NIH-funded study suggests sleep clears brain of molecules associated with neurodegeneration. A good night’s rest may literally clear the mind. Using mice, researchers showed for the first time that the space between brain cells may increase during sleep, allowing the brain to flush out toxins that build up during waking hours. These results suggest aContinue reading “Brain may flush out toxins during sleep”
Category Archives: brain
Brain Benefits of Aerobic Exercise Lost to Mercury Exposure
Summary: Researchers report adults with higher prenatal exposure to methylmercury, as a result of fish consumption, did not experience faster cognitive processing or short term memory benefits following exercise. Source: NIH/NIEHS. Cognitive function improves with aerobic exercise, but not for people exposed to high levels of mercury before birth, according to research funded by theContinue reading “Brain Benefits of Aerobic Exercise Lost to Mercury Exposure”
Shark Fins and Meat Contain High Levels of Neurotoxins Associated With Alzheimer’s
Summary: Researchers have found high concentrations of neurotoxins linked to Alzheimer’s disease in the fins and muscles of 10 species of sharks. One of the toxins also has been found in shark fin and shark cartilage supplements. Source: University of Miami. UM research team says restricting shark consumption protects human health and shark populations. InContinue reading “Shark Fins and Meat Contain High Levels of Neurotoxins Associated With Alzheimer’s”
Neuron Producing Stem Cells in Membranes Covering the Brain Discovered
Summary: Researchers have discovered neural progenitor cells in the meninges. Source: VIB Flanders. Possible implications for brain regeneration. In a cross-domain study directed by professor Peter Carmeliet (VIB – KU Leuven), researchers discovered unexpected cells in the protective membranes that enclose the brain, the so called meninges. These ‘neural progenitors’ – or stem cells thatContinue reading “Neuron Producing Stem Cells in Membranes Covering the Brain Discovered”
Missed Connections: Memory Related Brain Activity Loses Cohesion As We Age
Summary: Researchers report groups of brain regions that synchronize their activity during memory tasks become smaller and more numerous as people age. Source: PLOS. Groups of brain regions with coordinated activity are consistent for individuals, but shrink with age. Groups of brain regions that synchronize their activity during memory tasks become smaller and more numerousContinue reading “Missed Connections: Memory Related Brain Activity Loses Cohesion As We Age”
Greater Stroke Risk for Generation X Than Baby Boomers
Summary: The stroke rate has more than doubled in Generation X’ers over the past 20 years, a new study reports. Source: Rutgers. Obesity and diabetes likely causes of a reversal in a downward trend in stroke occurrence. Older baby boomers–those born between 1945 and 1954–can proudly boast a new label: the “stroke-healthiest generation,” according toContinue reading “Greater Stroke Risk for Generation X Than Baby Boomers”
Gut microbes signal to the brain when they are full
Don’t have room for dessert? The bacteria in your gut may be telling you something. Twenty minutes after a meal, gut microbes produce proteins that can suppress food intake in animals, reports a study published November 24 in Cell Metabolism. The researchers also show how these proteins injected into mice and rats act on theContinue reading “Gut microbes signal to the brain when they are full”
Bacterial Immunization Prevents PTSD-Like Symptoms in Mice
Summary: According to a new study, mice injected with a specific bacterium became more resilient to stress, showing less anxiety and fear in stressful situations. Source: UCL. Injecting mice with a UCL-discovered bacterium can reduce stress and inflammation, preventing them from developing PTSD-like conditions, finds a new international study led by the University of ColoradoContinue reading “Bacterial Immunization Prevents PTSD-Like Symptoms in Mice”
Single Species of Gut Bacteria Can Reverse Autism Related Social Behavior: Mouse Study
Summary: Researchers culture a strain of Lactobacillus reuteri from human breast milk and introduced it to mice. They discovered treatment with this bacterial strain appeared to rescue social behaviors. Source: Cell Press. The absence of a one specific species of gut bacteria causes social deficits in mice, researchers at Baylor College of Medicine report JuneContinue reading “Single Species of Gut Bacteria Can Reverse Autism Related Social Behavior: Mouse Study”
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is Not in Your Head, It’s in Your Gut
Summary: Researchers have identified biomarkers for chronic fatigue syndrome in gut bacteria and in inflammatory microbial agents in the blood. Source: Cornell University. Physicians have been mystified by chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition where normal exertion leads to debilitating fatigue that isn’t alleviated by rest. There are no known triggers, and diagnosis requires lengthy testsContinue reading “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is Not in Your Head, It’s in Your Gut”
Infections and Antibiotic Use Linked to Manic Episodes in People With Serious Mental Illness
Summary: A new study appears to add to the growing evidence that the immune system may play a vital role in some psychiatric disorders. Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine. In research using patient medical records, investigators from Johns Hopkins and Sheppard Pratt Health System report that people with serious mental disorders who were hospitalized for maniaContinue reading “Infections and Antibiotic Use Linked to Manic Episodes in People With Serious Mental Illness”
Sleep Loss Tied to Gut Microbiota Changes in Humans
Summary: A new study reports sleep loss can lead to alterations in gut bacteria that have previousle been linked to diabetes and obesity in humans. Source: Uppsala University. Results from a new clinical study conducted at Uppsala University suggest that curtailing sleep alters the abundance of bacterial gut species that have previously been linked toContinue reading “Sleep Loss Tied to Gut Microbiota Changes in Humans”
Gut Bacteria Have Own Circadian Clock
Summary: Researchers report our gut bacteria is sensitive to melatonin and expresses its own circadian rhythm. Source: University of Kentucky. The circadian rhythm, or circadian clock, is an internal mechanism that drives the 24-hour cycles that tell our bodies when to sleep, wake and eat — and now, new research has found that bacteria livingContinue reading “Gut Bacteria Have Own Circadian Clock”
The Role Gut Bacteria Plays in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Summary: Researchers report proteins produced by gut bacteria may cause protein misfolding in the brain and cerebral inflammation. Source: University of Louisville. Research at UofL funded by The Michael J. Fox Foundation shows proteins produced by gut bacteria may cause misfolding of brain proteins and cerebral inflammation. Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and AmyotrophicContinue reading “The Role Gut Bacteria Plays in Neurodegenerative Diseases”