Neurology Research This is an OPML file. It can be used to export all the MedWorm RSS feeds on this topic into your personal RSS reader (usually you have to save this file to your own computer before clicking on an Import OPML command in your own feed reader to upload the file which will then import all the feeds) or it can be used by webmasters to integrate MedWorm feeds with their own website. This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader, such as GoogleReader, or to display this data on your own website or blog. Subscribe to this data using MyMedWorm.Subscribe to this data using GoogleReader.Subscribe to this data using Bloglines.Subscribe to this data using MyYahoo.

This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory. This is page number 37.

Lesion studies of human emotion and feeling.
Abstract The lesion method provides unique insight into how the human brain generates emotion and feeling. Recent work has explored a number of interesting topics including the dissociation of emotional experience from memory in patients with amnesia, the reliability of specific emotional deficits following focal brain damage (including fear and the amygdala), and the investigation of compensatory neural mechanisms in lesion patients. Several detailed case studies have challenged the necessary role of the insular cortex in both awareness and feeling by showing that even in rare instances of complete bilateral insul...
Source: Current Opinion in Neurobiology - January 4, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Feinstein JS Tags: Curr Opin Neurobiol Source Type: research

Network attributes for segregation and integration in the human brain.
Abstract Network studies of large-scale brain connectivity have begun to reveal attributes that promote the segregation and integration of neural information: communities and hubs. Network communities are sets of regions that are strongly interconnected among each other while connections between members of different communities are less dense. The clustered connectivity of network communities supports functional segregation and specialization. Network hubs link communities to one another and ensure efficient communication and information integration. This review surveys a number of recent reports on network communi...
Source: Current Opinion in Neurobiology - January 4, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Sporns O Tags: Curr Opin Neurobiol Source Type: research

Mouse vocal communication system: Are ultrasounds learned or innate?
Abstract Mouse ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are often used as behavioral readouts of internal states, to measure effects of social and pharmacological manipulations, and for behavioral phenotyping of mouse models for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. However, little is known about the neurobiological mechanisms of rodent USV production. Here we discuss the available data to assess whether male mouse song behavior and the supporting brain circuits resemble those of known vocal non-learning or vocal learning species. Recent neurobiology studies have demonstrated that the mouse USV brain system incl...
Source: Brain and Language - January 4, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Arriaga G, Jarvis ED Tags: Brain Lang Source Type: research

Limb apraxia in acute ischemic stroke: A neglected clinical challenge?
Abstract Symptoms of limb apraxia and executive dysfunctions are currently not explicitly considered by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and, thus, not routinely tested by clinicians in the acute care of patients with suspected stroke. Neuropsychological testing, clinical examination, MRI, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were performed in a right-handed patient with acute onset of left-sided sensorimotor hemiparesis due to a right hemisphere ischemic stroke. Deficits in the execution of meaningless and meaningful gestures were not detected properly on initial clinical examination but ...
Source: Neurocase - January 4, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Schell C, Suchan J, Himmelbach M, Haarmeier T, Borchers S Tags: Neurocase Source Type: research

A constructivist connectionist model of transitions on false-belief tasks.
We present a constructivist connectionist model that autonomously reproduces the two transitions and suggests that the transitions are due to increases in general processing abilities enabling children to (1) overcome a default true-belief attribution by distinguishing false- from true-belief situations, and to (2) predict search in avoidance situations, where there is often more than one correct, empty search location. Constructivist connectionist models are rigorous, flexible and powerful tools that can be analyzed before and after transitions to uncover novel and emergent mechanisms of cognitive development. PMID: 2...
Source: Cognition - January 4, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Berthiaume VG, Shultz TR, Onishi KH Tags: Cognition Source Type: research

Atypical Sturge-Weber syndrome requires confirmation (Reply to Zhou et al.).
PMID: 23294603 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: European Journal of Paediatric Neurology - January 4, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Siri L, Pinelli L, Giordano L, Tassi L, Striano P Tags: Eur J Paediatr Neurol Source Type: research

Hypothalamic Obesity: Prevalence, Associations and Longitudinal Trends in Weight in a Specialist Adult Neuroendocrine Clinic.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite increased awareness hypothalamic obesity is difficult to prevent and to treat. Improved understanding of the underlying pathophysiologies and multicentre collaboration to examine efficacy of novel obesity interventions are warranted. PMID: 23293322 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: European Journal of Endocrinology - January 4, 2013 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Steele C, Cuthbertson DJ, Macfarlane IA, Javadpour M, Das KS, Gilkes C, Wilding JP, Daousi C Tags: Eur J Endocrinol Source Type: research

Active glycogen synthase kinase-3 and tau pathology-related tyrosine phosphorylation in pR5 human tau transgenic mice.
Abstract We studied underlying pathomechanisms in tauopathies using pR5 mice that express the P301L tau mutation found in familial forms of frontotemporal dementia. In a longitudinal study we investigated the functional status of glycogen synthase kinase-3 and correlated it with the appearance of distinct tau phospho-epitopes. Neurons displaying increases in activating phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3α/β at tyrosine 279/216 also showed an intense rather than moderate AT8 (phospho-Ser202/Thr205 tau) immunoreactivity, and immunoreactivity for AT100 (phospho-Ser212/Thr214 tau) and phosphorylated Ser422,...
Source: Neurobiology of Aging - January 4, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Köhler C, Dinekov M, Götz J Tags: Neurobiol Aging Source Type: research

Changes in Hypothalamic Expression of the Lin28/let-7 System and Related MicroRNAs During Postnatal Maturation and After Experimental Manipulations of Puberty.
We report herein the expression profiles of Lin28 and let-7 members in the rat hypothalamus during postnatal maturation and in selected models of altered puberty. The expression patterns of c-Myc (upstream positive regulator of Lin28), mir-145 (negative regulator of c-Myc), and mir-132 and mir-9 (putative miRNA repressors of Lin28, predicted by bioinformatic algorithms) were also explored. In male and female rats, Lin28, Lin28b, and c-Myc mRNAs displayed very high hypothalamic expression during the neonatal period, markedly decreased during the infantile-to-juvenile transition and reached minimal levels before/around puber...
Source: Endocrinology - January 4, 2013 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Sangiao-Alvarellos S, Manfredi-Lozano M, Ruiz-Pino F, Navarro VM, Sánchez-Garrido MA, Leon S, Dieguez C, Cordido F, Matagne V, Dissen GA, Ojeda SR, Pinilla L, Tena-Sempere M Tags: Endocrinology Source Type: research

Preclinical Toxicity Evaluation of Erythrocyte-Encapsulated Thymidine Phosphorylase in BALB/c Mice and Beagle Dogs: An Enzyme-Replacement Therapy for Mitochondrial Neurogastrointestinal Encephalomyopathy
In conclusion, these studies do not reveal serious toxicities that would preclude a clinical trial of EE-TP in patients with MNGIE, but caution should be taken for infusion-related reactions that may be related to the production of nonspecific antibodies or a cell-based immune response.
Source: Toxicological Sciences - January 4, 2013 Category: Toxicology Authors: Levene, M., Coleman, D. G., Kilpatrick, H. C., Fairbanks, L. D., Gangadharan, B., Gasson, C., Bax, B. E. Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

