BrainDamage.Net - research and community news, blog, information on central nervous system anatomy, damage, repair, rehabilitation, conference information, and links to private, academic and governmental agencies.

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.: NEUROSCIENCE NEWS :.

Problem Drinking Linked to Brain Damage - Long-term alcohol abuse can result in significant damage to the brain. Chronic drinking leads to reduced cortical thickness in frontal and temporal brain regions - Researchers already know that chronic misuse of alcohol can cause widespread damage to the brain. While previous studies examined cortical atrophy in individuals with alcoholism, none examined alcohol-associated atrophy using cortical thickness measurements to obtain a regional mapping of tissue loss across the full cortical surface. This study does so, finding that alcohol damage occurs in gradations: the more alcohol consumed, the greater the damage. ALCOHOLS DAMAGING EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Publications Distribution Center.

Undetectable blood vessel damage linked to signs of age - Tiny clots in the brain may be the cause of some signs of old age such as stooped posture and restricted movement, say US scientists.

Football and traumatic brain injury: a secret history of the NFL - As the neurological origins of mental illness and physical dysfunction become more easily identifiable, a steadily increasing number of NFL veterans are beginning to trace their own, previously inexplicable, difficulties to injuries suffered on the field of play. - Players Brain Injury Lawsuit Threatens the NFLs Long Term Prospects - Seventy-five former football players are suing the NFL, saying the league concealed the risk of brain injuries for nearly a century.

Traumatic brain injury doubles risk of later dementia - A large study of older war veterans suggests those who experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI) during their lives had more than two times the risk of developing dementia. - NFL Players May Be More Vulnerable to Alzheimer's Disease - Retired NFL players are more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a form of dementia that can lead to Alzheimer's disease, than similarly aged men who didn't play football, report researchers in a study presented Monday at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Paris. - PTSD Linked to a Near Doubling of Dementia Risk in Veterans - In the first study to suggest posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be an independent risk factor for dementia, the disorder, which reportedly affects 17% of veterans returning from the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, was associated with a 2-fold increased risk for incident dementia in older veterans.

Paralysed man can stand and move his legs again - A US man who was paralysed from the chest down after being hit by a car is now able to stand with electrical stimulation of his spinal cord. - Uncut: Paralyzed man stands, moves legs - UCLA distinguished professor V. Reggie Edgerton drills deeper into the breakthrough from 30 years of paralysis research, announced jointly by UCLA, the University of Louisville and Caltech. News release: http://ucla.in/knbdHF

New CU study shows acupressure effective in helping to treat traumatic brain injury - The results indicate a link between the acupressure treatments and enhanced cognitive function in study subjects with mild traumatic brain injury, or TBI.

Keck Foundation funds work on tiny, implantable computers to restore lost brain functions - The neurochip can record nerve cell activity in one part of the brain, process this activity and then stimulate cells in another brain region. The battery-powered device operates continuously during free behavior. Implantable Neurochips to Restore Brain Functions - a 3 Year, 1 Million Dollar Project - Neuroprosthetics (Wikipedia) - New Pitt Projects Will Test Brain Computer Interfaces for People with Spinal Cord Injury - Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have been awarded funding for two projects that will place brain-computer interfaces (BCI) in patients with spinal cord injuries to test if it is possible for them to control external devices, such as a computer cursor or a prosthetic limb, with their thoughts.

Brain cooling could aid stroke recovery - 'Hypothermia' may help save lives - Optimizing Patient Outcomes After Therapeutic Hypothermia for Traumatic Brain Injury - Hypothermia for Neuroprotection After Brain Injury Falls Short in Latest Trial -

Epilepsys Big, Fat Miracle- The diet, which drastically reduces the amount of carbohydrates he takes in, tricks his body into a starvation state in which it burns fat, and not carbs, for fuel. Remarkably, and for reasons that are still unclear, this process — called ketosis — has an antiepileptic effect. - Gluten Sensitivity and the Impact on the Brain - gluten sensitivity can lead to disorders of brain function.

