Copyright 2012, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/press_releases/index.htm en Press Release Saturday Sunday http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/ALS_RNA_lassos.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/ALS_RNA_lassos.htm Cowboys use lassos to catch runaway horses and cattle. Recently, NINDS-funded researchers showed that genetic lassos may also be used to “round-up” toxic runaway molecules in neurons. Their results suggest that molecules, called RNA lariats, may effectively prevent nerve degeneration during amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_article_big_cells_may_be_involved_with_autism.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_article_big_cells_may_be_involved_with_autism.htm Nestled in the back and bottom part of the brain is a distinctive-looking region called the cerebellum. Nicknamed “the little brain,” the cerebellum is primarily known for controlling movement and coordination. Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/rat_AD_model.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/rat_AD_model.htm A new genetically engineered lab rat that has the full array of brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease supports the idea that increases in a molecule called beta-amyloid in the brain causes the disease, according to a study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health. Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_article_New_Genetically_Engineered_Proteins.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_article_New_Genetically_Engineered_Proteins.htm Neurons send electric sparks from one end of the cell to another. The action potential, a distinctive change in voltage, is a hallmark of electric signaling in neurons. Usually researchers directly monitor these signals with cumbersome electrodes or toxic voltage-sensitive dyes, or indirectly with calcium detectors. For decades, they tried developing voltage-sensitive fluorescent proteins, called fluorogenetic voltage sensors, as a less-invasive alternative. In addition, these detectors could be used in specific types of neurons, including ones that are inaccessible with traditional methods. Previous attempts did not produce proteins sensitive enough to watch action potentials and subtle voltage changes in real time. Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_article_sleep_BCI.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_article_sleep_BCI.htm How does the brain remember? A growing body of evidence suggests that sleep is important, especially a sleep stage called nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. During NREM, the brain undergoes unique waves of electrical activity called sleep spindles. Previous studies suggested that spindles represent learning activity. Currently scientists are debating whether spindles occur synchronously, throughout the entire brain, or locally in the areas involved with something new. Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/pressrelease_imaging_acute_ischemic_stroke_020813.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/pressrelease_imaging_acute_ischemic_stroke_020813.htm The use of advanced imaging shortly after the onset of acute stroke failed to identify a subgroup of patients who could benefit from a clot-removal procedure, a study has found. Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/pressrelease_clot-retrieval_devices_020713.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/pressrelease_clot-retrieval_devices_020713.htm A stroke survivor’s chances of living independently after 90 days are not improved by the use of devices inserted into the artery to dissolve or remove a stroke-causing clot shortly after the onset of symptoms, according to a randomized controlled trial involving 656 patients. Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/reflex_control_SCI.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/reflex_control_SCI.htm A training regimen to adjust the body’s motor reflexes may help improve mobility for some people with incomplete spinal cord injuries, according to a study funded by NINDS. During training, participants were instructed to suppress a reflex elicited by a small shock to the leg. Those who were able to calm hyperactive reflexes – a common effect of spinal cord injuries – saw improvements in their walking. Tue, 05 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/PDBP_launch.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/PDBP_launch.htm NINDS has launched a new initiative to help researchers investigate biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease, and to help patients learn about and participate in such studies. So far, the NINDS Parkinson’s Disease Biomarkers Program has funded nine research teams. To support collaboration across these projects and others, the PDBP is introducing a new online platform for investigators to share their data. Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:00:00 EST http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/MS_nerve_damage_trigger.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/MS_nerve_damage_trigger.htm High-resolution real-time images show in mice how nerves may be damaged during the earliest stages of multiple sclerosis. The results suggest that the critical step happens when fibrinogen, a blood-clotting protein, leaks into the central nervous system and activates immune cells called microglia. Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/antigen_particles_MS.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/antigen_particles_MS.htm In a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health have developed innovative technology to selectively inhibit the part of the immune system responsible for attacking myelin—the insulating material that encases nerve fibers. Their approach involved attaching myelin to microparticles, and using it as a decoy to thwart the immune attack. Mon, 19 Nov 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/migraine_study_111312.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/migraine_study_111312.htm Women with migraines did not appear to experience a decline in cognitive ability over time compared to those who didn’t have them, according to a nine-year follow up study funded by the National Institutes of Health. Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:00:00 EST