Author: Julie
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Brain area involved in addiction activated earlier than previously thought in recreational cocaine users
Non-dependent users also experience dopamine release in response to drug cues Even among non-dependent cocaine users, cues associated with consumption of the drug lead to dopamine release in an area of the brain thought to promote compulsive use, according to researchers at McGill University. The findings, published in Scientific Reports, suggest that people who consider…
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Common acne medication offers new treatment for multiple sclerosis – Study results offer safe and affordable treatment option
A Canadian clinical trial led by researchers at the University of Calgary’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI), at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM), shows that minocycline, a common acne medication, can slow the progress of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) in people who have recently experienced their first symptoms. In addition to being an unexpected discovery — an…
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Researchers identify specific neurons that distinguish between reality and imagination
New Western University research shows that neurons in the part of the brain found to be abnormal in psychosis are also important in helping people distinguish between reality and imagination. The researchers, Dr. Julio Martinez-Trujillo, principal investigator and professor at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and Dr. Diego Mendoza-Halliday, postdoctoral researcher at…
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Researchers identify a new factor essential for the healthy development of a child’s brain
Proper brain development is a crucial step in a child’s health. An important part of brain development is the creation of white matter, which enables different regions of the brain to rapidly and effectively “talk” to one another. In a new study published in Neuron, a team of researchers led by Dr. Freda Miller and…
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University of Ottawa Researchers Have Found Yet Another Benefit From Exercise
No one can argue against exercise being good for you. Decades of research have revealed how getting our bodies in motion can offer a wealth of health benefits. Our muscles, metabolism, and immunity all improve as well as our brains. Our ability to learn and remember gets better and we may be able to ward…
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Researchers at Dalhousie University Reveal A Startling Phenomenon in Evolution
Have you ever been startled by a sudden noise, sight or touch? It can be quite a shock to the system. You tense up, your mind blanks out all previous thoughts, and you find yourself preparing for the worst. Then there are the lingering effects that can last for minutes after it is all over.…
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McGill Researchers Have Found A Fungal Toxin May One Day Repair Damage To The Central Nervous System
Injuries are a part of life. In most cases, such as cuts, bruises, tears, and even broken bones, our bodies heal. But when damage occurs to the central nervous system – or as most people call it, CNS – the outlook can be heartbreaking. The cells in this area, known as neurons, simply are not…
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Two CAN Young Investigator Awards in 2017: Przemyslaw (Mike) Sapieha, from Université de Montréal, and Tuan Trang, from University of Calgary.
The Canadian Association for Neuroscience is proud to announce it will be awarding two Young Investigator Awards in 2017. The laureates are Przemyslaw (Mike) Sapieha, from Université de Montréal, and Tuan Trang, from University of Calgary. The CAN nominations committee was equally impressed with both candidates, who have made important contributions to our understanding of…
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Molecule shown to repair damaged axons
Discovery could be key to treating brain and spinal cord injury A foray into plant biology led one researcher to discover that a natural molecule can repair axons, the thread-like projections that carry electrical signals between cells. Axonal damage is the major culprit underlying disability in conditions such as spinal cord injury and stroke. Andrew…
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Second study from UBC shows “liberation therapy” fails to treat multiple sclerosis
Opening up narrowed veins from the brain and spinal cord is not effective in treating multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study led by the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health. The conclusions about so-called “liberation therapy,” which thousands of people with MS have undergone since 2009, represent the most definitive debunking of…