L-BMAA Induced ER Stress and Enhanced Caspase 12 Cleavage in Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells at Low Nonexcitotoxic Concentrations
The cyanobacterial β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (l-BMAA) is described as a low-potency excitotoxin, possibly a factor in the increased incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinsonism-dementia complex (PDC) in Guam. The latter association is intensively disputed, as l-BMAA concentrations required for toxic effects exceed those assumed to occur via food. The question thus was raised whether l-BMAA leads to neurodegeneration at nonexcitotoxic conditions. Using human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, l-BMAA-transport, incorporation into proteins, and subsequent impairment of cellular protein homeostasis were inv...
Source: Toxicological Sciences - January 4, 2013 Category: Toxicology Authors: Okle, O., Stemmer, K., Deschl, U., Dietrich, D. R. Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Chlorpyrifos-, Diisopropylphosphorofluoridate-, and Parathion-Induced Behavioral and Oxidative Stress Effects: Are They Mediated by Analogous Mechanisms of Action?
In conclusion, this study provides novel data on the relationship between cognitive alterations and oxidative stress, and the diverse mechanisms of action along a temporal axis in response to OP exposures in the rat.
Source: Toxicological Sciences - January 4, 2013 Category: Toxicology Authors: Lopez-Granero, C., Canadas, F., Cardona, D., Yu, Y., Gimenez, E., Lozano, R., Avila, D. S., Aschner, M., Sanchez-Santed, F. Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Variations in the Nature of Behavioral Experience Can Differentially Alter the Consequences of Developmental Exposures to Lead, Prenatal Stress, and the Combination
Behavioral experience (BE) can critically influence later behavior and brain function, but the central nervous system (CNS) consequences of most developmental neurotoxicants are examined in the absence of any such context. We previously demonstrated marked differences in neurotransmitter changes produced by developmental lead (Pb) exposure ± prenatal stress (PS) depending upon whether or not rats had been given BE (Cory-Slechta, D. A., Virgolini, M. B., Rossi-George, A., Weston, D., and Thiruchelvam, M. (2009). The current study examined the hypothesis that the nature of the BE itself would be a critical determinant...
Source: Toxicological Sciences - January 4, 2013 Category: Toxicology Authors: Cory-Slechta, D. A., Merchant-Borna, K., Allen, J. L., Liu, S., Weston, D., Conrad, K. Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Reproducibility of brain spectroscopy at 7T using conventional localization and spectral editing techniques
Conclusion:7T MR spectroscopy of the AC and DLPFC using both short TE STEAM and MEGA‐PRESS‐IVS sequences provide excellent reproducibility of 12 metabolites, including GABA. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Source: Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging - January 4, 2013 Category: Radiology Authors: S. Andrea Wijtenburg, Laura M. Rowland, Richard A.E. Edden, Peter B. Barker Tags: Technical Note Source Type: research

[Original Articles] Prospective Examination of Anxiety and Depression Before and During Confirmed and Pseudoexacerbations in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis
Conclusions Patients with MS experiencing pseudoexacerbations or confirmed exacerbations should be assessed and monitored for depressive and anxiety symptoms, and confirmed exacerbations are particularly concerning in patients with a history of depression. The psychological or psychiatric antecedents of MS exacerbations generate new hypotheses on etiologies of confirmed exacerbations and pseudoexacerbations. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00147446.
Source: Psychosomatic Medicine - January 4, 2013 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Burns, M. N., Nawacki, E., Siddique, J., Pelletier, D., Mohr, D. C. Tags: Neurology, Anxiety, Depression Original Articles Source Type: research

Nerve activity recordings in routine human intestinal biopsies
Conclusion In this study, for the first time, live recordings were performed of nerve activity in intestinal biopsies. This novel approach is of key importance to study living neurons in both health and disease and to test newly developed compounds in an in-vitro human tissue model.
Source: Gut - January 4, 2013 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Cirillo, C., Tack, J., Vanden Berghe, P. Tags: Neurogastroenterology Source Type: research

Structural, phylogenetic and docking studies of D-amino acid oxidase activator (DAOA), a candidate schizophrenia gene
Conclusion: The predicted interactions might serve to inhibit the disease-related allele. It is assumed that current bioinformatics methods will contribute significantly to identifying, analyzing and curing schizophrenia. There is an urgent need to develop effective drugs for schizophrenia, and tools for examining candidate genes more accurately and efficiently are required.
Source: Theoretical Biology and Medical Modelling - January 4, 2013 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Sheikh SehgalNaureen KhattakAsif Mir Source Type: research

C1q-induced Neuroprotective Pathways against A{beta} [Immunology]
Complement protein C1q is induced in the brain in response to a variety of neuronal injuries, including Alzheimer disease (AD), and blocks fibrillar amyloid-β (fAβ) neurotoxicity in vitro. Here, we show that C1q protects immature and mature primary neurons against fAβ toxicity, and we report for the first time that C1q prevents toxicity induced by oligomeric forms of amyloid-β (Aβ). Gene expression analysis reveals C1q-activated phosphorylated cAMP-response element-binding protein and AP-1, two transcription factors associated with neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth, and increased LRP1B and G protein-coupled rece...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - January 4, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Benoit, M. E., Hernandez, M. X., Dinh, M. L., Benavente, F., Vasquez, O., Tenner, A. J. Tags: Neurobiology Source Type: research

