Research
New understanding of how the production of a protein in the brain is controlled could pave the way for new treatments for a wide range of neurological conditions.
In a newly-released study, researchers investigated a section of genetic material known as antisense long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), which helps fine-tune the production of the protein tau inside brain cells. This precision in tau regulation is crucial for smooth functioning of the nerve cells. Understanding the mechanism which helps regulate tau production could be the key to developing better treatments for conditions including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, corticobasal degeneration and progressive supranuclear palsy.
Over half of those living with neurological conditions who could not access speech and language therapy (SLT) during COVID-19 lockdown have seen their mental health, social and home lives worsen as a result, new research has revealed. Between March and June 2020, 41 per cent did not receive any SLT, with a further 32 per [...]
More than three quarters of women prisoners in Scotland have a history of significant head injury, most of which occurred in the context of domestic abuse that often lasted over periods of several years, new research has found.
With 78 per cent of women experiencing such a history of significant injury, 66 per cent had suffered repeat head injuries for many years, the University of Glasgow-led study – funded by the Scottish Government - revealed. Domestic violence was the most common cause of repeat head injury in the women surveyed, reported by 89 per cent of the participants who also reported repeat head injuries. Only five women had experienced a single incident moderate-severe head injury, without multiple, mild head injuries in addition. Of those with a history of significant head injury, a first head injury before the age of 15 was reported by 69 per cent of women.
A £1million fund has been created to lead new research into potential treatments for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) through the efforts of an iconic challenge by Kevin Sinfield.
Kevin, director of rugby at Leeds Rhinos, raised over £2million through his 7 in 7 Challenge, inspired by his former team-mate and close friend Rob Burrow. Rhinos legend Rob was diagnosed with MND in December 2019, and Kevin completed seven marathons in as many days to help boost badly-needed research into the condition. Now, with £500,000 of the money raised through the 7 in 7 Challenge ring fenced for research, that sum has been matched by medical research charity LifeArc.
Aggressive brain tumours can mimic normal brain repair processes, ‘surprising’ new research has revealed.
Scientists at the UCL have discovered that glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, mimics normal brain repair in white matter, which leads to the tumour becoming less malignant. In the study on mice, funded by Cancer Research UK, researchers used these novel findings to identify drugs which could be used, or repurposed, to harness this response and treat the cancer. Using the pre-clinical mouse models, the researchers found that Pranlukast, a drug clinically approved for treating asthma in people, suppressed glioblastoma growth. “We know glioblastoma often develops and spreads in the brain’s white matter but it has been unclear why this happens or what molecules are involved in this process,” says lead author, Professor Simona Parrinello of the UCL Cancer Institute.
Gender differences are clear when it comes to military veterans seeking and accessing mental health support due to stigma around seeking such help, new research has revealed.
Although only a minority of both male and female veterans are accessing support, females appear to have additional barriers to overcome when seeking help, such as negative gender stereotypes and a lack of recognition of their veteran status. Barriers to accessing mental health services among veterans are well researched in the UK, and examples include a lack of military specialist healthcare professionals and anticipated mental health-related stigma. However, these studies have included predominantly male participants, meaning the understanding of barriers to access experienced by female veterans is limited.
Three new pioneering research hubs are being established to advance scientific discoveries into promising treatment options for millions of patients with life-threatening diseases.
The research facilities will help to form a national network of cutting-edge gene therapy innovation hubs, backed by £18million in funding to support the clinical development of new genetic treatments. The innovation hubs - funded by LifeArc and the Medical Research Council (MRC), with support from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council - have been hailed as bringing fresh hope of breakthroughs for people living with one of the more than 7,000 genetic diseases that currently have no cure.
Men and women are impacted differently by the effects of neurological diseases, new research has found.
The study adds to a growing body of research suggesting sex differences play roles in how patients respond to brain diseases, as well as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Motor Neurone Disease (MND), and other brain ailments. That is progress from just a few years ago, say the University of Maryland team behind the new research. "I have worked with vascular cells for 20 years and, up until maybe about five years ago, if you asked if the sex of my cells mattered at all, I would have said no,” says Alisa Morss Clyne, director of the university's Vascular Kinetics Laboratory.
Primary care has an important role to play in preserving patients’ brain health from the earliest age by using ‘Life’s Simple Seven’ as a basis, new research has concluded.
Preserving the brain health of an ageing population is a growing concern globally, with an estimated one in five people in the US aged 65 or over having a mild cognitive impairment. While one in seven over 65s currently has dementia, that is expected to triple in the US by 2050, the new study has found.
The loss of ‘white matter’ and myelin in the brain has been identified as a central factor in age-related brain deterioration, new research has revealed.
In a new study, it was found that the cells that drive myelin repair become less efficient as we age and identified a key gene that is most affected by ageing, which reduces the cells’ ability to replace lost myelin. The loss of myelin results in cognitive decline and is central to several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.
