MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'cns'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:09:49 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174740&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F08%2Fnew-books.html Taking a look this week at new texts in introductory neuroscience & neuropsychology and at new books about the brain written for a general audience. It is always a fun activity to see what's out there, and the selections just get better and better each year! What are your favs of 2011? (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174740 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 02:23:00 +0100 5174740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069825&cid=t_112630_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FRqwvmj9MSCs%2F As drugmakers scramble to replenish their pipelines, they are encountering all sorts of difficulties, including rising costs for clinical trials. And this is happening across all phases. Why? There is increasing competition for trial sites and clinical research organizations that can yield reliable, high quality data, according to a recent survey. And so, 32 percent of those surveyed pointed to higher costs for enrolling patients and 25 percent cited vendor fees. Expenses for recruiting trial sites was named by 14 percent, followed by 12 percent who fingered technology costs, according to Cutting Edge Information, which surveyed 21 drugmakers, 12 biotechs, nine device makers and 23 contract research organizations. Meanwhile, staffing for drug development is rising. For instance, Phase IV ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069825 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:39:41 +0100 5069825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4670182&cid=t_112630_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FnFy2XanbhfQ%2F Good afternoon all!  It has been awhile and I’m sorry for the delay – today’s post is actually a guest post by Maryanne Osberg and her contact information is included in the post.  Good to be back!  Stephanie _______________________________________ If you’re interested in medicine and would like to work in this field, perhaps becoming a nurse is the best way to go.  Sure it’s great to be a doctor, but you must spend at least ten years of your life in school before you get to practice medicine on a full-time basis.  If you want to start earning in a shorter time (yet stay in the field of medicine), nursing is your best bet – you don’t have to go to college for more than four years initially.  Further, you’re all set to begin once you complete the certificat... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4670182 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:36:05 +0100 4670182 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570641&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fwonderful-video-about-neuronal.html Untangling the brainby Nature Video 09 March 2011 Watch the YouTube video (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570641 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:08:00 +0100 4570641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570642&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FqAdeoyML3gI%2F This report includes pro­pri­etary sur­veys, mar­ket data and in-depth analy­sis of 32 com­pa­nies, 10 Inno­va­tion Case Stud­ies pre­pared by 2010 Inno­va­tion Awards Win­ners and Final­ists, and 23 Research Exec­u­tive Briefs pre­pared by lead­ing scientists. Report Sum­mary This 207-page report tracks devel­op­ments at over thirty pub­lic and pri­vate com­pa­nies offer­ing dig­i­tal tools to assess, enhance and repair brain-based cog­ni­tive and self-regulation func­tions and pro­vides impor­tant indus­try data, insights and analy­sis to help investors, exec­u­tives, entre­pre­neurs, and pol­icy mak­ers nav­i­gate the oppor­tu­ni­ties and risks of this rapidly grow­ing field. The report dis­cusses the impli­ca­tions of cog­ni­tive ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570642 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:50:17 +0100 4570642 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4532377&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fupcoming-event-brain-awareness-week-14.html Brain Awareness Week is coming up quickly.Here is the Dana Foundation's website for the event: Brain Awareness Week.From the website:"Brain Awareness Week (BAW) is the global campaign to increase public awareness about the progress and benefits of brain research. Every March BAW unites the efforts of organizations worldwide in a week-long celebration of the brain. "During BAW campaign partners organize activities to educate and excite people of all ages about the brain and brain research. Events are limited only by the organizers’ imaginations. Examples include open days at neuroscience laboratories; museum exhibitions about the brain; lectures on brain-related topics; displays at malls, libraries, and community centers; and classroom workshops."If you know something about the brain, the... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4532377 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 02:57:00 +0100 4532377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4525079&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Falzheimers-differences-in-diagnostic.html Britain is bottom of Euro league table at diagnosing Alzheimer'sBritons with symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease take twice as long to be diagnosed as sufferers living in other European countries, research has found.By Laura Donnelly, Health Correspondent The Telegraph9:00PM GMT 26 Feb 2011Read the article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4525079 Sun, 27 Feb 2011 03:11:00 +0100 4525079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4377665&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Ffda-pcns-drugs-advisory-committee.html From The New York Times:F.D.A. Sees Promise in Alzheimer’s Imaging DrugBy THE ASSOCIATED PRESSPublished: January 20, 2011Filed at 5:40 p.m. ESTWASHINGTON (AP) — A federal panel of medical experts said Thursday a first-of-a-kind imaging chemical designed to help screen for Alzheimer's disease could be useful pending additional study and training for physicians.The Food and Drug Administration panel of advisers voted 16-0 in favor of approval for Eli Lilly's Amyvid on the condition that the company demonstrates the images can be consistently interpreted by physicians who have received training in reading the scans.Without those requirements the panel voted 13-3 against approval for the injection in an earlier vote. The FDA is not required to follow the panel's advice, though it often doe... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4377665 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:31:00 +0100 4377665 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4377666&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fmedia-broken-brains-tonight-on-bbc-4.html Enjoy a brainy evening tonight on BBC4! Broken Brains (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4377666 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:19:00 +0100 4377666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3946379&cid=t_112630_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fmultiple-sclerosis-classic-clinical-triad%2F CNS inflammation, demyelination of CNS, gliosis (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3946379 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 06:07:31 +0100 3946379 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3880973&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Falzheimers-disease-rethinking-things.html A very readable piece from Gina Kolata of the New York Times:Doubt on Tactic in Alzheimer’s BattleBy GINA KOLATAThe New York TimesPublished: August 18, 2010"The failure of a promising Alzheimer’s drug highlights the gap between diagnosis and treatment."Read the full article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3880973 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:40:00 +0100 3880973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3845183&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fnih-videocast-it-takes-tau-to-tangle.html Available for viewing and downloading from the NIH:It Takes Tau to Tangle : Plaques, Tangles and Neurodegenerative Diseaseby Karen Duff23 June 2010link (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3845183 Sun, 08 Aug 2010 20:00:00 +0100 3845183 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3629745&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fnih-supported-study-looks-for-earliest.html An NIH news release:NIH-Supported Study Looks for Earliest Changes in the Brain That May Lead to Alzheimer's Disease02 June 2010Read the news release (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3629745 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:21:00 +0100 3629745 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3599574&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Flions-face-opera-about-dementia.html From The Guardian:Maps of the mind: The Lion's FaceHow do you write an opera about dementia? Poet Glyn Maxwell on the moving journey that produced The Lion's FaceGlyn Maxwellguardian.co.ukTuesday 25 May 2010 21.46 BST"Three years earlier, I had been asked by the composer Elena Langer to write a libretto for an opera about Alzheimer's. My first thoughts about the disease were mostly wrong. Knowing nothing about the subject, I did what poets do: I tried out some verse-forms – villanelles, pantoums, ghazals. I was falling into the trap of substituting the patterned oddities of poetry for the dire incoherences of dementia, looking for lyricism by default."The more I learned, the better the poems became. The Institute of Psychiatry in south London's Denmark Hill opened its doors to Elena and ... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3599574 Wed, 26 May 2010 02:22:00 +0100 3599574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3502872&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Falzheimers-disease-nih-conference.html A reminder that tomorrow (Monday) you can watch the conference online. Information, including the programme, can be found at http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/alz.htm.If you tweet, the hashtag for the conference is #NIHAlz (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3502872 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 17:03:00 +0100 3502872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494412&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Falzheimers-disease-watch-nih-conference.html From the NIH:NIH State-of-the-Science Conference: Preventing Alzheimer's Disease and Cognitive Decline - Day 1View event: You will be able to view the event at http://videocast.nih.gov when the event is live. Air date: Monday, April 26, 2010, 8:30:00 AMTime displayed is Eastern Time, Washington DC Local[snip]Description: For many older adults, cognitive health and performance remain stable, with only a gradual and slight decline in short-term memory and reaction times. Others, however, progress into a more serious state of cognitive impairment or into various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to investigating the causes and potential treatments for Alzheimer’s and other dementias, researchers are focused on finding ways to prevent cognitive decline. Many pre... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494412 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:41:00 +0100 3494412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3463710&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Falzheimers-disease-targeting-blood.html This study may provide the experimental basis for new strategies that can be used to treat Alzheimer’s patients," said David S. Miller, Ph.D., chief of the Laboratory of Toxicology and Pharmacology at NIEHS and an author on the paper that appears in the May issue of Molecular Pharmacology.[snip]"What we've shown in our mouse models is that we can reduce the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein in the brain by targeting a certain receptor in the brain known as the pregnane X receptor, or PXR," said Miller.Read the full release (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3463710 Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:42:00 +0100 3463710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3456781&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fmirror-neurons.html From the BPS Research Digest blog:BPS Research Digest: Is this the first ever direct evidence for human mirror neurons?The blog entry includes a link to the paper's abstract. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3456781 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:19:00 +0100 3456781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3433033&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day.html CONCLUSION: There are spontaneous recovery of post-stroke aphasia within 3 months. Donepezil may facilitate the recovery in spontaneous speech, comprehension, repetition, and naming functions.PMID: 20356506 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3433033 Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:58:00 +0100 3433033 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3433034&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day-scales.html Goetz CG. Scales to evaluate psychosis in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism and Related Disorders. 2009 Dec; 15 Suppl 3, 38-341Hallucinations and psychotic behaviors are a frequent non-motor aspect of Parkinson's disease and its treatment. These behaviors usually do not occur in the presence of the physician and are therefore difficult to rate. Further, because of their bizarre nature, hallucinations are frequently underreported by patients, and caregivers are often unaware of them until they become problematic. A number of scales have been developed for rating these behaviors, most of them borrowed or adapted from assessment tools used in other psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. In the latter disorders, however, hallucinations and psychosis are phenomenologically different than the t... