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Research Explores Persistent Brain Health Benefits After Probiotic Discontinuation

Research Explores Persistent Brain Health Benefits After Probiotic Discontinuation

New research published in Communications Medicine, conducted by scientists at Örebro University in Sweden, investigates the lasting effects of probiotic supplementation on brain health in older adults. The study utilized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess changes in brain connectivity after a six-week intervention with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001, both encapsulated and non-encapsulated. Participants, aged 60 to 80, underwent assessments at baseline, after six weeks of probiotic intake, and again four to six weeks after discontinuing the supplements. The findings indicate that some brain-related probiotic effects, particularly in functional connectivity, can persist for several weeks post-intervention cessation. While some functional brain changes were no longer detectable, others remained, and new 'legacy effects' were observed at the follow-up. The study highlights the potential for probiotics to impact mental well-being in the elderly population, suggesting that some benefits may be more s...
Palm Beach Post Palm Beach Post
Boston Children's Hospital eyes expansion to West Palm | Exclusive

Boston Children's Hospital eyes expansion to West Palm | Exclusive

The pediatric hospital, which one poll ranks the best in the nation, would fill a need for Palm Beach County's growing population of young families.
Nashville Tennessean Nashville Tennessean
The HEADACHE Act offers hope for millions in pain

The HEADACHE Act offers hope for millions in pain

Migraines impact 40 million Americans. A patient shares why the HEADACHE Act is crucial for research and support.
Vox Vox
Why is it so hard to give away my dad’s brain?

Why is it so hard to give away my dad’s brain?

Scientists need fresh samples to research new treatments. But the donor process is an odyssey.
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Rutgers Researchers Find Aerobic Exercise Significantly Improves Executive Functions in Post-Menopausal Women

Rutgers Researchers Find Aerobic Exercise Significantly Improves Executive Functions in Post-Menopausal Women

Rutgers researchers have discovered that regular aerobic exercise can significantly enhance executive functions, which are critical thinking skills like planning, task-switching, and focus. This benefit appears particularly strong for women after menopause. The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and led by Sharon Sanz Simon, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, involved 93 healthy women aged 20 to 67, with 43% being post-menopausal. Participants, all starting with below-average cardiorespiratory fitness, were assigned to either a six-month aerobic exercise program or a stretching-and-toning program. Post-menopausal women in the aerobic group showed greater improvements in executive function, measured by task-switching speed and error management, compared to the stretching group and even pre-menopausal women in the same aerobic program. Measurable cognitive gains were observed at three months and strengthened over the six-month trial.
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Scientists Link Early Relapsing-Remitting MS to Subtle Brain White Matter Changes Undetectable by Standard MRI

Scientists Link Early Relapsing-Remitting MS to Subtle Brain White Matter Changes Undetectable by Standard MRI

European scientists have identified subtle metabolic changes in the brain's white matter in individuals with early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). These changes, which involve tissue rich in nerve cell projections, were detected using a specialized noninvasive imaging technique called proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), even when standard MRI scans appeared normal. The study, published in *Acta Neurologica Belgica*, found metabolic abnormalities in white matter that varied by brain region, reflecting mixed patterns of tissue injury. While some changes correlated with cognitive function, these relationships were generally weak. Stronger associations were observed with a combined measure of physical and cognitive function. The researchers noted that these findings are preliminary and require confirmation through larger, long-term studies. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic condition where the immune system attacks myelin, the protective coating around nerve fibers, leading to various...
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Insilico Medicine and Collaborators Identify Novel Alzheimer's Disease Targets Using AI

Insilico Medicine and Collaborators Identify Novel Alzheimer's Disease Targets Using AI

Insilico Medicine, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital, has identified new therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease. This discovery was made possible through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and rigorous experimental validation. The research focused on the NAD+-mitophagy axis, a pathway crucial for healthy brain aging and neurodegeneration. By analyzing large-scale human data, the team demonstrated that molecular changes in these pathways are present in the early stages of Alzheimer's. The AI-driven target discovery platform, PandaOmics, evaluated over 100 candidate genes involved in NAD+ and mitophagy pathways, prioritizing five potential therapeutic targets: ULK1, OPA1, LAMP2, MFN1, and ATP6V0E1. Preclinical validation in various models, including C. elegans and human Tau-mutant cell lines, confirmed that modulating these target genes directly altered disease pathology. For instance, enhancing mitochondrial fusion via OPA1 activ...
Trendline Trendline
Aitia and Ono Pharmaceutical Partner to Advance Neurological Drug Discovery Using AI

