“Cat poop” brain parasite could be hijacked to deliver drugs

The common

Brain parasites are something that most people would naturally want to avoid, but maybe they can be used for good. A new study has found that a common brain parasite could be engineered to deliver drugs past the blood-brain barrier.

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ID of five subtypes of Alzheimer’s has huge implications for treatment

This breakthrough study could be pivotal in the research into and treatment of Alzheimer's disease

An international team of neuroscientists has for the first time identified five distinct subtypes of Alzheimer’s disease, in what could be a breakthrough for treatment approaches and efficacy. They call for researchers and medical professionals to look at the disease not as a single diagnosis but five specific types of Alzheimer’s.

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Focused ultrasound could be a non-invasive treatment for Alzheimer’s

Researchers have used focused ultrasound to non-invasively open up the blood-brain barrier (red) in mice

Two new studies have found that using focused ultrasound to open up the blood-brain barrier generated a positive immune response in the brain and allowed for the admission of gene-editing technology. The technique could be a non-invasive way of treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

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Hydrangea compound inhibits buildup of Alzheimer’s-associated protein

Researchers have found that a substance found in hydrangea leaves may be an effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease

A new study has found that a substance extracted from the leaves of the hydrangea plant could be an effective treatment against the protein plaques that are thought to contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

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Study identifies genetic signal that controls the blood-brain barrier

New research in mice and zebrafish has uncovered the genetic signal needed to form and maintain the blood-brain barrier. The discovery could let scientists control the barrier’s permeability, providing a more effective way of delivering medicines to th… Continue reading Study identifies genetic signal that controls the blood-brain barrier

Molecule patches leaks in blood-brain barrier to prevent MS or Alzheimer’s

A new study has identified promising molecules that could help patch up leaks in the blood-brain barrier

Being the control center of the body, your brain needs strong security against circulating pathogens or toxins. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) performs this vital function, but it can become “leaky.” Now, scientists at Stanford have identified therapeutic molecules that could help patch it up, to potentially prevent neurological diseases.

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Microbubbles and Ultrasound: Getting Drugs Through The Blood-Brain Barrier

The brain is a rather important organ, and as such, nature has gone to great lengths to protect it. The skull provides physical protection against knocks and bumps, but there’s …read more Continue reading Microbubbles and Ultrasound: Getting Drugs Through The Blood-Brain Barrier

Sugar-coated antibodies cross blood-brain barrier to fight Alzheimer’s

The blood-brain barrier is a network of tightly packed tissues and blood vessels meant to keep harmful substances out, but it can interfere with helpful treatments as well

In the quest to combat Alzheimer’s disease, researchers have been hopeful about the use of antibodies to destroy peptides in the brain that cause damaging tangles and plaque buildups. So far though, such treatments have been unsuccessful. Postulating that the issue had to do with the antibodies getting blocked by the blood-brain barrier, scientists have found a way to sneak them into the brains of mice afflicted with the disease, and have seen encouraging results.

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Brain-stimulating particles give electric jolts from ultrasound bursts

After crossing the blood-brain barrier, nanoparticles were able to deliver electrical pulses to the brain, potentially eliminating the need for brain-stimulating implant surgery

The delivery of electrical impulses to different areas of the brain has been used for years to help alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, as well as a range of other afflictions. However, the current method of dispatching the zaps involves implanting a pacemaker-like device in the chest and then running wires through holes in the skull to the relevant brain areas. A new technique using piezoelectric nanoparticles that are activated via bursts of ultrasound has shown promise as a wire-free way of stimulating the brain.

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Electrical zapping of brain cells hints at a sweet spot for tumor death

The brain’s natural defenses can make tumors in this part of the body difficult to treat, but scientists have found some early success using electrical fields in laboratory models. The technique involves using electrical energy to selectively target ca… Continue reading Electrical zapping of brain cells hints at a sweet spot for tumor death