Pharmacokinetics Study Confirms Therapeutic-Enabling Quantities of Allon's Drugs AL-108 and AL-208 in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid

Aug 12, 2008 09:15 ET

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA and BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS--(Marketwire - Aug. 12, 2008) - Allon Therapeutics Inc. (TSX:NPC) announced today that a pharmacokinetics study has confirmed that the Company's clinical stage drugs AL-108 and AL-208 penetrate the blood brain barrier of healthy adults and Alzheimer's disease patients in sufficient quantities to enable a therapeutic effect on Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Gordon McCauley, President and CEO of Allon, said the results support the Company's ongoing clinical development programs for AL-108 and AL-208 and will help determine appropriate dosages for future clinical trials.

"Our results confirmed that therapeutic-enabling quantities of AL-108 or AL-208 were found in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the healthy adults and the Alzheimer's patients," said McCauley. "The amounts of AL-108 and Al-208 in the CSF were dose proportional and both drugs were safe and well-tolerated by the test subjects."

McCauley announced the pharmacokinetic results during his presentation to the Canaccord Adams Inc. 28th Annual Global Growth Conference in Boston, MA. The conference brings together institutional investors, venture capital investors and small to mid-cap growth-oriented companies.

Allon is developing AL-108 as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease and for schizophrenia-related cognitive impairment. Allon is developing AL-208 as a treatment for the ischemic damage resulting from a variety of acute brain injuries.

- Earlier this year, Allon announced that a Phase IIa clinical trial evaluating AL-108 in 144 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), a precursor to Alzheimer's disease, demonstrated that specific memory function improved in patients who were given twice daily dosages of 15 milligrams (mgs) of AL-108 intranasally over 12 weeks. Later this year, the Company will begin enrolment in a Phase IIb clinical trial evaluating AL-108 in Alzheimer's patients.

- The Company expects to complete patient enrolment during the Third Quarter and report top-line results during the Fourth Quarter from a Phase II clinical trial evaluating AL-108 as a treatment for schizophrenia-related cognitive impairment.

- The Company expects to release top-line results during the Third Quarter from the randomized portion of a Phase II clinical trial evaluating the safety, tolerability and effect of AL-208 as a prevention for the mild cognitive impairment resulting from ischemic damage during coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Pharmacokinetic study results

Test subjects were given a single 15 mg intranasal dose of AL-108 or a single intravenous dose of 50 mg or 300 mg of AL-208. These doses were found to be safe and well-tolerated by the healthy volunteers and mild-to-moderate AD patients.

The pharmacokinetic profile of AL-108 and AL-208 in healthy volunteers confirm results obtained in Allon's previous Phase 1 trials. These conclusions are based on measures of peak concentrations, overall exposure to drug and rate of clearance. The concentration of AL-108 and AL-208 in CSF indicate that the drug crosses the blood-brain barrier in quantities that have conferred protection in prior experimental models.

McCauley said the pharmacokinetic profile of 15 mg AL-108 in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's patients provides sufficient information to design dose-range components of the Company's proposed Phase IIb Alzheimer's trial. "The modest intra-individual variability observed in the Alzheimer's patients validates the intranasal route of administration for this therapeutic indication and provides us with added confidence in moving this program forward," said McCauley.

About Allon's neuroprotective platforms

Allon's two neuroprotective technology platforms are based on two naturally occurring proteins secreted by the brain in response to a range of insults. The platforms are activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) and activity-dependent neurotrophic factor (ADNF). Because the two platforms are based on different proteins, the drugs from each are different molecules with different therapeutic mechanisms and distinct commercial opportunities. Clinical-stage drugs AL-108 and AL-208 are derived from ADNP, while preclinical stage drug AL-309 is derived from ADNF.

About Allon

Allon Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing treatments for major neurodegenerative conditions. In Q1 2008, Allon's drug AL-108 demonstrated human efficacy in amnestic mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to Alzheimer's disease. Allon has Phase II human efficacy programs pursuing three large underserved markets: Alzheimer's disease, stroke and schizophrenia-related cognitive impairment. The Company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "NPC" (Neuro Protection Company^TM) and based in Vancouver. For additional information please visit the Company's website: www.allontherapeutics.com.

The Prince Synergy Beats Harvard in Full Recovery of Traumatic Brain Injury

August 19, 2008 10:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time


LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Prince Synergy (www.ThePrinceSynergy.com), a leading resource in human capital, announces its full recovery record in Traumatic Brain Injury, including poor impulse control secondary to the injury. A full recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury has been a tough issue even to Harvard University, which The Prince Synergy has unexpectedly discovered recently.

When asked the significance of the recovery, Dr. Bin Yang, CEO and Founder of The Prince Synergy, said, “Victims can regain more freedom. Businesses can reduce more costs in disability and worker’s compensation. A full recovery is possible even two years after the injury. The poor impulse control can be cured.”

Traumatic Brain Injury takes away victims’ freedom and opportunities internally, which makes this injury extremely painful. The victims’ cognitive difficulties also make the recovery harder. Other obstacles include lack of deep knowledge and efficient treatment options, bias against brain injury victims and a slow and stressful recovery process. Some professionals and family members abuse victims and systems, which is the worst drawback toward a full recovery.

Some parts of the recovery take special skills. The Prince Synergy offers 2 days hands-on recovery training. The program enables victims to sharpen their insights into experts and themselves, utilize full resources, strike to recover from inside out, and get back to work and life fast. This program is also very beneficial to victims’ families. The Prince Synergy welcomes partners and investors in research and expand the horizon of human potential.

About The Prince Synergy:

The Prince Synergy is a leading resource in human capital, founded by Bin Yang who has a background in medicine, business, law and eastern medicine. The Prince Synergy not only maximizes innovation and productivity, but also sustains creativity and health efficiently from unexpected change, stress and illness. Most of its hands-on training and management consulting have been featured in Forbes and Euroinvestor. The Prince Synergy helps individuals stay at their optimal level, and helps businesses reduce workplace stress, keep talents, and save health care costs efficiently. In addition to bringing injured people back to work fast, The Prince Synergy also makes CEOs, executives and others more sustainable to life challenges.

SharpBrains' Top 10 Brain Training Predictions 2007-2015

Ten emerging trends of applied cognitive science that will impact the future of healthcare and wellness to be discussed at World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council.
In an emerging market like cognitive training, it is difficult to make precise projections

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) August 5, 2008 -- SharpBrains, the brain fitness market authority, announces the public release of its Top 10 Brain Training Predictions for the period 2007-2015.

