Newswise Curated News Channel: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Food for thought: Early Nutrition Shapes the Brain and Influences What We Like to Eat

Stony Brook University — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 14:00:00 EST

A new study by Stony Brook University researchers showed there is indeed a strong relationship between what we eat early in life and food preferences in adults. This relationship depends the effects of our early experience with food has on the brain. The work is published in Science Advances.

$11M NIH Grant Will Support Evaluation of Alzheimer's Screening Tool in Primary Care Settings

Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 11:00:04 EST

Investigators at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Health System, Regenstrief Institute, and Indiana University School of Medicine have received an $11 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to evaluate an Einstein-developed test for assessing cognitive impairment and dementia.

CHOP Researchers Discover Genetic Variant Associated with Earlier Onset Childhood Epilepsy

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 14:05:26 EST

Researchers have discovered a specific genetic variant in SCN1A, the most common genetic epilepsy, that leads to an earlier onset of epilepsy, with clinical features distinct from other epilepsies. The researchers also identified a potentially effective treatment strategy.

UTSW scientists identify brain circuit that triggers rare, blood sugar-dependent epilepsy

UT Southwestern Medical Center — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 17:15:20 EST

A small group of brain cells linked in a circuit is responsible for setting off whole-brain seizures in a rare form of epilepsy affected by blood sugar levels, a study led by UT Southwestern researchers suggests. The finding, published in Science Translational Medicine, could lead to new treatments for other metabolic disorders in the brain, the authors said.

Study Highlights Importance of Long-term Management of Hypertension

Wake Forest University School of Medicine — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 11:05:38 EST

In 2015, published findings from the landmark Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) showed that intensive blood pressure management reduced cardiovascular disease and lowered the risk of death. In 2019, results of the SPRINT MIND trial showed that lowering blood pressure also reduced the risk of mild cognitive impairment in older adults. Now, researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine have shown that while intensive blood pressure control was beneficial to SPRINT participants' health during the trial, the benefits for cardiovascular mortality went away after approximately two years when protocols for blood pressure management were no longer being followed.

Scientists ID pathway that triggers mice to scratch when they see others do the same

Washington University in St. Louis — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 11:00:34 EST

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a pathway in the brains of mice that is activated when the animals see other mice scratching, but that pathway does not run through the visual cortex.

High blood pressure speeds up mental decline, but does not fully explain dementia disparities

Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 12:15:24 EST

High blood pressure means faster slide into signs of dementia or Alzheimer's, but does not explain the overall disparity between Hispanic/Latino people and non-Hispanic people in dementia risk.

New Grant Supports Cognitive Risk-Benefit Analysis of Playing Soccer

Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 11:00:17 EST

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have now received a five-year, $3.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to assess the tradeoffs between soccer's aerobic brain benefits and the adverse effects from heading in a study employing neuroimaging, exercise testing, and cognitive testing.

New Study Provides Insights Into Stroke Recurrence and Death in Patients with Insulin Resistance

George Washington University — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 14:15:28 EST

In patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment, the risk factors that contribute to stroke recurrence or death in certain populations is still unknown. A better understanding of who is at risk for a stroke recurrence or death would allow clinicians to better identify, monitor and treat stroke patients at a higher risk, which could potentially prevent stroke recurrence and save lives.

Restoring movement after spinal cord injury focus of new research

Washington University in St. Louis — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 13:05:55 EST

Ismael Seanez will lead an interdisciplinary team of Washington University researchers and physicians to understand the changes in the neural circuits that may result in motor function improvements through using spinal cord stimulation.

Tufts University Scientists Identify Brain Pathway Connected to Hunger and Overeating

Tufts University — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 13:55:24 EST

Scientists at Tufts University have discovered a pathway through which communications are regulated in the brain, and a misfire in the messaging can result in overeating, slower burning of calories, and other metabolic problems linked to obesity.

Penn State awarded $1.6M to study if COVID-19 contributes to cognitive decline

Penn State College of Medicine — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 09:45:51 EST

Penn State College of Medicine received a $1.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health will support research into whether COVID-19 contributes to the development of cognitive decline.

FSU Team Makes Discovery Advancing Epilepsy Research

Florida State University — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 15:20:24 EST

A team of Florida State University College of Medicine researchers has found a link between a specific protein in the brain and increased vulnerability to neurodegeneration for individuals with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

Organoids Reveal Similarities Between Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 & Rett Syndrome

UC San Diego Health — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 15:05:56 EST

Using brain organoids, UC San Diego researchers discover mutational commonalities between muscular dystrophy type 1 and Rett syndrome, suggesting the potential of a similar treatment for both.

Dynamic Cells Linked to Brain Tumor Growth and Recurrence

Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 15:05:29 EST

Tumors are made up of many types of cells, both cancerous and benign. The specific complexity of the cells inside brain tumors has been a trademark of the disease, one that makes treatment extremely difficult. While scientists have long known about the variety of cells within a brain tumor, the ways these tumors grow has relied on the understanding that the cells are static, unmoving and relatively fixed.

Scientists Hope to Create a Health 'Scorecard' for Dementia Risk

UC Davis Health — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 06:00:18 EST

An important new study of diverse communities is looking at how brain changes, genetics and other factors contribute to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The results could affect millions. Among people 65 and older, about 1 in 9 has Alzheimer's disease.

Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy Not Linked to Epilepsy in Children

American Academy of Neurology (AAN) — Wed, 11 May 2022 16:00:00 EST

A new study suggests that antidepressant use by mothers during the first trimester of pregnancy does not increase the chances of epilepsy and seizures in babies. The research is published in the May 11, 2022, online issue of Neurology(r), the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Multi-Tasking Wearable Continuously Monitors Glucose, Alcohol, and Lactate

University of California San Diego — Mon, 09 May 2022 11:00:00 EST

Imagine being able to measure your blood sugar levels, know if you've had too much to drink, and track your fatigue during a workout, all in one small device worn on your skin. UC San Diego engineers developed a prototype of such a wearable that continuously monitors several health stats at once.

Neural Pathway Key to Sensation of Pleasant Touch Identified

Washington University in St. Louis — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 14:00:00 EST

Researchers from the Washington University Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders have identified a specific neuropeptide and a neural circuit that transmit pleasant touch from the skin to the brain. The findings eventually may help scientists better understand and treat disorders characterized by touch avoidance and impaired social development.

Mayo researchers, collaborators affirm useful blood biomarker for group of brain disorders in new study

Mayo Clinic — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 16:45:34 EST

A test of protein in the blood gets further support as a biomarker for patients diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a group of brain disorders with few treatment options. These disorders are characterized by changes in behavior, cognition, language or movement.