Summary: Researchers have identified a signaling pathway that promotes sensory neuron grown and prevents peripheral neuropathy when blocked. Source: UCSD. Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, with colleagues at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the University of Manitoba and St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre inContinue reading “Blocking Neuron Signaling Pathway May Lead to New Treatments For Peripheral Neuropathy”
Category Archives: brain
Dogfish shark steroid could help to prevent the build up parkinson’s
Summary: A synthesised steroid similar to that naturally made by the dogfish shark could help to prevent the build up of alpha synuclein. Source: GUMC. A synthesized steroid mirroring one naturally made by the dogfish shark prevents the buildup of a lethal protein implicated in some neurodegenerative diseases, reports an international research team studying anContinue reading “Dogfish shark steroid could help to prevent the build up parkinson’s”
Stroke and care after
Stroke History of stroke: Hippocrates, the father of medicine, first recognized stroke over 2,400 years ago. At this time stroke was called apoplexy, which means “struck down by violence” in Greek. This was due to the fact that a person developed sudden paralysis and change in well-being. Physicians had little knowledge of the anatomy andContinue reading “Stroke and care after”
Parkinson’s Protein Travels From Brain to Gut
Summary: Researchers report alpha-synuclein, a protein associated with Parkinson’s disease, can travel from the brain to the gut by following a specific path. Source: DZNE. A new laboratory study provides clues on a particular pathway of ‘alpha-synuclein’ diffusion. Researchers of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) have found that “alpha-synuclein”, a protein involved inContinue reading “Parkinson’s Protein Travels From Brain to Gut”
Genetic Opposites Attract When Chimpanzees Choose a Mate
Summary: A new study reports chimps are more likely to select mates whose genetic makeup differs most from their own. Source: Duke University. Chimps can tell genetically similar mates from more distant ones. When it comes to hookups in the animal world, casual sex is common among chimpanzees. In our closest animal relatives both malesContinue reading “Genetic Opposites Attract When Chimpanzees Choose a Mate”
Glia, Not Neurons, Most Affected By Brain Aging
Summary: Examining postmortem brains, researchers discover the state of glia remains consistent as we age and could be used to predict a person’s age at death. Source: Cell Press. The difference between an old brain and a young brain isn’t so much the number of neurons but the presence and function of supporting cells calledContinue reading “Glia, Not Neurons, Most Affected By Brain Aging”
Spatial representations can be found everywhere in the brain
Spaces in the brain can refer either to psychological spaces, which are derived from similarity judgments, or to neurocognitive spaces, which are based on the activities of neural structures. We want to show how psychological spaces naturally emerge from the underlying neural spaces by dimension reductions that preserve similarity structures and the relevant categorizations. SomeContinue reading “Spatial representations can be found everywhere in the brain”
Scans of brain on drugs and alcohol
A New Principle for Brain Controlled Hormone Secretion
The concentration of the hormone prolactin in the blood is controlled by dopamine. However, the system can be thrown off balance by certain drugs, especially antipsychotics, which can result in sexual side effects. A new study from Karolinska Institutet in rats, published in the journal Cell Reports, shows how dopamine can regulate itself and providesContinue reading “A New Principle for Brain Controlled Hormone Secretion”
Natural communication breakdown in aging
A naturally produced compound rewinds aspects of age-related demise in mice. Researchers have discovered a cause of aging in mammals that may be reversible. The essence of this finding is a series of molecular events that enable communication inside cells between the nucleus and mitochondria. As communication breaks down, aging accelerates. By administering a moleculeContinue reading “Natural communication breakdown in aging”
Resveratrol and calorie restriction activates SIRT1 , anti-aging gene
When the SIRT1 gene is activated, it produces proteins that protect cells from inflammation and oxidative stress, two of the primary causes of premature aging and many degenerative diseases. Almost all organisms have a gene that is equivalent to SIRT1. The gene is a defense mechanism, activated by low calorie consumption, that gives cells anContinue reading “Resveratrol and calorie restriction activates SIRT1 , anti-aging gene”
Vagus nerve stimulation thru breathing, laughs and yoga
The benefits of vagus nerve stimulation (other than relaxing the body, mind, and soul – and really, isn’t that enough of a reason?): It reduces the inflammatory response throughout our system. It helps the brain emit new cells. It decreases depression and anxiety and lifts our mood. Forty million Americans are affected by moodContinue reading “Vagus nerve stimulation thru breathing, laughs and yoga”
Closed Loop System Could Detect and Heal Disease by Modulating Peripheral Nerve Activity
Integrated, international efforts under ElectRx program blend mapping of neural circuits and development of novel bio-electrical interfaces. DARPA has selected seven teams of researchers to begin work on the Agency’s Electrical Prescriptions (ElectRx) program, which has as its goal the development of a closed-loop system that treats diseases by modulating the activity of peripheral nerves.Continue reading “Closed Loop System Could Detect and Heal Disease by Modulating Peripheral Nerve Activity”
Vagus Nerve Stimulation May Reduce Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Summary: A new study reports vagus nerve stimulation reduces symptoms of RA, cytokine levels and inflammation. Source: Northwell Health. Clinical trial data published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) demonstrates stimulating the vagus nerve with an implantable bioelectronic device significantly improved measures of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Continue reading “Vagus Nerve Stimulation May Reduce Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms”