Surprising finding fills gap in understanding astrocytes’ role in brain disease SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS MEDICAL DISCOVERY INSTITUTE Astrocytes–the star-shaped cells of our brain–are very busy. Their job description includes maintaining the blood-brain barrier, removing excess neurotransmitters, repairing brain tissue and more. IMAGE: THIS IS JEROLD CHUN, M.D., PH.D., PROFESSOR AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF NEUROSCIENCE...
Tag: <span>inflammation</span>
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Genome-wide study identifies genes linked to diverticular disease
More than half of adults in the Western hemisphere over the age of 40 have small bulging pouches inside their intestine known as diverticula. Caused by a weakening of the outer lining of the intestine, these pouches are typically harmless. Credit: CC0 Public Domain But for some, these pouches can become painfully inflamed or infected,...
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Newly discovered skull channels play role in immunity
Researchers have now discovered “tiny channels” that allow the injured brain to communicate with bone marrow in the process of inflammation. These “tunnels” are key to ensuring a quick immune response. Inflammation occurs as an immune response to instances of infection or injury within the body. ‘Tiny channels’ in the skull allow injured brain tissue to...
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New target could prevent progression of liver damage to cancer
AUGUSTA, Ga. (Aug. 27, 2018) – Problems like obesity and alcoholism appear to chronically trigger in the liver a receptor known to amplify inflammation in response to invaders like bacteria, scientists report. The relentless, increased activity of TREM-1 in turn accelerates injury and scarring of the liver, a first step toward cirrhosis and liver cancer,...
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New research reveals how the body clock controls inflammation
Researchers at RCSI and Trinity College Dublin have revealed insights into how the body clock controls the inflammatory response, which may open up new therapeutic options to treat excess inflammation in conditions such as asthma, arthritis and cardiovascular disease. By understanding how the body clock controls the inflammatory response, we may be able to target these...
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Cellular changes lead to chronic allergic inflammation in the sinus
Chronic rhinosinusitis is distinct from your average case of seasonal allergies. It causes the sinuses to become inflamed and swollen for months to years at a time, leading to difficulty breathing and other symptoms that make patients feel miserable. In some people, this condition also produces tissue outgrowths known as nasal polyps, which, when severe...
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New biomarkers of inflammation identified as risk of polyneuropathy
DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FUER DIABETESFORSCHUNG DZD Polyneuropathy is one of the most common complications in people with diabetes. However, it can also occur with certain risk factors or diseases before the onset of diabetes. First symptoms are often pins-and-needles sensations in the feet. Although polyneuropathy is present in about 30% of people with diabetes, it often...
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How ugly marital spats might open the door to disease
Study links couples’ hostility and gut bacteria, inflammation in bloodstream COLUMBUS, Ohio – Married people who fight nastily are more likely to suffer from leaky guts – a problem that unleashes bacteria into the blood and can drive up disease-causing inflammation, new research suggests. It’s the first study to illuminate this particular pathway between bad...
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Removing barriers to healing
Severe inflammation caused by a patient’s immune system can be deadly, but stem cells found in human fat could provide new ways to protect against this toxic reaction. Fat has a higher ratio of stem cells than other tissues such as bone marrow. Credit: Robert M. Hunt, licensed under CC BY 3.0 (image was cropped,...
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Pill used to treat the skin condition psoriasis could also be the secret to a good night’s sleep for those affected by snoring
A pill used to treat psoriasis could also be the secret to a good night’s sleep The drug, called dimethyl fumarate is used to dampen inflammation But a new study shows it can also ease the symptoms of sleep apnoea A pill used to treat the skin condition psoriasis could also be the secret to...