"In an emerging market like cognitive training, it is difficult to make precise projections", says Alvaro Fernandez, CEO and co-founder of SharpBrains. "But, we can observe a number of trends that executives, consumers, public policy makers, and the media should watch closely in the coming years, as research-based cognitive fitness and training becomes mainstream, new tools appear, and an ecosystem grows around it."

Mr. Fernandez has been invited to become a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on the Challenges of Gerontology. He has accepted this invitation and confirmed his attendance of the Inaugural Summit on the Global Agenda to be held in Dubai from 7 to 9 November 2008.

Mr. Fernandez is a co-author of the acclaimed State of the Brain Fitness Software Market 2008 report, which estimates a revenue growth for the brain fitness software category (applications to measure and/ or train cognitive functions) from $100m in 2005 to $225m in 2007, and forecasts its future growth to over $2 billion by 2015.

SharpBrains' Top 10 Brain Training Predictions 2007-2015 are:

1. We predict an increased emphasis on brain maintenance in locations ranging from retirement communities to gyms. As a computer-savvy baby boomer population looks for ways to stay mentally fit, brain fitness, or brain training, is becoming part of their vocabulary and concern.

2. Physical and mental exercise will be better integrated. Physical exercise has been shown to increase the rate of neurogenesis, whereas mental exercise helps ensure the survival of any newly created neurons. Today both activities usually take place in very different settings: the former, in health clubs, the later, in universities. We predict that the borders between them will become more diffuse. Expect new programs such as brain fitness podcasts that allow us to train working memory as we jog or exercise bikes with built-in brain games.

3. Watch for a broad government initiative, similar to the one JFK led, to increase the public awareness of the need for brain fitness. It is becoming more widely understood by the medical and policy community that a combination of physical exercise, nutrition, mental exercise and stress management can help us maintain our brain health as we age. As politicians and policy makers look for ways to delay the onset of Alzheimer-related symptoms of our aging population, new initiatives may be launched.

4. Better and more widely available assessments of cognitive function will serve as objective baselines to measure the impact of cognitive training interventions. There will also likely be better diagnostic tests to identify early Alzheimer's symptoms, for example. Reliable diagnostic assessments of cognitive abilities will help move this field forward just as jumping on a scale tells you if your physical fitness and diet program is working.

5. Improved computer-based tools will come to market. The growing pipeline of research studies will enable the market leaders and new entrants to refine existing tools and devise new ones. More clinical studies will show the benefits of brain fitness programs to address specific clinical conditions and learning disabilities.

6. Low tech options will play an increasing role in the brain fitness field. Already, increasing research is showing the cognitive value and brain plasticity impact of interventions such as meditation and cognitive therapy. More research and wider applications will help refine our understanding of when and how they can be most helpful.

7. Doctors and pharmacists will help patients navigate through the overwhelming range of available products and interpret the results of cognitive assessments. This will require significant professional development efforts, given that most doctors today were trained under a very different understanding of the brain than the one we have today.

8. Insurance companies will introduce incentives for members to encourage healthy aging. Many insurance plans today include rewards for members who, for example, voluntarily take health-related questionnaires that enable them to identify steps to take to improve health. Increasingly, brain-related lifestyle factors will become part of these incentivized interventions.

9. Investments in new cognitive interventions for the U.S. military will be commercialized. As the military increasingly funds research to improve the diagnostic and treatment of problems such as PTSD and TBI, the resulting products will ultimately find commercial uses.

10. Brain training will be added to corporate wellness and leadership initiatives. Large employers with existing corporate wellness and leadership programs will introduce brain fitness specific programs aimed not only at improved health outcomes but also at increased productivity and cognitive performance in the workplace.

About The State of the Brain Fitness Software Market 2008 Report:
These predictions come from SharpBrains' market report "The State of the Brain Fitness Software Market 2008", the first comprehensive report to cover the emerging category of applications that help assess and/ or train brain functions, both computer-based and via mobile brain training.

Top 10 Brain Foods for Children

Give your child’s brain a nutritional boost.

By Jeanie Lerche Davis
WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD

Want your child to do better in school? Take a close look at diet. Certain "brain foods" may help boost a child's brain growth -- plus improve brain function, memory, and concentration.

In fact, the brain is a very hungry organ -- the first of the body's organs to absorb nutrients from the food we eat, explains Bethany Thayer, MS, RD, a Detroit nutritionist and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association (ADA).

"Give the body junk food, and the brain is certainly going to suffer," she tells WebMD.

Growing bodies need many types of nutrients -- but these 10 superfoods will help kids get the most from school.

1. Brain Food: Salmon

Fatty fish like salmon are an excellent source of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA -- both essential for brain growth and function, says Andrea Giancoli, MPH, RD, a Los Angeles nutritionist and ADA spokeswoman.

In fact, recent research has also shown that people who get more of these fatty acids in their diet have sharper minds and do better at mental skills tests.

While tuna is also a source of omega-3s, it's not a rich source like salmon, Giancoli tells WebMD.
"Tuna is definitely a good source of lean protein, but because it's so lean it's not very high in omega-3s like canned salmon is," Giancoli tells WebMD. Also, albacore "white" tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna, so the EPA advises eating no more than 6 ounces of albacore tuna weekly.

Eat more salmon: Instead of tuna sandwiches, make salmon salad for sandwiches -- canned salmon mixed with reduced-fat mayo or non-fat plain yogurt, raisins, chopped celery, and carrots (plus a little Dijon mustard if your child likes the taste). Serve on whole-grain bread -- which is also a brain food.

Soup idea: Add canned salmon to creamy broccoli soup -- plus frozen chopped broccoli for extra nutrition and soft texture. Boxed soups make this an easy meal, and are generally low in fat and calories, Giancoli says. Look for organic boxed soups in the health food section.

Make salmon patties -- using 14 oz. canned salmon, 1 lb. frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained), 1/2 onion (finely chopped), 2 garlic cloves (pressed), 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper to taste. Combine ingredients. Mix well. Form into small balls. Heat olive oil in pan, flatten spinach balls with spatula. Cook over medium heat. Serve over brown rice (instant or frozen).

