Newsline — Wednesday, June 5, 2013 9:00
Mouse Model Shows that Cancer Drug May Reverse Alzheimer’s
Clearing Traffic in Brain Pathways Shows Promise for Alzheimer’s Treatment
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 15:00
A team of researchers at the University of Buffalo has unearthed the role that a particular protein plays in controlling neuronal traffic in the brain. Following a study, researchers believe that adjusting levels of the protein presenilin could clear up traffic in brain pathways and prevent blockages in patients who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. “Our major discovery is that presenilin has a novel role, which is to control the movement of motor proteins along neuronal highways,” said the study’s chief investigator. “In Alzheimer’s disease, transport defects occur well before symptoms, such as cell death and amyloid plaques, are seen in post-mortem brains,” she added. “As a result, developing therapeutics targeted to defects in neuronal transport would be a useful way to attack the problem early.” For the full article, click here.
Life-saving Technique Could Help Identify, Curb Stroke and Hemorrhage Risk
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 9:33
A study published in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine reports that measuring blood flow in the brain may be a noninvasive means to predict stroke or hemorrhage in children recieving cardiac and respiratory assistance from extracoporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The ECMO is used when the patient is unable to sustain oxygen due to heart failure or other life threatening conditions like septic shock. Researchers believe that the findings will allow doctors to take steps in treating and preventing the complications of stroke or hemorrhage, a leading killer for patients using ECMO. Click here to read the full story.
New Guideline: In Minor Procedures, Blood Thinners Safe to Use For Stroke Patients
Monday, June 3, 2013 14:59
A new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology advises that the use of blood thinners (such as aspirin or warfarin) for stroke patients is safe before minor dental and dermatalogic procedures and the like. While blood thinners reduce the risk of stroke-causing blood clots, they also increase the likelihood of heavy bleeding during a surgical procedure. The new guideline are derived from evidence in 133 studies, and are expected to be helpful to a number of medical practitioners treating those who have suffered from a stroke. For more information, click here to read the full article.
AANS President William T. Couldwell’s Message to AANS Membership Regarding Merger
Monday, June 3, 2013 14:00
In a memo sent to all American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) members on June 3, 2013, AANS President William T. Couldwell, MD, PhD, FAANS, addressed the concerns raised by some regarding the reexamination of a merger between the AANS and Congress of Neurological Surgeons into one organization. “We believe there has been incomplete and misleading information sent to our members regarding this issue,” said Dr. Couldwell. “We wanted you to have access to better information, and to know that we have taken the issue very seriously and that we are addressing some of the concerns that have been raised.” To read the full memo, please click here.
Study: Engineered Polio Virus Kills Brain Tumor Cells
Monday, June 3, 2013 9:38
A study conducted at Duke University has found that modified polio virus to be effective in killing glioblastoma brain tumor cells. Researchers now are attempting to establish proper dosing levels of the engineered polio virus, which is fatal to cancer cells but harmless to healthy ones. Injected directly into a tumor, the treatment also launches the body’s immune system to attack infected tumor cells. Click here to read the full article.
Does Skin Cancer Lower Alzheimer’s Risk? One Study Says Yes.
Friday, May 31, 2013 13:00
According to research published in the medical journal Neurology, those who have skin cancer may be less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. This population excludes those with melanoma, a less common but more aggressive form of skin cancer. The study found that people with skin cancer were almost 80 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those who did not have skin cancer. There was no link found with other types of dementia. For more information, click here to read the full article.
Regenerating Spinal Cord Fibers: Key to Treating Stroke-Related Disabilities?
Friday, May 31, 2013 9:00
Investigators at Detroit’s Henry Ford Hospital have found significant evidence that a regenerative process of damaged nerve fibers in the spinal cord could fill in functional recovery gaps for stroke victims. While many of those who suffer a stroke are able to regain use of their hands and other body parts, about fifty percent still experience weakness on one side of their bodies and others are permanently disabled. For this study, published in Stroke, researchers focused on axons in the spinal cord and facilitated behavioral tests on mice. One researcher believes that the findings of this study may offer “a treatment target to develop rational therapeutic approaches to enhance neurological recovery for the mass of chronic stroke patients.” Click here to read the full article.
Mental Math Could Improve Cognitive Functions, Study Says
Thursday, May 30, 2013 13:00
Scientists at the University of Oxford have found that by improving the ability to manipulate numbers in their heads, individuals could improve their cognitive and brain functions. The task is one that 20 percent of people are said to struggle with. However, the findings suggest that this study may help those suffering from neurodegenerative illness, stroke or learning difficulties. Click here to read the full story.
Study: Those Suffering from Depression with Migraines May Have Smaller Brain Size
Thursday, May 30, 2013 9:00
A new study published in Neurology has found that older patients who have suffered from both migraines and depression may have smaller brain tissue volumes than those with who have suffered only one or neither of those ailments. Migraine sufferers are said to have double the risk depression than those who do not suffer from migraines, and researchers were curious as to whether having the conditions together affected brain size. Click here to read the full story.