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3433034 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 04:28:00 +0100 3433034 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3416177&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day-fmri.html Tam F, Churchill NW, Strother SC, & Graham SJ. A new tablet for writing and drawing during functional MRI.Human Brain Mapping. 2010 Mar 24.Writing and drawing are understudied with fMRI, partly for lack of a device that approximates these behaviors well while supporting task feedback and quantitative behavioral logging in the confines of the magnet. Consequently, we developed a tablet based on touchscreen technology that is accurate, reliable, relatively inexpensive, and fMRI compatible. After confirming fMRI compatibility, we conducted preliminary fMRI experiments examining the neural correlates of a widely used pen-and-paper neuropsychological assessment, the trail making test. In two subjects, we found left hemisphere frontal lobe activations similar to the major results of a previous g... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3416177 Sun, 28 Mar 2010 17:30:00 +0100 3416177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3416178&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fbrain-evolution-colin-blakemore.html From today's Observer:Colin Blakemore: how the human brain got bigger by accident and not through evolutionOxford neurobiologist Colin Blakemore tells Robin McKie why he thinks a mutation in the human brain 200,000 years ago suddenly made us a super-intelligent speciesRobin McKie28 March 2010The ObserverRead the article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3416178 Sun, 28 Mar 2010 16:58:00 +0100 3416178 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3416179&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day_27.html Bueti D, Bahrami B, Walsh V, & Rees G. Encoding of temporal probabilities in the human brain. Journal of Neuroscience. 2010 Mar 24, 30(12), 4343-4352.Anticipating the timing of future events is a necessary precursor to preparing actions and allocating resources to sensory processing. This requires elapsed time to be represented in the brain and used to predict the temporal probability of upcoming events. While neuropsychological, imaging, magnetic stimulation studies, and single-unit recordings implicate the role of higher parietal and motor-related areas in temporal estimation, the role of earlier, purely sensory structures remains more controversial. Here we demonstrate that the temporal probability of expected visual events is encoded not by a single area but by a wide network that impo... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3416179 Sat, 27 Mar 2010 17:33:00 +0100 3416179 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3386963&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Ftraumatic-brain-injury-new-cdc-report.html Several days ago, the CDC released a report entitled, "Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths, 2002-2006" - available as a .pdf (and .doc) download.Download the report (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3386963 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:46:00 +0100 3386963 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3390866&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fc-span-video-library-carl-zimmers-soul.html C-SPAN Video Library: Carl Zimmer's "Soul Made Flesh: The Discovery of the Brain":Watch the TalkFrom 23 February 2004, "Carl Zimmer talked about his book, Soul Made Flesh: The Discovery of the Brain--and How it Changed the World, published by The Free Press. The book examined the way the brain has been perceived throughout history." (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3390866 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:06:00 +0100 3390866 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3390867&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day_20.html Santoro A, Siviero P, Minicuci N, Bellavista E, Mishto M, Olivieri F, Marchegiani F, Chiamenti AM, Benussi L, Ghidoni R,Nacmias B, Bagnoli S, Ginestroni A, Scarpino O, Feraco E, Gianni W, Cruciani G, Paganelli R, Di Iorio A, ScognamiglioM, Grimaldi LM, Gabelli C, Sorbi S, Binetti G, Crepaldi G, & Franceschi C. Effects of donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine in 938 italian patients with Alzheimer's disease: A prospective, observational study. CNS Drugs. 2010 Feb 1; 24(2): 163-176. doi: 10.2165/11310960-000000000-00000.Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Bologna, Via S. Giacomo 12, Bologna, Italy.Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) have been used to improve cognitive status and disability in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, while the e... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3390867 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:49:00 +0100 3390867 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3362483&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day-aging.html CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that SAGE is a reliable instrument for detecting cognitive impairment and compares favorably with the MMSE. The self-administered feature may promote cognitive testing by busy clinicians prompting earlier diagnosis and treatment.PMID: 20220323 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3362483 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:59:00 +0100 3362483 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3359116&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day-tbi.html CONCLUSIONS: The statistical methods proposed to analyze these measures using a global test procedure, along with research and methodological and regulatory issues involved with the use of multiple outcomes in a clinical trial, are discussed.PMID: 20216459 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3359116 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:16:00 +0100 3359116 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354457&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fassistive-aid-for-persons-with-memory.html A Little Black Box to Jog Failing MemoryBy YUDHIJIT BHATTACHARJEEThe New York TimesPublished: March 8, 2010"Researchers have tested the Sensecam, which contains a digital camera and an accelerometer, as an aid to people with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders."Read the full article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354457 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:39:00 +0100 3354457 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3346578&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Falzheimers-disease-beta-and-immune.html Old Enemy Might Help to Prevent Alzheimer’sBy GINA KOLATAThe New York TimesPublished: March 8, 2010"Harvard researchers are taking a new look at beta amyloid, which was thought to be a chief villain in Alzheimer’s whose function was that of a waste product in the brain."Read the full article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3346578 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:02:00 +0100 3346578 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3342761&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fin-wide-world-norwegian.html The Norwegian Neuropsychological Society/Norsk Nevropsykologisk Forening:WebsiteFrom the homepage: "The Norwegian Neuropsychological Society (NNS) was formed in 1996 and professor Hallgrim Kløve was elected as NNA’s first chair. The aims of the Association are to promote neuropsychology in Norway, stimulate exchange of national and international communication among neuropsychologists, and stimulate development in neuropsychology as well as to provide information both internally and toward the public."The NNS is an interest organisation that has its member base in the Norwegian Psychological Association. The regulations of the NNS comply with the regulations of the Norwegian Psychological Association. From 2007 we have formally been approved as an associated interest group with the Norwe... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3342761 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:54:00 +0100 3342761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3335475&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fdevelopmental-neuropsychology-infant.html Available from BBC Radio 4:In Our Time: The Infant Brain: Listen Here.Description, from the BBC source link:Melvyn Bragg and guests Usha Goswami, Annette Karmiloff-Smith and Denis Mareschal discuss what new research reveals about the infant brain.For obvious reasons, what happens in the minds of very young, pre-verbal children is elusive. But over the last century, the psychology of early childhood has become a major subject of study. Some scientists and researchers have argued that children develop skills only gradually, others that many of our mental attributes are innate. Sigmund Freud concluded that infants didn't differentiate themselves from their environment. The pioneering Swiss child psychologist Jean Piaget thought babies' perception of the world began as a 'blooming, buzzing con... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3335475 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:13:00 +0100 3335475 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331439&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Falzheimer-disease-dimebon-results-part.html From The New York Times:Hopes for Alzheimer’s Drug Are DashedBy ANDREW POLLACKPublished: March 4, 2010"The drug, called Dimebon, failed in its first late-stage clinical trial, dealing a blow to patients with Alzheimer’s and the companies developing the treatment, Medivation and Pfizer."Read the full article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331439 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:23:00 +0100 3331439 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331440&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Falzheimer-disease-alzheimers.html A press release from earlier today by Pfizer:Pfizer And Medivation Announce Results From Two Phase 3 Studies In Dimebon (latrepirdine) Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Development Program[snip] "About the CONNECTION Study"CONNECTION is a Phase 3, multi-national, double-blind, placebo-controlled safety and efficacy trial involving 598 patients with mild-to-moderate AD at 63 sites in North America, Europe, and South America. Patients had a mean age of 74.4 years and a mean score of 17.7 on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) upon entry into the study. More than 40 percent of the patients enrolled were in the United States. In the study, patients were randomized to one of three treatment groups, receiving dimebon 20 mg three times a day (TID), dimebon 5 mg TID, or placebo TID for six month... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331440 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:22:00 +0100 3331440 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3322506&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day.html Today's recommended article to read; abstract from PubMed:Bergmans BA & De Strooper B. gamma-secretases: From cell biology to therapeutic strategies. Lancet Neurology. 2010 Feb; 9(2 ): 215-226.Department of Molecular and Developmental Genetics, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Human Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.Presenilins form the catalytic part of the gamma-secretases, protein complexes that are responsible for the intramembranous cleavage of transmembrane proteins. The presenilins are involved in several biological functions, but are best known for their role in the generation of the beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptide in Alzheimer's disease and are therefore thought to be important drug targets for this disorder. Mutations in the presenilin genes cause early-onset... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3322506 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:03:00 +0100 3322506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3318542&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Falzheimer-disease-care-project.html From The Times (UK):Fighting Alzheimer's with a touch of beautyA pioneering care project demonstates how literature, music, art and love can improve the lives of dementia sufferers28 February 2010The TimesMargarette Driscoll[snip]"In other words, people who appear to be lost to the world can still be reached through art, literature and music — and love. At Hearthstone, a group of seven homes looking after some 220 people with Alzheimer’s that Zeisel had helped to found in Massachusetts, residents are encouraged to paint and are taken on regular outings to galleries. They have reading circles and a film club.“The development of new drugs to treat Alzheimer’s is helping people live a little bit longer,” says Zeisel. “What we’re asking ourselves is, how do we make that life wort... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3318542 Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:11:00 +0100 3318542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3290893&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fneurodegenerative-disease-drug.html From Fierce Biotech:UCSF enters drug discovery agreement with GenentechPosted February 19, 2010"The University of California, San Francisco has signed a partnership agreement with Genentech, Inc., a wholly owned member of the Roche Group, to discover and develop drug candidates for neurodegenerative diseases."Through the agreement, Genentech will provide funding and its research acumen in neuroscience and will collaborate with UCSF to identify small molecules."Read the full article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3290893 Sat, 20 Feb 2010 09:24:00 +0100 3290893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3275959&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Falzheimers-disease-sir-terry-pratchett.html From BBC Cambridgeshire:Alzheimers: Why Terry Pratchett feels good15 February 2010Read the full report (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3275959 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:55:00 +0100 3275959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3269774&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day.html Fjell AM, Walhovd KB, Fennema-Notestine C, McEvoy LK, Hagler DJ, Holland D, Brewer JB, Dale AM; for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. CSF Biomarkers in Prediction of Cerebral and Clinical Change in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease.J Neurosci., 2010 Feb, 10; 30(6): 2088-2101.Center for the Study of Human Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, NO-0317 Oslo, Norway, Department of Neuropsychology, Ullevaal University Hospital, NO-0407 Oslo, Norway, and Departments of Radiology, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093.Brain atrophy and altered CSF levels of amyloid beta (Abeta(42)) and the microtubule-associated protein tau are potent biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related pathology. ... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3269774 Sat, 13 Feb 2010 09:57:00 +0100 3269774 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3216730&cid=t_112630_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Ffda-approves-the-walking-pill-for-multiple-sclerosis%2F As of Friday afternoon, a long awaited addition to our arsenal of MS symptomatic drugs has been approved. We had a conversation about Ampyra which is a timed-release version of the drug 4-Aminopyridine (and formerly known as Fampridine SR), last May.  At that time the drug was being resubmitted to the FDA for approval (rejected, originally, due to “formatting issues” during the application process). This drug is thought to increase signal conduction by blocking tiny pore-like potassium channels on nerves of the central nervous system (CNS). The time-released part of the drug is what is new, for those of you who have been getting 4-Aminopyridine from compound pharmacies. Phase III clinical trials suggest that some 34-43 percent of people taking Ampyra had positive results in the areas ... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3216730 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:01:39 +0100 3216730 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3185497&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Faerobic-exercise-and-neurons.html Start running and watch your brain grow, say scientists• Aerobic exercise triggers new cell growth – study• Region of brain affected linked to recollectionIan Sample, science correspondentThe GuardianMonday 18 January 2010 20.41 GMTRead the article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3185497 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:25:00 +0100 3185497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3111530&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fpatient-hm-follow-up-interview.html Building a Search Engine of the Brain, Slice by SliceBy BENEDICT CAREYThe New York TimesPublished: December 22, 2009"The dissection of the brain of H. M., an amnesiac, has opened the door to a much more ambitious project."Read the full article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3111530 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:47:00 +0100 3111530 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3063367&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fongoing-event-american-epilepsy-society.html The conference homepage: American Epilepsy Society Conference (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3063367 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:06:00 +0100 3063367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3059815&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fpatient-hm-man-who-couldnt-remember.html The Man Who Couldn't RememberPBS NOVAFebruary 2009transcript (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3059815 Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:44:00 +0100 3059815 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3059816&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fpatient-hm-end-of-week-end-of.html The web feed for the continued brain slicing of Patient H.M. suggests that, to the music of Stan Getz, "Primary visual cortex has surfaced. The end is in sight!" :-)If you have not yet watched some of the web stream, give it a look at this time! http://thebrainobservatory.ucsd.edu/hm_live.phpThank you Brain Observatory for providing this live feed of an historic couple of days in neuroscience and neuropsychology!Here is the transcript of an interview that NPR completed with the director of The Brain Observatory at this time last year, December 2008: transcript (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3059816 Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:53:00 +0100 3059816 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3052270&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fpatient-hm-update.html From the Brain Observatory website at the end of last night's work: "We have reached the corpus callosum. The team is resting for the night. The brain will be safe surrounded by our chillers until tomorrow morning. The cutting will resume again at 8AM PST. "Tomorrow will be a big day - We will try to cover the medial temporal lobes and the area surrounding the hippocampus." The Brain ObservatoryToday at 0800 PST, 1100 EST, 1600 GMT. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3052270 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:31:00 +0100 3052270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3052271&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fpatient-hm.html The sectioning of Patent H.M.'s brain begins today and will be streamed online live at the following location:http://thebrainobservatory.ucsd.edu/hm_live.php===H.M. recollectedFamous amnesic launches a bold, new brain project at UCSDBY SCOTT LAFEE,SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNEMONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2009 AT 12:04 A.M.Read the article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3052271 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:55:00 +0100 3052271 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3033682&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fpsychosurgery-redux.html Surgery for Mental Ills Offers Hope and RiskBy BENEDICT CAREYThe New York TimesPublished: November 27, 2009"Hundreds have undergone brain surgery for problems like depression, anxiety, even obesity."Read the article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3033682 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:03:00 +0100 3033682 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3023275&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Ffmri-neuroimaging-of-neural-control.html Inside the mind of an actor (literally)How does an actor engage with the part they are playing? Fiona Shaw undergoes a brain scan while reciting TS Eliot to help shed some light on the mysteryStuart JeffriesThe GuardianTuesday 24 November 2009[snip]The experiment is the latest in which Scott has explored the different ways our brains control our voices. "In the past, I've worked with impressionists to see what happens in their brains when they impersonate people's voices. The literature in psychology on faces is huge, but there's a lot less work on voices – partly because when we talk about speech, we go straight to focusing on language itself."Fiona is going to perform some lines from a text she's familiar with [Shaw performed Eliot's epic poem 13 years ago in a production directed by D... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3023275 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:05:00 +0100 3023275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3015387&cid=t_112630_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fneuropathic-pain-from-multiple-sclerosis%2F Multiple sclerosis can hurt! Pain is a real part of life with MS for over half of us. Pain can come in several forms and affect several areas of the body.  The pain I’d like to proffer for our consideration in this post is called neuropathic pain or neuropathy. This is a pain which is caused by a dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system (PNS).  Owing to the fact that we have a disease of the central nervous system (CNS), many of us may not be familiar with the PNS. These are the nerves which connect the limbs and organs to the CNS. While there is not suspected demyelination of the PNS, the stripping and scaring of neurons and axons in the CNS is thought to cause misfiring of signals from the PNS, which then tell the brain that we are feeling pain in an uninjured part of the body. I... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3015387 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:11:58 +0100 3015387 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2992753&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fbbc-forum-antony-gormley-viktor-mayer.html Broadcast on The BBC World Service. Available on podcast here.Body, memory, perception. Gormley, Mayer-Schoenberger, Lotto 14 Nov 09Thu, 12 Nov 09Duration: 49 mins"We like nothing better than talking about ourselves so this week’s Forum with Bridget Kendall casts a spotlight on the human brain and human form. One of Britain’s best known sculptors Antony Gormley looks at why we need to peel back our skin in order to understand our own humanity. He also conducts an experiment inviting all BBC listeners to close their eyes and connect with deep space beyond. Information technology professor Viktor Mayer-Schoenberger offers a vista of a future nightmare world where humans may be in danger of losing the capacity to forget as digital memories become so efficient at keeping our data for ever.... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2992753 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:22:00 +0100 2992753 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2977420&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fsleep-dreams-and-cognitive-function.html A Dream Interpretation: Tuneups for the BrainBy BENEDICT CAREYThe New York TimesPublished: November 10, 2009"A new theory suggests that dreams are a warm-up for the day ahead."Read the article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2977420 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:13:00 +0100 2977420 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954642&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fnarrative-brain-abscess.html My brain abscess and meI had no idea I had a potentially fatal infection. Now, after my life-saving surgery, I will never take my health for granted againTim LusherThe Guardian Tuesday 3 November 2009Read Tim's narrative report here.[snip]"Finally, on Tuesday morning, someone realises something is horribly wrong. My GP sees immediately that my gait is clumsy, my focus wild, my speech slurring. She sends me straight to A&E at the Royal London hospital and phones ahead to order a brain scan. There, I collapse gratefully into the care of doctors and nurses."[snip] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954642 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:15:00 +0100 2954642 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954643&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fgordon-bells-digital-memory.html Brain food: the problem with digital memoryDigital memory means we can store more than ever before. But isn't it important, sometimes, to forget?Aditya ChakraborttyThe Guardian Tuesday 3 November 2009Read the article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954643 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:10:00 +0100 2954643 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2950842&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Falzheimers-disease-awareness.html November Is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2950842 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:17:00 +0100 2950842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2947016&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fmedia-weve-got-charlie-rose-on-brain.html Charlie Rose began his series of episodes about neuroscience with his show last evening, the 29th of October. Go to his website to watch the full episode from the 29th and to check in for the additional episodes: Charlie Rose homepageFrom the website:"Charlie Rose Brain Series Episode One. Tonight’s introductory topic-- The Great Mysteries of the Human Brain: consciousness, free will, perception, cognition, emotion and memory with a roundtable of brain researchers. Co-Host Eric Kandel from Columbia University and Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Cornelia Bargmann from Rockefeller University, Tony Movshon from New York University, John Searle from University of California Berkeley and Gerald Fischbach of the Simons Foundation." (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2947016 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:10:00 +0100 2947016 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2939436&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fnatures-neuropod-new-edition-available.html The October 2009 issue of Nature's NeuroPod podcast is available for listening and download. It can be found at NeuroPod homepage.This edition includes reports about gaming mice and the relation between sleep problems and memory function.From the homepage:"About NeuroPod"NeuroPod is the neuroscience podcast from Nature, produced in association with the Dana Foundation. Each month, join us as we delve into the latest research on the brain, from its molecular makings to the mysteries of the mind. We'll also be bringing you the latest news from neuroscience conferences around the globe, along with special reports on hot areas in neuroscience."For complete access to the original papers featured in NeuroPod, subscribe to Nature, Nature Neuroscience, and Nature Reviews Neuroscience." (Source: Br... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2939436 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:13:00 +0100 2939436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855725&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Ffourth-plinth-alzheimers-research.html Thomas G., a member of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, was on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square this afternoon to promote Memories Matter. He was one of the 2400 plinthers of Antony Gormley's One & Other project.Watch Tom and listen to his message at Thomas_G.Take a look at the Trust's Memories Matter website. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855725 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:45:00 +0100 2855725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2839067&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fgreat-ormond-street-hospital-for.html Neuropsychology at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and the UCL Institute of Child HealthView the website hereFrom the homepage:"The Paediatric Neuropsychology Service consists of the Clinical Neuropsychology Department at Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Unit based at the Institute of Child Health (ICH). The academic and clinical staff in the Service work collaboratively to offer a comprehensive neuropsychology service for children, adolescents and their families." (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2839067 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:41:00 +0100 2839067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2839068&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fmri-imagery-inside-bill-mooriers-head.html "Inside Bill Moorier's Head" website link (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2839068 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:12:00 +0100 2839068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2834343&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fcognition-in-time-of-twitter.html From The Times (UK)Speed of digital era may be harming our ability to thinkThe age-old rhythms of life are under assault as the distinction between work and leisure is eroded by new technology. Is it damaging our very humanity?Eva HoffmanSeptember 26, 2009Read the article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2834343 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 04:01:00 +0100 2834343 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2828338&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fone-and-other-fourth-plinth-be-safe-not.html Barbara, a rehabilitation professional, went on Antony Gormley's One and Other Fourth Plinth project in Trafalgar Square yesterday morning.She promoted helmet use for sports and recreational activities and did so in a very nice kiddie-friendly manner.Her hour can be viewed at: oneandother.co.uk/participants/BarbaraJean (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2828338 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:55:00 +0100 2828338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2828339&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fupcoming-event-genesis-conference-2009.html The Genesis 2009 Conference will take place on the 10th and 11th of December at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre (London).From the website:"Welcome to Genesis 2009 – “Back in focus!”The challenges of the economic downturn stimulated us to build innovative new partnerships at Genesis last year. The resultant exciting mix of business and science is something many have only dreamed of. This will be retained for 2009 with a streamlined approach for delegates to maximise the return on your investment in participating."For details, please see the conference website (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2828339 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:20:00 +0100 2828339 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2828340&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fobit-dr-leon-eisenberg.html Dr. Leon Eisenberg, Pioneer in Autism Studies, Dies at 87By BENEDICT CAREYPublished: September 24, 2009"Dr. Eisenberg conducted some of the first rigorous studies of autism, attention deficit disorder and learning delays."[snip]“Leon took a very courageous stand and denounced the way psychiatry treated children, this whole system in which we had a few rich kids and their parents getting psychoanalysis five days a week and still not being cured,” said C. Keith Conners, a professor emeritus in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University. “No one even knew what a cure looked like. He had this conviction that nothing was being done for the bulk of children who needed help, and that we had very little scientific data to guide us.”[snip]Read the full article (... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2828340 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0100 2828340 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2828341&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Falzheimers-disease-britains-future.html Terry Pratchett: Britain facing tsunami of Alzheimer's diseaseSir Terry Pratchett has warned of a "worldwide tsunami of Alzheimer's" facing Britain as figures show the Government spends less on researching the disease than the cost of building one mile of motorway. By Rebecca Smith, Medical EditorThe TelegraphPublished: 7:30AM BST 22 Sep 2009Read the article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2828341 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:35:00 +0100 2828341 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2824284&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fclinical-trials-upcoming-conference.html Early next year:Third Annual Patient Recruitment in Clinical Trials conference, to be held 08th-09th March, 2010 in Philadelphia, PA.From the conference webpage:"Patient recruitment and retention are critical to drug development programs. Patient recruitment if not adequately planned for can extend your development timeline by a number of years. Retention of patients throughout the life of a clinical trial is essential in order have complete data sets for your analysis and subsequent filings. In order to optimize both you have to have a plan. This conference is intended to cover the topics one should consider when drafting and strategically implementing a patient recruitment and retention plan for a clinical development program."Please see conference webpage for details. (Source: BrainBlog... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2824284 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:56:00 +0100 2824284 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2824285&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fparkinsons-disease-narrative-from.html From The Times (UK):Case study: ‘It’s hard to recognise the man I married’Judith Magill’s retirement dreams were dashed when her husband, Patrick, had Parkinson's disease diagnosed aged 5721 September 2009[snip]"People die with Parkinson’s disease, not of it,” said the specialist to my husband, Patrick, when he got the diagnosis at the age of 57. He was upbeat, though leaving us in no doubt that the condition would worsen. Parkinson’s would nibble away at Patrick’s physical and, if we were unlucky, his mental reactions. It would fundamentally change our lives after just two years of marriage.[snip]Read the full piece (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2824285 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:11:00 +0100 2824285 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2820442&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fbrain-well-being.html From The GuardianHow to boost your brain powerGardening, friendship, dancing, pregnancy and the odd glass of wine could improve your mental prowessStephen PincockThe GuardianTuesday 22 September 2009Read the article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2820442 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 06:36:00 +0100 2820442 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2814555&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fworld-alzheimers-day.html Today is World Alzheimer's Day.Read something today to increase your knowledge about the disease and dementia.Here's a general-readership resource:Alzheimer's Disease: Unraveling the Mystery... and a report from the Alzheimer's Association:Summary of 2009 World Alzheimer Report (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2814555 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:46:00 +0100 2814555 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2814556&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fparkinsons-wii-hab-and-symptom.html From The Times (UK):The latest Parkinson’s treatment: Wii-habParkinson’s disease symptoms could be controlled by a game that can be bought on every high street, says a recent studySimon Crompton21 September 2009[snip]This summer, the Medical College of Georgia in the United States announced the striking results of its research into the effects of “Wii-hab” on people with Parkinson’s disease. In an eight-week study, 18 people were asked to play Wii Sports, including virtual versions of boxing and ten-pin bowling, for an hour a day, three times a week for four weeks. By the end of that time all the participants showed significant improvements in rigidity, movement, fine motor skills and energy levels. Importantly, their depression levels also decreased; depression affects around ha... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2814556 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:36:00 +0100 2814556 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812489&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fcognitive-pharmacological-enhancement.html From The Observer:Can a daily pill really boost your brain power?In America, university students are taking illegally obtained prescription drugs to make them more intelligent. But would you pop a smart pill to improve your performance? Margaret Talbot investigates the brave new world of neuro enhancementMargaret TalbotThe ObserverSunday 20 September 2009Read the article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812489 Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:30:00 +0100 2812489 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2804078&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fcomputerized-cognitive-testing-in.html A United BioSource Corporation press release from 10th September, 2009:United BioSource Corporation (UBC) today announced the acquisition of Cognitive Drug Research, Ltd. (CDR), the leader in computerized cognitive testing for clinical trials. The CDR System is the most widely used computerized cognitive testing system in the world: it is used in more than 1000 trials encompassing approximately 50 different disease areas, validated in over 60 languages, and cited in more than 700 publications and abstracts. Additionally, CDR maintains the industry’s largest healthy subject, patient, and drug databases of cognitive effects, providing the standard for establishing the clinical relevance of compounds.Read the full press release (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2804078 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:56:00 +0100 2804078 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2804079&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Ffda-updated-info-on-tysabri-natalizumab.html From the FDA:Information on Natalizumab (marketed as Tysabri)Updated Information: [9/2009]The FDA continues to receive reports of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients receiving Tysabri. Tysabri was approved by the FDA for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in November 2004 and for moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease in January 2008. From July 2006, (when Tysabri marketing resumed) to September 8, 2009, 13 reported cases of Tysabri-related PML were confirmed worldwide in patients being treated for MS with Tysabri monotherapy. Of these, four cases were patients in the United States (U.S.). There have been no postmarketing reports of PML in patients treated with Tysabri for Crohn’s disease. Less than 2% of Tysabri use in the U.S. ... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2804079 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:22:00 +0100 2804079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2804080&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day-aphasia.html Conclusions & Implications: The data support the reliability and validity of the Scenario Test as an instrument for examining daily-life communication in aphasia. The test focuses on multimodal communication; its psychometric qualities enable future studies on the effect of Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) training in aphasia.PMID: 19724959 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2804080 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:59:00 +0100 2804080 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2800548&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fataxia-awareness-on-one-other-fourth.html This Monday, Bev Ashby, an artist, will take the plinth for her hour in the One & Hour Fourth Plinth event in Trafalgar Square. She will create a sculpture representing ataxia to promote ataxia awareness.Read articleFollow at One&Other for live media stream. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2800548 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:11:00 +0100 2800548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796589&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fcontemporary-healthcare-in-us-assistive.html For Speech-Impaired, Insurance Fights RemedyBy ASHLEE VANCEThe New York TimesPublished: September 15, 2009"Despite their usefulness and lower cost, devices like iPhones and netbook PCs that can help the speech-impaired are not covered by Medicare or insurers."Read the article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796589 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:20:00 +0100 2796589 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2793284&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fworld-alzheimers-day-21st-september.html World Alzheimer's Day (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2793284 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:26:00 +0100 2793284 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2786158&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fupcoming-eventalzheimers-drug-discovery.html The 10th international conference on Alzheimer's disease drug discovery takes place next week on the 14th and 15th in Jersey City, NJ.From the conference website:"The 10th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease Drug Discovery is presented by the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), the only public charity solely dedicated to rapidly accelerating the discovery and development of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease and cognitive aging.This conference brings together academic and industry scientists to accelerate the development of novel drug discovery programs for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias."Visit the conference website (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2786158 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:27:00 +0100 2786158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782172&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fchronic-wasting-disease.html Study Spells Out Spread of Brain Illness in AnimalsBy SANDRA BLAKESLEEThe New York TimesPublished: September 10, 2009The infectious agent that leads to chronic wasting disease is spread in the feces of infected animals long before they become ill, new research indicates.Read the full article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782172 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:59:00 +0100 2782172 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774732&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Falzheimers-disease-advances-in-genetic.html A report from The Guardian about ongoing genetics research in Alzheimer's disease:Alzheimer's research links three genes to diseaseFindings hailed as 'huge step' towards earlier testing and better treatment for Alzheimer'sIan Sample, science correspondentguardian.co.ukSunday 6 September 2009 18.05 BSTRead the article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774732 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:31:00 +0100 2774732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2748031&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fclinical-trials-pradaxa-dabigatran.html From today's Guardian:Major drug trial highlights a new approach in stroke preventionThe success of Pradaxa in a 44-country trial indicates a possible end to the use of the rat poison warfarin as a primary treatment to prevent strokePress Associationguardian.co.uk Sunday 30 August 2009 23.27 BSTRead the full articleBoehringer Ingelheim's (BI) corporate website information about their clinical trial programmes: click here (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2748031 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:21:00 +0100 2748031 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2741494&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fupcoming-event-alzheimer-disease-las.html 2nd Conference on Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD)From the conference website:"Dear Colleague, "It is a great pleasure for us to invite you to attend the 2nd conference Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD), which will take place in Las Vegas on October 29-30, 2009. "This conference is co-organized by the Montpellier and Toulouse European Alzheimer’s Disease Consortium (EADC) Centers and the Cleveland Clinic : Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. "The aims of the meeting are to bring together the current leaders in clinical trials in Alzheimer’s Disease to discuss new results, drugs in development, and future methodological issues (disease modifying, outcomes, biomarkers, health economics)." Full details available at the conference website: http://www.ctad.fr/01-p... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2741494 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:19:00 +0100 2741494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2737881&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fupcoming-event-newcastle-university-07.html An upcoming presentation at the Newcastle University Institute of Neuroscience:IoN Seminar: The evolution of brain systems for vocal learningErich Jarvis (Duke University)Venue: Room 218, Henry Wellcome BuildingDate: 7th September 2009Time: 13:00 - 14:00The title "The evolution of brain systems for vocal learning" is a provisional title, to be confirmed.Host: Tom Smulders (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2737881 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:22:00 +0100 2737881 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2737883&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fataxia.html From The Guardian:First person: My condition means people always assume I'm drunkJayne WallaceThe Guardian Thursday 27 August 2009Read the article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2737883 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 04:01:00 +0100 2737883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2737885&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Falzheimer-disease-famous-faces-testing.html Neuropsychologist Stephen Rao is in the news, with a recent publication in the journal Neurology looking at fMRI of individuals who had frisk factors for Alzheimer's disease and normal contols as they identify famous faces.Here is a report from Time magazine's website:What Britney Spears Can Reveal About Alzheimer'sBy ALICE PARK Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009Read article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2737885 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:22:00 +0100 2737885 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2734154&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fdrug-development-in-neurodegenerative.html Available at BMC NeurologyProceedings of the 2009 Drug Discovery for Neurodegeneration ConferenceProceedings from Drug Discovery for Neurodegeneration ConferenceWashington, DC, USA. 2–3 February 2009Edited by Diana W Shineman and Howard M FillitBMC NeurologyContents of Volume 9 Suppl 1Click here for open access to contents of this issue (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2734154 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:11:00 +0100 2734154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2730225&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fgalanin-and-multiple-sclerosis.html From The Guardian:'Dramatic' breakthrough in MS researchScientists find a substance called galanin is resistant to a multiple sclerosis-like disease in both mice and human brain tissueThe Guardian24 August 2009Read the articleAbout a research finding from a neuroscience team at the University of Bristol. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2730225 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:52:00 +0100 2730225 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2725090&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Ffda-sabril-vigabatrin-and-infantile.html From a press release by the FDA:Sabril Approved by FDA to Treat Spasms in Infants and Epileptic SeizuresSabril (vigabatrin) Oral Solution has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat infantile spasms in children ages 1 month to 2 years. Sabril is the first drug in the United States approved to treat the disorder, characterized by a severe type of seizure that usually appears in the first year of life, typically between ages 4 months and 8 months. The disorder can be debilitating because of the frequency of difficult-to-control daily seizures.Sabril (vigabatrin) Tablets have been approved for adult use in combination with other medications to treat complex partial seizures that have not responded adequately to previous drug therapies.“Seizures can cause impaired ner... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2725090 Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:54:00 +0100 2725090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2709251&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fcns-and-stress.html From The New York Times:Brain Is a Co-Conspirator in a Vicious Stress LoopBy NATALIE ANGIERPublished: August 18, 2009"Chronic stress changes the brain, but relaxation can change it back."Read the full article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2709251 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:18:00 +0100 2709251 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2705215&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fbrainstrust-in-uk.html From the Brainstrust.org.uk website: link hereLizzie Hudson to appear on the 4th plinth for brainstrust!"Fantastic news just in that Lizzie Hudson from Ipswich has won the chance to appear on the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square for an hour. Better still, she's devoting her time on the plinth to braintrust and our battle against brain cancer. Lizzie's appearance is part of sculptor Anthony Gormley's 'One & Other' project, wherein he is asking the people of the UK to occupy the empty Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square in London, a space normally reserved for statues of Kings and Generals. Gormley's idea is that successful applicants then become an image of themselves, and a representation of the whole of humanity. Every hour, 24 hours a day, for 100 days without a break, a different person wil... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2705215 Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:34:00 +0100 2705215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2703884&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fparkinsons-disease-awareness-in-uk.html From the website of the Parkinson's Disease Society:PDS fundraiser to stand on the Fourth Plinth in LondonTim Andrews, from Milford in Surrey, is taking part in the Antony Gormley project 'One & Other' on Saturday 15 August 2009, taking his place on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, London from 6pm to 7pm. Tim is taking part in the project as part of a new found determination to live life to the full since he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2005, at the age of 54. Despite being afraid of heights, Tim intends to stand on the Fourth Plinth for the full hour.Tim will play tracks from the new album, The Liberty of Norton Folgate by one of his favourite bands, Madness, who have given their permission for it to be played. Tim has chosen the album because the lyrics recount various... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2703884 Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:04:00 +0100 2703884 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2699733&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fchiari-malformation-awareness-in-uk.html On Saturday, the 15th, one of the plinthers in the One&Other art project in Trafalgar Square will be promoting Chiari Malformation awareness.The Chiari Center FoundationChiari Malformation information page (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2699733 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 01:36:00 +0100 2699733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2699738&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day_13.html Conclusion We conclude that self-reported fatigue, while correlated with self-reported depression, is not significantly related to cognitive capacity in MS.PMID: 19667024 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2699738 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:12:00 +0100 2699738 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2695488&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fmissing-meningitis-in-flakydodgy-swine.html Yet another case from the UK:Woman dies of meningitis after swine flu diagnosis• Woman prescribed Tamiflu and paracetamol dies in hospital• Son urges doctors to heed symptoms of other illnessesKaren McVeighguardian.co.uk Wednesday 12 August 2009 17.02 BSTA man whose mother died of meningitis days after being misdiagnosed with swine flu has called on doctors to pay more heed to other illnesses when treating patients.Jasvir Kaur Gill, 48, a mother of three from Leicester, began suffering from a sore throat and vomiting during the evening of Saturday 1 August.She was told to take Tamiflu after a telephone diagnosis, but 12 hours later she suffered a heart attack and was taken to hospital.She died without regaining consciousness, four days later.An inquest, which opened today, heard how he... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2695488 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 03:16:00 +0100 2695488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2695489&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day_12.html CONCLUSIONS:: Computerized cognitive training long after the cerebral malaria episode has immediate benefit on some neuropsychological and behavioral functions in African children. The long-term benefit of this intervention needs to be investigated.PMID: 19668094 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2695489 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 02:16:00 +0100 2695489 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2695491&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Ffda-datscan-radiopharmaceutical-and_12.html Following up on a posting earlier this week:From a General Electrics press release11 August 2009FDA ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS DaTSCAN™ (Ioflupane I 123 Injection) PRINCETON, NJ--GE Healthcare announced today that the Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs advisory committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has voted to recommend DaTSCAN (Ioflupane I 123 Injection) to the FDA. The panel determined DaTSCAN has a favorable risk to benefit profile, voting 11 to two with one abstention.The proposed indication for DaTSCAN is for the visualization of the dopamine transporter (DaT) distribution within the striata by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging in patients presenting with symptoms or signs suggestive of dopaminergic neurodegeneration.In May 20... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2695491 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:45:00 +0100 2695491 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2688786&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day_10.html CONCLUSIONS: These data support the importance of experience-dependent changes in cerebellar structure and highlight the role of the cerebellum in higher cognitive functions.PMID: 19660739 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2688786 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:39:00 +0100 2688786 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2688787&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fcapgras-syndrome-and-traumatic-brain.html An interesting feature article from the front page of yesterday's New York Times:After Injury, Fighting to Regain a Sense of SelfBy BENEDICT CAREYThe New York TimesPublished: August 9, 2009"Scientists are investigating delusions caused by brain trauma for clues to one of the most confounding problems in brain science: identity."Read the full article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2688787 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:45:00 +0100 2688787 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2678742&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fin-wide-world-basic-in-manchester-uk.html BASIC: Brain and Spinal Injury Centrevisit websiteWith a shout out to Andy_G, who is on the plinth in Trafalgar Square right now wearing a BASIC shirt and is a part of the One & Other art event. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2678742 Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:19:00 +0100 2678742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2670952&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day_04.html CONCLUSIONS: This multicenter study found that CSF Abeta42, T-tau, and P-tau identify incipient AD with good accuracy, but less accurately than reported from single-center studies. Intersite assay variability highlights a need for standardization of analytical techniques and clinical procedures.PMID: 19622817 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2670952 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:52:00 +0100 2670952 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2667555&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fin-wide-world-scotland-neuroscience.html Edinburgh Neuroscience:"The mission of Edinburgh Neuroscience is to integrate basic and clinical research in order to drive the fundamental genetic, cellular, organ, systems and computational neuroscience underpinning pathogenesis into mechanistic understanding, future diagnostics and therapeutics of important diseases of the nervous system. We serve the interests of all members of the neuroscience community, encompassing and supported by the Research Centres and Institutes of the University of Edinburgh and its affiliates. Edinburgh Neuroscience is hosted by the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at The University of Edinburgh and currently consists of approximately 470 staff, 160 PhD students and 40 MSc students, working in 137 research laboratories." - from the website (Source:... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2667555 Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:36:00 +0100 2667555 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2657761&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day_30.html Palmer BW, Dawes SE, & Heaton RK. (2009). What Do We Know About Neuropsychological Aspects Of Schizophrenia?Neuropsychology Review. Jul 30 [e-pub ahead of print].Application of a neuropsychological perspective to the study of schizophrenia has established a number of important facts about this disorder. Some of the key findings from the existing literature are that, while neurocognitive impairment is present in most, if not all, persons with schizophrenia, there is both substantial interpatient heterogeneity and remarkable within-patient stability of cognitive function over the long-term course of the illness. Such findings have contributed to the firm establishment of neurobiologic models of schizophrenia, and thereby help to reduce the social stigma that was sometimes associated with pur... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2657761 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:26:00 +0100 2657761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2653890&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day-fmri.html In this study, we examined the cortical areas related to cognitive aspects of DST using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and determined executive brain functions involved in this test on the basis of fMRI results. Eleven healthy young adults (mean=21.6 years) performed a modified DST (mDST) task and its control task, which required a simple graphomotor response during fMRI data acquisition. The direct comparison of brain activations between the mDST task and the control task revealed greater activations in a fronto-parietal cortical network, including the bilateral inferior frontal sulci, left middle frontal gyrus (close to the frontal eye field) and left posterior parietal cortex. These activations are interpreted as reflecting the visual search process and/or the updating pro... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2653890 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:59:00 +0100 2653890 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645414&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fcognition-blink-military-style.html In Battle, Hunches Prove to Be Valuable AssetsBy BENEDICT CAREYThe New York Times28 July 2009U.S. soldiers are at the center of an effort to understand how it is that some people’s brains can sense danger and act on it before others’ do.Read article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645414 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:43:00 +0100 2645414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645415&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fdementia-and-adult-lifestyle.html Work longer, stay sharperWorking beyond normal retirement age appears to keep dementia at bayThe Boston Globe27 July 2009Read article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645415 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:47:00 +0100 2645415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2641383&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fneuro-times-blog-about-neuro-history.html Visit The Neuro Times athttp://www.dictionaryofneurology.com/ (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2641383 Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:02:00 +0100 2641383 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2639639&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day.html Bassil, N & Grossberg, GT. (2009). Novel regimens and delivery systems in the pharmacological treatment of Alzheimer's disease. CNS Drugs, 23(4), 293-307.The mainstay of current management of patients with Alzheimer's disease involves drugs that provide symptomatic therapy. Research approaches for future therapy of Alzheimer's disease are focusing on disease modifying and/or preventive approaches. Two classes of medications have been approved by the US FDA for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: the cholinesterase inhibitors (tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine), mostly for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, and the noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist memantine for the moderate to severe stages of Alzheimer's disease. Management of comorbid medical problems can be more c... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2639639 Sat, 25 Jul 2009 15:09:00 +0100 2639639 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2634528&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fh1n1-swine-flu-seizures-in-infected.html From The New York Times, accounting of pediatric neurological complications from Texas:Read article[snippet]“The usefulness of this case report is that many doctors who deal with outpatient flu only may never have seen a case with neurological complications,” Dr. Pavia said. “It’s an important reminder that flu can present as seizures or as encephalitis.”[snippet] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2634528 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:48:00 +0100 2634528 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2634529&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fupdate-on-blue-brain-project.html Swiss scientists aim to build a synthetic brain within a decadeThe brain would provide insights into how our perceptions of the world are interpreted and stored, and how consciousness arisesIan Sample, science correspondentguardian.co.uk Thursday 23 July 2009 15.16 BST[snippet]The world's first synthetic brain could be built within 10 years, giving us an unprecedented insight into the nature of consciousness and our perception of reality.Scientists working on the Blue Brain Project in Switzerland are the first to attempt to "reverse-engineer" the mammalian brain by recreating the behaviour of billions of neurons in a computer.Professor Henry Markham, director of the project at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, has already simulated parts of the neocortex, the most 'modern' re... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2634529 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:12:00 +0100 2634529 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2634531&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34736&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FChannelN-PodcastsPoweredByOdiogo%2F%7E3%2FoOhIDfx4qCQ%2Fsubjective-pain.html Brain, Mind and Behavior: Pain and the Brain From the Mini Med School for the Public from UCSF on UCTV, an engaging talk on the nature and management of pain. (Source: Channel N) Channel N blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2634531 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:30:44 +0100 2634531 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2630234&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Falzheimers-disease-amyloid-jitteriness.html A Bloomberg News report about the state of clinical trials of those Alzheimer's disease candidates in the processes/stages in amyloid levels and amyloid deposition: read article here (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2630234 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:21:00 +0100 2630234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2615415&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fin-wide-world-neuropsychology-group-in.html Here's a link to a Neuropsychology Special Interest Group, part of the Psychological Society of Ireland: click here (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2615415 Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:50:00 +0100 2615415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2615416&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fremembering-not-to-remember.html The new issue of Wired magazine has an article about a book to be published later this year about remembering and forgetting in the digital age, which sounds like it could be an excellent read.How would we manage unlimited memory? (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2615416 Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:34:00 +0100 2615416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2615417&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fhbos-alzheimers-project.html The HBO series The Alzheimer's Project can be viewed online at the HBO website: Click here (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2615417 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:41:00 +0100 2615417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2615418&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fbbc-radio-4-all-in-mind.html Available on BBC Radio's iPlayer, this edition of All in The Mind looks at Dementia in the UK: click here (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2615418 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:30:00 +0100 2615418 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464268&cid=t_112630_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fzimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use%2F16-reasons-not-to-use-someone-elses-prescription-medicine%2F Using someone else’s prescription medicine is a lot like playing Russian roulette – you might get away unscathed, and then again you might not. And it could have devastating consequences. Just because we see prescription medicines advertised on TV doesn’t mean they are safe for everyone. There are good reasons why you can’t buy them over the counter. A physician takes many factors into account before prescribing a medication for you, including your current condition, your past medical history, your other medications and the likely risks and benefits of the drug to you as an individual. After making this decision he or she will then explain how to take the medication, when to take it, how much and how long to take it, what else you can and can’t take with it, and what to expect af... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464268 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:56:42 +0100 2464268 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2458361&cid=t_112630_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fmultiple-sclerosis-and-facial-pain%2F It wasn’t that long ago when a competent doctor might have told us that “there is no pain associated with MS.”  It’s funny how much they’ve learned in the past few years. We’ve talked about some of the pains associated with multiple sclerosis here before.  There have been discussions of the MS Hug, stabbing leg & foot pain, Lhermitte’s sign, etc.  One MS Pain we haven’t much talked about is trigeminal neuralgia (TN) also known as tic douloureux.  When people have this, they feel a hot, stabbing facial pain. We haven’t spoken about it in these pages because, quite frankly, I didn’t think that many of us experienced it.  After one of the guys in my “MS Poker Night” guy’s group missed a meeting and returned the next month to tell us about it, I started looki... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2458361 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:30:09 +0100 2458361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2126076&cid=t_112630_93_f&fid=36982&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprep4md.