2. Brain Food: Eggs

Eggs are well-known as a great protein source -- but the egg yolks are also packed with choline, which helps memory development.

Eat more eggs: Send your child off to school with a grab-and-go breakfast egg burrito. Try breakfast for dinner one night a week -- scrambled eggs and toast. Make your own egg McMuffin at home: just put a fried egg on top of a toasted English muffin, topped with a slice of low-fat cheese.

3. Brain Food: Peanut Butter

"Peanuts and peanut butter are a good source of vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that protects nervous membranes -- plus thiamin to help the brain and nervous system use glucose for energy," says Giancoli.

Eat more peanut butter: For a twist on an old favorite, make a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Dip apple slices in peanut butter. Or, top off your favorite salad with a handful of peanuts.

4. Brain Food: Whole Grains

The brain needs a constant supply of glucose -- and whole grains provide that in spades. The fiber helps regulate the release of glucose into the body, Giancoli explains. "Whole grains also have B-vitamins, which nourish a healthy nervous system."

Eat more whole grains: It's easy to find more whole grain cereals these days (make sure a whole grain is the first ingredient listed). But also think outside the box -- and try whole wheat couscous for dinner with cranberries, or low-fat popcorn for a fun snack, she suggests.

Whole-grain bread is a must for sandwiches. Switch to whole-grain tortillas and chips for quesadillas, wraps, and snacks.

5. Brain Food: Oats/Oatmeal

Oats are one of the most familiar hot cereals for kids and a very nutritious “grain for the brain,” says Sarah Krieger, MPH, RD, LD/N, a St. Petersburg, Fla. consultant and ADA spokeswoman. "Oats provide excellent energy or fuel for the brain that kids need first thing in the morning."

Loaded with fiber, oats keep a child’s brain fed all morning at school. Oats also are good sources of vitamin E, B-vitamins, potassium and zinc -- which make our bodies and brains function at full capacity.

Eat more oats: Top hot oatmeal with pretty much anything -- applesauce and cinnamon, dried fruit and soy milk, sliced almonds and a drizzle of honey, fresh banana and a dash of nutmeg with skim milk, Krieger suggests.

Cooking? Throw a handful of dry oats into a smoothie to make it thick -- or into pancake, muffin, waffle or a granola bar recipe.

Here’s a simple snack kids can make: 1 cup peanut butter, ½ cup honey, 1 cup dry oats, ½ cup dry milk powder. Mix it up with your hands -- then put a tablespoon between 2 apple or pear slices for a fun and different sandwich!

6. Brain Food: Berries

Strawberries, cherries, blueberries, blackberries. "In general, the more intense the color, the more nutrition in the berries," Krieger says. Berries boast high levels of antioxidants, especially vitamin C, which may help prevent cancer.

Studies have shown improved memory with the extracts of blueberries and strawberries. "But eat the real thing to get a more nutritious package," Krieger says. "The seeds from berries are also a good source of omega-3 fats.."

Eat more berries: Add berries to veggies that may need a flavor boost -- like sliced sweet cherries with broccoli or strawberries with green beans. Toss berries into a green salad. Add chopped berries to a jar of salsa for an excellent flavor surprise.

More berry ideas: Add berries to yogurt, hot or cold cereal, or dips. For a light dessert, top a mound of berries with nonfat whipped topping, Krieger suggests.

7. Brain Food: Beans

Beans are special because they have energy from protein and complex carbs -- and fiber -- plus lots of vitamins and minerals, Krieger says. "These are an excellent brain food since they keep a child's energy and thinking level at peak all afternoon if they enjoy them with lunch."

Kidney and pinto beans contain more omega 3 fatty acids than other beans -- specifically ALA, another of the omega-3’s important for brain growth and function, says Krieger.

Eat more beans: Sprinkle beans over salad and top with salsa. Mash vegetarian beans and spread on a tortilla. Mash or fill a pita pocket with beans -- and add shredded lettuce and low-fat cheese. Add beans to spaghetti sauce and salsa. Infants love mashed beans with applesauce!

8. Brain Food: Colorful Veggies

Tomatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, spinach -- vegetables with rich, deep color are the best sources of antioxidants that keep brain cells strong and healthy, Thayer says.

Eat more veggies: Try sweet potato fries: Cut up in wedges or sticks. Spray them with vegetable oil cooking spray and then bake them in the oven (400 degrees, 20 minutes or until they start to brown).

Make pumpkin muffins: Mix 1 15-ounce can of pumpkin with a box of your favorite cake or muffin mix. Stir the two ingredients together and follow the directions.

Baby carrots and tiny tomatoes fit nicely into lunch bags. Kids love spinach salads with lots of stuff in them -- like strawberries, mandarin oranges, sliced almonds. Another trick: Sneak all sorts of chopped veggies into spaghetti sauce, soups, and stews.

9. Brain Food: Milk & Yogurt

Dairy foods are packed with protein and B-vitamins -- essential for growth of brain tissue, neurotransmitters, and enzymes. "Milk and yogurt also provide a bigger punch with both protein and carbohydrates – the preferred source of energy for the brain," Thayer says.

Recent research suggests that children and teens need 10 times more the recommended dose of vitamin D -- a vitamin that benefits the neuromuscular system and the overall life cycle of human cells.

Eat more dairy: Low-fat milk over cereal -- and calcium- and vitamin D-fortified juices -- are easy ways to get these essential nutrients. Cheese sticks are great snacks.

Low-fat yogurt parfaits are also fun. In a tall glass, layer yogurt with berries (fresh, frozen, or dried) and chopped nuts (almonds or walnuts), Thayer suggests.

10. Brain Food: Lean Beef (or Meat Alternative)

Iron is an essential mineral that helps kids stay energized and concentrate at school. Lean beef is one of the best absorbed sources of iron. In fact, just 1 ounce per day has been shown to help the body absorb iron from other sources. Beef also contains zinc, which helps with memory.

For vegetarians, black bean and soy burgers are great iron-rich meatless options. Beans are an important source of nonheme iron -- a type of iron that needs vitamin C to be absorbed. Eat tomatoes, red bell pepper, orange juice, strawberries, and other "Cs" with beans to get the most iron.

For a burger-less source of iron -- try spinach. It's packed with nonheme iron, too.

Eat more iron: For dinner, grill kebobs with beef chunks and veggies. Or stir-fry a bit of beef with kids' favorite veggies. Grill black bean or soy burgers, then top with salsa or a tomato slice. Or, chow down on a spinach salad (with mandarin oranges and strawberries for vitamin C).

Congenital Hydrocephalus: Treatment

Early treatment-within a baby's first 3 to 4 months-is important to help limit or prevent brain damage. The long-term effects of congenital hydrocephalus depend largely on the cause of the condition, its severity, and the response to treatment.

Treatment generally consists of surgically inserting a flexible tube (shunt) in the brain to drain the cerebrospinal fluid. The shunt will remain in the brain permanently but may need to be repaired or replaced if a problem develops.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is sometimes performed instead of surgical shunt placement. ETV is a surgical procedure in which a small hole is made in a ventricle in the brain, allowing CSF to flow freely. It is often done when hydrocephalus seems to be a result of a blockage between ventricles. If used as treatment for congenital hydrocephalus, it is more likely to be tried after a shunt malfunction or infection. ETV was once thought to be a permanent solution for redirecting CSF flow, but it has been shown to fail over time. Babies younger than 6 months of age usually are not good candidates for this procedure.

Children with congenital hydrocephalus are at increased risk for developmental disabilities and may require treatment such as speech therapy or physical therapy.

Congenital Hydrocephalus: Diagnosis

Most cases of congenital hydrocephalus are diagnosed during a physical exam soon after birth based on the larger-than-normal size of the baby's head. In rare cases, a diagnosis is made later in childhood. There may be reasons other than congenital hydrocephalus for why a baby has a larger-than-normal head.
With sophisticated imaging technologies, congenital hydrocephalus can be detected in a fetus as early as the third or fourth month of pregnancy. By the fifth or sixth month, abnormal dilation of brain cavities is more clearly detectable. Tests to identify the condition include:

• Ultrasound -- Performed by a radiologist or perinatologist, this test will establish if there is an abnormal collection of fluid but may not show the obstruction. Imaging tests are usually done to see whether congenital hydrocephalus is a possibility.

• Amniocentesis -- This, or a needle aspiration of intrauterine fluid, may be performed to detect the presence of other birth defects associated with hydrocephalus.

Congenital hydrocephalus, however, is frequently diagnosed at birth or shortly after. Sometimes it's not diagnosed until after birth.

A computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound may be done to help confirm the diagnosis or to provide a more detailed picture of the brain and its structures.

Congenital Hydrocephalus: Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms

The most common cause of congenital hydrocephalus is obstruction of the cerebral aqueduct -- the long, narrow passageway between the third and fourth ventricle or cavity of the brain. This condition may result from a blockage, infection, hemorrhage, tumor or arachnoid cyst. Other medical problems associated with this form of hydrocephalus are:

* Chiari malformations, an abnormality at the base of brain where the spinal column joins the skull
* Craniosynostosis, when the bones in the skull fuse together before the brain has stopped growing
* Dandy-Walker syndrome, when the fourth ventricle is enlarged because of partial or complete closure of its outlets
* Hydranencephaly, a rare condition in which the brain's cerebral hemispheres are absent and replaced by sacs filled with cerebrospinal fluid
* Neural tube defects or spina bifida, when the spinal cord is exposed at birth and is often lacking cerebrospinal fluid
* Schizencephaly, an extremely rare disorder characterized by abnormal slits, or clefts, in the brain's cerebral hemispheres
* Vein of Galen malformations, abnormal connections between arteries and the deep draining veins of the brain that develop before birth

Symptoms in infants may include:

* A very large head or a head that's growing very quickly in relation to the rest of the body
* Vomiting
* Sleepiness
* Irritability
* Downward deviation of the eyes, called "sunsetting"
* Seizures

Source: UCSF

Types of hydrocephalus and their etiologies

Hydrocephalus can be caused by impaired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow, reabsorption, or excessive CSF production.

• The most common cause of hydrocephalus is CSF flow obstruction, hindering the free passage of cerebrospinal fluid through the ventricular system and subarachnoid space (e.g., stenosis of the cerebral aqueduct or obstruction of the interventricular foramina - foramina of Monro secondary to tumors, hemorrhages, infections or congenital malformations).
• Hydrocephalus can also be caused by overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid (relative obstruction) (e.g., papilloma of choroid plexus).

Based on its underlying mechanisms, hydrocephalus can be classified into communicating, and non-communicating (obstructive). Both forms can be either congenital, or acquired.

Communicating hydrocephalus

Communicating hydrocephalus, also known as non-obstructive hydrocephalus, is caused by impaired cerebrospinal fluid resorption in the absence of any CSF-flow obstruction. It has been theorized that this is due to functional impairment of the arachnoid granulations, which are located along the superior sagittal sinus and is the site of cerebrospinal fluid resorption back into the venous system. Various neurologic conditions may result in communicating hydrocephalus, including subarachnoid/intraventricular hemorrhage, meningitis, Chiari malformation, and congenital absence of arachnoidal granulations (Pacchioni's granulations).

• Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a particular form of communicating hydrocephalus, characterized by enlarged cerebral ventricles, with only intermittently elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure. The diagnosis of NPH can be established only with the help of continuous intraventricular pressure recordings (over 24 hours or even longer), since more often than not, instant measurements yield normal pressure values. Dynamic compliance studies may be also helpful. Altered compliance (elasticity) of the ventricular walls, as well as increased viscosity of the cerebrospinal fluid, may play a role in the pathogenesis of normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Main article: normal pressure hydrocephalus

• Hydrocephalus ex vacuo also refers to an enlargement of cerebral ventricles and subarachnoid spaces, and is usually due to brain atrophy (as it occurs in dementias), post-traumatic brain injuries and even in some psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. As opposed to hydrocephalus, this is a compensatory enlargement of the CSF-spaces in response to brain parenchyma loss - it is not the result of increased CSF pressure.

Non-communicating hydrocephalus

Non-communicating hydrocephalus, or obstructive hydrocephalus, is caused by a CSF-flow obstruction (either due to external compression or intraventricular mass lesions).

