The human brain is often regarded as an unfathomable enigma, and while science knows that our brain function is a result of the transmission of signals between connected billions of neurons, it has now found what influences those transmissions is actually the shape of our brain. For decades scientists subscribed to the hypothesis that the…

The human brain is often regarded as an unfathomable enigma, and while science knows that our brain function is a result of the transmission of signals between connected billions of neurons, it has now found what influences those transmissions is actually the shape of our brain. For decades scientists subscribed to the hypothesis that the…

A recent study found the annual incidence of Parkinson’s disease, a progressive and degenerative neurological condition, among older adults is 50 percent higher than the current estimate of 60,000 diagnoses annually, affecting approximately 90,000 people each year in the United States alone. This may soon change.  Early detection and accurate diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease are critical…

Scientists at New York University’s Long Island School of Medicine have detected messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccines in human breast milk, according to a new study. This peer-reviewed research, published on September 26, 2022 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, looked at the breastmilk of 11 healthy breastfeeding women, five of whom had received the Moderna vaccine…

Scientists at New York University’s Long Island School of Medicine have detected messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccines in human breast milk, according to a new study. This peer-reviewed research, published on September 26, 2022 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, looked at the breastmilk of 11 healthy breastfeeding women, five of whom had received the Moderna vaccine…

At a Glance An immune substance called oncostatin M was found to sensitize and enhance the activity of itch-sensing neurons. A drug that blocks oncostatin M activity reduced scratching in a mouse model of chronic itch, suggesting a treatment strategy for persistent itchy skin conditions. Chronic itch is a common yet hard-to-treat symptom of many…

Much of the NINDS research on Batten disease focuses on developing a better understanding of the disease, gene therapy, and the development of drugs to treat the disorder. Scientists are using a modified safe virus to deliver a functioning gene to the brain with hopes the replacement gene will take over or restore the mutated gene’s normal…

In Brief: Challenging previous notions about inflammation and pain, scientists found that a robust initial inflammatory response appears to protect against chronic pain rather than contribute to it. The findings suggest that suppressing inflammation to treat acute musculoskeletal pain may be counterproductive for long-term pain relief. Many of us have felt the ache of a thrown-out…

For people with a type of chronic pain called trigeminal neuralgia, touch from everyday activities like face-washing, eating, or tooth-brushing can cause agonizing pain that can be hard to treat. Trigeminal neuralgia is a type of neuropathic pain, which is caused by damaged or irritated nerves. In this case, pain arises from insults to the…

Four Chinese characters in calligraphy—寧靜致遠 (ning jing zhi yuan) hang framed on Yuanyuan “Kevin” Liu’s office wall. The words from ancient Chinese literature have become the motto that Liu lives by—translated into English, they say that great achievements are not accomplished by chasing fame and fortune, but by dedicating oneself to one’s calling. Liu discovered his calling…