Autistic brains are heavier, with more neurons

WASHINGTON, USA: A post-mortem analysis of half a dozen autistic boys showed that their brains were heavier and contained many more neurons than counterparts without the disorder, US researchers said Tuesday. 9 Nov 2011 15:54

Plastic-brained teens have big IQ swings

PARIS, FRANCE: Youngsters experience huge swings in intelligence during their teenage years, a finding with widespread implications for education, scientists reported last week. 25 Oct 2011 10:21

Blood tests may hold clues to pace of Alzheimer's disease progression

A team of scientists, led by Johns Hopkins researchers, say they may have found a way to predict how quickly patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) will lose cognitive function by looking at ratios of two fatty compounds in their blood. The finding, they say, could provide useful information to families and caregivers, and might also suggest treatment targets for this heartbreaking and incurable neurodegenerative disorder. 10 Oct 2011 10:02

Popular colorectal cancer drug may cause permanent nerve damage

Oxaliplatin, a platinum-based anticancer drug that's made enormous headway in recent years against colorectal cancer, appears to cause nerve damage that may be permanent and worsens even months after treatment ends. The chemotherapy side effect, described by Johns Hopkins researchers in the September issue of Neurology, was discovered in what is believed to be the first effort to track oxaliplatin-based nerve damage through relatively cheap and easy punch skin biopsies. 10 Oct 2011 10:01

Migraine linked to domestic violence

Researchers at University of Washington have just released a study confirming that women with experiences of lifetime physical or sexual violence have increased probability of migraine. The study was published in Headache, the official journal of the American Headache Society. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between intimate partner violence (physical, psychological or sexual violence) and migraine in a large group of women. 27 Sep 2011 10:04

A good laugh with others really does ease the pain, says study

Having a good laugh with friends really does help us to deal with pain, suggests a new study. The international research team, led by Oxford University, found that when we laugh properly, as opposed to producing a polite titter, the physical exertion leaves us exhausted and thereby triggers the release of protective endorphins. 20 Sep 2011 15:57

Researchers produce complete map of gene activity in the brains of mice

A complete map of active genes in the mammalian brain has been produced for the first time by Oxford University researchers and scientists at the US National Human Genome Research Institute. 12 Sep 2011 12:25

Seniors learn better from mistakes

OTTAWA: Canadian researchers have found the first evidence that older brains remember information better if it is learned through trial and error, rather than passively taking it in, a study said on Wednesday (24 August 2011). 29 Aug 2011 10:22

Results of medication studies in top medical journals may be misleading to readers

[Enrique Rivero] A UCLA-Harvard study has highlighted three types of confusing outcome measures. Studies about medications published in the most influential medical journals are frequently designed in a way that yields misleading or confusing results, new research suggests. 26 Aug 2011 09:19

Scientist finds altered cerebellar functions in those with Down syndrome

A scientist investigating why those with Down syndrome often have poor balance and motor coordination has found that key eye reflexes are substantially altered. 26 Aug 2011 09:09

New research reveals brain's natural protection mechanism during stroke

Neuroscientists have identified a natural protection mechanism in some of the brain's nerve cells during the onset of stroke. The findings, published recently in the Journal of Neuroscience, could be used to develop treatments to protect other nerve cell types responsible for speech and movement. 23 Aug 2011 14:19

Yale researchers show how memory is lost - and found

Yale University researchers can't tell you where you left your car keys - but they can tell you why you can't find them. 28 Jul 2011 09:14

Aging brains are different in humans and chimpanzees

Evolution of human longevity led to both a large brain and brain shrinkage say researchers. 26 Jul 2011 12:58

Ramadan fasting without the headache

The fasting month of Ramadan is an annual religious practice of Muslims prior to the "Hari Raya Puasa" celebration. During the one-month period, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset (participants abstain from eating, drinking and smoking for 29 to 30 days). Many people who fast over Ramadan suffer mild or moderate headaches as a result of factors such as hypoglycaemia, caffeine withdrawal, change in sleep patterns and the stress of fasting itself. 15 Jul 2011 11:34