• Foramen of Monro obstruction may lead to dilation of one or, if large enough (e.g., in colloid cyst), both lateral ventricles.
• The aqueduct of Sylvius, normally narrow to begin with, may be obstructed by a number of genetically or acquired lesions (e.g., atresia, ependymitis, hemorrhage, tumor) and lead to dilatation of both lateral ventricles as well as the third ventricle.
• Fourth ventricle obstruction will lead to dilatation of the aqueduct as well as the lateral and third ventricles.
• The foramina of Luschka and foramen of Magendie may be obstructed due to congenital failure of opening (e.g., Dandy-Walker malformation).
• The subarachnoid space surrounding the brainstem may also be obstructed due to inflammatory or hemorrhagic fibrosing meningitis, leading to widespread dilatation, including the fourth ventricle.

Congenital hydrocephalus

The cranial bones fuse by the end of the third year of life. For head enlargement to occur, hydrocephalus must occur before then. The causes are usually genetic but can also be acquired and usually occur within the first few months of life, which include 1) intraventricular matrix hemorrhages in premature infants, 2) infections, 3) type II Arnold-Chiari malformation, 4) aqueduct atresia and stenosis, and 5) Dandy-Walker malformation.

Main articles: Arnold-Chiari malformation and Dandy-Walker malformation

In newborns and toddlers with hydrocephalus, the head circumference is enlarged rapidly and soon surpasses the 97th%. Since the skull bones have not yet firmly joined together, bulging, firm anterior and posterior fontanelles may be present even when the patient is in an upright position.

The infant exhibits fretfulness, poor feeding, and frequent vomiting. As the hydrocephalus progresses, torpor sets in, and the infant shows lack of interest in his surroundings. Later on, the upper eyelids become retracted and the eyes are turned downwards (due to hydrocephalic pressure on the mesencephalic tegmentum and paralysis of upward gaze). Movements become weak and the arms may become tremulous. Papilledema is absent but there may be reduction of vision. The head becomes so enlarged that the child may eventually be bedridden.

About 80-90% of fetuses or newborn infants with spina bifida - often associated with meningocele or myelomeningocele - develop hydrocephalus.^[6]

Acquired hydrocephalus

This condition is acquired as a consequence of CNS-infections, meningitis, brain tumors, head trauma, intracranial hemorrhage (subarachnoid or intraparenchymal) and is usually extremely painful for the patient.

Source: Wikipedia

Top 10 Brain Training Predictions 2007-2015 Unveiled by Brain Fitness Authority SharpBrains

Ten emerging trends of applied cognitive science that will impact the future of healthcare and wellness to be discussed at World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council.
In an emerging market like cognitive training, it is difficult to make precise projections

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) August 5, 2008 -- SharpBrains, the brain fitness market authority, announces the public release of its Top 10 Brain Training Predictions for the period 2007-2015.


"In an emerging market like cognitive training, it is difficult to make precise projections", says Alvaro Fernandez, CEO and co-founder of SharpBrains. "But, we can observe a number of trends that executives, consumers, public policy makers, and the media should watch closely in the coming years, as research-based cognitive fitness and training becomes mainstream, new tools appear, and an ecosystem grows around it."

Mr. Fernandez has been invited to become a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on the Challenges of Gerontology. He has accepted this invitation and confirmed his attendance of the Inaugural Summit on the Global Agenda to be held in Dubai from 7 to 9 November 2008.

Mr. Fernandez is a co-author of the acclaimed State of the Brain Fitness Software Market 2008 report, which estimates a revenue growth for the brain fitness software category (applications to measure and/ or train cognitive functions) from $100m in 2005 to $225m in 2007, and forecasts its future growth to over $2 billion by 2015.

SharpBrains' Top 10 Brain Training Predictions 2007-2015 are:

1. We predict an increased emphasis on brain maintenance in locations ranging from retirement communities to gyms. As a computer-savvy baby boomer population looks for ways to stay mentally fit, brain fitness, or brain training, is becoming part of their vocabulary and concern.

2. Physical and mental exercise will be better integrated. Physical exercise has been shown to increase the rate of neurogenesis, whereas mental exercise helps ensure the survival of any newly created neurons. Today both activities usually take place in very different settings: the former, in health clubs, the later, in universities. We predict that the borders between them will become more diffuse. Expect new programs such as brain fitness podcasts that allow us to train working memory as we jog or exercise bikes with built-in brain games.

3. Watch for a broad government initiative, similar to the one JFK led, to increase the public awareness of the need for brain fitness. It is becoming more widely understood by the medical and policy community that a combination of physical exercise, nutrition, mental exercise and stress management can help us maintain our brain health as we age. As politicians and policy makers look for ways to delay the onset of Alzheimer-related symptoms of our aging population, new initiatives may be launched.

4. Better and more widely available assessments of cognitive function will serve as objective baselines to measure the impact of cognitive training interventions. There will also likely be better diagnostic tests to identify early Alzheimer's symptoms, for example. Reliable diagnostic assessments of cognitive abilities will help move this field forward just as jumping on a scale tells you if your physical fitness and diet program is working.

5. Improved computer-based tools will come to market. The growing pipeline of research studies will enable the market leaders and new entrants to refine existing tools and devise new ones. More clinical studies will show the benefits of brain fitness programs to address specific clinical conditions and learning disabilities.

6. Low tech options will play an increasing role in the brain fitness field. Already, increasing research is showing the cognitive value and brain plasticity impact of interventions such as meditation and cognitive therapy. More research and wider applications will help refine our understanding of when and how they can be most helpful.

7. Doctors and pharmacists will help patients navigate through the overwhelming range of available products and interpret the results of cognitive assessments. This will require significant professional development efforts, given that most doctors today were trained under a very different understanding of the brain than the one we have today.

8. Insurance companies will introduce incentives for members to encourage healthy aging. Many insurance plans today include rewards for members who, for example, voluntarily take health-related questionnaires that enable them to identify steps to take to improve health. Increasingly, brain-related lifestyle factors will become part of these incentivized interventions.

9. Investments in new cognitive interventions for the U.S. military will be commercialized. As the military increasingly funds research to improve the diagnostic and treatment of problems such as PTSD and TBI, the resulting products will ultimately find commercial uses.

10. Brain training will be added to corporate wellness and leadership initiatives. Large employers with existing corporate wellness and leadership programs will introduce brain fitness specific programs aimed not only at improved health outcomes but also at increased productivity and cognitive performance in the workplace.

About The State of the Brain Fitness Software Market 2008 Report:
These predictions come from SharpBrains' market report "The State of the Brain Fitness Software Market 2008", the first comprehensive report to cover the emerging category of applications that help assess and/ or train brain functions, both computer-based and via mobile brain training.

