Neurodegenerative Diseases

Stem cell researchers move toward treatment for rare genetic nerve disease

(Medical Xpress)—UCLA researchers at the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research have used induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) to advance disease-in-a-dish modeling of a rare genetic ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created May 10, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Fish oil may stall effects of junk food on brain

Data from more than 180 research papers suggests fish oils could minimise the effects that junk food can have on the brain, a review by researchers at the University of Liverpool has shown.

Health created May 14, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Melatonin and exercise work against Alzheimer's in mice

The combination of two neuroprotective therapies, voluntary physical exercise, and the daily intake of melatonin has been shown to have a synergistic effect against brain deterioration in rodents with three ...

Alzheimer's disease & dementia created Sep 26, 2012 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Mild blast injury causes molecular changes in brain akin to Alzheimer, team says

A multicenter study led by scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine shows that mild traumatic brain injury after blast exposure produces inflammation, oxidative stress and gene activation patterns akin ...

Neuroscience created Apr 24, 2013 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Transneuronal spread model fits neurodegenerative disease

(HealthDay) -- Neurodegenerative diseases may be characterized by specific regions of the brain that are critical network epicenters, with disease-related vulnerability associated with shorter paths to the ...

Neuroscience created Mar 24, 2012 | popularity 4 / 5 (2) | comments 0

A step forward toward muscular dystrophy treatment: 'Antisense' compound rids muscle cells of toxic RNA

Scientists have reversed symptoms of myotonic muscular dystrophy in mice by eliminating a buildup of toxic RNA in muscle cells. The work, carried out by scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Isis Pharmaceuticals ...

Medical research created Aug 01, 2012 | popularity 4 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Researchers identify potential treatment for cognitive effects of stress-related disorders

Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers have identified a potential medical treatment for the cognitive effects of stress-related disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study, conducted ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Aug 30, 2012 | popularity 4 / 5 (2) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Scientists block toxic protein that plays key role in Lou Gehrig's disease

October 28, 2012— Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes and the Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered how modifying a gene halts the toxic buildup of a protein found in nerve cells. These findings point ...

Medical research created Oct 28, 2012 | popularity 3.5 / 5 (2) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Key protein interactions involved in neurodegenerative disease revealed

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have defined the molecular structure of an enzyme as it interacts with several proteins involved in outcomes that can influence neurodegenerative ...

Medical research created Nov 08, 2012 | popularity 3.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

New drugs may improve quality of life for people with Parkinson's disease

Three studies released today present possible positive news for people with Parkinson's disease. The studies, which will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 65th Annual Meeting in San Diego, March 16 to 23, ...

Parkinson's & Movement disorders created Mar 14, 2013 | popularity 3.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

A new wrinkle for botox: Research reveals how botulinum toxins affect neuron survival

(Medical Xpress)—Botulinum toxins are feared as a food poison and bioterror threat, and for good reason. It takes only minute amounts of these bacterial toxins to block signals from nerve cells that control ...

Medical research created Mar 27, 2013 | popularity 3.5 / 5 (2) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Scientists describe the genetic signature of a vital set of neurons

Scientists at NYU Langone Medical Center have identified two genes involved in establishing the neuronal circuits required for breathing. They report their findings in a study published in the December issue of Nature Ne ...

Neuroscience created Nov 29, 2012 | popularity 3 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Cholesterol increases risk of Alzheimer's and heart disease

Researchers at the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome and the University of Colorado School of Medicine have found that a single mechanism may underlie the damaging effect of cholesterol on the brain and on blood vessels.

Medical research created Apr 15, 2013 | popularity 3 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Scientists uncover trigger to fatal neurodegenerative disease

University of Tennessee researcher uses computer simulation to pinpoint changes in molecular structure that leads directly to disease.

Medical research created Jun 22, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Cell's 'battery' found to play central role in neurodegenerative disease

A devastating neurodegenerative disease that first appears in toddlers just as they are beginning to walk has been traced to defects in mitochondria, the 'batteries' or energy-producing power plants of cells.

Neuroscience created Jan 17, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast


Neurodegeneration is the umbrella term for the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, including death of neurons. Many neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s occur as a result of neurodegenerative processes. As research progresses, many similarities appear which relate these diseases to one another on a sub-cellular level. Discovering these similarities offers hope for therapeutic advances that could ameliorate many diseases simultaneously. There are many parallels between different neurodegenerative disorders including atypical protein assemblies as well as induced cell death. Neurodegeneration can be found in many different levels of neuronal circuitry ranging from molecular to systemic.

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Melon focus headband turns to Kickstarter for rollout plans

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Temporal processing in the olfactory system

The neural machinery underlying our olfactory sense continues to be an enigma for neuroscience. A recent review in Neuron seeks to expand traditional ideas about how neurons in the olfactory bulb might encode information about ...

Returning genetic incidental findings without patient consent violates basic rights, experts say

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Vicious cycle: Obesity sustained by changes in brain biochemistry

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White matter imaging provides insight into human and chimpanzee aging

(Medical Xpress)—The instability of "white matter" in humans may contribute to greater cognitive decline during the aging of humans compared with chimpanzees, scientists from Yerkes National Primate Research ...