Brain Research: Cocaine addiction: Scientists discover 'backdoor' into the brain ♦ People who experience rage attacks have smaller 'emotional brains'

Changes in brain connectivity protect against developing bipolar disorder Naturally occurring changes in brain wiring can help patients at high genetic risk of developing bipolar disorder avert the onset of the illness

Beneficial effects of blocking brain inflammation in an experimental model of Alzheimer's Blocking a receptor in the brain responsible for regulating immune cells could protect against the memory and behavior changes seen in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. It was originally thought that Alzheimer's disease disturbs the brain's immune response, but this latest study adds to evidence that inflammation in the brain can in fact drive the development of the disease. The findings suggest that by reducing this inflammation, progression of the disease could be halted.

Cocaine addiction: Scientists discover 'backdoor' into the brain Individuals addicted to cocaine may have difficulty in controlling their addiction because of a previously-unknown 'back door' into the brain, circumventing their self-control,

People who experience rage attacks have smaller 'emotional brains' Neuroimaging studies suggest that frontolimbic regions of the brain, structures that regulate emotions, play an important role in the biology of aggressive behavior. A new article reports that individuals with intermittent explosive disorder (IED) have significantly lower gray matter volume in these frontolimbic brain structures. In other words, these people have smaller "emotional brains."

Brain Research: Luminescent nanoparticles to image brain function ♦ Using light to treat Alzheimer's disease ♦ Brain structure may be root of apathy

Parkinson's disease: A new tool for healthcare professionals aims to improve diagnosis and advance treatment A group of experts has developed a new tool for healthcare professionals that they hope will mark a significant advancement in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease, especially in its early stages. The results of their study could also have a major impact on the quality of research on Parkinson's disease.

Brain structure may be root of apathy Scientists have found evidence of a biological basis for apathy in healthy people. Research could shed light on the way some people become pathologically apathetic, for example after a stroke or with Alzheimer's disease.

Using light to treat Alzheimer's disease Medical application of photoactive chemicals offers a promising therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases. Navy researchers recruit luminescent nanoparticles to image brain function Scientists are on pace to develop the next generation of functional materials that could enable the mapping of the complex neural connections in the brain. The ultimate goal is to better understand how the billions of neurons in the brain communicate with one another during normal brain function, or dysfunction, as result of injury or disease.

Senior's Health Not so happy old age? :♦ Fractures Can Lead to Premature Death in Older People ♦ Experimental drug targeting Alzheimer's disease shows anti-aging effects

Exercise program in senior centers helps decrease participants' pain and improve mobility A study finds that a low-impact exercise program is improving quality of life for many older adults with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. The program, offered by Hospital for Special Surgery, has helped decrease pain, improve mobility and enhance the overall health of many participants.

Fractures Can Lead to Premature Death in Older People A new study shows certain fractures due to osteoporosis can cause premature death in people 45 and older. This is the largest study, to date, that shows a connection between these fractures and premature death.

Not so happy old age? The notion that older people are happier than younger people is being challenged following a recent study. In fact it suggests that people get more depressed from age 65 onwards

Experimental drug targeting Alzheimer's disease shows anti-aging effects Scientists have discovered a molecule that slows the clock on key aspects of aging in animals.

Barriers to health care increase disease, death risk for rural elderly A new study of adults ages 85 or older has found that rural residents have significantly higher levels of chronic disease, take more medications, and die several years earlier than their urban counterparts.

Brain Research: Brain's immune system could be harnessed to fight Alzheimer's ♦ Spot on for brain research: Controlling nerve cells with light

Chemotherapy-induced hearing loss affects neurocognition in pediatric brain tumor survivors Platinum-based chemotherapy may not only impact hearing, but that the hearing loss may then contribute to long-term neurocognitive deficits.

