Mutant huntingtin protein appears to block activity of Sirt1, suggesting potential treatment target

Treatment that increases brain levels of an important regulatory enzyme may slow the loss of brain cells that characterizes Huntington's disease (HD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. In a report receiving advance online publication in Nature Medicine, a Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-based research team reports that increased expression of Sirt1, one of a family of enzymes called sirtuins, in the brain of a mouse model of HD protected against neurodegeneration. They also identified a potential mechanism for this protective effect.

Hippocampal atrophy seen with early cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease, Penn study shows

PHILADELPHIA – Atrophy in the hippocampus, the region of the brain known for memory formation and storage, is evident in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with cognitive impairment, including early decline known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), according to a study by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The study is published in the December issue of the Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Animal study offers insights into possible drug targets to improve memory as we age

Washington, DC -- Drugs that affect the levels of an important brain protein involved in learning and memory reverse cellular changes in the brain seen during aging, according to an animal study in the December 7 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience. The findings could one day aid in the development of new drugs that enhance cognitive function in older adults.

One-time injection allows relief from pain for 8 months

Cleveland -- A collaborative research group – led by researchers at Cleveland Clinic – published findings that indicate a one-time injection immediately after spinal cord injury can limit pain for an extended period of time.

Distinct neural pathways are important for different aspects of language processing, researchers have discovered, studying patients with language impairments caused by neurodegenerative diseases.

STANFORD, Calif. — Neuroscientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have homed in on potential differences in autistic people's brain cells by studying brainlike spheres grown in an elaborate process from skin cells.

New Rochelle, NY -- Bioengineering -- the application of engineering principles to understand and treat medical conditions -- is delivering innovative solutions for diagnosing and repairing damage to the brain caused by a traumatic injury. A broad sample of these new, cutting-edge techniques is presented in a special issue of Journal of Neurotrauma, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (http://www.liebertpub.com) The entire issue is available online at http:// www.liebertpub.com/neu

The issue captures the broad scope of current and future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies being developed based on novel biomaterials, innovative applications of biomechanics, and advanced simulation and computational technology. Guest Editors Michelle C. LaPlaca, PhD, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech College of Engineering, and David F. Meaney, PhD, Associate Director, Penn Center for Brain Injury and Repair, and Professor and Chair, Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, have compiled a fascinating collection of articles that describe leading research in the areas of three-dimensional cell and tissue preparations designed to study the effects of brain trauma and to stimulate nerve regeneration, computer modeling, and novel imaging and analytical techniques being applied to advance neurotrauma research and patient care.

Original research articles featured in this issue of Journal of Neurotrauma include "A Detailed Viscoelastic Characterization of the P17 and Adult Rat Brain," by Benjamin Elkin et al.; "Survival Risk Assessment for Primary Blast Exposures to the Head," by Karin Rafaels and colleagues; and "Toward a Convergence of Regenerative Medicine, Rehabilitation, and Neuroprosthetics," by Shyam Aravamudhan et al.

"The Journal is pleased to publish this issue which addresses many of the bioengineering advances being made in the field of central nervous system injury. Further, this compendium of manuscripts emphasizes the important, yet underappreciated, fact that biomechanical-induced change distinguishes CNS trauma from all other CNS disorders," says John T. Povlishock, PhD, Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Neurotrauma and Professor, VCU Neuroscience Center, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond.

Journal of Neurotrauma is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published monthly in print and online that focuses on the latest advances in the clinical and laboratory investigation of traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. Emphasis is on the basic pathobiology of injury to the nervous system, and the papers and reviews evaluate preclinical and clinical trials targeted at improving the early management and long-term care and recovery of patients with traumatic brain injury. Journal of Neurotrauma is the Official Journal of the National Neurotrauma Society and the International Neurotrauma Society. Complete tables of content and a free sample issue may be viewed online at http://www.liebertpub.com/neu

Source: EurekAlert!

Like a gardener who stakes some plants and weeds out others, the brain is constantly building networks of synapses, while pruning out redundant or unneeded synapses. Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory led by Assistant Professor Zhong-wei Zhang, Ph.D., have discovered a factor in synapse-building, also showing that the building and pruning processes occur independent of each other.

The negative effects of depression in young people on the health of their hearts may be stronger than previously recognized. Depression or a history of suicide attempts in people younger than 40, especially young women, markedly increases their risk for dying from heart disease, results from a nationwide study have revealed.

Clinical trial findings show memory improvement with daily intake of medical food product

A second clinical trial of the medical food Souvenaid confirmed that daily intake of the nutritional intervention improves memory in people with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). Results of the trial - called Souvenir II - were presented at the 4th International Conference on Clinical Trials in Alzheimer's Disease (CTAD) in San Diego, California on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 by Philip Scheltens, MD, PhD, Professor of Cognitive Neurology and Director of the Alzheimer Center at the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam.