Brain Archives

Obesity may lead to impaired brain function

Obesity and metabolic syndrome associated with impaired brain function in adolescents – Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with cognitive and brain impairments in adolescents and calls for pediatricians to take this into account when considering the early treatment of childhood obesity. As childhood obesity has increased in the U.S., so has the prevalence of metabolic syndrome ? a constellation of three or more of five defined health problems, including abdominal obesity, low HDL (good cholesterol), high triglycerides, high blood pressure and pre-diabetic insulin resistance.

Sinus irrigation with contaminated tap water may cause meningoencephalitis

Changing epidemiology of rare disease links sinus irrigation with contaminated tap water, 2 deaths — Cases highlight importance of using appropriately treated water for nasal irrigation – When water containing the Naegleria fowleri ameba, a single-celled organism, enters the nose, the organisms may migrate to the brain, causing primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a very rare?but usually fatal?disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease timeline invaluable for successful drug trials

First detailed timeline established for brain’s descent into Alzheimer’s – Scientists have assembled the most detailed chronology to date of the human brain’s long, slow slide into full-blown Alzheimer’s disease. As part of an international research partnership known as the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer’s Network (DIAN), scientists at Washington University and elsewhere evaluated a variety of pre-symptomatic markers of Alzheimer’s disease in 128 subjects from families genetically predisposed to develop the disorder.

Belviq lorcaserin approved to treat overweight or obese adults

FDA approves Belviq to treat some overweight or obese adults – Belviq (lorcaserin hydrochloride) is approved as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, for chronic weight management. This obesity drug is approved by US FDA for use in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese), or adults with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) and who have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol (dyslipidemia).

Nicotine addiction vaccine may help quitting smoking

New vaccine for nicotine addiction — Weill Cornell researchers develop novel anti-body vaccine that blocks addictive nicotine chemicals from reaching the brain – A single dose of novel vaccine protects mice, over their lifetime, against nicotine addiction. Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have developed and successfully tested in mice an innovative vaccine to treat nicotine addiction.

Stimulation during sleep can enhance skill learning

Learn that tune while fast asleep — Research shows that stimulation during sleep can enhance skill learning – Want to nail that tune that you’ve practiced and practiced? Maybe you should take a nap with the same melody playing during your sleep, new provocative Northwestern University research suggests. The research grows out of exciting existing evidence that suggests that memories can be reactivated during sleep and storage of them can be strengthened in the process.

Autism detected by computer analysis of EEG

Computer analysis of EEG patterns suggests a potential diagnostic test for autism — Largest, most unbiased analysis to date finds distinguishing EEG features – Widely available EEG testing can distinguish children with autism from neurotypical children as early as age 2, finds a study from Boston Children’s Hospital. The study investigated EEGs as a potential diagnostic tool for autism, and offers hope for an earlier, more definitive test.

Omega 3 fish oil supplements not reducing cognitive decline in older

Role of omega-3 in preventing cognitive decline in older people questioned — Elderly warned that taking fish oil pills ‘does not prevent brain decline’ – Older people who take omega-3 fish oil supplements are probably not reducing their chances of losing cognitive function. Based on the available data from studies lasting up to 3.5 years, the researchers concluded that the supplements offered no benefits for cognitive health over placebo capsules or margarines, but that longer term effects are worth investigating.

New experimental drug reduces autism like behaviors

Agent reduces autism-like behaviors in mice — Boosts sociability, quells repetitiveness ? NIH study – National Institutes of Health researchers have reversed behaviors in mice resembling two of the three core symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). An experimental compound, called GRN-529, increased social interactions and lessened repetitive self-grooming behavior in a strain of mice that normally display such autism-like behaviors, the researchers say.

Brain cancer vaccine prepared from brain tumor proves effective

Brain cancer vaccine proves effective — With help of patient groups, phase 2 clinical trial paves way for testing therapy that combines cancer vaccine with the drug Avastin – A new brain cancer vaccine tailored to individual patients by using material from their own tumors has proven effective in a multicenter phase 2 clinical trial at extending their lives by several months or longer. The patients suffered from recurrent glioblastoma multiforme-which kills thousands of Americans every year.

Two genes TPH1 and TPH2 more likely to develop PTSD symptoms

PTSD genes identified by UCLA study — Findings could lead to new screenings, targeted therapies — Two genes TPH1 and TPH2 more likely to develop PTSD symptoms – Why do some persons succumb to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while others who suffered the same ordeal do not? UCLA scientists have linked two genes involved in serotonin production to a higher risk of developing PTSD.

Speaking more than one language may ward off symptoms of dementia

Being bilingual wards off symptoms of dementia — speaking more than one language may translate to better mental health – New study examines how being bilingual can offer protection from the symptoms of dementia, and also suggests that the increasing diversity in our world populations may have an unexpected positive impact on the resiliency of the adult brain.