Spot on for brain research: Controlling nerve cells with light Gero Miesenböck was the first to insert a light-controlled on/off switch into brain cells. His pioneering method allows scientists to switch nerve cells on and off selectively and observe how the behavior of, for example, fruit flies or mice changes as a result. In this way, researchers can learn in a step-by-step process what behavior the studied brain circuits control and what goes awry in disease

Brain imaging reveals possible depression signature in traumatic brain injury Individuals with depression in addition to traumatic brain injury (TBI) are prone to poorer recovery, reductions in cognitive performance, greater functional disability, increased suicide attempts and other social and sexual difficulties. Since depression symptoms vary greatly, teasing apart a diagnosis in the context TBI is often difficult. However, researchers have identified a potential brain-based biomarker for depressive symptoms that could simplify the process

Brain's immune system could be harnessed to fight Alzheimer's The brain's immune system could potentially be harnessed to help clear the amyloid plaques that are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, new research suggests. The findings are the culmination of years of investigation after a surprising discovery while studying mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers observed that amyloid beta plaques -- which scientists believe play a major role in the disease -- were being cleared in animals with chronic brain inflammation

Brain Research: The brain forgets in order to conserve energy ♦ Discovery could lead to better recovery after stroke ♦ Studies tie the hormone to brain's 'pleasure' center

The brain forgets in order to conserve energy Our brains not only contain learning mechanisms but also forgetting mechanisms that erase "unnecessary" learning. A research has now been able to describe one of these mechanisms at the cellular level.

New role for insulin: Studies tie the hormone to brain's 'pleasure' center Insulin, the hormone essential to all mammals for controlling blood sugar levels and a feeling of being full after eating, plays a much stronger role than previously known in regulating release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain's reward and pleasure centers

Discovery could lead to better recovery after stroke Researchers have identified a molecule that, after a stroke, signals brain tissue to form new connections to compensate for the damage and initiate repairs to the brain

How Alzheimer's-associated protein tangles spread through brain Investigators have discovered a mechanism behind the spread of neurofibrillary tangles -- one of the two hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease -- through the brains of affected individuals.

Brain Research: A computer you can control with your mind ♦ Secret to a younger brain may lie in exercising your body ♦ Mental maps: Route-learning changes brain tissue

New research paves the way to begin developing a computer you can control with your mind A team of researchers has been able to predict participants' movements just by analyzing their brain activity. This study is the first human study to look at the neural signals of planned actions that are freely chosen by the participant and could be the first step in the development of brain-computer interfaces

Active body, active mind: The secret to a younger brain may lie in exercising your body It is widely recognized that our physical fitness is reflected in our mental fitness, especially as we get older. How does being physically fit affect our aging brains? Neuroimaging studies, in which the activity of different parts of the brain can be visualized, have provided some clues. Until now, however, no study has directly linked brain activation with both mental and physical performance

Researchers study differences in ischemic stroke in marijuana users Strokes in young adults who use marijuana are more likely to be caused by stenosis, narrowing of the arteries, in the skull than strokes in non-users. Previous studies found an association between marijuana use and stroke, but the new study is the first to explore differences in stroke in marijuana users and non-users,  

Mental maps: Route-learning changes brain tissue Fifteen years ago, a study showed that the brains of London cab drivers had an enlargement in the hippocampus, a brain area associated with navigation. But questions remained: Did the experience of navigating London's complex system of streets change their brains, or did only the people with larger hippocampi succeed in becoming cab drivers? Now, scientists have determined that learning detailed navigation information causes the hippocampal brain changes.

Lifestyle change could reduce risk of Alzheimer's Aging researchers are studying the connection between cholesterol level and cognitive decline in old age. Carriers of the ApoE4 genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's may be able to reduce their increased risk of cognitive decline by reducing their cholesterol level, especially if they also suffer from cardiovascular disease.

