Brain

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil- In the brains of all vertebrates, information is transmitted through synapses, a mechanism that allows an electric or chemical signal to be passed from one brain cell to another. Chemical synapses, which are the most abundant type of synapse, can be either excitatory or inhibitory. Synapse formation is crucial for learning, memory, perception and cognition, and the balance between excitatory and inhibitory synapses critical for brain function.

Higher levels of stress, hostility and depressive symptoms are associated with significantly increased risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in middle-age and older adults, according to new research in the American Heart Association journal Stroke.

A TIA is a stroke caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain.

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Why does a relentless stream of subjective experiences normally fill your mind? Maybe that's just one of those mysteries that will always elude us.

Yet, research from Northwestern University suggests that consciousness lies well within the realm of scientific inquiry -- as impossible as that may currently seem. Although scientists have yet to agree on an objective measure to index consciousness, progress has been made with this agenda in several labs around the world.

(July 10, 2014) – A research review identifying the clinical indicators most strongly associated with concussion is an important first step in the process of developing evidence-based guidelines for concussion diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, according to a new report published by Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

Some chimpanzees are smarter than others, and about half of that variation in intelligence depends on the genes that individuals carry and pass on from one generation to the next. The findings reported in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on July 10 show that those genetic differences will be key to understanding the cognitive abilities of primates and their evolution over time.

ATLANTA–A chimpanzee's intelligence is largely determined by its genes, while environmental factors may be less important than scientists previously thought, according to a Georgia State University research study.

The study found that some, but not all, cognitive, or mental, abilities, in chimpanzees depend significantly on the genes they inherit. The findings are reported in the latest issue of Current Biology.

A neuroscientist at Rutgers University-Newark says the human brain operates much the same whether active or at rest – a finding that could provide a better understanding of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other serious mental health conditions that afflict an estimated 13.6 million Americans.

After central nervous system injury, the increase in Nogo protein is mediated by Nogo-66 receptor gene, leading to the collapse of growth cones and inhibiting the extension of neuronal neurites.

Activation of Nogo receptor (NgR) is an essential factor of nerve regeneration inhibition, neuronal atrophy and even apoptosis. Upregulation of NgR expression is an important cause of cell apoptosis and visual extinction in some diseases including glaucoma. Whether ganglion cell apoptosis is related to NgR gene expression in diabetes mellitus remains poorly understood. Dr.

Single-chain variable domain fragment (scFv) 637 is an antigen-specific scFv of myasthenia gravis and it can bind to acetylcholine receptor in the residues 67-76 of α-subunit of acetylcholine receptor. Dr. Fanping Meng and his team, College of Medicine, Yanbian University in China conjugated scFv and human serum albumin genes and detected the fusion protein in Pichia pastoris.

Hair follicle-derived neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) can be induced to differentiate into Schwann cells (SCs). However, the underlying regulatory mechanism during cell differentiation remains poorly understood. Dr. Yuxin Ni and her team, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, China isolated NCSCs from human hair follicle and induced them to differentiate into SCs. MicroRNA (miR-21) expression was gradually increased during the differentiation of NCSCs into SCs. After transfection with the miR-21 agonist (agomir-21), the differentiation capacity of NCSCs was increased.

Recently, local scar adhesion after laminectomy always challenges the worldwide scholars engaged in spine surgery. Mitomycin C, a classical anti-tumor drug, has been attempted to be used to effectively inhibit scar adhesion after laminectomy and some encouraging outcomes have been achieved. However, there is evidence that mitomycin C has inherent toxicity and other side effects when it is locally used. Whether mitomycin C can influence peripheral nerve structure and function remains unclear. Dr.

While Tofu is considered a healthy source of protein, that's not why the Millennials are eating it, according to a new study to be presented at Tops Club Inc.'s annual International Recognition Days convention July 10th in Milwaukee.

Tofu's new champion recruits are 20-something women who want dishes that are quick, easy to cook and that can help keep them trim. "They basically seem to care less about any health benefits of Tofu," said lead Cornell researcher Brian Wansink, "They eat it to look good and because it's quick to cook and it's filling."

MINNEAPOLIS – The American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the largest professional association of neurologists and a leading authority on sports concussion, is releasing a new position paper that states doctors have an ethical obligation to educate and protect athletes from sports concussion and clear them to play only when the athlete is medically ready, standing firm against objections from players, parents or coaches.

ITHACA, N.Y. – Although feelings are personal and subjective, the human brain turns them into a standard code that objectively represents emotions across different senses, situations and even people, reports a new study by Cornell University neuroscientist Adam Anderson.