The electroencephalogram records the electrical activity of the brain in a non-invasive way using 256 electrodes placed on the scalp. Thanks to mathematical algorithms combined with anatomical imaging, we can see what is happening in the deepest part of our brain, without having to enter it directly. Credit: UNIGE The subcortical areas of the brain, situated in its deepest...
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Long-term benefits from intensive therapy in early stages of MS
New findings by researchers at Cardiff University suggest that intensive therapy during the early stages of multiple sclerosis (MS) leads to better long-term outcomes for patients, despite it often being viewed as a riskier option than other first line treatments. Dr Emma Tallantyre, from Cardiff University’s Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, said: “Over the last 10-20 years we have seen huge...
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Research suggests that medications for kidney transplants increase risk of skin cancer
A study led by researchers at RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) has analysed the pattern of skin cancer rates in kidney transplant patients, which suggests the increased risk is related to the anti-rejection medications. The research is published in JAMA Dermatologyand was a collaboration between the National Cancer Registry Ireland and the National...
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Plant-based meals improve insulin and incretin secretion in those with type 2 diabetes
A plant-based diet improves the secretion of insulin and incretin hormones in those with type 2 diabetes, according to new research published in Nutrients. Researchers compared the effects of a plant-based meal to a meal containing meat on the hormone levels of a group of 20 men who have type 2 diabetes in a randomized...
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New mechanism of bone growth discovered
In a paper published in the journal Nature, an international research team led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden reports that bone growth in mice takes place in accordance with the same principles as when new cells are produced in blood, skin and other tissue. This contradicts the previous understanding that bone growth depends...
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Researchers ‘bait’ pathological proteins underlying many neurodegenerative disorders
A single misbehaving protein—called TDP-43—is behind 97 percent of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases and 45 percent of frontotemporal dementia diagnoses. It also is found in 80 percent of chronic traumatic encephalopathy and 60 percent of Alzheimer’s disease cases. Now, University of Pittsburgh researchers have found a way to trap TDP-43 so it doesn’t form...
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Crohn’s Disease study reveals huge potential for personalised treatment to help more patients
The largest study ever to look at why an expensive and commonly used group of drugs fails patients with Crohn’s disease has concluded that standardised drug doses are often too low. A UK wide collaboration led by the University of Exeter and the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, part-funded by Crohn’s & Colitis...
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Researchers identify how metabolites target brain-homing immune cells to treat MS
NEW YORK, February 28, 2019 – Understanding and mitigating the role of epigenetics (environmental influences that trigger changes in gene expression) in disease development is a major goal of researchers. Now, a newly published paper featured on the March cover of the journal Brain adds significantly to this work by detailing how metabolites can be...
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Study reveals the structure of the 2nd human cannabinoid receptor
A Chinese research team joined forces with Russian and U.S. biologists to obtain the crystal structure of the human type 2 cannabinoid receptor. Their findings will help develop drugs against inflammatory, neurodegenerative, and other diseases. The authors of the paper in Cell compare the newly discovered structure to that of the type 1 cannabinoid receptor,...
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Interdisciplinary approach uncovers new clues to triggers of gut inflammation
New detail about what happens when a key cellular process is impaired in cells that are vital for a healthy gut have been uncovered by a wide-ranging analysis. Paneth cells are found at the bottom of crypts in the lining of the gut. They help defend against pathogenic microbes, as well as protecting the integrity...