In animals, the brain (enkephale) (Greek for “in the skull”), is the control center of the central nervous system, responsible for behavior. The brain is located in the head, protected by the skull and close to the primary sensory apparatus of vision, hearing, equilibrioception (balance), sense of taste, and olfaction (smell).
ATTENTION PARENTS AND TEACHERS! LEARN TO DEAL WITH INATTENTIVE, HYPERACTIVE & IMPULSIVE KIDS – ADHD is a disorder of the brain and behavior. It affects about 3 to 5% of children. The symptoms start before seven years of age. Global prevalence for children is approximately 5%, with wide variability dependent on research methodologies utilized in studies.
Sleep loss linked to increase in Alzheimer’s plaques – Neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease often disrupt sleep. The new researches indicate that sleep loss could play a role in the genesis of such disorders.
Historic gene therapy trial to treat Alzheimer’s disease underway at Georgetown – To stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, scientists are conducting gene therapy trial on patients with a mild form of Alzheimer’s Disease in US.
Rare cases of restored vision reveal how the brain learns to see – By testing formerly blind patients within weeks of sight restoration, Sinha and his colleagues found that subjects had very limited ability to distinguish an object from its background, identify overlapping objects, or even piece together the different parts of an object.
Deficits in brain’s reward system observed in ADHD patients — Low levels of dopamine markers may underlie symptoms; implications for treatment. – The patients suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have lower-than-normal levels of certain proteins essential for experiencing reward and motivation, revealed by researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory.
High blood pressure linked to memory problems in middle age – High blood pressure is linked to memory problems in people over 45, according to research published in the August 25, 2009, print issue of Neurology?, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approved Sabril to Treat Spasms in Infants and Epileptic Seizures. – Sabril (vigabatrin) Oral Solution has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat infantile spasms in children ages 1 month to 2 years.
Smoking linked to increased brain lesions and brain shrinkage in MS – People who smoke and have multiple sclerosis (MS) may be at increased risk of brain shrinkage and increased brain lesions related to the disease, revealed by researchers.
Do high-fat diets make us stupid and lazy? — New research in the FASEB Journal shows that high-fat diets are just as unhealthful in the short term as they are in the long term – Short-term memory getting worse? Exercise getting harder? Examine your diet. Eating a high-fat diet may decrease ability to exercise and cause short-term memory loss.
Exercise and Mediterranean-type diet combined associated with lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease — Findings of observational study warrant further research in controlled clinical trial to clarify the role of these and other possible factors contributing to AD risk – Both being more physically active and adhering to a Mediterranean-type diet appears to be associated with reduced Alzheimer’s risk, according to a new report in the August 12, 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
St. Jude scientists report flu infection leaves brain more vulnerable later in life — Avian influenza strain primes brain for Parkinson’s disease. – At least one strain of the H5N1 avian influenza virus leaves survivors at significantly increased risk for Parkinson’s disease and possibly other neurological problems later in life, according to new research from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Mayo researchers find anesthesia not harmful for babies during birth process – Children exposed to anesthesia during Cesarean section are not at any higher risk for learning disabilities later in life than children not delivered by C-section, revealed by researchers.