VDAC Is a t-PA-binding Protein [Signal Transduction]
In this study, we demonstrate that VDAC binds tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) on human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. Binding of t-PA to VDAC induced a decrease in Km and an increase in the Vmax for activation of its substrate, plasminogen (Pg). This resulted in accelerated Pg activation when VDAC, t-PA, and Pg were bound together. VDAC is also a substrate for plasmin; hence, it mimics fibrin activity. Binding of t-PA to VDAC occurs between a t-PA fibronectin type I finger domain located between amino acids Ile5 and Asn37 and a VDAC region including amino acids 20GYGFG24. These VDAC residues correspond to a GXXXG re...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - January 4, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Gonzalez-Gronow, M., Ray, R., Wang, F., Pizzo, S. V. Tags: Enzymology Source Type: research

Neurokinin-1 Receptor-mediated Glioma Cell Migration [Signal Transduction]
In this study, we found human hemokinin-1 (hHK-1), via NK1R, dose-dependently promoted the migration of U-251 and U-87 cells. In addition, we showed that hHK-1 enhanced the activity of MMP-2 and the expression of MMP-2 and MT1-matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), which were responsible for cell migration, because neutralizing the MMPs with antibodies decreased cell migration. The involved mechanisms were then investigated. In U-251, hHK-1 induced significant calcium efflux; phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122 reduced the calcium mobilization, the up-regulation of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP, and the cell migration induced by hHK-1, which m...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - January 4, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Mou, L., Kang, Y., Zhou, Y., Zeng, Q., Song, H., Wang, R. Tags: Neurobiology Source Type: research

Dynamic HDAC5 Shuttling [Cell Biology]
During hemodynamic stress, catecholamines and neurohumoral stimuli may induce co-activation of Gq-coupled receptors and β-adrenergic receptors (β-AR), leading to cardiac remodeling. Dynamic regulation of histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5), a transcriptional repressor, is crucial during stress signaling due to its role in epigenetic control of fetal gene markers. Little is known about its regulation during acute and chronic β-AR stimulation and its cross-interaction with Gq signaling in adult cardiac myocytes. Here, we evaluate the potential cross-talk between Gq-driven and β-AR mediated signaling at the level of nucleocytop...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - January 4, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Chang, C.-W. J., Lee, L., Yu, D., Dao, K., Bossuyt, J., Bers, D. M. Tags: Signal Transduction Source Type: research

A Novel Heterodimer of the GHS-R1a and the 5-HT2C Receptor [Cell Biology]
This study investigates the downstream signaling consequences and ligand-mediated co-internalization following heterodimerization of the GHS-R1a receptor with the dopamine 1 receptor, as well as that of the GHS-R1a-MC3 heterodimer. In addition, a novel heterodimer between the GHS-R1a receptor and the 5-HT2C receptor was identified. Interestingly, dimerization of the GHS-R1a receptor with the unedited 5-HT2C-INI receptor, but not with the partially edited 5-HT2C-VSV isoform, significantly reduced GHS-R1a agonist-mediated calcium influx, which was completely restored following pharmacological blockade of the 5-HT2C receptor....
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - January 4, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Schellekens, H., van Oeffelen, W. E. P. A., Dinan, T. G., Cryan, J. F. Tags: Neurobiology Source Type: research

MCT8 Regulates Neural Development in Zebrafish [Neurobiology]
This study shows that MCT8 is a crucial regulator during embryonic development and establishes the first vertebrate model for MCT8 deficiency that exhibits a neurological phenotype.
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - January 4, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Vatine, G. D., Zada, D., Lerer-Goldshtein, T., Tovin, A., Malkinson, G., Yaniv, K., Appelbaum, L. Tags: Molecular Bases of Disease Source Type: research

