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Showing posts from July, 2019

Synaesthesia: A Very Short Introduction

Author: Julia Simner ISBN: 9780198749219 Binding: Paperback Publication Date: 01 August 2019 Price: $11.95 from journals https://ift.tt/2YhSt6z

‘Love hormone’ has stomach-turning effect in starfish

Oxytocin, a hormone commonly associated with love and bonding in humans, causes starfish to turn their stomachs inside-out to feed. The findings provide vital new evidence for the evolutionary role of oxytocin and vasopressin neuropeptides as regulators of feeding in animals. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2YxC8Kj

Happy? Sad? Study Uses AI to Examine What Affects Our Emotions

Participants in this 45-day study will track their emotions in real time using the Mindcurrent app and Apple Watch data We all deal with emotions during busy days. Sometimes we’re happy—sometimes not. But what affects our emotional state? That’s what a new study involving university students hopes to find  out. The Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas is teaming up with Mindcurrent, a Portland, Oregon-based wellness startup, on a 45-day study that utilizes new artificial intelligence technology to chart human emotions in real time.   The study is expected to follow 30 to 50 participants—mostly UTD students—to track their emotions as they occur using Mindcurrent’s app. Participants will correlate their input with behavioral, biometric, environmental, and activity data drawn from Apple Watch products. Combining AI with biometric data The Center for BrainHealth is a research institute aimed at enhancing, protecting, and restoring brain health across a person’s

Clinical usefulness of scales for evaluating cognitive impairment in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Cognitive impairment is a common non-motor symptom of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); however, scales suitable for detecting cognitive impairment in ALS patients in clinical practice are unclear. In this study, the Mini-Mental State Examination, Frontal Assessment Battery, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were evaluated in 68 patients with ALS. The patients were classified into 3 groups based on the results of these clinical scales: group N, patients with scores higher than the cut-offs in all clinical scales; group M, patients with a score lower than the cut-off in one clinical scale; and group D, patients with scores lower than the cut-offs in two or three clinical scales. from Journal of the Neurological Sciences https://ift.tt/332EtMV

Letter to the Editors in regard to the article “Predictive score for oral corticosteroid-induced initial worsening of seropositive generalized myasthenia gravis”

We read with interest the article by Kanai et al. [1] published in January 2019 issue of The Journal of Neurological Sciences entitled “Predictive score for oral corticosteroid-induced initial worsening of seropositive generalized myasthenia gravis”. Authors reported that steroid-induced initial worsening of myasthenia gravis (MG) symptoms was correlated with thymomatous MG or early onset (onset age <50 years) non-thymomatous MG (p = .018) in the abstract section. A similar statement was made in the beginning paragraph of the result section entitled “Predictive score for initial worsening risk”, with a reference to Table 1. from Journal of the Neurological Sciences https://ift.tt/2KdW0Jr

Response to “Letter to the editors in regard to the article ‘Predictive score for oral corticosteroid-induced initial worsening of seropositive generalized myasthenia gravis’”

We would like to thank Dr. Pike-Lee for the inquiry regarding our study [1]. We would like to explain the factors included in our score, especially early-onset myasthenia gravis (EOMG) or thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis (TAMG) and the incorrect number of patients. from Journal of the Neurological Sciences https://ift.tt/32Zl9QN

Lesser motor disability in adulthood: A ten-year follow-up of a dyskinetic patient with ADCY5 mutation

Broad phenotypic spectrum has been reported in hereditary dyskinesia associated with mutations in adenylate cyclase 5 gene (ADCY5, OMIM 606703). Medication was tried for the disease, including antiepiletpic drugs, propranolol, acetazolamide, trihexyphenidyl, and tetrabenazine, but their efficacy was limited [1]. Partial or moderate response to pallidal deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been reported in medication refractory cases [1,2]; however, therapeutic strategy in consideration of natural disease course remains to be elucidated in ADCY5-related dyskinesia. from Journal of the Neurological Sciences https://ift.tt/2KmgtvQ

Expectant mothers can mitigate the impact of marijuana on baby’s brain development

Maternal cannabis negatively impacts fetal brain development at an early stage of pregnancy than was previously believed. However, increasing choline consumption, either through diet or supplementation, could help protect the developing brain from potential harm. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2Yxfq0X

Convergent Temperature Representations in Artificial and Biological Neural Networks

Haesemeyer et al. train convolutional neural networks to navigate temperature gradients to reveal shared representations and processing in artificial and biological networks. Constrained by zebrafish behavior, artificial networks critically rely on fish-like units and make testable predictions about the brain. from journals https://ift.tt/2OvC4XG