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fbuilding-circuit-diagram-for-brain.html "Jennifer Raymond (Stanford University) is building a "wiring diagram" for the brain. By bridging the gap between individual synapses and whole-brain learning & memory, Raymond's research offers new insights and strategies for medical rehabilitation and K-12 education.The Future of Human Health is a unique lecture series that features seven very different -- and inspiring -- stories about the frontiers of human health from Stanford's most innovative faculty members."Thanks for reading :) ... http://prep4md.blogspot.com/ (Source: My M.D. Journey!) My M.D. Journey! blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2126076 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:53:00 +0100 2126076 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996256&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fcbc-special-this-evening.html (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996256 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:36:00 +0100 1996256 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1980609&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day.html de Jong LW, van der Hiele K, Veer IM, Houwing JJ, Westendorp RG, Bollen EL, de Bruin PW, Middelkoop HA, van Buchem MA, & van der Grond J. Strongly reduced volumes of putamen and thalamus in Alzheimer's disease: An MRI study. Brain. 2008 Nov 20.Department of Radiology, Section Neuropsychology of the Department of Neurology, Department of Medical Statistics, Department of Geriatrics and Department of Neurology of the Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.Atrophy is regarded a sensitive marker of neurodegenerative pathology. In addition to confirming the well-known presence of decreased global grey matter and hippocampal volumes in Alzheimer's disease, this study investigated whether deep grey matter structure also suffer degeneration in Alzheimer's disease, and whether su... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1980609 Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:18:00 +0100 1980609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1968753&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fgem-study.html From an NIH press release earlier today:Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) Study Fails To Show Benefit in Preventing Dementia in the ElderlyThe dietary supplement Ginkgo biloba was found to be ineffective in reducing the development of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in older people, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association1. Researchers led by Stephen T. DeKosky, M.D., formerly of the University of Pittsburgh, vice president and dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, conducted the trial known as the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) study at four clinical sites over the course of 8 years. GEM is the largest clinical trial ever to evaluate ginkgo's effect on the occurrence of dementia.This research was co-fu... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1968753 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:59:00 +0100 1968753 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1912477&cid=t_112630_165_f&fid=37959&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthskills.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F28%2Fif-youre-new-to-pain-management-v%2F Neuroanatomy is full of names and details that can be quite difficult to learn. I found this site which has a great, albeit simplified, list of labelled images that you need to drag and drop names on as a way of learning them. Another site is Sylvius which has free images with voice-over - and you can purchase an ipod version to carry around with you. Would be a good option if you were needing to study on-the-fly! It’s not so easy to find good, up-to-date material on functional neuroanatomy of pain that includes the brain. There are a couple of reasonable resources on peripheral mechanisms (see yesterday’s post), but as for those reviewing the role of the brain, well that’s not quite so easy to find. In fact, I’m still searching for something visual, interactive, an... HealthSkills Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1912477 Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:15:39 +0100 1912477 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1892347&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F427061680%2F Just saw a very interesting press release regarding computer-based neurocognitive assessments - a critical part of the brain fitness puzzle. How long will it take before consumers can have access to a reliable and credible annual "mental check-up"/ cognitive baseline? HeadMinder Cognitive Stability Index: Computerized Neurocognitive ... (Press release) - "The HeadMinder web-based Cognitive Stability Index (CSI) has proven more useful for blast-concussion detection than the ANAM computerized test battery the DoD currently employs. The CSI provides an immediate solution to clear the backlog of 400,000 IED-exposed service members in less than two years." - "The CSI is a 30-minute, Internet-based, computerized test that provides automated, objective measures of attenti... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1892347 Tue, 21 Oct 2008 03:39:12 +0100 1892347 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1879805&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day_15.html Becker RE & Greig NH. Alzheimer's disease drug development in 2008 and beyond: Problems and opportunities. Current Alzheimer Research. 2008 Aug; 5(4): 346-357.Drug Design & Development Section, Laboratory of Neurosciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.Recently, a number of Alzheimer's disease (AD) multi-center clinical trials (CT) have failed to provide statistically significant evidence of drug efficacy. To test for possible design or execution flaws we analyzed in detail CTs for two failed drugs that were strongly supported by preclinical evidence and by proven CT AD efficacy for other drugs in their class. Studies of the failed commercial trials suggest that methodological flaws may contribute to the fa... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1879805 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:30:00 +0100 1879805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1879806&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Faging-research.html A press release from the NIH earlier today:NIA and McKnight Brain Research Foundation Join Forces to Support Cognitive Aging ResearchThe Research Partnership in Cognitive Aging is a newly launched public-private effort to support current and emerging research on age-related changes in the brain and cognition. Jointly funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the McKnight Brain Research Foundation, through the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH), this effort is expected to award an estimated $20 million in research grants over the next five years. The research partnership is aimed at expanding understanding of how we think, learn and remember with age and at developing interventions to maintain cognitive health a... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1879806 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:20:00 +0100 1879806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1875997&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Finternet-use-good-for-brain-circuitry.html From The BBC:Internet use 'good for the brain'Read the full article[snip]Lead researcher Professor Gary Small said: "The study results are encouraging, that emerging computerized technologies may have physiological effects and potential benefits for middle-aged and older adults."Internet searching engages complicated brain activity, which may help exercise and improve brain function."The latest study was based on 24 volunteers aged between 55 and 76. Half were experienced internet users, the rest were not.Each volunteer underwent a brain scan while performing web searches and book-reading tasks.Both types of task produced evidence of significant activity in regions of the brain controlling language, reading, memory and visual abilities.However, the web search task produced significant addi... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1875997 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:27:00 +0100 1875997 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1840969&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fbiotech-link-medicine-and.html From a company press release:September 30, 2008 Media Contact: Greg Kelley, Feinstein Kean Healthcare(+++) +++-++++Link Medicine Completes $40 million Series C Financing to Accelerate Development of First Disease-Modifying Treatments for Neurodegenerative Disorders Co-led by Clarus Ventures and SV Life Sciences,the Financing will Advance Preclinical and Clinical ProgramsCAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Link Medicine Corporation, a privately held biotechnology company advancing novel approaches for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, announced today that it has obtained $40 million of Series C equity financing to help move its lead preclinical programs into human clinical testing. The round was funded by two leading biotechnology investors - Clarus Ventures and SV Life Sciences. Link Medicine, f... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1840969 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:30:00 +0100 1840969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1840970&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day-cross.html DISCUSSION: The key aspects of transforming this course from one country to another with different resources, health care systems, culture, and language are analyzed. Problems encountered are described, as well as their possible solutions. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1840970 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:53:00 +0100 1840970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1815265&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fbrain-banks.html From the CBC:Brain banks: Crucial for research, clamouring for donorsLast Updated: Monday, September 22, 2008 | 7:56 AM ETBy Gloria Troyer CBC NewsRead the full article[snip]Brain banks. The work they do is not widely publicized — most people who consider signing donor cards think along the lines of organs such as the hearts and kidneys for transplant — but it's crucial for many researchers trying to understand the causes and characteristics of myriad diseases."Brain donations and brain banks are absolutely essential to neurological and psychiatric research," says Dr. Margaret Fahnestock, professor of neuroscience in the department of psychiatry and behavioural neurosciences at McMaster University in Hamilton."One of the main reasons is that there are few to no good cellular or animal ... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1815265 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:12:00 +0100 1815265 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1812683&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fworld-alzheimers-day.html Today is World Alzheimer's Day. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1812683 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:39:00 +0100 1812683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1811269&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fneurology-podcast.html A new podcast weekly:http://www.aan.com/rss/?event=feed&channel=1 (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1811269 Sat, 20 Sep 2008 23:20:00 +0100 1811269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1811270&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fobit-robert-katzman.html Dr. Robert Katzman dies at 82; neuroscientist identified Alzheimer's disease as a 'major killer'By Thomas H. Maugh II, Los Angeles Times Staff WriterLos Angeles Times September 20, 2008LinkDr. Robert Katzman, the UC San Diego neuroscientist who pushed Alzheimer's disease into the public consciousness as a "major killer" and who co-founded the activist Alzheimer's Assn., died Tuesday at his home in La Jolla after a long illness. He was 82.Katzman played a major role in making San Diego one of the major centers for Alzheimer's research in the United States, if not the world, bringing prominent neuroscientists and major funding to a program that had been virtually nonexistent before his arrival in 1984."His pioneering and, really, revolutionary work in Alzheimer's disease for more than three ... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1811270 Sat, 20 Sep 2008 17:45:00 +0100 1811270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1811272&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fupcoming-event-16-october-2008.html For Immediate ReleaseContact: Jenni Brewer August 26, 2008... PIONEERING NEUROSCIENCES INSTITUTE SETS DATE FOR DEDICATION OF NEW FACILITY AND FIRST-EVER INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON MEMORY AND MEMORY DISORDERS ON OCTOBER 16 WORLD-RENOWNED SCIENTISTS WILL CONVENE TO SHARE CUTTING EDGE RESEARCH ON ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, MEMORY AND AGING Morgantown, W.Va. - On October 16th, 2008, the new $30 millionBlanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute (BRNI) located on thecampus on West Virginia University and founded in honor of U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller's mother, will play host to prominent international scientists who are advancing research on Alzheimer's disease and other memory disorders. The first-ever International Forum on Memory and Memory Disorders will highlight the work of nine celebrated sci... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1811272 Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:00:00 +0100 1811272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1657148&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fcrrent-event-international-conference.html The Alzheimer's Association ICAD 2008 conference begins today and continues through the 31st of July. The conference takes place in Chicago at McCormick Place.Details available at the conference website: ICAD website. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1657148 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:35:00 +0100 1657148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1648906&cid=t_112630_115_f&fid=34670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsumerdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fcns-lymphoma-mri.html This is a 58year old known case of NHL presented with right sided weakness. MRI showed hypointense areas in the midbrain and thalamocapsular region with hyperintense appearance on FLAIR with areas of hypointensity. There is evidence of homogenous post gadolinium enhancement and few areas of diffusion restriction on DWI suggesting cellularity. Diagnosis of CNS involvement of systemic lymphoma was made.From Sumer's Radiology Site http://www.sumerdoc.blogspot.com -The Top Radiology Magazine (Source: Sumer's Radiology Site) Sumer's Radiology Site blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1648906 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:25:00 +0100 1648906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1615953&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day-verbal.html We examined verbal fluency performance in 107 older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n=37), cognitive complaints (CC, n=37) despite intact neuropsychological functioning, and demographically matched healthy controls (HC, n=33). Participants completed fluency tasks with letter, semantic category, and semantic switching constraints. Both phonemic and semantic fluency were statistically (but not clinically) reduced in amnestic MCI relative to cognitively intact older adults, indicating subtle changes in the quality of the semantic store and retrieval slowing. Investigation of the underlying constructs of verbal fluency yielded two factors: Switching (including switching and shifting tasks) and Production (including letter, category, and action naming tasks), and both facto... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1615953 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 02:19:00 +0100 1615953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1596347&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fnew-online-dementia-resources-from-ucsf.html The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Memory and Aging Center has recently revised their website and has launched a YouTube channel dedicated to educating patients, caregivers, and health professionals about neurodegenerative diseases and the dementias. The Center has also launched a Facebook webpage.The website can be examined at UCSF website.The YouTube channel - the first one I've heard of dedicated to these topics - can be found at YouTube channel link. As noted by a UCSF contact:"Through the YouTube channel, we also hope to support the caregiver and the caregiver’s loved ones to help them cope with these illnesses. "The channel features UCSF’s renowned clinical-researchers discussing disease characteristics – which are often subtle and not well known, even among mem... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1596347 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:08:00 +0100 1596347 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1544539&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F319104093%2F A few colleagues referred me over the weekend to a very nice article at business publication Portfolio. While the article does an excellent job at introducing the reader to the concept and promise of computerized cognitive assessments, it also contributes to the mythology of "Brain Age". Let's first take a look at the article How Smart Are You: The business of assessing cognition and memory is moving from testing brain-impaired patients to assessing healthy peoples' brains online. A couple of quotes:  - "Cognitive Drug Research is one a handful of businesses, most of them outside of the U.S., that work with pharmaceutical companies to test how new drugs for everything from nicotine addiction to Alzheimer’s disease affect the mind’s ability to remember things, make deci... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1544539 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:15:14 +0100 1544539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1467821&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fthree-brainy-general-readership-books.html Just finished reading three excellent books with neuro themes, one a work of fiction and the other two are narrative accounts:"Still Alice" by Lisa Genova (available in paperback by iUniverse Press), is a very accurate dramatic fictional account of early-onset Alzheimer's disease."Insomniac" by Gayle Greene is a great account of the world of insomnia, from the vantage point of individuals living with sleep disorders (including the author) and from the vantage point of the clinical researchers who study the condition and who work on drug development and other facets of diagnosis, understanding, and treatment.Finally, "Can't Remember What I Forgot" by Sue Halpern, self described as a "behind-the-scenes foray into the world of cutting-edge memory research." It lives up to that description and... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1467821 Sun, 25 May 2008 19:55:00 +0100 1467821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1467822&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fanalysis-of-neurotechnology-industry.html The Ultimate Cureby David Ewing Duncan CondeNast PortfolioMay 2008"The neurotech industry is engaged in a $2 trillion race to fix your brain. Many players will fail, but the payoff will be huge for those who succeed."[snip]"Neurotech’s returns are already enormous. In 2006, the industry brought in more than $120 billion—about $101 billion from drugs and the rest from neurodevices ($4.5 billion) and neurodiagnostics ($15 billion)—up 10 percent from the previous year, reports NeuroInsights, a market research and investment advisory firm. But industry analysts insist that this figure hardly begins to suggest the potential. For Alzheimer’s, a disease currently without an effective treatment for about 4.5 million sufferers in the U.S., 40 companies—including behemoths like Eli Lilly,... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1467822 Sun, 25 May 2008 18:53:00 +0100 1467822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1466835&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fmilitary-traumatic-brain-injury-and.html An interesting feature article in tomorrow's New York Times Sunday Magazine:The Sergeant Lost WithinBy DANIEL BERGNERPublished: May 25, 2008"Roadside bombs have caused hundreds of dire brain injuries to soldiers in Iraq. One of them is Shurvon Phillip, and a team of specialists has worked avidly trying to reach him."A good deal of the article deals with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC).[ ... Read the full article ... ] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1466835 Sat, 24 May 2008 21:19:00 +0100 1466835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1353942&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day_06.html Kranick SM, & Duda JE. Olfactory dysfunction in Parkinson's disease. Neurosignals. 2008; 16(1): 35-40.Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.Prior to the onset of the cardinal motor features of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD), other manifestations of neurodegeneration such as olfactory dysfunction are often apparent. Characterizing these potential biomarkers of preclinical PD is particularly important in identifying individuals who will go on to develop disabling symptoms, and thus be good candidates for new neuroprotective strategies. As shown by the Braak neuropathologic staging of PD, the olfactory system is among the first neuronal populations to display Lewy body pathology. Clinically, loss of smell can be easily tested in the... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1353942 Sun, 06 Apr 2008 17:45:00 +0100 1353942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1352012&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day.html Pagonabarraga J, Kulisevsky J, Llebaria G, García-Sánchez C, Pascual-Sedano B, & Gironell A. Parkinson's disease-cognitive rating scale: A new cognitive scale specific for Parkinson's disease. Movement Disorders. 2008 Mar 31 [Epub ahead of print].Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Sant Pau Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain.Cognitive defects associated with cortical pathology may be a marker of dementia in Parkinson's disease (PD). There is a need to improve the diagnostic criteria of PD dementia (PDD) and to clarify the cognitive impairment patterns associated with PD. Current neuropsychological batteries designed for PD are focused on fronto-subcortical deficits... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1352012 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 11:59:00 +0100 1352012 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1331369&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day.html Wittenberg D, Possin KL, Rascovsky K, Rankin KP, Miller BL, & Kramer JH. The Early Neuropsychological and Behavioral Characteristics of Frontotemporal Dementia. Neuropsychological Review. 2008 Feb 29 [Epub ahead of print]Memory and Aging Center, University of California—San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA.Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) represent a constellation of disorders that may be overlooked or misdiagnosed, despite being fairly common presenile neurodegenerative diseases. Although the cognitive disorder can be difficult to document, particularly early in the dementia course, neuropsychological evaluation can assist in the diagnosis. Neuropsychologists are in an excellent position to draw from related disciplines like personality theory and social psycholo... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1331369 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:26:00 +0100 1331369 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1315350&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day-mild.html Bondi MW, Jak AJ, Delano-Wood L, Jacobson MW, Delis DC, & Salmon DP. Neuropsychological Contributions to the Early Identification of Alzheimer's Disease. Neuropsychological Review. 2008 Mar 18.A wealth of evidence demonstrates that a prodromal period of Alzheimer's disease (AD) exists for some years prior to the appearance of significant cognitive and functional declines required for the clinical diagnosis. This prodromal period of decline is characterized by a number of different neuropsychological and brain changes, and reliable identification of individuals prior to the development of significant clinical symptoms remains a top priority of research. In this review we provide an overview of those neuropsychological changes. In particular, we examine specific domains of cognition that app... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1315350 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:54:00 +0100 1315350 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1310997&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fpediatric-brain-tumors.html From today's New York Times:A Daring Treatment, a Little Girl’s SurvivalBy DENISE GRADYPublished: March 18, 2008Melanie Joy McDaniel is a study subject but also a reminder of how medical research can change lives.[ ... Read the full article ... ] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1310997 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:46:00 +0100 1310997 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1259921&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day-mild_26.html CONCLUSION: By studying 2 MCI populations, converters versus nonconverters, we found atrophy beyond the medial temporal lobe to be characteristic of patients with MCI who will progress to dementia. Atrophy of structures such as the left lateral temporal lobe and left parietal cortex may independently predict conversion.PMID: 18296551 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1259921 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:17:00 +0100 1259921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1256215&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fneuroscience-in-new-yorker-numbers-and.html From this week's New Yorker:Numbers GuyAre our brains wired for math?by Jim Holt March 3, 2008[ ... Read the full article ... ] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1256215 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 01:19:00 +0100 1256215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1225729&cid=t_112630_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fzimney%2Fheath-ledger-celebrity-overdoses-and-the-danger-of-combining-prescriptions%2F What do Heath Ledger, Elvis Presley, Anna Nicole Smith, Judy Garland, and Marilyn Monroe have in common? They all died of accidental prescription drug overdoses. And those are just a few of the most famous cases. There are lots more cases involving lesser known stars and of course most tragic are the thousands of “average” people who die each year due to accidental prescription drug overdoses. Exact numbers are hard to come by because of the difficulty in separating out prescription drug overdoses from those involving street drug overdoses (e.g., heroin, cocaine, etc), but one study found that deaths involving prescription opioid analgesics increased from roughly 2900 in 1999 to 7500 in 2004, a 160% increase. That study was done by Dr. Leonard Paulozzi of the Centers for Disease Contr... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1225729 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:03:19 +0100 1225729 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1207287&cid=t_112630_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day-aphasia.html Baldo JV, Klostermann EC, & Dronkers NF. It's either a cook or a baker: Patients with conduction aphasia get the gist but lose the trace. Brain and Language. 2008 Feb 1 [Epub ahead of print]VA Northern California Health Care System, Center for Aphasia and Related Disorders, 150 Muir Road (126s), Martinez, CA 94553, USA.Patients with conduction aphasia have been characterized as having a short-term memory deficit that leads to relative difficulty on span and repetition tasks. It has also been observed that these same patients often get the gist of what is said to them, even if they are unable to repeat the information verbatim. To study this phenomenon experimentally, patients with conduction aphasia and left hemisphere-injured controls were tested on a repetition recognition task that requ... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1207287 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:40:00 +0100 1207287