Immune Research: Sleep may strengthen long-term memories in the immune system ♦ How normally protective immune responses kill neurons ♦ Connecting Alzheimer's disease, immune system

Tick spit protein may trigger allergic reactions Ticks have had millions of years to figure out how to bite without triggering their victims' immune response. Proteins in the arachnids' spit evolved to manipulate immune cells so that the bloodsuckers can suck blood and transmit pathogens in peace. But these measures may not always have the desired effect when ticks bite humans, leading to severe allergic reactions, argue infectious disease specialists.

Connecting Alzheimer's disease, immune system Researchers investigate how genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease may influence a key type of immune cell. Their results lay the groundwork for designing better therapeutic strategies and better prediction tools for risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Sleep may strengthen long-term memories in the immune system More than a century ago, scientists demonstrated that sleep supports the retention of memories of facts and events. Later studies have shown that slow-wave sleep, often referred to as deep sleep, is important for transforming fragile, recently formed memories into stable, long-term memories. Now, in a new article, researchers propose that deep sleep may also strengthen immunological memories of previously encountered pathogens.

Scientists identify how normally protective immune responses kill neurons Scientists have discovered why certain immune responses, which typically help cells recognize and fight viral and bacterial infections, can sometimes be harmful to the brain. Many brain disorders involve the death of neurons, or nerve cells, but how these neurons die is not well understood. A new study describes how the activation of normally protective immune responses causes nerve cells to die and identifies the protein responsible, providing a potential target for therapeutic intervention.

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Brain Research: Team links two human brains for question-and-answer experiment ♦ Old drug offers new hope to treat Alzheimer's disease

Old drug offers new hope to treat Alzheimer's disease Salsalate, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, effectively reversed tau-related dysfunction in an animal model of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), scientists have discovered. Salsalate prevented the accumulation of tau in the brain and protected against cognitive impairments resembling impairments seen in Alzheimer's disease and FTD.

Increased chances for early detection of Alzheimer's disease A method for detecting early signs of Alzheimer’s disease using amyloid PET imaging works as well as the previously used cerebrospinal fluid sample method conclude researchers at the conclusion of what they say is the most thorough and extensive undertaken in the field so far

Liquid crystals show potential for detection of neurodegenerative disease Liquid crystals are familiar to most of us as the somewhat humdrum stuff used to make computer displays and TVs. Even for scientists, it has not been easy to find other ways of using them. Now a group of researchers is putting liquid crystals to work in a completely unexpected realm: as detectors for the protein fibers implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's

Team links two human brains for question-and-answer experiment Researchers used a brain-to-brain interface they developed to allow pairs of participants to play a '20 question' style game by transmitting signals from one brain to another over the Internet. Their experiment is thought to be the first to demonstrate that two brains can be directly linked to allow someone to accurately guess what is on another person's mind.

, Alzheimer's Research: Major breakthrough in understanding Alzheimer's disease ♦ Tracing the triggers of late-onset Alzheimer's ♦ Patterns in the progression towards Alzheimer's disease

Some evidence of link between stress, Alzheimer's disease discovered More evidence of a link between the brain's stress response and a protein related to Alzheimer's disease has been uncovered by a team of researchers. The research, conducted on a mouse model and in human cells, found that a stress-coping hormone released by the brain boosts the production of protein fragments.

Major breakthrough in understanding Alzheimer's disease Researchers believe that periodic clearance of a specific protein across the blood brain barrier could hold tremendous potential for new therapies.

Identifying typical patterns in the progression towards Alzheimer's disease  How the brain progresses from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's-type dementia has been an enigma for the scientific community. However, a recent study has shed light on this progression by showing the typical patterns of the brain's progression to dementia.

Tracing the triggers of late-onset Alzheimer's In a sprawling review of more than 200 articles examining the suggested link between infections of the mouth and Alzheimer's disease (AD), two researchers -- one, an original mapper of the oral microbiome; the other, a scientist who has worked considerably on the connection between oral infection and AD -- have surveyed the current body of research, and point to potential oral microbial culprits.