Brain Aerobics Could be Key to Famous Heart Doctor’s Longevity, Says Alzheimer’s Expert

The late pioneer heart surgeon Michael DeBakey attributed his longevity to genetics and not smoking. However, Alzheimer’s disease and brain longevity expert Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D. believes that mental exercise and brain aerobics played a big role.

Tucson, AZ, August 06, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, one of the United States’ most eminent heart doctors, died recently at the ripe old age of 99 years.

Being the first to develop and perform surgical heart bypass surgery, as well as many other medical innovations, Dr. DeBakey worked and performed surgeries well into his 80’s.

Before his death, he was asked about the secret to his longevity. He gave credit to good family genes and having never smoked.

Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., president and medical director of the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation (http://www.AlzheimersPrevention.org) — and America’s #1 brain longevity specialist — believes other factors may have also contributed to Dr. DeBakey’s long and active life.

“Just as your body needs strength building activities to keep fit, so does your brain.” Dr. Khalsa explains, “You need to carefully nurture your brain with vigorous mental exercise, what I call ‘brain aerobics’.”

According to Dr. Khalsa, Dr. DeBakey’s ritual of starting his day early in the morning, writing for two hours before leaving his house, working at the hospital until early evening, reading or writing again before bed was key in keeping his brain fit and active.


A diligent course of brain exercises, such as reading and writing everyday, is paramount to staving off age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease.

Numerous studies have shown that memory loss and mental decline do not have to be an inevitable part of the aging process. In fact, Dr. Khalsa says, brain degeneration can be prevented or even reversed through an integrated health program consisting of what he calls the Four Pillars to Building a Better Memory: proper diet and vitamins, stress management, exercise, and medication.

Brain aerobics is an important element of the Four Pillars because it is the key to maintaining a sharp memory. Just like physical exercise increases blood flow and oxygen to the muscles, mental exercise increases blood and oxygen to the brain, thereby improving neural cell growth.

As reported by the non-profit organization Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation (http://www.AlzheimersPrevention.org) (ARPF), regular participation in brain aerobics has shown to reduce the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease by up to 70%.

The ARPF, founded by Dr. Khalsa, believes an integrative medical approach utilizing the best of conventional, as well as alternative medical practices such as diet, brain specific nutrients, stress management, physical, and mental exercise, offers the best chance of preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

The Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation is the leading non-profit organization in the country dedicated to the prevention of memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease. Its mission is to reduce the overall incidence of Alzheimer’s disease through clinical research and to provide public information in the form of educational outreach.

Bradmer reports progression free survival data from previous Phase II glioblastoma multiforme trials

- PFS data from Neuradiab(TM) compares favorably to data from other technologies -

TSX: BMR

TORONTO, July 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Bradmer Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX: BMR), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of cancer therapies, today released progression free survival (PFS) data from two previously conducted Phase II trials of
Neuradiab(TM) in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients. As an exploratory endpoint of the single arm Phase II trials, the data showed a mean overall PFS of 17.2 months in 19 GBM patients treated with Neuradiab. Bradmer is currently conducting a Phase III clinical trial, termed the GLASS-ART Trial, evaluating Neuradiab as an adjunct therapy to the current standard of care for GBM patients. The primary endpoint of the GLASS-ART Trial is the increase in median overall survival in the treated arm compared to the standard of care control arm.

"These PFS data from the Phase II Neuradiab trials exceed the results achieved in any other clinical trial in newly-diagnosed GBM to our knowledge. This is compelling because of recent inquiries from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which suggested that Bradmer may opt to evaluate sensitivities around the merits and use of PFS as an additional interim marker of prognostic benefit," said Dr. Alan M. Ezrin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bradmer. "While the GLASS-ART Trial is being conducted with a clear primary endpoint of median overall survival, the opportunity for Neuradiab to demonstrate a patient benefit via the parameter of PFS could provide an augmented regulatory approval path. We have examined the PFS outcomes from the previous studies of Neuradiab and intend to discuss with the FDA the most appropriate method in which to use PFS data from the GLASS-ART Trial."

Recent communications from the FDA have led Bradmer to consider using PFS data not only as a secondary endpoint in the GLASS-ART Trial but to evaluate such data in a blinded and centrally reviewed manner in order to be able to use the PFS data for additional labeling consideration. As the trial is currently designed, PFS data is being collected as an exploratory secondary endpoint. New regulatory submissions can include secondary endpoint data to support labeling claims for registration purposes if the data are collected in an acceptable manner. In some cases, secondary
endpoint data can also provide early insight into patient benefit from an ongoing Phase III trial.

A recent article published in Neuro-Oncology (Lamborn et al, 2008) examined six-month progression free survival as a predictor of overall survival in glioma patients. The article included data from 597 adult patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas that enrolled in Phase II trial
protocols collected by the North American Brain Tumor Consortium between 1998 and 2002. The study concluded that progression status at 9, 18, and 26 weeks were strong predictors of survival and that progression free survival is a valid endpoint for trials of therapies for recurrent malignant glioma.

Bradmer's PFS analysis is based on 19 GBM patients in two recent single-arm Phase II trials of Neuradiab with a targeted dose of 44 Gy delivered as an adjunct to the current standard of care consisting of surgery, temozolomide and external radiation therapy (study 01128; n = 21
(Reardon et al., J Neuro-Oncology, Doc. D06-00199, February 20, 2008) (http://neuro-oncology.dukejournals.org) (DOI:10.1215/15228517-2007-053) and study 05018; n = 5).

In addition, Bradmer has reviewed the existing external GBM literature, and in nine of the eleven studies published between 2003 and 2008 by outside parties that the Company analyzed, progression free survival ranged from 4 to 10 months, with two other studies achieving 13 month and 17 month PFS results. The results from the external studies covered 16 different newly diagnosed GBM patient populations receiving various combinations of approved and investigational therapies. Bradmer has submitted its PFS data (Reardon et al.) as an abstract for inclusion at the 13th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society of Neuro-Oncology to be held in November, 2008.