Progesterone in the clinical treatment of acute traumatic brain injury - We propose that progesteone (PROG) has substantial pleiotropic properties as a neuroprotective agent in a variety of CNS injury models. - Progesterone as a neuroprotective factor in traumatic and ischemic brain injury. - progesterone and perhaps its metabolite allopregnanolone exert neuroprotective effects on the injured central nervous system (CNS). - Exogenous progesterone: a potential therapeutic candidate in CNS injury and neurodegeneration - Laboratories around the world have reported that administering relatively large doses of PROG during the first few hours or even days after injury significantly limits CNS damage, reduces loss of neuronal tissue and improves functional recovery. PROG appears to exert its protective effects by protecting or rebuilding the blood-brain barrier, decreasing the development of cerebral edema, down-regulating the inflammatory cascade, and limiting cellular necrosis and apoptosis. All these are plausible mechanisms of neuroprotection. -

Neuroprotective efficacy of estrogen in experimental spinal cord injury in rats. - Investigation of the use of estrogen as a potential therapeutic agent for treating SCI.. - Physiological low dose of estrogen-protected neurons in experimental spinal cord injury - findings on the neuroprotective efficacy of physiologically relevant low doses of estrogen in experimental spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. - Effect of sex steroid hormones on brain edema, intracranial pressure, and neurologic outcomes after traumatic brain injury - Improved outcomes from the administration of progesterone for patients with acute severe traumatic brain injury: a randomized controlled trial. - data suggest that acute severe TBI patients with administration of progesterone hold improved neurologic outcomes for up to 6 months. - ProTECT: a randomized clinical trial of progesterone for acute traumatic brain injury. - moderate traumatic brain injury survivors who received progesterone were more likely to have a moderate to good outcome. - Neuroprotection of sex steroids - sex steroids also play an important role in neuroprotection following brain injury. - ProTECT III Progesterone for Traumatic Brain Injury: Experimental Clinical Treatment: Phase III Clinical Trial -Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of premature death and disability worldwide. In the U.S. approximately 2 million Americans sustain a TBI, leading to 50,000 deaths and 235,000 hospitalizations annually. The economic toll exceeds 60 billion dollars per year. No therapy has been found to be effective for reducing mortality and improving functional outcomes. Recently, our team completed an NINDS-funded, Phase IIa double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial that examined the pharmacokinetics, safety, and activity of progesterone, a steroid found to have powerful neuroprotective effects in multiple animal models of brain injury. Our pilot study demonstrated a 50% reduction in death among severe TBI patients and less disability among moderate TBI patients treated with progesterone. Based on these promising results and supportive preclinical data, we are conducting a large, phase III clinical trial (ProTECT III) to definitively assess the safety and efficacy of this treatment for adults with moderate to severe acute TBI. -

Young player had brain damage more often seen in NFL veterans - NFL player Chris Henry's brain was examined by doctors, who found evidence of brain damage, called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, that has been observed in retired players who've had many concussions. Unlike those older players, Henry was 26 when he died. Its effects are mainly neurobehavioral. These symptoms include poor decision-making, behavioral problems, failure at personal and business relationships, use of drugs and alcohol, depression and suicide.

(Image 1 - sample of healthy brain tissue; Image 2 - brain sample from Chris Henry; Image 3 - sample of brain tissue from Alzheimer's patient)(Images 1 and 2 from CNN.com, Image 3 from Wikimedia Commons).

NINDS Transient Ischemic Attack Information Page - A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a transient stroke that lasts only a few minutes. It occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is briefly interrupted. - Transient Ischemic Attack (EMedicine) - Transient ischemic attack (Medline) - Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) - Topic Overview - Some people call a transient ischemic attack (TIA) a mini-stroke, because the symptoms are like those of a stroke but do not last long. A TIA happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or reduced, often by a blood clot. After a short time, blood flows again and the symptoms go away.

Member Of NFL Hall Of Fame Diagnosed With Degenerative Brain Disease - The Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE) at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) has announced that a recently deceased member of the NFL Hall of Fame suffered from the degenerative brain disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) when he died, becoming the 10th former NFL player diagnosed with the disease. -Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Diagnosed In Deceased Former College Football Player - The Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE) at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) has announced that a deceased former college football player who died at age 42 was already suffering from the degenerative brain disease, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). - Giving Athletes A Heads-Up On Concussions - New research suggests that sports-related head trauma can do lasting damage. - Tackling Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in the NFL: Experts Speak Out - American Academyu of Neurology interviews Ann McKee, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology & Pathology at the Boston University School of Medicine and Ira R. Casson, MD, an attending neurologist at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and co-chairman of the NFL Committee on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. - Dementia pugilistica - Dementia pugilistica (DP), also called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), chronic boxer’s encephalopathy, traumatic boxer’s encephalopathy, boxer's dementia, chronic traumatic brain injury associated with boxing (CTBI-B) and punch-drunk syndrome ('punchy').

