Altered Protein Shapes May Explain Brain Diseases Scientists may have uncovered a key mechanism involved in the brain degeneration seen in conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Several neurological disorders are marked by proteins that aggregate, or accumulate in the brain. Normal proteins may become insoluble and clump together when they sporadically “misfold” and […]

 The Effects of Estrogen Therapy on Cognition A large analysis of estrogen therapy in younger postmenopausal women, aged 50–55, found no long-term risk or benefit on cognitive function. Hormone therapies are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for certain uses in postmenopausal women, such as severe hot flashes. Because of health risks, […]

Gene Variants Predict Response to Breast Cancer Drugs Scientists found genetic variations that could be used to identify women who are most likely to benefit from a certain type of breast cancer prevention drug—and who should avoid it. Women with a high risk for developing breast cancer—for example, those with a family history of the […]

Vietnam Vets with PTSD More Likely to Have Heart Disease Among male twin Vietnam veterans, those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were more than twice as likely to have heart disease 13 years after being diagnosed as twin vets without PTSD. The finding suggests that PTSD may be a risk factor for heart disease. PTSD […]

Insights Into Inner Ear Repair Sound-sensitive structures in the inner ear are repaired in a 2-step process. The new findings explain a key step in the maintenance of hearing. The inner ear contains thousands of sensory cells called hair cells, which help transform sound into electrical signals that the brain can understand. Sitting atop the […]

Brain Scan May Predict Best Depression Treatment A brain imaging technique may help predict whether people with major depression will respond best to treatment with psychotherapy or a commonly prescribed drug. The approach might eventually be used as a tool to identify treatments that are most likely to succeed. People with major depressive disorder, or […]

Improving Gene Therapy for Eye Diseases Researchers developed a less invasive technique that delivers genes across the retinas of mouse and monkey eyes. With further development, the method might be used in people to treat inherited diseases that cause the retina to degenerate and impair sight. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back […]

Anti-smoking Medication Reduces Alcohol Dependence A smoking-cessation medication can also help lower alcohol craving and dependence. The finding may lead to another treatment option for alcohol problems. Alcohol dependence, or alcoholism, is a chronic disease. Signs include craving for alcohol, loss of control over drinking, withdrawal symptoms and tolerance (the need to drink greater amounts […]

Brain Circuits Involved in Compulsive Behaviors Researchers used optogenetics to identify the brain circuits responsible for compulsive behaviors in mice. The findings could lead to new approaches for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other conditions that include compulsive behavior. People with OCD have persistent intrusive thoughts—like an obsession with germs or a need to check […]

Simple Lifestyle Test May Assess Stroke Risk Adults who score higher on Life’s Simple 7 (LS7), a tool used to assess cardiovascular disease risk, may have a reduced risk of stroke, according to a large analysis. Even small improvements in lifestyle factors were associated with lower stroke risk. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of […]