Down syndrome research untangles therapeutic possibilities for Alzheimer's More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Of them, 400,000 also have Down syndrome. Both groups have similar looking brains with higher levels of the protein beta amyloid. In fact, patients with Down syndrome develop the abnormal protein at twice the rate. Results of a pilot study confirms the pathogenic role of beta amyloid in dementia as seen in both AD and Down syndrome.

Seniors Health: Anti-aging tricks from dietary supplement ♦ Early warning gene signature for Alzheimer's ♦ New directions in mental health care for older adults

Anti-aging tricks from dietary supplement seen in mice The dietary supplement alpha lipoic acid can stimulate telomerase, the enzyme that lengthens chromosomes' protective caps, with positive effects in a mouse model of atherosclerosis, scientists report. The discovery highlights a potential avenue for the treatment for chronic diseases.

Men, people over 65 sleep better when they have access to nature Men and persons age 65 and older who have access to natural surroundings, whether it's the green space of a nearby park or a sandy beach and an ocean view, report sleeping better

Early warning gene signature for Alzheimer's A 'gene signature' that could be used to predict the onset of diseases, such as Alzheimer's, years in advance has been developed by scientists. The study aimed to define a set of genes associated with 'healthy aging' in 65 year olds. Such a molecular profile could be useful for distinguishing people at earlier risk of age-related diseases.

New directions in mental health care for older adults The aging of the population, shifting diagnostic criteria, and new health care policy initiatives are some of the factors driving changes in mental health treatment for older Americans, according to new research.

Brain Research: Common medications could delay brain injury recovery ♦ Could body posture during sleep affect how your brain clears waste

Could body posture during sleep affect how your brain clears waste? Sleeping in the side position, as compared to on one’s back or stomach, may more effectively remove brain waste and prove to be an important practice to help reduce the chances of developing Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases.

Brain's ability to dispose of key Alzheimer's protein drops dramatically with age Some of the key changes in the aging brain that lead to increased risk of Alzheimer's Disease have now been identified.

Kidney impairment decreases blood flow to the brain, boosting risk of brain disorders Poor kidney function was strongly related to decreased blood flow to the brain, report researchers following a population-based study. Poor kidney function was linked to stroke and dementia most strongly in participants with decreased blood flow to the brain.

Common medications could delay brain injury recovery Drugs used to treat common complaints could delay the recovery of brain injury patients

Scientists report explanation for protein clumps in brain cells of patients with ALS Autopsies of nearly every patient with the lethal neurodegenerative disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and many with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), show pathologists telltale clumps of a protein called TDP-43. Now, working with mouse and human cells, researchers report they have discovered the normal role of TDP-43 in cells and why its abnormal accumulation may cause disease.

Brain Research: New therapy slows spread of deadly brain tumor cells ♦ Insulin resistance increases risk for Alzheimer's disease ♦ biomarkers key to early intervention in Alzheimer's diseas

New therapy slows spread of deadly brain tumor cells The rapid spread of a common and deadly brain tumor has been slowed down significantly in a mouse model by cutting off the way some cancer cells communicate.

Insulin resistance increases risk for Alzheimer's disease A strong association between insulin resistance and memory function decline has been found by researchers who suggest that this link increases the risk for Alzheimer's disease.

Low-dose lithium reduces side effects from most common treatment for Parkinson's disease Low-dose lithium reduced involuntary motor movements -- the troubling side effect of the medication most commonly used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD) -- in a mouse model of the condition that is diagnosed in about 60,000 Americans each year. The third in a series of studies from involving PD and low-dose lithium, the results add to mounting evidence that low-doses of the psychotropic drug could benefit patients suffering from the incurable, degenerative condition.

Identifying bio markers key to early intervention in Alzheimer's disease Researchers are looking for bio markers that might serve as an early warning system for Alzheimer's disease. The process is not without complications, but these scientists possess a collective “Rosie the Riveter” spirit.