Researchers optimizing progesterone for brain injury treatment - multisite phase III clinical trial called ProTECT III will begin to evaluate progesterone's effectiveness for treating traumatic brain injury early next year.

NINDS Neurosarcoidosis Information Page - Neurosarcoidosis is a manifestation of sarcoidosis in the nervous system. Sarcoidosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that typically occurs in adults between 20 and 40 years of age and primarily affects the lungs, but can also impact almost every other organ and system in the body.

http://www.bluemarblegameco.com/- Video Game Play- Have Your Say!
The use of video games for rehabilitation has become widespread in the past year. It is likely that you have recently played a video game, using the Nintendo Wii or Sony PlayStation, at home or during a visit to your physical/occupational therapist. Many people find playing these video games extremely fun, however, others have reported difficulty playing these games. Blue Marble Game Co., a small independent video game company, is interested in hearing about your experience with video games both at home and during rehab. Blue Marble is owned by physical therapists/neuroscientists/game designers interested in designing better games for rehabilitation. We are conducting a world-wide survey to gatehr information about your specific experiences with video games in order to better understand your likes, dislikes, and specific needs and abilities. The survey asks questions such as:
What is your favorite video game?
What is your favorite aspect of video game play?
Have you ever used video games in rehabilitation?
For the first time, the game industry is interested in hearing from YOU. Let them know about your video game experience by participating in this survey. The survey is entirely anonymous and the results will be shared with the scientific and game industry community. The results will hopefully inform the video game industry and provide suggestions for game design and modification to better meet the needs of people with disabilities. Please visit http://www.bluemarblegameco.com/for more information and a link to the survey.

Researchers find early markers of Alzheimer's disease - A large study of patients with mild cognitive impairment revealed that results from cognitive tests and brain scans can work as an early warning system for the subsequent development of Alzheimer's disease. (Cindee Madison and Susan Landau, UC Berkeley). Alzheimer's drug may help mild memory loss, study shows - The research suggests that the treatment of early symptoms of memory loss may protect the brain and help people with mild age-related memory impairment. - Education Protects Against Pre-Alzheimer's Memory Loss - People with more education and more mentally demanding occupations may have protection against the memory loss that precedes Alzheimer's disease. - Risk of dementia continues to rise in the oldest old: The Monzino 80-plus Study - Number Of Patients With Dementia On The Rise - Alzheimer's Association

READING THE BRAIN WITHOUT POKING IT - A University of Utah study shows that brain signals controlling arm movements can be detected accurately using new microelectrodes that sit on the brain but don't penetrate it.

Photo Credit: Neurosurgical Focus and University of Utah Department of Neurosurgery.

Unique cortical physiology associated with ipsilateral hand movements and neuroprosthetic implications. - Researchers found that implants known as brain-computer interfaces (BCI) may be able to detect activity on one side of the brain that is linked to hand and arm movements on the same side of the body. - Brain Implants May Let 'Locked-In' Patients Speak .

Natural compound stops retinopathy - Compound restores balance in eye with one treatment; affects macular degeneration and cancer too. - Researchers making significant strides against diabetic retinopathy - Research increasingly shows promise to both slow and relieve the effects diabetic retinopathy, the most common complication of diabetes. - Diabetic retinopathy comprehensive review by the Mayo Clinic

MU Scientists Convert Pigs' Connective Tissue Cells into Stem Cells - Scientists at the University of Missouri have developed the ability to take regular cells from a pig's connective tissues, known as fibroblasts, and transform them into stem cells. - From connective tissue to bone - Cartilage, bones and the internal walls of blood vessels can be created by using common connective tissue cells from human skin. - Stem Cells - NY Times

