Abstract Background Prenatal exposure to infection is a recognized environmental risk factor for neuropsychiatric disorders of developmental origins such as autism or schizophrenia. Experimental work in animals indicates that this link is mediated by maternal immune activation (MIA) involving interactions between cytokine-associated inflammatory events, oxidative stress, and other pathophysiological processes such as hypoferremia and zinc...
Post
Exercise helps prevent falls in Parkinson’s patients
Statistics show that 25 per cent of recently diagnosed patients suffered a fall in the first year. That came as a surprise to researchers. They had thought that falls tended to occur during later stages of the disease. Fetching the shopping bags out of the car, going up the stairs, finding the house keys, locating...
Post
Study shows stem cell therapy is safe for stroke patients; may aid recovery if given early
IMAGE: DR. DAVID C. HESS, STROKE SPECIALIST AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NEUROLOGY AT THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA AT AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY. AUGUSTA, Ga. (March 20, 2017) – A multicenter trial looking at whether a single dose of millions of adult, bone-marrow-derived stem cells can aid stroke recovery indicates it’s safe and well-tolerated by...
Post
New toxic pathway identified for protein aggregates in neurodegenerative disease
Led by professor Ludo Van Den Bosch (VIB-KU Leuven), scientists from Belgium, the UK and the US have identified new processes that form protein “clumps” that are characteristic of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). How these proteins, which can bind RNA in normal cells, stick together has remained elusive until recently,...
Post
Potential treatment for type of muscle and brain degenerative disease
In fruit flies modeled with IBMPFD disease, mitochondria (red circles) are severely disrupted. Treatment of VCP inhibitors in these diseased flies reversed mitochondrial damage (green circles). UCLA researchers have discovered the molecular basis of, and identified potential treatment for, an incurable disease known as inclusion body myopathy, Paget disease with frontotemporal dementia, or IBMPFD. Using...
Post
Grandmothers are usually the FIRST to spot autism in children – before parents realize something is wrong
Children who interact with their grandmothers have a quicker autism diagnosis Frequent interactions with grandmothers reduced diagnosis age by 5 months Kids who are around their older siblings are also more quickly diagnosed Parents may think they know their children better than anyone, but a new study warns they may overlook tell-tale signs of autism. In...
Post
The brain: a radical rethink is needed to understand it
Understanding the human brain is arguably the greatest challenge of modern science. The leading approach for most of the past 200 years has been to link its functions to different brain regions or even individual neurons (brain cells). But recent research increasingly suggests that we may be taking completely the wrong path if we are to ever understand the human mind....
Post
Trendy vibration machines are ‘as effective as a regular work-out’ for losing weight
The gadgets, which can cost £1,200, send vibrations through the entire body Researchers found that the mimic the muscle strength benefits of a brisk walk However, the popular machines prevent anyone from ever breaking into a sweat Trendy exercise machines that simply vibrate the body are just as good at burning fat as running, scientists...
Post
Dangers Of Opana Opioid Painkiller Outweigh Benefits, FDA Panel Says
Opana ER was reformulated to make it harder to crush and snort, but people abusing the drug turned to injecting it instead. And that fueled an HIV outbreak in Indiana. Rich Pedroncelli/AP An advisory panel convened by the Food and Drug Administration to evaluate the health risks of the powerful opioid painkiller Opana ER says...
Post
Pricey New Cholesterol Drug’s Effect On Heart Disease Is More Modest Than Hoped
Another cardiology meeting, another big prevention trial – and questions abound. People at risk for cardiovascular disease will be wondering about the implications for them. So are the doctors. New trials take some time to digest – and yet our news cycle wants quick, succinct answers. Sometimes it is not an easy call. So here...