National study of deep brain stimulation for depression fails to demonstrate efficacy Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and treatment-resistant symptoms of depression have a terrible personal and societal cost. They can devastate lives, careers, and families. Some severely ill patients may be unable to attend to even the basic elements of self-care, while others attempt or complete suicide. Now researchers report the results of the first large-scale, randomized, sham-controlled trial of deep brain stimulation treatment for treatment-resistant symptoms of depression.

Senior Health: Alzheimer's disease works differently in patients with Down Syndrome ♦ Omega-3 supplements help with preclinical Alzheimer's disease ♦ Age-related cognitive decline tied to immune-system molecule

SSRI antidepressants taken for menopausal symptoms may boost bone fracture risk The class of antidepressants known as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), taken to curb menopausal symptoms, may boost bone fracture risk.

Alzheimer's disease works differently in patients with and without Down Syndrome A study revealed differences in the way brain inflammation -- considered a key component of AD-- is expressed in different subsets of patients, in particular people with Down syndrome (DS) and AD.

Omega-3 supplements, antioxidants may help with preclinical Alzheimer's disease Here's more evidence that fish oil supplementation and antioxidants might be beneficial for at least some people facing Alzheimer's disease: A new report describes the findings of a very small study in which people with mild clinical impairment, such as those in the very early stages of the disease, saw clearance of the hallmark amyloid-beta protein and reduced inflammation in neurological tissues.

Older patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries less likely to get surgery Older patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries are less likely to receive surgery compared with younger patients and they experience a significant lag between injury and surgery.

Age-related cognitive decline tied to immune-system molecule A blood-borne molecule that increases in abundance as we age blocks regeneration of brain cells and promotes cognitive decline. The molecule in question, known as beta-2 microglobulin, or B2M, is a component of a larger molecule called MHC I, which plays a major role in the adaptive immune system. A growing body of research indicates that the B2M-MHC I complex, which is present in all cells in the body except red blood cells and plasma cells, can act in the brain in ways not obviously related to immunity--guiding brain development, shaping nerve cell communication, and even affecting behavior

Brain Research: More strokes with intracranial stents ♦ Alzheimer's biomarkers may predict dementia ♦ Water to understand the brain

People over 65 with traumatic brain injuries hospitalized four times as often as younger people A disproportionate number of people hospitalized in Canada with traumatic brain injuries are 65 years or older, a new study has found. While that age group represents only 14 per cent of the Canadian population, it accounted for 38 per cent of hospitalizations for TBI between 2006-07 and 2010-11

More strokes with intracranial stents A new study confirms that if, after a stroke, patients also have stents inserted into blood vessels of the brain, new strokes occur considerably more often.

Midlife changes in Alzheimer's biomarkers may predict dementia Studying brain scans and cerebrospinal fluid of healthy adults, scientists have shown that changes in key biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease during midlife may help identify those who will develop dementia years later.

Water to understand the brain To observe the brain in action, scientists and physicians use imaging techniques, among which functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is the best known. These techniques are not based on direct observations of electric impulses from activated neurons, but on one of their consequences. Indeed, this stimulation triggers physiological modifications in the activated cerebral region, changes that become visible by imaging. Until now, it was believed that these differences were only due to modifications of the blood influx towards the cells. By using intrinsic optical signals (IOS) imaging, researchers have now demonstrated that the activated neurons swell due to the massive entry of water.

Brain Research: Calcium channel essential for deep sleep ♦ High blood pressure linked to reduced Alzheimer's risk ♦ Small RNAs found to play important roles in memory formation

High blood pressure linked to reduced Alzheimer's risk, meds may be reason People with a genetic predisposition to high blood pressure have a lower risk for Alzheimer's disease. However, authors conclude the connection may have more to do with anti-hypertension medication than high blood pressure itself.

Calcium channel essential for deep sleep identified A specific calcium channel plays a crucial role in deep, slow-wave sleep, scientists have discovered. This is a key step toward understanding both normal and abnormal waking brain functions.

