Archive for neuroscience
Treating brain ‘hotspots’ and networks to address autism, aggression, and more
What if doctors could break down conditions like autism into their key symptoms, map these symptoms to “hotspots” in the brain, and then treat those areas directly with brain stimulation? If it bears out, such an approach could turn the care of neurologic and developmental disorders on its head, focusing on symptoms that are shared ... Read More about Treating brain ‘hotspots’ and networks to address autism, aggression, and more
Babies and screen time: New research calls for caution
If you’re a parent, you’ve probably been there. You have a baby howling for attention, but you need to cook dinner or get a sibling to take a much-needed nap. Baby TV shows, touch tablets, and digital phone toys can feel like lifesavers in keeping an active infant calm and contained while juggling what life ... Read More about Babies and screen time: New research calls for caution
Tagged: developmental medicine, eeg, media, neuroscience, primary care, well child care
New insight into dietary approaches for epilepsy
Fasting has been believed since ancient times to curb seizures in epilepsy, and small patient studies in the early 1900s have revived the idea. But the reasons have remained mysterious. New research from Boston Children’s helps explain how fasting affects the brain at the molecular level. The findings could lead the way to new approaches ... Read More about New insight into dietary approaches for epilepsy
Tagged: diet, epilepsy, neurology, neuroscience, seizures
Chasing Rett syndrome biomarkers: Could overnight EEG studies improve care?
In Rett syndrome, a genetic condition affecting girls almost exclusively, mutations in the MECP2 gene cause a regression of language and motor skills starting at 12 to 18 months of age. Children then usually stabilize, but how Rett will ultimately affect them is hard to predict. Some girls develop epilepsy; others have no seizures at ... Read More about Chasing Rett syndrome biomarkers: Could overnight EEG studies improve care?
Tagged: epilepsy, neuroscience, seizures
A new angle on the cause of Alzheimer’s disease: Accumulating brain mutations
Alzheimer’s disease is marked by a loss of functional neurons in the brain. But what causes this loss? A new study reveals that people with Alzheimer’s have an abundance of newly acquired mutations in their neurons — more than people of the same age without Alzheimer’s, and enough to disable genes important to brain function. ... Read More about A new angle on the cause of Alzheimer’s disease: Accumulating brain mutations
Beyond fluid buildup: Rethinking congenital hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is classically seen as a plumbing problem, the result of too much cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain or dysregulation of fluid flow. It is usually treated with shunts to drain the CSF, or with ETV/CPC, which makes a small hole to drain the CSF and burns off the choroid plexus tissue that produces ... Read More about Beyond fluid buildup: Rethinking congenital hydrocephalus
To do more for Gwyneth: One family’s journey with Rett syndrome
When Florida couple Melissa and Nick welcomed their daughters, McKinley and Gwyneth, in October 2017, the first-time parents knew to expect the unexpected with parenthood. Nonetheless, they couldn’t help but envision their daughters’ futures: learning to walk, talk, and drive, then eventually going to college, falling in love, getting married, and having kids. And Melissa ... Read More about To do more for Gwyneth: One family’s journey with Rett syndrome
Tagged: neurology, neuroscience, rett syndrome
Solving neurodevelopmental mysteries, one gene, one child at a time
Suheil Day was born early, at 37 weeks. Aside from a slight head lag and mild muscle weakness, nothing seemed terribly amiss. But as the months progressed, he began having seizures. “At the age of 4 to 5 months, he started waking up screaming and crying excessively, his eyes rolling up into his head,” says ... Read More about Solving neurodevelopmental mysteries, one gene, one child at a time
Sound sleep, sound mind: The importance of sleep for preteens’ developing brains
When your preteen doesn’t get enough sound sleep, some of the signs, like crankiness, are obvious. But some of the effects are more subtle. A large, first-of-its-kind study from Boston Children’s Hospital now shows that too little or poor-quality sleep may prevent the brain from developing strong, efficient connections. “Early adolescence is a critical time ... Read More about Sound sleep, sound mind: The importance of sleep for preteens’ developing brains
Tagged: adolescent medicine, imaging, neuroscience, primary care, sleep, well child care
Diving deep on epilepsy genetics
When child neurologist Annapurna Poduri, MD, MPH finished her clinical epilepsy fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital in 2004, she was struck to find that the genetic understanding of epilepsy had changed little in the decade since she started medical school. Many questions were unanswered — and some weren’t yet being asked. Existing treatments were still ... Read More about Diving deep on epilepsy genetics
Tagged: epilepsy, genetics and genomics, neurology, neuroscience, rare disease, zebrafish