One in Ten older adults currently binge drinks

As many as one in ten older adults frequently binge drink, a new study reports. The risk of binge drinking in older adults is higher for males and for those who smoke or cannabis. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2OvSyPO

Vaccinations not a risk factor for multiple sclerosis

A study of over 200,000 people found no evidence that vaccinations increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis, or the onset of an initial MS episode. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2YyQOsG

Novel discovery of links between liver dysfunction and Alzheimer’s disease

A link between liver dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease has been discovered. The findings add to the understanding of the role metabolic dysfunction plays in the neurodegenerative disease. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2OwcuSr

Children born to older parents tend to have fewer behavior problems

Children born to older parents have fewer externalizing behavioral problems than those born to younger parents. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2ZlC51q

What the brains of people with excellent general knowledge look like

An individual's level of general knowledge is associated with structural brain network connectivity. Fluid intelligence is best predicted by cortex volume in males, and by functional network connectivity in females. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2OxiFWB

Ketamine isn’t an opioid and treats depression in a unique way

A new study clarifies the mechanism behind how ketamine works as an antidepressant. Researchers say there is evidence to suggest ketamine binds to NMDA receptors, instead of opioid receptors. Reducing the belief that ketamine is an opioid may make patients with depression more open to using the treatment. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2YhJz9r

Neurocognitive basis for free will set out for the first time

A new theory bridges the gap between philosophical arguments for free will and neurocognitive reality. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2YzkQg3

Effect of Standard vs Intensive Blood Pressure Control on the Risk of Recurrent Stroke

This randomized clinical trial tests the hypothesis that targeting intensive blood pressure lowering of systolic and diastolic blood pressure less than 120 mm Hg and less than 80 mm Hg, respectively, reduces the rate of stroke recurrence compared with a standard blood pressure–lowering regimen. from journals https://ift.tt/2Kf2VlL

Bioelectronic Medicine

Author: Valentin A. Pavlov and Kevin J. Tracey ISBN: 9781621823025 Binding: Hardcover Publication Date: 31 July 2019 Price: $135.00 from journals https://ift.tt/2Yz58gK

How can you reliably spot a fake smile? Ask a computer

New computer software can accurately detect whether a smile is real or faked. Genuine smiles generate 10% more movement around eye muscles. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2YcDET2

Do babies like yawning? Evidence from brain activity

The neural basis for a preference of yawning is apparent in babies as young as 5 months. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2ZlwpEN

A paradoxical proinflammatory effect of endocannabinoids in the brain discovered

While endocannabinoids have been reported to play a role in anti-inflammation in some areas of the brain, a new study reveals they may cause inflammation in the cerebellum. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2YvA7hJ

Team IDs Spoken Words and Phrases in Real Time from Brain’s Speech Signals

Using ECoG and machine learning, researchers decoded spoken words and phrases in real-time from brain signals that control speech. The technology could eventually be used to help those who have lost vocal control to regain their voice. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2SUYznx

The surprising link between a babies’ weeble-wobble and the genetics of motor control

A new fruit fly study reveals a simple genetic system is behind complex movements. The finding sheds light on motor control issues associated with neurodegenerative diseases. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2K3cdSM

Development of a Chimeric Model to Study and Manipulate Human Microglia In Vivo

Hasselmann, Coburn, et al. validate a new xenotransplantation paradigm to study iPSC-derived human microglia in vivo. This chimeric approach rectifies many of the deficits observed in culture models, providing new insight into the functional and transcriptional responses of human microglia to inflammatory insults and Alzheimer’s disease pathology. from journals https://ift.tt/2ZvpeK0

‘Tickle’ therapy could help slow aging

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation helps improve sleep patterns and mental health in aging people. The therapy works by increasing parasympathetic activity and decreasing sympathetic activity. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2K5868O

What Not to Do in Telemedicine

Since the late 1990s neurologists have been involved in the remote care of patients using telemedicine. This has primarily been through telestroke programs, but the application of this technology-driven mode of care has increased to include more than just stroke patients. Today, according to the American Hospital Association , “[Seventy-six] percent of U.S. hospitals connect with patients and consulting practitioners at a distance through the use of video and other technology.” With this increase in use has come some perspective. Eric Anderson, MD, PhD , a national leader in telemedicine, shared some of his in a talk, Telemedicine Fails: What Not to Do in a Telemedicine Encounter, at the 2019 annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). One of his main takeaways: Telemedicine is just a tool, and remote physicians should know its limitations. In other words, there are a lot of things you can do with telemedicine, but there are also quite a few things you should not

Development of a transcallosal tractography template and its application to dementia