Two techniques of temporal migraine surgery are 'equally effective' Two migraine surgery techniques targeting a specific "trigger site" are both highly effective in reducing the frequency and severity of migraine headaches, according to a randomized trial.

Patients with recurrent depression have smaller hippocampus The brains of people with recurrent depression have a significantly smaller hippocampus -- the part of the brain most associated with forming new memories.

Small RNAs found to play important roles in memory formation A type of genetic material called “microRNA” plays surprisingly different roles in the formation of memory in animal models, researchers have found. In some cases, these RNAs increase memory, while others decrease it.

Brain Research:Solving the next step in the mystery of prions ♦ Safety issue' with widely used MRI contrast agent ♦ Thinking tests may signal Alzheimer's 18 years prior to diseas

Brain scan can predict who responds best to certain treatment for OCD A certain detail from patients' brain scans could help clinicians identify which people are more likely to relapse after cognitive-behavioral therapy -- and why. Tens of millions of Americans will suffer at some point in their lifetimes from obsessive-compulsive disorder, a disorder characterized by recurrent, intrusive, and disturbing thoughts, and/or stereotyped recurrent behaviors .

Low scores on memory and thinking tests may signal Alzheimer's 18 years prior to disease Errors on memory and thinking tests may signal Alzheimer's up to 18 years before the disease can be diagnosed.

Solving the next step in the mystery of prions Working towards the ultimate goal to develop therapeutics to treat diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, and Mad Cow Disease, scientists are investigating the physical principles underlying the formation of misfolded protein aggregates. The aggregates of misfolded proteins -- proteins that clump together in the 'wrong' structure -- feature prominently in these fatal degenerative diseases.

Smartphone app may prevent dangerous freezing of gait in Parkinson's patients CuPID is striving to provide personalized rehabilitation for patients with Parkinson's disease who experience gait disturbances. It is a home-based personalized rehabilitation tool in the form of a smartphone app that harnesses wearable sensors, audio biofeedback, and external cuing to provide intense motivational training tailored to each patient.

Study highlights 'important safety issue' with widely used MRI contrast agents New results in animals highlight a major safety concern regarding a class of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents used in millions of patients each year. The study adds to concerns that repeated use of specific "linear"-type gadolinium-based contrast agents lead to deposits of the heavy-metal element gadolinium in the brain.

Senior's Health: Food safety for seniors ♦ Road traffic noise linked to deaths, increased strokes ♦ Functional class helps predict mortality risk after surgery

Food safety for seniors All food can carry microorganisms or chemical agents that may cause illness when eaten. But, safe food handling practices can prevent growth of bacteria to lessen the possibility of foodborne illness. Most cases can be controlled by proper production, processing and preparation.

Road traffic noise linked to deaths, increased strokes Living in an area with noisy road traffic may reduce life expectancy. Research has found a link between long-term exposure to road traffic noise and deaths, as well as a greater risk of stroke, particularly in the elderly.

Multiple pathways progressing to Alzheimer's disease The amyloid cascade hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) posits that sticky aggregations or plaques of amyloid-beta peptides accumulate over time in the brain, triggering a series of events that ultimately result in the full-blown neurodegenerative disorder. The hypothesis has been a major driver of AD research for more than 20 years.

Functional class helps predict mortality risk after surgery Information on functional status—whether or not a person can carry out routine daily tasks independently—improves the ability to predict risk of death in patients undergoing surgery.

Patient outcomes could improve by preparing nursing homes for health information exchange When older adults transfer between nursing homes and hospitals, inefficient and unclear communication between the organizations can hinder patient care. Now, a team of researchers is working to improve patients' health outcomes by increasing efficient, secure communication between nursing homes and hospitals using an electronic communication system called a health information exchange.

Brain Research: Rare neurons enable mental flexibility ♦ Low-grade brain tumor diagnosis redefined ♦ Atlas of older brains could help diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

Norepinephrine aids brain in sorting complex auditory signals The neuromodulator norepinephrine has an unexpected, direct action on auditory processing of complex signals, specifically bird songs in the zebra finch.

