Search results for brain

“A small pilot study found that people with early Parkinson's disease who walked on a treadmill 3 times per week for 8 weeks increased dopamine receptors in certain brain regions. Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to the loss of dopamine-producing neurons which leads to loss of motor control.”

“From the article: > "The BDNF gene has previously been linked to obesity, and scientists have been working for several years to understand how changes in this particular gene may predispose people to obesity," said Jack A. Yanovski, M.D., Ph.D. [...] > The BDNF protein plays several roles in the brain and nervous system and, at high levels, the protein can stimulate the feeling of fullness.”

“FTA: > An area of the brain that could control a person’s motivation to exercise and participate in other rewarding activities -– potentially leading to improved treatments for depression -- has been discovered by researchers. "Changes in physical activity and the inability to enjoy rewarding or pleasurable experiences are two hallmarks of major depression," one researcher said.”

00:10:10 - Aerobic exercises like running activate brain areas involved in executive function. Study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4050105/). 00:10:45 - People face unique challenges while living in the 21st century with a brain that evolved during prehistoric times.

“FTA: > Many studies have linked more sleep to better memory, but new research in fruit flies demonstrates that extra sleep helps the brain overcome catastrophic neurological defects that otherwise would block memory formation, report scientists.”

“FTA: > New research suggests that signs of brain aging can be postponed in mice if placed on a high-fat diet. In the long term, this opens the possibility of treatment of children suffering from premature aging and patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.”

“The study involved more than 425,000 healthy adults (ages 60 to 73 years) enrolled in the UK Biobank study who had undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies to assess brain volumes and whose vitamin D status was known.”

“Smoking, the biggest risk factor for brain aneurysm, is five times more dangerous in people with these gene variations. However, a second study on the same population notes that most people with aneurysm die of cancer or heart problems. [...]”

“The researchers also think that T-cells may first identify alpha-synuclein in the nervous system of gut then enter the brain where they begin attacking dopaminergic neurons. These findings raise the possibility for an immunotherapy-based treatment.”

“Patients with Parkinson's disease that received gene therapy developed new synaptic connections in brain regions for motor control and this correlated with a decrease in the severity of Parkinson's symptoms. This was a phase 2 clinical trial so much more research still needs to be done but it is so amazing to think that gene therapies may be on the horizon for Parkinson's disease!”