CNS Regeneration from Human pNSC [Developmental Biology]
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in devastating motor and sensory deficits secondary to disrupted neuronal circuits and poor regenerative potential. Efforts to promote regeneration through cell extrinsic and intrinsic manipulations have met with limited success. Stem cells represent an as yet unrealized therapy in SCI. Recently, we identified novel culture methods to induce and maintain primitive neural stem cells (pNSCs) from human embryonic stem cells. We tested whether transplanted human pNSCs can integrate into the CNS of the developing chick neural tube and injured adult rat spinal cord. Following injection of pNSCs i...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - January 4, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Zhao, J., Sun, W., Cho, H. M., Ouyang, H., Li, W., Lin, Y., Do, J., Zhang, L., Ding, S., Liu, Y., Lu, P., Zhang, K. Tags: Neurobiology Source Type: research

Selective Amplification of Classical and Atypical PrPSc [Protein Structure and Folding]
This study revealed that the change in PrPSc biochemical phenotype does not always represent an irreversible transformation of a strain, but rather demonstrated the existence of a wide range of variation for strain-specific physical features in response to a change in prion replication environment. The current work introduced a new PMCA technique for amplification of atypical PrPres and raised a number of questions about the need for a clever distinction between actual strain mutation and variation of strain-specific features in response to a change in the replication environment.
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - January 4, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Makarava, N., Savtchenko, R., Baskakov, I. V. Tags: Molecular Bases of Disease Source Type: research

DAT Phosphorylation and Cocaine Binding [Neurobiology]
As an approach to elucidating dopamine transporter (DAT) phosphorylation characteristics, we examined in vitro phosphorylation of a recombinant rat DAT N-terminal peptide (NDAT) using purified protein kinases. We found that NDAT becomes phosphorylated at single distinct sites by protein kinase A (Ser-7) and calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (Ser-13) and at multiple sites (Ser-4, Ser-7, and Ser-13) by protein kinase C (PKC), implicating these residues as potential sites of DAT phosphorylation by these kinases. Mapping of rat striatal DAT phosphopeptides by two-dimensional thin layer chromatography revealed basa...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - January 4, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Moritz, A. E., Foster, J. D., Gorentla, B. K., Mazei-Robison, M. S., Yang, J.-W., Sitte, H. H., Blakely, R. D., Vaughan, R. A. Tags: Neurobiology Source Type: research

Inherited ataxia with slow saccades
We present an adult with gradually progressive ataxia and slow saccades. There was history of similar illness in his son. Genetic testing for spinocerebellar ataxia 2 was positive. We discuss the various inherited ataxias, causes of acute, progressive ataxia syndromes, episodic ataxias and ataxia associated with other neurological signs like peripheral neuropathy, pyramidal features, movement disorders and cognitive decline.
Source: Journal of Postgraduate Medicine - January 4, 2013 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: RT ChakorH Bharote Source Type: research

Opsoclonus in scrub typhus
We present a case of scrub typhus with a rare ophthalmic manifestation.Our patient presented with fever and opsoclonus, was diagnosed to have scrub typhus and completely improved upon treatment. Opsoclonus complicates various medical diseases, including viral infections, toxin, encephalitis, brain tumors, and paraneoplastic syndromes. There has been only one previously reported case of opsoclonus in scrub typhus. This phenomenon highlights the increasingly complex presentation of common diseases. It also indicates there is much to be discovered about the immunopathogenesis of this infectious disease.
Source: Journal of Postgraduate Medicine - January 4, 2013 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: S D'saS SinghS Sowmya Source Type: research

Isolated exon 8 deletion in type 1 spinal muscular atrophy with bilateral optic atrophy: Unusual genetic mutation leading to unusual manifestation?
We report a 10-month-old male infant with SMA type 1 with optic atrophy due to isolated deletion of exon 8 of the SMN gene with intact exon 7 and NAIP gene.
Source: Journal of Postgraduate Medicine - January 4, 2013 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: D MaitiM BhattacharyaS Yadav Source Type: research