Congratulations Dr. Nikolaus McFarland on the publication of “Development of a transcallosal tractography template and its application to dementia,” in NeuroImage.  This article will be in the October issue. Abstract Understanding the architecture of transcallosal connections would allow for more specific assessments of neurodegeneration across many fields of neuroscience, neurology, and psychiatry. To map these connections, we conducted probabilistic tractography in 100 Human Connectome Project subjects in 32 cortical areas using novel post-processing algorithms to create a spatially precise Trancallosal Tract Template (TCATT). We found robust transcallosal tracts in all 32 regions, and a topographical analysis in the corpus callosum largely agreed with well-established subdivisions of the corpus callosum. We then obtained diffusion MRI data from a cohort of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and another with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and used a two-compartment model

Babies display empathy for victims as early as 6 months

Children as young as 6 months can show empathy for victims. The findings debunk the theory that the ability to empathize only develops after one year of age. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2SPoZHf

Nearly three-quarters of traumatic brain injuries in under-19s caused by consumer products

A new study identifies specific consumer products related to non-fatal brain injuries in children between the ages of 0 to 19. For infants, the leading cause of head injury is falling from beds, while in the teenage group, sporting equipment was the leading cause of TBI. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2LMgaxh

Deep brain stimulation modifies memory

Stimulating the posterior cingulate cortex increased hippocampal gamma-band power and strengthened the connections between the two brain regions. Using deep brain stimulation could help to treat memory disorders and cognitive impairment. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2SNueqY

Precise Long-Range Microcircuit-to-Microcircuit Communication Connects the Frontal and Sensory Cortices in the Mammalian Brain

Ren et al. identify presynaptic neurons innervating individual excitatory neuron clones that constitute microcircuits in the sensory cortex and reveal that input neurons in the frontal cortex are organized in discrete vertical clusters and preferentially form synapses with each other. from journals https://ift.tt/2OlLbKr

High levels of estrogen in the womb linked to autism

Estrogens were significantly elevated in fetuses that later went on to develop autism. Higher levels of prenatal estrogens were more predictive of ASD than higher levels of prenatal androgens. The study supports a twenty-year-old theory that increased prenatal sex steroid hormones are a potential cause of autism spectrum disorder. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2yrSohf

Dyslexia: A Very Short Introduction

Author: Margaret J. Snowling ISBN: 9780198818304 Binding: Paperback Publication Date: 23 July 2019 Price: $11.95 from journals https://ift.tt/2Z1pdgR

Dishonest acts hurt one’s ability to read others’ emotions

Study ties morality and empathy into a single construct. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2Yn5qaF

CBD and genetic testing provide hope for ‘intractable’ epilepsy in children

Genetic testing can help identify children at risk of epilepsy, in addition to identifying new genetic mutations associated with the condition. Using CBD based medications can also help reduce seizures in children with epilepsy. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2YauLtc

Benefits of a psychotherapeutic approach for chronic depression fade after two years

The benefits of cognitive-behavioral analysis system psychotherapy appear to fade significantly two years after patients stop receiving the treatment for depression. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2MlB4mv

Using visual imagery to find your true passions

Using visual imagery can help people to develop new interests. When girls visualize activities from a first-person perspective, positive memories associated with participating in that activity return. Researchers say, if applied to scientific activities, visualization could help females to develop a vested interest in STEM subjects. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2GyCHJM

Mood and personality disorders are often misconceived

Researchers examine the differences between mood and personality disorders, addressing why so many misconceptions still exist about them. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2Omt872

Frog in your throat? Stress might be to blame for vocal issues

Stress can have an impact on voice disorders. Researchers found those with higher salivary cortisol levels also exhibited brain activity that impacted the larynx. Those who were more introverted were more likely to have stress reactions related to speech. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2JWYLzU

Minimal clinically important change in patients with cervical dystonia: Results from the CD PROBE study

To determine the minimal clinically important change (MCIC) on Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) scores using data from Cervical Dystonia Patient Registry for Observation of OnabotulinumtoxinA Efficacy (CD PROBE), which captured real-world practices and outcomes. from Journal of the Neurological Sciences https://ift.tt/32QkNMd

The politics of fear: How it manipulates us to tribalism

Using fear as a political platform has created a resurgence in feelings of tribalism. The utilization of fear as a political tool is uninformed, illogical and can result in increased social violence. A new study looks at the impact of the politics of fear on tribalism. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2SIpXVK

Genes underscore five psychiatric disorders

Nineteen gene sets have been identified that contribute to at least five psychiatric disorders. The gene sets were associated with ADHD, ASD, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2K5ULMs

The case against reality

A new theory argues consciousness creates neural activity, and humans have evolved to see what is needed for survival. Perception, it is argued, is a user interface which may not necessarily be real. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2SK0b3r

Dissociative disorders are nearly as common as depression. So why haven’t we heard about them?