Aitia and Ono Pharmaceutical Partner to Advance Neurological Drug Discovery Using AI

Aitia and Ono Pharmaceutical Partner to Advance Neurological Drug Discovery Using AI
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Racial Disparities Persist in Multiple Sclerosis Mortality, With Black Patients Facing Higher Rates and Younger Deaths

Racial Disparities Persist in Multiple Sclerosis Mortality, With Black Patients Facing Higher Rates and Younger Deaths

A recent study published in *Neurology Open Access* reveals persistent racial disparities in multiple sclerosis (MS) mortality rates in the United States between 2012 and 2023. Non-Hispanic Black patients exhibit the highest average annual age-adjusted MS mortality rates, with Black patients dying at younger ages compared to White patients. The overall age-adjusted MS mortality rate was 1.10 per 100,000 U.S. population. Specifically, non-Hispanic Black women had the highest rate at 1.56 per 100,000, followed by non-Hispanic Black men at 0.97 per 100,000. Mortality rates were lower among Hispanic individuals. The study, which analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) WONDER database, also identified common comorbidities such as hypertension, cardiac arrest, septicemia, and respiratory failure, which contributed to deaths among individuals with MS. Hypertension-related mortality increased across White, Black, and Hispanic groups from 2019 to 2023.
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Regular Walking and Physical Activity Linked to Improved Quality of Life for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Regular Walking and Physical Activity Linked to Improved Quality of Life for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

A study conducted by the University of Eastern Finland has revealed a strong correlation between walking performance, functional capacity, and the perceived quality of life in individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Specifically, for those with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), the research indicates that lower disability levels, enhanced walking performance, and higher daily physical activity are associated with a better quality of life. The study utilized various measurement methods, including accelerometers for physical activity, established questionnaires (15D and RAND-36) for quality of life, and scales like EDSS and MSFC for disability. Participants also underwent physical performance assessments, such as the six-minute walk test. The findings suggest that simple walking tests could offer valuable insights into a patient's overall well-being and support the promotion of a more active lifestyle as part of MS care. The intensity of physical activity, however, was not found to b...
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Department of Defense Lacks Staff and Technology for Troop Brain Health Checks, Audit Finds

Department of Defense Lacks Staff and Technology for Troop Brain Health Checks, Audit Finds

A recent report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) indicates that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is facing significant challenges in completing cognitive assessments for high-risk, active-duty service members. The audit revealed that the DoD lacks sufficient staff and technology to conduct these crucial brain health checks. Last year, only 86% of the required assessments were completed. These assessments are a vital part of monitoring the brain health of service members who have been exposed to blasts, a measure implemented following a mass shooting in Lewiston by Army Reservist Robert Card. Forensic testing on Card, who killed 18 people in October 2023, found he had a brain injury, raising questions about its potential connection to his service and blast exposure. The DoD has stated it will conduct reviews to determine the necessary resources to improve its brain health assessment and monitoring capabilities.
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Yale School of Medicine Receives $25 Million Grant to Map Developing Brain for Autism Research

Yale School of Medicine Receives $25 Million Grant to Map Developing Brain for Autism Research

The Yale School of Medicine (YSM) has been awarded a grant of nearly $25 million by the Aligning Research to Impact Autism (ARIA) initiative. This significant funding, part of ARIA's Human Developmental Neurobiology Research Hub, is dedicated to creating foundational maps and models of the developing human brain. The primary goal is to clarify how and when autism diverges from typical development. The research, co-led by Nenad Sestan, MD, PhD, and Paola Arlotta, PhD, aims to address the current lack of a high-resolution, time-lapse map of the developing human brain. This gap makes it challenging for scientists to pinpoint mechanisms, identify early-life deviations, or design interventions that are tailored to an individual's biology at specific developmental stages. The grant will support two key projects at YSM: developing a high-resolution map of the developing brain's wiring and creating a cellular and molecular model to understand autism's divergence from typical development. These projects are part of...