About the GLASS-ART Trial (http://www.glassarttrial.com)

The Phase III GLASS-ART trial derives its name from its description: GBM Locoregional Agent Survival Study - Antitenascin Radiolabeled antibody Therapy Trial. The study is designed to determine the survival benefit derived from, and safety of, adding Neuradiab(TM) to the current standard of care therapy, consisting of surgery, radiation and adjuvant chemotherapy
(temozolomide), for patients diagnosed with primary glioblastoma mulitforme. The randomized trial will enroll up to 760 patients at leading treatment centers across the United States. The goal of the GLASS-ART trial is to replicate the increase survival benefit recently reported by investigators from Duke University in patients treated with Neuradiab(TM) (Reardon et al., in J Neuro-Oncology, Doc. D06-00199, February 20, 2008) (http://neuro-oncology.dukejournals.org) (DOI:10.1215/15228517-2007-053).
Additional information on the trial can be found at http://www.glassarttrial.com or at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov and then by searching the term "Bradmer" or the study identifier NCT00615186.

About Neuradiab

Neuradiab is a monoclonal antibody, conjugated to radioactive iodine, used to treat glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common and most advanced form of brain cancer. Neuradiab(TM) delivers tumor-killing radiation specifically to residual brain tumor cells after surgery, with minimal impact on normal brain tissue. During the course of development at Duke University, over US$60 million in research grants and related support has produced a series of Phase I and Phase II clinical trials on Neuradiab(TM) and other closely related technologies. Approximately 200 brain cancer patients, including over 160 with GBM, have been treated with the Neuradiab therapy regimen, and survival benefits have significantly exceeded historical controls in each completed trial. Neuradiab(TM) has been formerly referred to in literature as 131I anti-tenascin monoclonal antibody 81c6.

Each year up to 30,000 new cases of GBM are diagnosed in the world's seven largest healthcare markets. The current standard of care for GBM patients is surgical resection followed by radiation and temozolomide. GBM tumors typically have infiltrating edges that are very difficult to completely remove with surgery. The Neuradiab(TM) therapy is delivered directly into the surgical resection cavity in a separate procedure after the initial surgery. Neuradiab(TM) delivers a concentrated level of radiation specifically to the remaining cancer cells by targeting tenascin. Tenascin is a protein over-expressed in 99% of GBM cells but absent from normal brain cells.

normal pressure hydrocephalus

What is normal pressure hydrocephalus?

Normal pressure hydrocephalus, or NPH, is an acquired hydrocephalus that most often occurs in people over age 60. NPH is different from typical hydrocephalus in that it may not cause an obvious increase of pressure in the head, but may have fluctuations in CSF pressure from high to normal to low.

What are the symptoms of NPH?

There are three classic symptoms of NPH. They are referred to as the classic triad of symptoms:

• Difficulty walking — This problem can be mild or severe. In many cases, people with NPH have trouble picking up their feet. Some describe it as feeling like their feet are stuck to the floor. This can lead to a shuffling walk, and problems going up stairs and curbs. It also increases the risk of falling.
• Dementia — This often involves confusion, short-term memory loss, and a lack of interest in daily activities.
• Problems with bladder control — Problems include urinary incontinence (the inability to hold urine), frequent urination, and a strong feeling of needing to urinate.

Most patients with NPH do not have headaches, which are common in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus.

What causes NPH?

Many cases of NPH have no known cause. Some cases of NPH are linked to bleeding in the brain or a blockage in CSF flow through and around the brain and spinal cord. It is believed that blockages are linked to a history of infection, stroke, or head injury.

How common is NPH?

Because the symptoms of NPH are similar to those of other diseases, people with NPH are often diagnosed with disorders such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, or the symptoms may be attributed to the aging process. For that reason, it is difficult to know how many people actually have NPH. However, it is estimated that as many as 10 percent of people with dementia attributed to other disorders may actually have NPH.

How is NPH diagnosed?

A careful review of symptoms, a medical history, and various tests are used to diagnose NPH. Tests used may include:

• Computed tomography (CT) — A CT scan is a diagnostic tool that uses X-rays and a computer to create pictures of structures inside the body. A CT scan can provide images that show the size of the ventricles.
• Lumbar puncture for NPH — Also called a spinal tap, this procedure is used to remove a sample of the CSF. For NPH, this test is used to determine if a person’s symptoms improve after removing a large amount of fluid. About 1 to 1½ oz. of fluid is removed. However, this test is not definitive.
• NPH protocol — The protocol entails a series of screening procedures, including a gait analysis, blood work, and neuropsychiatric testing. It also involves the removal of CSF through a special catheter (tube) over a 36-hour period. It is expected that following removal of CSF, there will be a dramatic, temporary relief of symptoms. The protocol also provides the surgeon with information about the potential benefit of implanting a shunt, which is a device that drains excess CSF away from the brain and spinal cord, diverting it to another part of the body, such as the abdomen or heart, where the body can absorb it.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — An MRI scan uses a magnet and radio waves, instead of X-rays, to produce images.
• Gait analysis (walking) — This is a timed walk test. The patient is watched as he or she walks 10 meters (about 30 feet).
• Neuropsychological testing — This involves a series of questions used to see if there is a loss of brain function caused by NPH.

How is NPH treated?

NPH may be treated using an implantable shunt to drain excess CSF away from the brain and spinal cord.

What complications are linked to NPH treatment?

Complications of NPH treatment are those associated with any surgical procedure. They include bleeding, infection, and reaction to the anesthesia used during surgery. Patients might also experience mild abdominal pain. Seizures also may occur as surgery on the brain can affect very sensitive areas of the brain. Fortunately, these complications are not common, and in most cases can be successfully treated.

What is the outlook for people with NPH?

With treatment, the symptoms of NPH can be partially or even fully reversible. On the other hand, the outlook is poor when the disorder is not treated appropriately. Without treatment, the symptoms can continue to worsen and lead, eventually, to death.

Is there any way to prevent NPH?

Right now, there is no known way to prevent NPH. However, getting treatment as soon as symptoms appear can improve those symptoms and increase the chance for a full or partial recovery.

Source: Cleveland Clinic

Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Surgery Can Safely Remove Deep Brain Tumors in Patients Without Hydrocephalus

NEW YORK, NY -- October 6, 2005 -- A research study by a New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center neurosurgeon demonstrates that surgeons who use an endoscope to biopsy or resect intraventricular brain tumors in patients without hydrocephalus achieve equal if not better results than similar cases where hydrocephalus is present -- demonstrating that the field of minimally invasive brain surgery is advancing.