Dissociative disorders affect 10-11% of people at some point in their life. Dissociation is often the result of a traumatic event and can lead to emotional numbness. The condition is often comorbid with other mental health disorders. However, dissociative disorders are often overlooked. A new paper explores the phenomena of dissociation and calls for more understanding of the condition. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2LK5GOW

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat Author: Oliver Sacks Synopsis This book is an exhilarating excursion into the world of some the most intriguing neurological disorders. The main theme linking the stories is the detailed narrative of each case study. The author’s trademark is his ingenious capacity for probing beneath the […] via The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat — The Doctors Bookshelf from The Neurology Lounge https://ift.tt/2yg2npX

Meal timing strategies appear to lower appetite and improve fat burning

Utilizing mealtime strategies, such as intermittent fasting or early eating, can help improve fat burning and reduce appetite. Those who practice early eating restricted feeding strategies had lower levels of ghrelin and improved fat burning. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2ZfN2BF

Brain region linked to altered social interactions in autism model

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays a critical role in regulating social behaviors. In mouse models of ASD, dysfunction in the ACC was linked to social impairments associated with the disorder. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2OgWxiP

How is urban green space associated with mental health?

Living close to an area with more tree canopy is associated with a lower risk of psychological distress and improved general health. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2Mj89zk

Skin nerves anticipate and fight infection: New type of immunity discovered

Mouse study reveals pain-sensing neurons also help fight skin infections and help prevent its spread. The findings suggest a new type of immunity. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2Gx3xSs

Red wine compound shows promise for treating depression and anxiety

Resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, may help to combat depression and anxiety. The compound inhibits PDE4, an enzyme induced bt excessive amounts of corticosterone, which causes depression-like symptoms in mouse models. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2Mjfuz4

The ‘blowfish effect’: Children learn new words like adults do

Both adults and young children assign a narrower interpretation to a word if it is exemplified by an atypical category member. The study sheds new light on how children learn to see, talk and understand the world around them. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2YpXUQq

Brain-controlled prosthetic hand to become reality

Researchers are developing a sophisticated prosthetic hand that can be directly controlled by the thoughts of the user. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2ZfnF2T

Handbook of Pediatric Neurosurgery

Jallo GI, Kothbauer KF, Recinos VM. Handbook of Pediatric Neurosurgery;Thieme 2018; 556 pp; 275 ill; $ 124.99. Handbook of Pediatric Neurosurgery is a concise and practical pediatric neurosurgery textbook detailing the management of various pediatric neurosurgical disorders encountered in clinical practice. The primary author of this book is Dr. George Jallo, an internationally renowned pediatric neurosurgeon, with invaluable contributions from more than 80 national and international subspecialists in neurosurgery and other related fields. The book has been nicely divided into 11 sections. It starts with an introduction dealing with critical care and pain management followed by a chapter outlining various imaging techniques when dealing with pediatric neurosurgery disorders. The next few sections cover specific disorders, including tumors, cerebrovascular disorders and vascular malformations in both the brain and the spine. There is an extensive review of congenital and developmenta

A computer that understands how you feel

EmoNet, a new convolutional neural network, can accurately decode images into eleven distinct emotional categories. Training the AI on over 25,000 images, researchers demonstrate image content is sufficient to predict the category and valence of human emotions. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/32QQXqM

Are some common medications masquerading as dementia in seniors?

In the late 1970s, researchers discovered that deficits in an enzyme that synthesizes acetylcholine were present in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. “That put geriatricians and neurologists on alert, and the word went out: Don’t put older adults, especially those with cognitive dysfunction, on drugs with acetylcholine-blocking effects,” said Dr. Steven DeKosky, deputy director of the McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Florida. Read more! from Department of Neurology https://ift.tt/2JSH30i

Dyslexia: A Very Short Introduction

Author: Margaret J. Snowling ISBN: 9780198818304 Binding: Paperback Publication Date: 23 July 2019 Price: $11.95 from journals https://ift.tt/2Z1pdgR

A Behavioral Therapy App Helps Reduce Frequency of Migraine Episodes

No abstract available from Neurology Today - Current Issue https://ift.tt/2Yc55HC

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Appears to Have a Low 30-Day Stroke Risk

No abstract available from Neurology Today - Current Issue https://ift.tt/2JOLqcN

17 Years of Quantifying Batten Disease Provides a Detailed Look at the Natural History

No abstract available from Neurology Today - Current Issue https://ift.tt/2Yc55r6

Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing Moves Toward Clinical Use in Neuroinfectious Disease

No abstract available from Neurology Today - Current Issue https://ift.tt/2JSq8Lx