Stanford study expands window for effective stroke treatment - study showed TPA treatment can benefit patients up to 4.5 hours after they experience their first symptom. - MRIs could save stroke victims from brain damage - magnetic resonance imaging techniques can discriminate between stroke patients who are likely to benefit from a stroke medication—even when administered beyond the currently approved three-hour time window—and those for whom treatment is unlikely to be beneficial and may cause harm. - Stroke Therapy Window Might Be Extended Past Nine Hours for Some - Some patients who suffer a stroke as a result of a blockage in an artery in the brain may benefit from a clot-busting drug nine or more hours after the onset of symptoms. - An Overview of Stroke from the WIki

Researcher develops nanoparticles to be used in genic therapy - Gene therapy offers hope in treating diseases such as cystic fibrosis and disorders of the retina, as well as with more common illnesses such as AIDS, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. - Gene Therapy for Gliomas: Molecular Targets, Adenoviral Vectors, and Oncolytic Adenoviruses - VIB - VIB is a non-profit scientific research institute. Using advanced gene technology, VIB studies the functioning of the human body, plants and microorganisms.

Heart disorder Alzheimer's link - A common heart disorder has been linked to a raised risk of Alzheimer's disease. - Age-Related Eye Disease May Be Associated With Cognitive Impairment - Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)-the leading cause of visual impairment in industrialized nations-has long been thought to share a common pathway with Alzheimer's disease. - Alzheimer's Association

Neurotrauma Society 2009 News Update - News and information about the 2009 Neurotrauma Symposium in Santa Barbara, California.

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY HAUNTS CHILDREN FOR YEARS WITH VARIETY OF FUNCTIONAL PROBLEMS: TWO STUDIES - Children who suffer traumatic brain injuries can experience lasting or late-appearing neuropsychological problems, highlighting the need for careful watching over time, according to two studies published by the American Psychological Association.

Survival gene for motor disease - People with the KIFAP3 gene lived 14 months longer on average than other MND patients. The Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association - International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations - First 'Neuroprotective' Gene In Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Isolated

Gene allows cancer to enter brain - A gene that allows cancer to spread into the brain has been identified. Brain Cancer Overview - FDA approves new treatment for brain cancer - Government regulators granted accelerated approval for Avastin for people with glioblastoma who have experienced a progression of the disease following prior treatment. - National Brain Tumor Society

Nigeria meningitis death toll surpasses 2,000 - A meningitis outbreak in Nigeria is more serious than initially feared with the death toll rising more than sixfold over the past two months, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday. Meningitis bacteria dress up as human cells to evade our immune system - The way in which bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis mimic human cells to evade the body's innate immune system has been revealed. Vaccine cuts meningitis rates, even in adults - A routine childhood vaccine used to prevent several common types of infections has helped cut the rate of a deadly form of meningitis by 30 percent in children and adults. Meningococcal Disease: Frequently Asked Questions

Toddler brain difference linked to autism - Using MRI brain scans, researchers found that the area of the brain called the amygdala was, on average, 13 percent larger in young children with autism, compared with control group of children. Autism, fever, epigenetics and the locus coeruleus - autism is a developmental disorder caused by impaired regulation of the locus coeruleus. The autistic spectrum - is a developmental and behavioral syndrome that results from certain combinations of characteristically autistic traits. First Neuroimaging Study Examining Motor Execution in Children With Autism Reveals Brain Activation Differences, Decreased Connectivity Between Brain Regions - Gene variant found in 65% of autism cases

Military Wounds Raise Risk of Abnormal Bone Growth - Military personnel who suffer combat wounds from high-energy sources like bomb blasts are likely to develop heterotopic ossification, a condition in which bones form within the soft tissue.

Drug Therapy Reduces Neuroblastoma Tumor Growth in Pre-clinical Investigation - Researchers from the Children's Cancer Hospital at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a new drug combination that significantly hinders tumor growth in neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer.

JAMA editors allegedly threatened tipster - The American Medical Association is seeking an investigation of claims that editors of its leading medical journal threatened a whistleblower who pointed out a researcher’s conflict of interest.

Fetal stem cells trigger tumors in ill boy - Highly experimental injections led to growths in patient’s brain, spinal cord.

Cystic fibrosis gene cure closer - US researchers say they are a step closer to developing a gene therapy cure for cystic fibrosis (CF).