Intracranial germ cell tumors at unusual locations
C Rana, N Krishnani, R KumarJournal of Postgraduate Medicine 2012 58(4):286-289Germ cell tumor (GCT) is relatively uncommon in intracranial locations. They constitute ~ 0.3-0.6% of intracranial neoplasms and encompass a wide pathologic range. The majority occurs in young adults and occupies the midline locations like pineal gland followed by suprasellar compartment. These tumors are rare in the cerebral hemisphere, basal ganglia, thalamus and ventricles. Neuroimaging studies cannot differentiate GCTs from other tumors, and therefore, the diagnosis usually requires histological confirmation. Germ cell tumors can be d...
Source: Journal of Postgraduate Medicine - January 4, 2013 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: C RanaN KrishnaniR Kumar Source Type: research

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor is a key mediator in inflammatory and arthritic pain
Conclusions GM–CSF is key to the development of inflammatory and arthritic pain, suggesting that pain alleviation could result from trials evaluating its role in inflammatory/autoimmune conditions.
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - January 4, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Cook, A. D., Pobjoy, J., Sarros, S., Steidl, S., Durr, M., Lacey, D. C., Hamilton, J. A. Tags: Immunology (including allergy), Pain (neurology), Inflammation, Biological agents, Connective tissue disease, Degenerative joint disease, Drugs: musculoskeletal and joint diseases, Musculoskeletal syndromes, Rheumatoid arthritis Basic and translational Source Type: research

European registry of babies born to mothers with antiphospholipid syndrome
Conclusion Despite the presence of APL in children, thrombosis or SLE were not observed. The presence of neurodevelopmental abnormalities seems to be more important in these children, and could justify long-term follow-up.
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - January 4, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Mekinian, A., Lachassinne, E., Nicaise-Roland, P., Carbillon, L., Motta, M., Vicaut, E., Boinot, C., Avcin, T., Letoumelin, P., De Carolis, S., Rovere-Querini, P., Lambert, M., Derenne, S., Pourrat, O., Stirnemann, J., Chollet-Martin, S., Biasini-Rebaioli Tags: Open access, Immunology (including allergy), Connective tissue disease, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Epidemiology Clinical and epidemiological research Source Type: research

Low-dose prednisone chronotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised clinical trial (CAPRA-2)
Conclusion Low-dose MR prednisone added to existing DMARD treatment produced rapid and relevant improvements in RA signs and symptoms. ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00650078
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - January 4, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Buttgereit, F., Mehta, D., Kirwan, J., Szechinski, J., Boers, M., Alten, R. E., Supronik, J., Szombati, I., Romer, U., Witte, S., Saag, K. G. Tags: Open access, Immunology (including allergy), Pain (neurology), Biological agents, Connective tissue disease, Degenerative joint disease, Drugs: musculoskeletal and joint diseases, Musculoskeletal syndromes, Rheumatoid arthritis Clinical and epidemiologi Source Type: research

Associations between Statin use and changes in pain, function and structural progression: a longitudinal study of persons with knee osteoarthritis
Conclusions Statin use was not associated with improvements in knee pain, function or structural progression over the 4-year study period.
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - January 4, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Riddle, D. L., Moxley, G., Dumenci, L. Tags: Pain (neurology), Degenerative joint disease, Musculoskeletal syndromes, Osteoarthritis, Epidemiology Clinical and epidemiological research Source Type: research

A 2-year randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study of oral selective iNOS inhibitor, cindunistat (SD-6010), in patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee
Conclusions Cindunistat (50 or 200 mg/day) did not slow the rate of JSN versus placebo. After 48-weeks, KLG2 patients showed less JSN; however, the improvement was not sustained at 96-weeks. iNOS inhibition did not slow OA progression in KLG3 patients. Clinical trial listing NCT00565812
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - January 4, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Hellio le Graverand, M.-P., Clemmer, R. S., Redifer, P., Brunell, R. M., Hayes, C. W., Brandt, K. D., Abramson, S. B., Manning, P. T., Miller, C. G., Vignon, E. Tags: Pain (neurology), Degenerative joint disease, Musculoskeletal syndromes, Osteoarthritis Clinical and epidemiological research Source Type: research

