTROLS SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
Researchers report the immune system directly affects, and maybe even controls, a creature’s social behaviors and desire to interact with others.… READ MORE…
NEW THEORY ABOUT HOW CLIMATE AFFECTS VIOLENCE
Hotter temperatures and climates that have less seasonal variation in temperatures have an impact on aggression, a new study reports.… READ MORE…
NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT: RECEPTOR THAT PUTS THE BREAKS ON ALLERGIC RESPONSE IDENTIFIED
Researchers have identified a receptor protein that regulates immune response intensity in response to allergens.… READ MORE…
NITRIC OXIDE KEEPS BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER INTACT AND PROTECTS AGAINST NEUROINFLAMMATION
Researchers discover nitric oxide plays an unexpected role in maintaining the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, reducing parasite invasion in the brain and neuroinflammation.… READ MORE…
OUR BAD, BAD BRAINS: ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION FOR BRAIN GAMES’ BRAINS BEHAVING BADLY EPISODE
Are humans hardwired for transgressions? Why are some of the brain’s most basic instincts considered bad behavior? Why does bad behavior come so naturally to us? National Geographic’s Brain Games asks Neuroscience News.… READ MORE…
STUDY VISUALIZES HOW TOXOPLASMA GONDII CROSSES THE BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER
Researchers have discovered how the parasite Toxoplasma gondii is able to cross the blood-brain barrier.… READ MORE…
THE GOD BRAIN: ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON GOD AND SPIRITUALITY FOR BRAIN GAMES
Is belief in God innate in our brains, as if it were installed by some divine programmer? Or is spirituality a more complex evolving adaptation that has both helped and harmed us as a species? National Geographic’s Brain Games asks Neuroscience News.… READ MORE…
A CLOSER LOOK AT AUTOPHAGY
A new closer look at the complexity of autophagy.… READ MORE…
MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY SHOWS PROMISE FOR REDUCING MEMORY AND LEARNING PROBLEMS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA
Researchers report a monoclonal antibody that shows promise in the fight against cancer also appears to help reduce learning and memory problems associated with schizophrenia.… READ MORE…
TOXOPLASMA PARASITE ALTERS HOST’S PERSONALITY AND BRAIN BEHAVIOR
Researchers discover how T.gondii can change the behavior and personality of its host. The findings could lead to a vaccine for Toxoplasma infection.… READ MORE…
PARASITE TOXOPLASMA GONDII ALTERS BRAIN SIGNALING
Toxoplasmosis alters neural pathways specifically related to GABA, a new study reports.… READ MORE…
SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE SECRET COMMUNICATION OF MARINE LIFE
A new study sheds light on a secret form of communication used by the mantis shrimp.… READ MORE…
WASP MASTERS MANIPULATE WEB BUILDING ZOMBIE SLAVE SPIDERS
Parasitic wasps take control of spider nervous systems, making them create cocoon webs to protect developing wasp pupa.… READ MORE…
SCIENTISTS UNCOVER NEW ROLE FOR NEUROTRANSMITTER THAT HELPS FIGHT INFECTION
Researchers report a particular type of neurotransmitter has an important role in adaptive immune responses.… READ MORE…
BRAIN DWELLING WORM IN UK MAN’S HEAD SEQUENCED
Researchers generate first genome sequence of tapeworm removed from a patient’s brain. … READ MORE…
ZOMBIE ANT FUNGI ‘KNOW’ BRAINS OF THEIR HOSTS
A new study reports a parasitic fungus emits a number of behavior controlling chemicals when it encounters the brains of ants.… READ MORE…
THE BITTER AND THE SWEET: FRUIT FLIES REVEAL A NEW INTERACTION BETWEEN THE TWO
A new study explains how sensory input impacts fruit flies’ decisions about sweet tastes.… READ MORE…
TEST LINKS STRAINS OF COMMON PARASITE TO SEVERE ILLNESS IN US NEWBORNS
NIH-supported research underscores value of screening for toxoplasmosis Scientists have identified which strains of the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, the cause… READ MORE…
BRAIN PARASITE DIRECTLY ALTERS BRAIN CHEMISTRY – T GONDII AFFECTS DOPAMINE
A research group from the University of Leeds has shown that infection by the brain parasite Toxoplasma gondii, found in 10-20 per cent of the UK’s population, … READ MORE…