Vigorous Exercise May Help Prevent Vision Loss - There’s another reason to dust off those running shoes. Vigorous exercise may help prevent vision loss, according to a pair of studies from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The studies tracked approximately 41,000 runners for more than seven years, and found that running reduced the risk of both cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. - Exercise May Help Prevent Parkinson's - People who exercise regularly may be less likely to develop Parkinson's disease -- but leisurely strolls may not be enough. - Exercise helps reduce pain in old age - People who exercise regularly experience 25% less muscle and joint pain in their old age than people who are less active. - First brain study reveals benefits of exercise on quitting smoking

Insulin is a Possible New Treatment for Alzheimer's - A Northwestern University-led research team reports that insulin, by shielding memory-forming synapses from harm, may slow or prevent the damage and memory loss caused by toxic proteins in Alzheimer’s disease. Growth Factor Protects Key Brain Cells in Alzheimer's Models - Memory loss, cognitive impairment, brain cell degeneration and cell death were prevented or reversed in several animal models after treatment with a naturally occurring protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Brain scan may reveal risk for Alzheimer's disease - Mediterranean Diet Associated With Lower Risk Of Cognitive Impairment

Mesh-like Network of Arteries Adjusts to Restore Blood Flow to Stroke-Injured Brain - A grid of small arteries at the surface of the brain redirects flow and widens at critical points to restore blood supply to tissue starved of nutrients and oxygen following a stroke.

The Hemispherectomy Foundation - is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing emotional, financial, and educational support for individuals and their families who have undergone or will undergo a hemispherectomy, or similar brain surgery.

Ritalin may cause changes in the brains reward areas - A common treatment for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, prescribed millions of times a year, may change the brain in the same ways that cocaine does, a new study in mice suggests.

Boost for brain, spinal injury research - The Victorian (Australia) government has announced $19 million in funding to support research into brain and spinal cord injury.

The Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation announces the opening of their new online Stem-Cell Research Center - Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Response to FDA Clearance of Geron's Clinical Trial

Dead athletes' brains show damage from concussions - using tissue from retired NFL athletes culled posthumously, the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE) is shedding light on what concussions look like in the brain. The findings are stunning. Far from innocuous, invisible injuries, concussions confer tremendous brain damage. That damage has a name: chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).New Sign of Brain Damage in N.F.L. - Not all in NFL think concussions a problem

U.S. OKs first stem cell study for spinal injury - A U.S. biotech company says it plans to start this summer the world's first study of a treatment based on human embryonic stem cells — a long-awaited project aimed at spinal cord injury.

The 2009 Progress Report on Brain Research - Published annually, the Progress Report describes the top findings in brain research during the previous year as selected by executive members of the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives.

Physical activity, mood and serious mental illness - A new study from Indiana University suggests that even meager levels of physical activity can improve the mood of people with serious mental illnesses (SMI) such as bipolar disorder, major depression and schizophrenia.

HRT 'can shrink women's brains' - Some forms of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can slightly shrink the brains of post-menopausal women.

Kids Should Strap On Safety Helmets When Playing Sports - Concussions account for about 46 percent of U.S. winter sport injuries.

War Vets With Headaches Could Have Brain Problems - Reduced sense of smell might also signal need for testing, expert says.

MRI scans can predict effects of MS flare-ups on optic nerve - an approach known as magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) allowed researchers to estimate three months in advance the chronic effects of inflammation of the optic nerve.

Robotic Technology Improves Stroke Rehabilitation - This is the first study using fMRI to map the brain in order to track stroke rehabilitation.

Protein involved in the sense of smell implicated in CJD - The brain protein which has a hand, when defective, in the lethal disease CJD may also be involved in aiding our sense of smell.

UC Davis researchers discover new mechanism for attentional control in the human brain - A study by UC Davis researchers appearing today in the journal Science reports the discovery of a new mechanism of attention in the human brain.

Mentis Neuro Rehabilitation restores pieces of minds - Rehab brings people back from severe brain injuries.

