brain

APOE4 alters brain immunity and cognition differently in females and males

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A new study shows that APOE4 reshapes brain-linked immune and lymphatic pathways in strikingly different ways in females and males, with opposite cognitive effects when innate immunity is suppressed. Study: Sex-specific APOE4-dependent innate immunity regulates meningeal lymphatics, brain lipids, neuroinflammation, and cognition. Image Credit: ahmetmapush / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal Neuron, … Read more

New neural organoid system improves scalability and reproducibility for research

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Neural organoids have been heralded as having huge potential for advancing our knowledge of the brain in several fields. These include exploring the responses of brain tissue to drugs, investigating the effect of specific genetic mutations on neural electrical activity and characterising how neural systems develop.  In the past, viability of these systems has been limited by their scalability, reproducibility and longevity.  New research from King’s College London has succeeded in scaling up the organoid approach; … Read more

Gut immune responses found to trigger brain inflammation in MS

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating neurological disorder caused by malfunctioning immune responses that target the brain and spinal cord of the central nervous system (CNS). What makes our body turn against itself? Failure of the immune system to distinguish ‘self’ from ‘non-self’ entities leads to excessive autoimmune responses against self-proteins like myelin, which forms … Read more

Eye drops made from pig semen deliver cancer treatment to mice

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The retina is hard to penetrate with drugs because it has a protective barrier.Credit: Paul Whitten/Science Photo Library Scientists have used pig semen to develop eye drops that can stop tumour growth in the retina and preserve vision, a study1 in mice shows. The work is published today in Science Advances. It is hoped that … Read more

Drugs targeting TIE2 protein could help prevent formation of cerebral cavernous malformations

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Researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have identified a cell surface receptor protein called TIE2 as the missing link between two key signaling pathways that drive the growth of blood vessel abnormalities known as cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs). The study, to be published March 27 in the Journal of … Read more

Dandelion leaves boost brain-protective compounds after digestion

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A common wild plant may hold hidden brain benefits. Dandelion leaf polyphenols survive digestion and continue targeting pathways associated with Alzheimer’s disease.  Study: Characterisation of Dandelion Polyphenols and Their In Vitro Neuroprotective Effects During Simulated Digestion. Image credit: DUSAN ZIDAR/Shutterstock.com A recent study in Foods examined the enzyme-targeted neuroprotective potential of polyphenols from dandelion flowers, roots, … Read more

High-intensity therapy early after stroke shows no added benefit

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A clinical trial led by University of Auckland researchers found that high-intensity therapy for patients begun within two weeks of a stroke did not improve hand and arm recovery beyond standard care. Targeting new treatments to promote hand and arm recovery is necessary because persistent hand weakness is known to reduce a person’s independence at … Read more

Scientists discover how brain development programs fuel pediatric tumors

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A team of researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital, and collaborating institutions reveals in the journal Nature a novel mechanism that drives the development of pediatric supratentorial ependymoma (EPN), the third most common pediatric brain tumor. The findings suggest potential new approaches to treat these aggressive and … Read more

Study links androgens to aggressive childhood brain tumor growth

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An international team led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, McGill University and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has discovered what drives the growth of a lethal pediatric brain tumor called Posterior Fossa Type A (PFA) ependymoma. The researchers report in the journal Nature that androgens, commonly known as male … Read more