Newsline — Thursday, March 28, 2013 13:00
Text Messages: Sign of the Times, Sign of a Stroke
Study: Brain Signals Assist in the Spread, Continuation of Pain
Thursday, March 28, 2013 9:00
According to a novel study by the University of Maryland, treating pain at an injury site might not be good enough. The study, reported in the Journal of Neuroscience, is said to revamp conventional approaches to pain management. Researchers believe that while pain signals from an injury site is blocked by pain killers, “pain signals from the central nervous system persist for months, and may be an underlying cause of the transition of acute pain to chronic pain in humans.” New classes of pain medication could come from the discovery. For more information, click here to read the full article.
New Findings Show Promise for Parkinson’s Patients
Wednesday, March 27, 2013 13:00
Some promising news for Parkinson’s patients: Three studies have unveiled major findings for Parkinson’s-related blood pressure issues, the wearing off effect that can happen in those who have taken its primary treatment for an extended period of time, and for individuals whose symptoms are not well-controlled by the drugs. Click here to read more.
Access to Stroke Care Increase by 40 Percent in Less Populated Locale
Wednesday, March 27, 2013 9:00
Telestroke programs improve access to life-saving stroke care by offering coverage to less-populated areas to reduce inequities in stroke care access. Recent findings from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania demonstrate that telemedicine programs in Oregon expanded coverage by about 40 percent. For more information, click here to read the full article.
Study: Anti-Nausea Drug Kills Brain Tumor Cells
Tuesday, March 26, 2013 12:30
Findings from the University of Adelaide demonstrate that the growth of brain tumors can be slowed by a drug treating the side effects of chemotherapy. A study assessing the relationship between brain tumors and a peptide linked to brain inflammation, known as “substance P”, led to the discovery. Substance P is released in the body by the nervous system and contributes to post-injury tissue swelling. Levels of substance P in the brain can increase after traumatic brain injury and stroke, and can increase brain tumor tissue. With the use of an antagonist drug used to quell chemotherapy-induced nausea in cancer patients, scientists were able to stop substance P from binding to a receptor called NK1, resulting in reduced brain tumor growth and death of cancer cells. For the full article, click here.
Study: Drug Combination Thwarts Brain Cancer Metastasis
Tuesday, March 26, 2013 9:00
A study conducted at the Department of Cancer Biology at the Mayo Clinic revealed that combining the drugs Avastin and Sprycel stopped the metastasis of glioblastoma multiforme after shrinking the tumors. Such therapy can provide short-lived, but temporary clinical benefit for those with recurrent glioblastoma. For more information, click here to read the full article.
Gene Mutations Linked to Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Other Disorders
Monday, March 25, 2013 13:00
Researchers at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have unearthed mutations in two genes that lead to the death of nerve cells Lou Gehrig’s disease, clinically known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). During the study, the same mutation occurred in both genes and led to an abnormal accumulation of the proteins inside cells. These proteins are key in normal RNA functioning and have been linked to cancer. The findings in this study are the latest suggesting that cancer and degenerative diseases may have shared origins. Click here to read the full article.
Brain Imaging Detects Lesions After Concussion, Mild Head Injury
Monday, March 25, 2013 9:00
Brain imaging soon after a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or a mild concussion can detect small lesions that may provide a future target for treating those with mTBI. Studies of a deceased individual’s brain tissue have shown that various types of lesions are linked to more severe TBI. Researchers believe that imaging may be used to detect and distinguish between these lesions in a person living with mTBI, noting that these findings have significant implications for treatment. Click here to read the full story.
Study: Astrocyte Signals May Help Limit Brain Damage After Stroke
Friday, March 22, 2013 13:00
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience suggests that signals sent by astrocytels, star-shaped cells in the brain, may help curb the spread of brain damage after an ischemic brain stroke. Neuroscientists at the Tufts University School of Medicine studied mice in determining the critical role that astrocytes play in preventing the spread of brain damage after stroke. Click here for the full article.
Body Fat May Treat Deadly Brain Tumors
Friday, March 22, 2013 8:53
Research conducted by a team at Johns Hopkins University suggests that stem cells from a patient’s body fat may be used to treat malignant brain cancer. While most of the research is in its early stages, findings demonstrate that mesenchymal stem cells gravitate toward glioblastoma cells and can act as Trojan horses to deliver treatment. Click here to read the full article.