Archaeologists have discovered what they say is the oldest surviving human brain in Britain, dating back at least 2,000 years to the Iron Age - The remains of the brain were found in a skull unearthed during excavations at York University in northern England

Analysis Supports Use Of Surgery To Treat Medication-Resistant Epilepsy - Persons with temporal lobe epilepsy who do not respond to medication could receive a substantial gain in life expectancy and quality of life by undergoing surgery of the temporal lobe part of the brain, according to an analysis reported in the December 3 issue of JAMA.

Segway Inventor Builds Bionic Arm for Wounded GIs - Called the "Luke Arm" after the prosthetic hand sported by Luke Skywalker in the "Star Wars" movies, Dean Kamen's device is lightweight, self-contained and fully capable of picking up grapes, baby bottles, even electric drills.

A time to heal: Fayetteville woman fights through lightning strike, resulting brain injury

H. M., an Unforgettable Amnesiac, Dies at 82 - recognized as the most important patient in the history of brain science.

In a Host of Ailments, Seeing a Brain Out of Rhythm - The thalamus and cortex work dynamically by passing loops of information back and forth. So if a small part of the thalamus gets permanently stuck at a low frequency, or part of the cortex fails to respond to the wake-up call, Dr. Llinás said, an abnormal rhythm is generated, a so-called thalamocortical dysrhythmia.

Brain Stimulation Rouses Minimally Conscious Man - Doctors Insert Electrode Rods Into Man's Brain, Breaking Comalike State.

First Aid for Accidental Head Injuries

Baffling Chronic Pain Linked to Rewiring of Brain - The people whose brains were examined have a chronic pain condition called complex region pain
syndrome (CRPS.) .

Helmet experiments aim to limit GIs' brain injuries - Naval Research Laboratory scientist David Mott presented his team's research Tuesday at the American Physical Society's Division of Fluid Dynamics meeting in San Antonio.

Brain implants may help stroke patients overcome partial paralysis - neuroprosthetic brain implants may be able to help stroke patients with partial paralysis.

After brain surgery for epilepsy, Roscoe girl 'just shines' - young patient has functional hemispherectomy to treat epilespy.

Honda unveils wearable robotic walker - new wearable assisted-walking gadget.

Brain tumour tests breakthrough - By molecular profiling a tumour sample, doctors can determine which therapy is likely to give the best results.

Fibromyalgia Can No Longer Be Called the "Invisible" Syndrome - brain abnormalities. Molecular imaging uncovers evidence that symptoms are related to functional

Vitamin 'may be Alzheimer's aid' - A vitamin found in meat, fish and potatoes may help protect the brain from Alzheimer's disease - and even boost memory in healthy people.

Rainfall autism theory suggested - Increased rainfall, or something linked to it, may be connected to the development of autism.

Brain metabolism dictates the polarity of astrocyte control over arterioles - the ability of astrocytes to induce vasodilations over vasoconstrictions relies on the metabolic state of the brain tissue.

New brain link as cause of schizophrenia - NMDA receptors are essential in modifying brain oscillations – electrical wave patterns – which are altered in patients with schizophrenia.

Electrical stimulation boosted dexterity of right-handed volunteers - The technique used is called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).

Methylmercury warning - Precautionary approach to methylmercury needed.

Brain potentials to native phoneme discrimination reveal the origin of individual differences in learning the sounds of a second language - results support a speech-specific origin of individual variability in phonetic mastery.

The Inactivation Principle: Mathematical Solutions Minimizing the Absolute Work and Biological Implications for the Planning of Arm Movements - biological movements optimize the energy expenditure, integrating both inertial and gravitational forces during the motor planning process.

Physical decline caused by slow decay of brain's myelin - after middle age, we start to lose the battle to repair the myelin in our brain, and our motor and cognitive functions begin a long, slow downhill slide.

Student use of stimulants to enhance academic performance - chemical enhancement is spreading to the world of academia.

Drug may reverse MS brain damage - A drug developed to treat leukaemia may be a powerful new weapon against multiple sclerosis.

Strokes Milder and Less Impairing for the Physically Active - Regular exercise may help prevent stroke and its consequences for older adults.

Spinal cord stem-cell trial could start soon - A clinical trial that would test the use of embryonic stem cells to treat spinal cord injury could begin within three months.

Robo-skeleton lets paralysed walk - A robotic suit is helping people paralysed from the waist down do what was previously considered impossible - stand, walk and climb stairs.