Efficacy and safety of strontium ranelate in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: results of a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial
Conclusions Treatment with strontium ranelate 1 and 2 g/day is associated with a significant effect on structure in patients with knee osteoarthritis, and a beneficial effect on symptoms for strontium ranelate 2 g/day.
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - January 4, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Reginster, J.-Y., Badurski, J., Bellamy, N., Bensen, W., Chapurlat, R., Chevalier, X., Christiansen, C., Genant, H., Navarro, F., Nasonov, E., Sambrook, P. N., Spector, T. D., Cooper, C. Tags: Open access, Editor's choice, Pain (neurology), Degenerative joint disease, Musculoskeletal syndromes, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Calcium and bone Clinical and epidemiological research Source Type: research

Strontium ranelate: ready for clinical use as disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug?
In the past decade, clinical practice in rheumatology has been transformed by the advent of ‘biologicals’. The use of these new drugs has significantly improved the outcome of patients with rheumatoid arthritis especially for those refractory to (patient-tailored) conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy. The question is, is it now time for a gap-bridging, large step forward in the treatment of an even more commonly seen rheumatic disease, osteoarthritis? Has the era of the disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD) begun? Is ‘OA the new RA’ (quote from Professor P Conagh...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - January 4, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Lafeber, F. P. J. G., van Laar, J. M. Tags: Immunology (including allergy), Pain (neurology), Biological agents, Connective tissue disease, Degenerative joint disease, Drugs: musculoskeletal and joint diseases, Musculoskeletal syndromes, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Calcium a Source Type: research

Deacetylated αβ-tubulin acts as a positive regulator of Rheb GTPase through increasing its GTP-loading.
In this study, we propose soluble αβ-tubulin acts as a constitutively active Rheb activator, which may explain the reason why Rheb has a high basal GTP levels. We found that soluble αβ-tubulin is a direct Rheb-binding protein and that its deacetylated form has a high binding affinity for Rheb. Modulation of both soluble and acetylated αβ-tubulin levels affects the level of GTP-bound Rheb. This occurs in the mitotic phase in which the level of acetylated αβ-tubulin is increased but that of GTP-bound Rheb is decreased. Constitutively active Rheb-overexpressing cells showed an abnormal mitotic progression, suggesting ...
Source: Cellular Signalling - January 3, 2013 Category: Cytology Authors: Lee MN, Koh A, Park D, Jang JH, Kwak D, Jeon H, Kim J, Choi EJ, Jeong H, Suh PG, Ryu SH Tags: Cell Signal Source Type: research

Oligodendrocyte precursors induce early blood-brain barrier opening after white matter injury
Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are thought to maintain homeostasis and contribute to long-term repair in adult white matter; however, their roles in the acute phase after brain injury remain unclear. Mice that were subjected to prolonged cerebral hypoperfusion stress developed white matter demyelination over time. Prior to demyelination, we detected increased MMP9 expression, blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage, and neutrophil infiltration in damaged white matter. Notably, at this early stage, OPCs made up the majority of MMP9-expressing cells. The standard MMP inhibitor GM6001 reduced the early BBB leakage and neutr...
Source: Journal of Clinical Investigation - January 3, 2013 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Ji Hae Seo, Nobukazu Miyamoto, Kazuhide Hayakawa, Loc-Duyen D. Pham, Takakuni Maki, Cenk Ayata, Kyu-Won Kim, Eng H. Lo, Ken Arai Source Type: research

Deimination restores inner retinal visual function in murine demyelinating disease
Progressive loss of visual function frequently accompanies demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and is hypothesized to be the result of damage to the axons and soma of neurons. Here, we show that dendritic impairment is also involved in these diseases. Deimination, a posttranslational modification, was reduced in the retinal ganglion cell layer of MS patients and in a transgenic mouse model of MS (ND4 mice). Reduced deimination accompanied a decrease in inner retinal function in ND4 mice, indicating loss of vision. Local restoration of deimination dramatically improved retinal function and elongation of n...
Source: Journal of Clinical Investigation - January 3, 2013 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Mabel Enriquez-Algeciras, Di Ding, Fabrizio G. Mastronardi, Robert E. Marc, Vittorio Porciatti, Sanjoy K. Bhattacharya Source Type: research

