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).
Sahlgrenska Academy to lead major European project on obesity – The new project is an interdisciplinary research project covering the neurobiological and socio-psychological causes of obesity. It has been awarded EUR 6 million from the EU, corresponding to just over SEK 60 million.
Vitamin D found in fish boosts brain power – Eating fish ? long considered ?brain food’ ? may really be good for the old grey matter, as is a healthy dose of sunshine, new research suggests.
‘Happy hour’ gene discovery suggests cancer drugs might treat alcoholism – A class of drugs already approved as cancer treatments might also help to beat alcohol addiction. That’s the conclusion of a discovery in flies of a gene, dubbed happyhour, that has an important and previously unknown role in controlling the insects’ response to alcohol.
New lead on malaria treatment – Variation of natural compound cures malaria in mice. – Approximately 350 million to 500 million cases of malaria are diagnosed each year mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. While medications to prevent and treat malaria do exist, the demand for new treatments is on the rise, in part, because malaria parasites have developed a resistance to existing medications.
Of body and mind, and deep meditation – Chinese data unraveled at University of Oregon show a training technique has brain, physiological linkage. – Chinese researchers have unlocked the mechanism of an emerging mind-body technique that produces measurable changes in attention and stress reduction in just five days of practice.
FDA grants approval for use of RISPERDAL CONSTA as both a monotherapy and adjunctive therapy in the maintenance treatment of Bipolar I Disorder – Janssen, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Supplemental New Drug Applications (sNDAs) for the use of RISPERDAL? CONSTA? (risperidone) Long-Acting Treatment as both monotherapy and adjunctive therapy to lithium or valproate in the maintenance treatment of Bipolar I Disorder.
How to build a bigger brain – Study shows that meditation may increase gray matter. – Push-ups, crunches, gyms, personal trainers – people have many strategies for building bigger muscles and stronger bones. But what can one do to build a bigger brain?
GenWay Biotech obtains exclusive rights to AMDL’s DR-70 cancer test in US and Canada. AMDL Inc. executes two exclusive distribution agreements for cancer test with GenWay Biotech Inc. – GenWay Biotech, Inc., a US-based diagnostic company which specializes in providing protein and antibody solutions, announced its partnership with AMDL, Inc., a US-based pharmaceutical company with major operations in China, regarding the distribution of AMDL’s DR-70 (FDP) cancer test in both the United States and Canada.
Heart disorder atrial fibrillation linked to Alzheimer’s disease dementia. Study of more than 37,000 patients shows relationship between atrial fibrillation and development of Alzheimer’s disease. – Researchers at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City believe that they have made a breakthrough connection between atrial fibrillation, a fairly common heart rhythm disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease, the leading form of dementia among Americans.
Preclinical Work Shows How One Gene Causes Severe Mental Retardation. – Researchers at Duke University Medical Center and the University of North Carolina have discovered in mice how a single disrupted gene can cause a form of severe mental retardation known as Angelman syndrome.
Taking folic acid for a year before pregnancy may reduce risk of preterm birth. Findings reinforce March of Dimes message: Start taking a vitamin with folic acid before pregnancy. – Women who take folic acid supplements for at least one year before they become pregnant may cut their risk of having a premature baby by half, according to research published this week in the online journal, PLoS Medicine.
Maria Shriver discusses Alzheimer’s disease in Stanford medical school interview, podcast – Sargent Shriver, an advisor to two presidents and the first director of the Peace Corps, no longer remembers the name of his daughter: Maria, California’s first lady and former television reporter. He has Alzheimer’s disease.
