Newsline — Monday, September 16, 2013 13:00
Study: Toxic Buildup a Mechanism for ALS, Neurodegenerative Diseases
Laser-Based Technique May Improve Accuracy of Brain Tumor Removal
Monday, September 16, 2013 9:00
According to a paper featured in Science Translational Medicine, a new laser-based technique enables surgeons to determine cancer tissues from healthy brain tissue at the microscopic level. The technology allows for more accurate brain tumor surgery, and lessens the likelihood that tumor cells will be left behind. SRS microscopy, as the technique is called, was conducted initially in a mouse-model study and then was found to be effective in patients with the deadly glioblastoma multiforme tumor. “Though brain tumor surgery has advanced in many ways, survival for many patients is still poor, in part because surgeons can’t be sure that they’ve removed all tumor tissue before the operation is over,” says one of the study’s authors. “We need better tools for visualizing tumor during surgery, and SRS microscopy is highly promising. With SRS we can see something that’s invisible through conventional surgical microscopy.” Click here to read the full story.
Report: Study Links Risk of Benign Tumors to Bone Growth Factor
Friday, September 13, 2013 13:00
A study in the September issue of Neurosurgery reports that patients who undergo spinal fusion surgery with bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) appear to be at a higher risk of developing benign tumors, but not cancers. Although risks were small, patients receiving BMP had higher instances of benign tumors in the nervous system, namely in the meninges lining of the brain and spinal cord. Click here to read more about this headline and others.
Researchers Create Model for Study of Schizophrenia
Friday, September 13, 2013 10:05
Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies are developing a system that completes the bridge between cellular and human studies of schizophrenia. “Part of the terror of schizophrenia is that the brain can’t properly integrate sensory information, so the world is a disorientating series of unrelated bits of input,” says one of the investigators. “We’ve created a model that tests the ability to do sensory integration, which should be extremely useful for pharmaceutical research.” The study is likely to advance the development of treatments for schizophrenia and other neurological disorders. Click here to read the full story.
Study Reveals Link Between Migraine and Income Level
Thursday, September 12, 2013 13:00
The correlation between income level and incidence of migraine is examined in a recent online issue of Neurology. A study shows that migraine is more common among people with lower incomes. “New evidence from this study shows that a higher percentage of people have migraine in low income groups because more people get migraine, not because people in lower income groups have migraine for a longer period of time,” the study’s author says. Click here to read the full story.
Brain Tumor-Removing Robot May Be in the Works
Thursday, September 12, 2013 9:45
A team from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering is working with neurosurgeons to develop image-guided, less invasive methods of removing brain tumors. Central to this project is the design of a finger-like device with multiple joints, a robot of sorts. At the end of the device is an electrocautery tool that uses electricity, heat and suction to destroy and remove tumors. The device is used while the patient undergoes an MRI, which allows the surgeon to see deeply embedded tumors and monitor the robot’s movement without having to create a large incision in the brain. Click here to read the full story.
Johns Hopkins Study Reveals Life After Radiation for Brain Cells
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 13:00
A new mouse model study from Johns Hopkins suggests that neural stem cells can help replace cells injured by radiation, potentially restoring lost function. This finding bucks the long-held belief that once damaged by radiation, healthy brain cells cannot regnerate. “Despite being hit hard by radiation, it turns out that neural stem cells are like the special forces, on standby waiting to be activated,” says the lead author of the study. “Now we might figure out how to unleash the potential of these stem cells to repair human brain damage.” The results of this study offer promise to brain cancer patients and those with progressive neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Click here to read the full story.
Study: Migraines May Increase Risk of Brain Lesions
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 9:51
A study conducted at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark suggests that migraines might have long-lasting effects on the structure of the brain. While migraines have been considered a benign disorder, researchers found that migraine increased a sufferer’s risk of developing brain lesions. “Migraine affects about 10 to 15 percent of the general population and can cause a substantial personal, occupational and social burden,” said the study’s author. “We hope that through more study, we can clarify the association of brain structure changes to attack frequency and length of the disease. We also want to find out how these lesions may influence brain function.” Click here to read the full story.
Young People at Higher Risk for Stroke Than in Previous Years, Study Finds
Tuesday, September 10, 2013 13:00
A study conducted at the Loyola University Medical Center has found that 15 percent of the most common strokes happen in teens and young adults. According to reports, more young people are at risk for ischemic stroke, which occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked. This type of stroke is often brought on high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and smoking. Study authors suggest that there should be more emphasis on educating young people about stroke. Click here to read the full story.
Vigorous Exercise in Young Men May Reduce Epilepsy Risk
Tuesday, September 10, 2013 10:43
A study reported in Neurology suggests that men who exercise as young adults lower their risk of developing epilepsy as they get older. “Exercise may affect epilepsy risk in two ways. It may protect the brain and create stronger brain reserve, or it may simply be that people who are fit early in life tend to also be fit later in life, which in turn affects disease risk,” the study’s author says. Click here to read the full story.