Molecule tells key brain cells to grow up, get to work, Stanford study shows
March 9, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Contact: Bruce Goldman
goldmanb@stanford.edu
650-725-2106
Stanford University Medical Center
STANFORD, Calif. About four out of every 10 cells in the brain are so-called oligodendrocytes. These cells produce the all-important myelin that coats nerve tracts, ensuring fast, energy-efficient transmission of nerve impulses. Mixed among them are proliferating but not particularly proficient precursor cells that are destined to become oligodendrocytes when needed but, for now, remain suspended in an immature, relatively undifferentiated state somewhere between stem cell and adult oligodendrocyte.
Recent research on memory/learning
March 4, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Contact: Jo Procter
Jo.Procter@williams.edu
413-597-4279
Williams College
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., March 5, 2010 Are we over estimating remembering and underestimating learning?
Nuclear physics promises earlier detection of brain tumors with just 1 scan
March 2, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Contact: Wendy Taylor
wendy.taylor@stfc.ac.uk
44-192-560-3232
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Time taken to detect brain tumours could soon be significantly reduced thanks to an ongoing pioneering project led by the University of Liverpool with the Nuclear Physics Group and Technology departments at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) at Daresbury Laboratory. Project ProSPECTus is developing the technology for next generation SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) imaging that is set to revolutionise the medical imaging process, improving future diagnosis of cancer and the probability of successful cancer therapy whilst enabling a higher throughput of patients in hospitals.
Researchers identify a potential therapeutic target for brain cancer
February 21, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Contact: Anita B. Hjelmeland
hjelmea@ccf.org
Public Library of Science
Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic report the identification of a protein that is highly expressed in a subgroup of glioblastoma brain tumor cells and show that depletion of this protein increases the survival of mice with these tumors. This work will be published in the online open-access journal PLoS Biology.
Caltech neuroscientists find brain system behind general intelligence
February 21, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Contact: Kathy Svitil
ksvitil@caltech.edu
626-395-8022
California Institute of Technology Read more
Progesterone for traumatic brain injury tested in phase III clinical trial
February 18, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Contact: Holly Korschun
hkorsch@emory.edu
404-727-3990
Emory University
Researchers at 17 medical centers across the country soon will begin using the hormone progesterone to treat patients who experience traumatic brain injury (TBI). The treatment is part of a randomized, double-blind Phase III clinical trial that will enroll approximately 1,140 people over a three- to six-year period beginning in March, 2010. The trial is funded by a grant to Emory University from the National Institutes of Health.
In learning, the brain forgets things on purpose
February 17, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Contact: Cathleen Genova
cgenova@cell.com
617-397-2802
Cell Press
Scientists have known that newly acquired, short-term memories are often fleeting. But a new study in flies suggests that kind of forgetfulness doesn’t just happen. Rather, an active process of erasing memories may in some ways be as important as the ability to lay down new memories, say researchers who report their findings in the February 19th issue of the journal Cell, a publication of Cell Press.
Neuroscientists reveal new links that regulate brain electrical activity
February 15, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Contact: Lisa Fleece
hbi@ucalgary.ca
403-220-3558
University of Calgary Read more
Caltech neuroscientists discover brain area responsible for fear of losing money
February 7, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Contact: Kathy Svitil
ksvitil@caltech.edu
626-395-8022
California Institute of Technology Read more
3 brain diseases linked by toxic form of same neural protein
February 1, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Contact: Karen Kreeger
karen.kreeger@uphs.upenn.edu
215-349-5658
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
PHILADELPHIA - For the first time, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that three different degenerative brain disorders are linked by a toxic form of the same protein. The protein, called Elk-1, was found in clumps of misshaped proteins that are the hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Huntington’s disease.
