http://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress internet news portal provides the latest news on Health and Medicine. Mutations found in individuals with autism block the action of molecules made by the brain that act on the same receptors that marijuana's active chemical acts on, according to new research reported online April 11 in the Cell Press journal Neuron. The findings implicate specific molecules, called endocannabinoids, in the development of some autism cases and point to potential treatment strategies. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-mutations-individuals-autism-endocannabinoid-brain.html Autism spectrum disorders Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:00:19 EST news284898623 Erxi Wu, assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences, co-wrote the article, "Neurotransmitter substance P mediates pancreatic cancer perineural invasion via NK-1R in cancer cells," which was published by Molecular Cancer Research, an American Association for Cancer Research journal.  http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-03-mechanism-underlying-abdominal-pain-pancreatic.html Cancer Fri, 01 Mar 2013 08:36:53 EST news281349401 An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and the University of Houston has found a new way to influence the vital serotonin signaling system—possibly leading to more effective medications with fewer side effects. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-02-rewiring-serotonin.html Neuroscience Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:19:01 EST news279994718 Children with persistent and drug-resistant seizures treated with the high-fat, low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet may get an added therapeutic benefit from periodic fasting, according to a small Johns Hopkins Children's Center study. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-12-fasting-benefit-patients-epilepsy.html Medical research Fri, 07 Dec 2012 03:00:01 EST news274070450 A new substance class for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases now promises increased efficacy paired with fewer side effects. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-11-combination-pharmaceuticals-effective-treatment-multiple.html Medications Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:33:17 EST news273159191 Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have shown that a single protein plays an oversized role in intellectual and behavioral development. The scientists found that mutations in a single gene, which is known to cause intellectual disability and increase the risk of developing autism spectrum disorder, severely disrupts the organization of developing brain circuits during early childhood. This study helps explain how genetic mutations can cause profound cognitive and behavioral problems. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-11-uncovering-secrets-intellect-behavior-emerge.html Genetics Thu, 08 Nov 2012 12:00:12 EST news271580736 (Medical Xpress)— Scientists have discovered that breaking a biological signaling system in an embryo allows them to change the destiny of a cell. The findings could lead to new ways of making replacement organs. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-11-destiny-cell.html Genetics Thu, 01 Nov 2012 09:22:23 EST news270980537 (Medical Xpress)—Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have identified small variations in a number of genes that are closely linked to an increased risk of bipolar disorder, a mental illness that affects nearly six million Americans, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-scientists-gene-variations-linked-higher.html Psychology & Psychiatry Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:19:06 EST news269101138 In June a monitoring system is becoming commercially available that will allow nursing staff to accurately record the mobility of bedridden persons. The system has been developed for the prevention of bedsores by Compliant Concept, a start-up at Empa’s glaTec technology center. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-04-mobility-bed-ridden-patients.html Health Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:55:03 EST news254659972 Johns Hopkins investigators are testing a way to use drugs that target a cholesterol pathway to enhance the cancer-killing potential of standard chemotherapy drugs. Their tests, in mouse models of pancreatic cancer, may yield new and more effective combinations of current and possibly new anti-cancer drugs. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-04-chemo-boost-cholesterol-related-drug.html Cancer Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:44:11 EST news252665045 A signaling system in the brain previously shown to regulate sleep is also responsible for inducing lethargy during illness, according to research conducted at Oregon Health & Science University Doernbecher Children's Hospital. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-08-scientists-bad-sick.html Neuroscience Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:12:52 EST news231581562