Press Release Percussion Rhythmyx braininfo@ninds.nih.gov Copyright 2008, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Saturday Sunday http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/press_releases/index.htm Describes research by Craig Blackstone that points to a common mechanism between the growth of axons and the growth of plant roots, and sheds lights on how axons degenerate in hereditary spastic paraplegia. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/press_releases/pressrelease_Blackstone_neurons_roots_HSP.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/press_releases/pressrelease_Blackstone_neurons_roots_HSP.htm Dr. William Matthew appointed director of NINDS Office of Translational Research. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/press_releases/pressrelease_william_matthew_OTR.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/press_releases/pressrelease_william_matthew_OTR.htm This study provides support for the theory that the brain's default mode network (DMN) is the seat of conscouisness, by showing that the DMN becomes desychronized during deep sleep. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_DMN_deep_sleep.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_DMN_deep_sleep.htm Launch of the Blueprint Human Connectome Project, which will generate a map of connections in the healthy, adult human brain. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/press_releases/pressrelease_blueprint_connectome_launch.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/press_releases/pressrelease_blueprint_connectome_launch.htm Study describes a mutation in beta-amyloid that interferes with aggregation of normal beta-amyloid and may serve as the basis for drugs to slow or prevent Alzheimer's disease. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_protective_APP_mutation.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_protective_APP_mutation.htm Electrical stimulation of the spinal cord improves parkinson-like symptoms in rats, and may be an alternative to deep brain stimulation for people with Parkinson's disease. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_dcs_parkinson_rats.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_dcs_parkinson_rats.htm In a genome-wide association study, researchers identified a genetic factor that extends the survival of people with ALS. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_gene_affects_als_survival.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_gene_affects_als_survival.htm The gene mTOR is active in meningiomas, and the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin slows meningioma growth in a cell model. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_mTOR_role_in_meningioma.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_mTOR_role_in_meningioma.htm GENETIC STUDY CONFIRMS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM’S ROLE IN NARCOLEPSY http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/press_releases/pressrelease-narcolepsy-GWAS.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/press_releases/pressrelease-narcolepsy-GWAS.htm Three studies report that autism is associated with variations in genes involved in forming and maintaining the connections between brain cells. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/press_releases/pressrelease_autism_cell_adhesion_genes.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/press_releases/pressrelease_autism_cell_adhesion_genes.htm A genome-wide association study identified two genetic variants linked to an increased risk of stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/press_releases/pressrelease_stroke_GWAS.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/press_releases/pressrelease_stroke_GWAS.htm Mapping the genome of glioblastoma cells may hold clues to therapy. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_GBM_genome.htm http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_GBM_genome.htm