Rare neurons enable mental flexibility Behavioral flexibility -- the ability to change strategy when the rules change -- is controlled by specific neurons in the brain. Researchers report that they have identified the neurons responsible for our ability to adapt to a changing environment.

Low-grade brain tumor diagnosis redefined A group of patients have made important contributions to an American cancer study that proposes a change in how some brain tumors are classified and ultimately treated. The study reveals that a tumor's DNA is key to determining if a lower-grade malignant brain tumor may rapidly progress to glioblastoma.

How our brains can form first impressions quickly A study of how people can quickly spot animals by sight is helping uncover the workings of the human brain. One of the first parts of the brain to process visual information -- the primary visual cortex -- can control this fast response, rather than more complex parts of the brain being required

Atlas of older brains could help diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease A digital map of the aging brain could aid the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders in older people, a study suggests. The atlas created using images from MRI scans of older people could aid diagnosis by comparing the patient's' scans with a detailed map of the healthy aging brain

Health Research: Doctors often misdiagnose zinc deficiency ♦ Scientists identify amino acid that stops seizures in mice ♦ Drug improves cognition in Alzheimer's disease

HIV drug PrEP not linked to greater risk for depression A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of daily oral HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in men and transgender women who have sex with men -- reported no link between taking Truvada for oral PrEP and experiencing depression.

Scientists identify amino acid that stops seizures in mice An amino acid whose role in the body has been all but a mystery appears to act as a potent seizure inhibitor in mice, according to a study. In a series of experiments, the amino acid D-leucine, found in many foods and certain bacteria, interrupted prolonged seizures, a serious condition known as status epilepticus, and it did so just as effectively as the epilepsy drug diazepam -- the choice of treatment for patients in the throes of convulsions -- but without any of the drug's sedative side effects.

Drug improves cognition in Alzheimer's disease-mouse model in spite of diet Long-term administration of a drug that mimics the hunger-signaling hormone ghrelin protected Alzheimer’s disease-model mice from memory deterioration, despite a high-glycemic-index diet, scientists report.

Doctors often misdiagnose zinc deficiency, unaware of impact of excess zinc Doctors often misdiagnose zinc deficiency, and seem to be unaware of the impact of excess zinc on the body, shows a small audit of clinical practice. Zinc is an essential trace element that is required in daily quantities of 5.5 to 9.5 mg for men, and 4 to 7 mg for women. But zinc supplements are usually only available in formulations of 45 or 50 mg. The US recommended tolerable limit is 40 mg/day

Tamper-resistant pill dispenser aims to stamp out medication misuse You can whack it with a hammer, attack it with a drill, or even stab it with a screwdriver. But try as you might, you won't be able to get into this pill dispenser. Which is exactly the idea.

Senior Health:Elder abuse is common around the world ♦ Diet that mimics fasting appears to slow aging ♦ Age-related inflammatory processes facilitate development of COPD

Elder abuse is common around the world A new global review reveals that elder abuse -- which includes psychological, physical, and sexual abuse; neglect; and financial exploitation -- is common among community-dwelling older adults and is especially prevalent among minority older adults. Older adults with cognitive and physical impairments or psychosocial distress are also at increased risk of elder abuse.

Neuroscientist leads efforts to detect, treat Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia Every 67 seconds someone is the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease or some form of dementia. Now, a prominent American neuroscientist is at the helm of cutting-edge research, screening methods and clinical care for all forms of dementia and cognitive impairments as well as neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease

Age-related inflammatory processes facilitate development of COPD At present, there is a lack of effective treatments that target the causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Scientists are therefore investigating the molecular causes of COPD in order to intervene specifically. A recently published study is a contribution to understanding the underlying causes of COPD, especially in the elderly population.

Diet that mimics fasting appears to slow aging Study shows broad health benefits from periodic use of diet that mimics fasting in mice and yeast -- which appear to translate to humans, also