First National Study to Examine Recreational and Competitive Diving-Related Injuries - New study suggests the need for increased prevention to reduce diving injuries .

DRUGS COMMONLY USED FOR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION ALLOWED MORE CHEMOTHERAPY TO REACH BRAIN TUMORS IN LABORATORY ANIMAL STUDY

Robotic Treadmill Helps Once-Paralyzed Woman Walk on Her Own Again

Delusions Common in Pediatric ICU - Hallucinations during use of sedatives increase risk of post-traumatic stress, study finds.

The Tobinick Method - an off-label treatment method for selected patients with Alzheimer's Disease who have failed to adequately respond to conventional medical treatment.

Parkinson's brain cell transplants last for years - studies demonstrate the benefits of the sometimes controversial brain cell transplants.

NEW STUDY IN MICE, RATS IDENTIFIES POTENTIAL WAY BOTULINUM NEUROTOXIN MIGRATES TO THE BRAIN

Hearing loss is silent epidemic in U.S. troops - Large numbers of soldiers and Marines caught in roadside bombings and firefights in Iraq and Afghanistan are coming home with permanent hearing loss and ringing in their ears.

The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation is hosting its 3rd Spinal Cord Symposium

Neurons use chemical 'chords' to shape signaling - neurons use multiple neurotransmitters to target the same receptor on postsynaptic neurons.

Chronic pain can alter the brain - Brain scans of people in chronic pain show a state of constant activity in areas that should be at rest.

Post-traumatic stress, and not brain injury, is responsible for many of the symptoms reported by U.S. soldiers who suffered concussions in Iraq.

New stroke treatment vacuums clots from brain - A new treatment for stroke victims, called Penumbra, suctions out clogged arteries in hopes of stopping the brain attack before it does permanent harm.

Task Force Seeks Brain Injury Studies - As many as 20 percent of U.S. combat troops who fought in Iraq or Afghanistan leave with signs they may have had a concussion, and some do not realize they need treatment.

Language centers revealed, brain surgery refined with new mapping - significant results of a new brain mapping technique that allows for the safe removal of tumors near language pathways in the brain.

Is China the sleeping giant of biotech? -China is a dynamic sector that has been growing 30 percent annually over the past decade, reaching a turnover of three billion dollars in the domestic market in 2005.

China Offers Unproven Medical Treatments - report on stem cell use in China.

Brain-injured firefighter's brief awakening - 16-hour burst of lucidity after 10 years in a coma, following stimulant administration.

Serious injuries on the slopes are increasing - The number of skiers and snowboarders suffering head and spinal cord injuries is on the rise.

UCLA brain imaging study suggests a neurology of belief - report that functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) reveals clear differences in the areas of the brain involved in belief, disbelief and uncertainty.

Boy pierces brain with antler, but miraculously is fine - antler pierced eye socket and brain.

Club drugs inflict damage similar to traumatic brain injury - Ecstasy, also called MDMA, and other forms of methamphetamine trigger a chemical chain reaction in the brain, leading to cell death, memory loss and potentially irreversible brain damage.

Brain differences seen in migraine sufferers - neocortex thicker by 21% in select areas.

Wounded warriors face home-front battle with VA - Iraq veterans experience problems with out-of-date VA system.

Neuroscientists connect neural activity and blood flow in new brain stimulation technique - neuroscientists measured the electrical activity of nerve cells and correlated it to changes in blood flow.

GPS-Like Technology Helps Pinpoint Best Methods for Removing Injured Players from the Field

"We may be witnessing a minor miracle" - Bill's tight-end makes dramatic improvement.

Iraq Brain Injuries Challenge Troops and Doctors - The war in Iraq is not over, but one legacy is already here in this city and others across America: an epidemic of brain-damaged soldiers.

EXPERIMENTAL ANTI-CANCER DRUG MADE FROM CORN LILLIES KILLS BRAIN TUMOR STEM CELLS - A drug that shuts down a critical cell-signaling pathway in the most common and aggressive type of adult brain cancer successfully kills cancer stem cells thought to fuel tumor growth and help cancers evade drug and radiation therapy, a Johns Hopkins study shows.