Minimally invasive surgery, where possible, is generally preferred to open brain surgery because it is associated with less morbidity, less scarring, and shorter recovery time.

The study appears in the October issue of Operative Neurosurgery.

Using an endoscope to remove intraventricular brain tumors (tumors within the brain's ventricles or cavities) is seen as one of the most challenging aspects of neurosurgery because the ventricles are located near the center of the brain. And, in patients without hydrocephalus (swelling of the brain) the challenge is actually much greater because patients lack the enlarged ventricles that allow surgeons wider pathways to the tumor site and more room to operate once there.

Only a few medical centers in the U.S. have surgeons with enough training to remove intraventricular brain tumors in patients with or without hydrocephalus, and most patients end up undergoing a traditional craniotomy -- where a portion of the skull is removed in order to gain access to the brain -- and enduring the greater risk, longer recovery times, and greater scarring the procedure involves.

"Our study demonstrates that minimally invasive brain surgery is gaining ground," says Dr. Mark Souweidane, the study's author and vice chairman of the department of neurological surgery and director of pediatric neurological surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell, and associate professor of clinical neurological surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College. "We know that endoscopic surgery is safer than opening a patient's brain -- a craniotomy -- and now, from our study, we know that even one of the most difficult types of endoscopic surgery -- intraventricular tumors in patients without hydrocephalus -- is becoming safer."


Dr. Souweidane hopes his study will encourage hospitals and neurosurgeons to invest in endoscopic training, and will encourage patients with brain tumors to ask questions and explore their surgical options.

With endoscopic surgery, after a small 14 mm hole is made in the skull for access, surgeons guide the endoscope, a slender catheter-like camera through the brain's normal fluid-filled compartments, which visually often looks like swimming through a soft coral reef. Surgeons watch the image on a nearby monitor, and when the tumor is located, the tools that will biopsy or resect are deployed through a 2 mm tunnel in the scope.

Because endoscopic surgery allows surgeons to reach the center of the brain without significant cutting of tissue or draining of intracranial fluid, which can cause the brain to "sag" away from the skull and bleed, the procedure is safer than traditional methods for operating upon intraventricular brain tumors.

In Dr. Souweidane's study, 80 patients at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell who underwent endoscopic management for an intraventricular brain tumor were identified from a prospective database. Of these patients, 15 had an intraventricular tumor without concomitant hydrocephalus and underwent primary endoscopic surgery for biopsy or resection. The surgical technique, the success rate, and patient outcome were assessed and then compared with the 65 hydrocephalic patients who underwent similar procedures.

All patients in the study were treated between December 1995 and December 2004. Patients in the comparison group (with hydrocephalus), ranged in age from 3 months to 80 years, with the mean being 33.1 years. Thirty-six were male and 29 were female. In the study group (without hydrocephalus), patients ranged in age from 13 to 80 years, with the mean being 40.3 years. Eight were male and seven were female.

Of the 15 patients without hydrocephalus, 11 had tumors located in the third ventricle (direct center of brain) and four had tumors located in the lateral ventricle (slightly above the center and forward). In all 15 patients, the ventricular compartment was successfully cannulated (entered) and the intended goal was accomplished: 12 patients had successful diagnostic sampling (a biopsy), and three had complete resection of a colloid cyst. There were no operative complications related to the endoscopic procedure, nor were there any recognized neurological complications, seizures, or surgically related infections or deaths. No patient required subsequent intervention for hydrocephalus.

Dr. Souweidane is among several NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell surgeons in the department of neurological surgery who routinely perform endoscopic surgery on patients with intraventricular brain tumors.


SOURCE: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center

Keeping Your Brain Healthy and Smart: Keep Active and Learn New Things

By Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D.

For years fitness enthusiasts have suspected that exercise positively affects the brain as well as the body. But while it seemed logical that an active lifestyle would help the brain, the scientific evidence was lacking.

Now several biological studies indicate that working out does benefit the brain.

The reasons to get moving are greater than you think. Now researchers are finding biological evidence that exercise benefits specific brain mechanisms.

Much of the new research suggests that exercise positively affects the hippocampus, a sea-horse shaped brain structure that is vital for memory and learning.

In one recent study, researchers found that adult mice doubled their number of new brain cells in the hippocampus when they had access to running wheels. The fact that the mammalian adult brain can increase its number of brain cells is surprising in itself.

It was once thought that the brain stopped producing new brain cells early in its development. And presumably brain power dimmed as cells died over the years.

But in the past decade, researchers have found definitive evidence that the brain continues to generate new brain cells throughout life, even in humans. Studies indicated that challenging environments, which included a number of components, such as pumped-up learning opportunities, social interactions and physical activities, were key to boosting the growth.

What does this mean for humans? We can keep our brains healthy by entering into new situations, new games, and new social group activities. And if we can keep learning new things and engage in physical activities, we can continue growing new brain cells.

We can redefine “senior moments,” if we take advantage of opportunities to learn and move.

Source: Ezine

Brain MRI

By Kevin Stith

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain uses a magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to create a detailed image of the complex structure of brain tissues. For a Brain MRI, the head is scanned with the help of an MRI machine. A Brain MRI gives a clear and detailed cross sectional image of the brain area giving a three-dimensional depiction of the brain. These cross sectional images can be projected and stored in a computer or printed on a film. Since Brain MRIs produce better soft tissue images than X-ray reports and can distinguish between the grey matter and the white matter of the brain, they help in locating defects in the brain tissues like, tumors, pituitary masses, radiation damage to the brain, brain swelling, abnormalities of blood flow, optic glioma and brain aneurysm more accurately and precisely. MRI has been able to identify lesions in brain in about 95% of patients as compared to the CT scan that identified lesions in about 25% of the patients. An MRI technique called diffusion/perfusion is used for scanning the brain and helps to detect a brain stroke within minutes of onset, allowing for earlier treatment.

Unlike x-rays, which are harmful to the brain, MRIs are a safer option for brain scanning because of no significant side effects. Gradient magnets are used to alter the magnetic field in the area that has to be scanned while the magnetic force is being applied. Brain MRI helps the technician to concentrate on the exact area of the patient's brain they want to scan.

A new study has evolved where Brain MRIs are now being widely used for polygraph tests as well as to identify if a person is lying. It does so by tracking the flow of blood into certain areas of the brain, indicating increased activity of lying.

Source: Ezine