Building Cross Connectivity
Chandelier cells innervate the initial segment of axons from pyramidal neurons and are thus placed to regulate pyramidal cell circuits in the brain. Chandelier cells of mice are marked by … [Read more]
Source: This Week in Science - January 3, 2013 Category: Science Authors: Stewart Wills (mailto:swills at aaas.org) Source Type: research

[Report] The Spatial and Temporal Origin of Chandelier Cells in Mouse Neocortex
Chandelier interneurons migrate along well-defined paths as they mingle with pyramidal neurons to build circuits.Authors: Hiroki Taniguchi, Jiangteng Lu, Z. Josh Huang
Source: Science: Current Issue - January 3, 2013 Category: Science Authors: Hiroki Taniguchi Source Type: research

Dehydroepiandrosterone and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate: Anabolic, Neuroprotective, and Neuroexcitatory Properties in Military Men
Source: Military Medicine - January 3, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Taylor, Marcus K. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Occurrence of Secondary Insults of Traumatic Brain Injury in Patients Transported by Critical Care Air Transport Teams From Iraq/Afghanistan: 2003-2006
Source: Military Medicine - January 3, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Dukes, Susan F.Bridges, ElizabethJohantgen, Meg Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Expensive Organs: Guppies Reveal The Cost Of Big Brains
There's a lot to be said for smarts--at least we humans, with some of the biggest brains in relation to our bodies in the animal kingdom, certainly seem to think so. The size of animal brains is extravagantly well-studied, as scientists have long sought to understand why our ancestors developed such complex and energetically costly neural circuitry.One of the most interesting evolutionary hypotheses about brain size is The Expensive Tissue Hypothesis . Back in the early 1990s, scientists were looking to explain how brain size evolves. Brains are exceedingly useful organs; more brain cells allows for more behavioral flexibi...
Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed - January 3, 2013 Category: Science Tags: Evolution,Mind & Brain,More Science Source Type: research

Carotid Artery Stenting in a Community Hospital: A Success Story
Conclusion. Our findings indicate that our institution has been able to safely and effectively introduce and carry out CAS as a substitute to CEA in patients that are at high risk for surgery with results comparable to those published in large-scale clinical trials. Further studies are needed to verify whether these results can be generalized to other community hospitals, as well as to refine qualification criteria for performing physicians. Furthermore, the applicability of these results to normal-risk patients is currently being investigated. read more
Source: The Journal of Invasive Cardiology - January 3, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: hmpeditor Tags: Original Contribution Source Type: research

Staged Carotid Artery Stenting and Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Versus Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Concomitant Coronary and Carotid Disease
Conclusion. The risk of ipsilateral stroke in the isolated CABG approach in patients with concomitant coronary and carotid stenosis is small, and there is no evidence that this risk is lessened by prophylactic CAS. Staged CAS + CABG may become the preferred option in patients with symptomatic bilateral carotid stenosis with stable cardiac status if it is conducted in a high-volume center by experienced operators. read more
Source: The Journal of Invasive Cardiology - January 3, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: hmpeditor Tags: Original Contribution Source Type: research

Memory Molecule Dethroned
For years, a particular protein has been cast as a lynchpin of long-term memory. Inhibiting this enzyme could erase old memories, whereas adding it could strengthen faded ones . But two independent groups of US scientists have now seriously challenged the role of this 'memory molecule' by developing mice that completely lack it -- and showing that these mice have no detectable memory problems. Their results are published today in Nature . [More]
Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed - January 3, 2013 Category: Science Tags: Mind & Brain,Neuroscience,Thought Cognition,Mind Source Type: research

No Evidence for Effects of a High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Series on Verbal and Figural Fluency and TAP Task Performance in Healthy Male Volunteers
Neuropsychobiology 2013;67:69–73 (DOI:10.1159/000343502)
Source: Neuropsychobiology : Last 20 articles - January 3, 2013 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research

A Similar but Distinctive Pattern of Impaired Cortical Excitability in First-Episode Schizophrenia and ADHD
Neuropsychobiology 2013;67:74–83 (DOI:10.1159/000343912)
Source: Neuropsychobiology : Last 20 articles - January 3, 2013 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research