Brain implants relieve Alzheimer's damage - Genetically engineered cells implanted in mice have cleared away toxic plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Experimental Handheld Monitor Can Detect Subtle Brain Injury Immediately After Concussion - Researchers at NYU School of Medicine have developed a handheld device that can detect subtle brain damage immediately after concussion.

Electrodes let brain-injured man speak again - Patient had been unable to talk since being injured 6 years ago in assault.

Therapeutic Strategy for Acute Spinal Cord Contusion Injury: Cell Elimination Combined with Microsurgical Intervention - Promising treatment for spinal cord injury combines radiation therapy with microsurgery.

135,000 Youths Suffer Sports-Related Traumatic Brain Injuries Yearly - 65 percent of sports- and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms each year occur in young people ages 5 to 18

NASA Rehab Tool Brings People to Their Feet - the Secure Ambulation Mode (S.A.M.) physical therapy device allows patients to stand or walk - partially weight bearing, full weight bearing or non-weight bearing - whether they have a sense of balance or not.

Scientists link brain function to knee injuries - Results obtained after neurocognitive tests for 1500 atheletes at 18 Universities.

Researchers discover potential treatment for Parkinson's Disease - Scientists have discovered a protein which may help to slow, or even reverse symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Restorative Therapies, Inc., Receives FDA Clearance for Enhancement to RT300-S Electrical Stimulation Cycle - clearance of wireless pulse oximetry for the RT300-S, a Functional electrical stimulation (FES) motorized cycle ergometer.

Electric Wheelchair Technology Showcase - Information on Brain-Controlled Electric Wheelchair and Mind-Computer Mouse Pointer assistive technology.

Traumatic brain injury on the front line - Discussion of TBI and the US military in Iraq.

Iraq: A Marine's Experience of Brain Injury - account of a Marine's experiences after suffering injuries in Iraq.

A Long Road Back - Professional services are increasing efforts to diagnose and treat service members returning from Iraq.

Study of the Use of Amphetamine in the Treatment of Aphasia - Study pairing dextroamphetamine with speech/language therapy accelerated recovery.

US Army to Start Scanning for Brain Injuries in Returning Iraq Veterans - proposed use of SPECT (single photo emission computerized tomography) to detect brain injuries in soldiers.

Male and female brain patterns differ during reaching - patterns of brain activation differ amongst males and females during reaching activities.

CHRISTOPHER AND DANA REEVE FOUNDATION PARALYSIS RESOURCE CENTER LAUNCHES PARALYSIS COMMUNITY SOCIAL NETWORK - a first-of-its-kind, international online health and wellness community for people living with all forms of paralysis and their caregivers.

Deflecting Damage: Flexible Electronics Aid Brain Injury Research - Development of advanced microelectrodes aids brain injury research.

Brain's 'addiction centre' found - a brain region, an area of cortex termed the "insula", may be responsible for addictive behaviors.

Common treatment for stroke improves cognitive function - patients treated with carotid stent show improvements in memory, judgement and reasoning.

MRI superior to CT for stroke diagnoses in ER - MRI scans diagnose acute stroke in 83% of cases, versus 26% for CT.

Conceptualizing a cyborg - Douglas H. Smith, M.D., describes approach for a brain-machine interface.

Concussion - New England Journal of Medicine article discussing mechanisms and patient evaluation.

Scientists have found stem cells in amniotic fluid - amniotic stem cells hold promise, and avoid controversial embryonic stem cell issues.

PET of Brain Amyloid and Tau in Mild Cognitive Impairment - UCLA researchers use PET scanning to differentiate persons with mild cognitive impairment from those with Alzheimer's disease.

Back in the Game - spinal cord injured student now leads team as an assistant head coach.

Thanks, Superman! Paralyzed 3-Year-Old Learns to Walk Again - weight supported locomotor therapy for spinal cord injured patients.

Research project to establish accurate rugby-related spinal cord injury database in South Africa - three month project to establish a rugby-related spinal cord injury database.

Brain Chip Tested in Monkeys May Help Humans With Movement Disorders - A new brain chip under development established new connections in the brains of monkeys in a region that controls movement.

Revamp of brain 'could slow CJD' - proposed treatment could slow progression of CJD.

Michael J. Fox Offers Hype Over Hope - A discussion on the use of embryonic stem cells to treat disorders of the central nervous system.

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