Neuroscience

Therapy framework reveals promise for intensive pediatric rehabilitation for children with motor disabilities

A Fralin Biomedical Research Institute study in Behavioral Sciences highlights effective therapeutic interactions and improved outcomes for children with motor disabilities. Dory Wallace, a therapist at the Fralin Medical Research … READ MORE

Bedside prognostic tool identifies infants at risk for Cerebral palsy

This case-control study evaluates a cerebral palsy prognostic tool that can be applied to all term neonates to identify those at increased risk of developing cerebral palsy. A newborn baby. Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik by Jennifer … READ MORE

Study finds programme to prevent cerebral palsy in premature babies is effective

A programme to increase the use of magnesium sulfate, a £1 injection that helps prevent cerebral palsy in premature babies, is effective according to a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded evaluation. The … READ MORE

March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month

March is a time to bring awareness to cerebral palsy but also a time to support and celebrate those who live with CP. Whether you have CP, know someone who does, or just want to learn more, this is a great opportunity to get involved … READ MORE

Tips on how to prevent dementia as we grow older

Aging is inevitable, but there are ways to improve our ‘health span’ and prevent dementia. Aging Well: Avoiding Dementia. Dr. Howard Chertkow offers 15 pieces of advice that we can all follow to reduce our risk of dementia. The … READ MORE

Alzheimer’s might not be primarily a brain disease. A new theory suggests it’s an autoimmune condition

The pursuit of a cure for Alzheimer’s disease is becoming an increasingly competitive and contentious quest with recent years witnessing several important controversies. A new theory of Alzheimer’s disease reassesses the role of … READ MORE

Brain implants and wearables let paralyzed people move again

A “neural bypass” routes signals around the damaged spinal cord, potentially restoring both movement and sensation. Motion Restored: Luke Tynan, who was paralyzed in 2017 by a spinal cord injury, demonstrates the wearable system … READ MORE

A smart jumpsuit tracks infants’ motor development

A smart jumpsuit measures the spontaneous and voluntary movement of infants. Details on their mobility help in assessing abnormal neurological development. Image: Sampsa Vanhatalo, University of Helsinki Miia Soininen, University of … READ MORE

Long-term positive impacts and cost effectiveness of REACT for over 65s

The ‘REtirement in ACTion’ programme helps prevent physical decline, reduces the need for health care and is highly cost-effective for those in later life. REACT participants from the Easton group in Bristol. Alex Rotas photo Andy … READ MORE

Siblings of children with disabilities may have greater cognitive empathy

Children who had a sibling with a developmental disorder scored higher in cognitive empathy than those who had typically developing siblings. However, there were no differences in emotional empathy or prosocial behaviors between those … READ MORE

Older people in good shape have fitter brains

Seventy- to eighty-year-olds who train for better fitness are better at solving cognitive tasks and are less likely to suffer cognitive impairment. How should older people train to get in better shape? What’s most important, … READ MORE

Earlier intervention in Down syndrome may be possible

Study shows oxidative stress occurs in people with Down syndrome at the cellular level, leading to dysregulated neural differentiation. Nathan Anderson photo on Unsplash. CCO Public Domain Carie Behounek, Guest Contributor, University … READ MORE

New approach provides potential vaccine and treatment for Alzheimer’s

A promising new approach to potentially treat Alzheimer’s disease – and also vaccinate against it – has been developed by a team of UK and German scientists. The work is a collaboration between researchers at the University of … READ MORE

New study clarifies sensory processing in autistic children

Results of a recent study on sensory abilities in autistic children may have positive consequences to the way supports are provided to them, helping increase their quality of life. Child plays with sensory-based objects during a day … READ MORE

Large dose of intensive therapy better for children with Cerebral palsy

Children with cerebral palsy can gain greater use of an impaired arm and hand with larger doses of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy. Scientific findings have supported the benefits of pediatric Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy, … READ MORE

Gene therapy shows early promise as Angelman syndrome treatment

Scientists at the UNC School of Medicine have reported in the journal JCI Insight encouraging early tests of a gene therapy strategy against Angelman syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder that features poor muscle control and … READ MORE

Contrary to the common view, cerebral palsy can be genetic

One mother of an adult child with CP told us that his genetic diagnosis absolved her of more than three decades of guilt. Many families felt they finally had a sense of closure.” – Siddharth Srivastava MD, Study Senior … READ MORE

New treatment to regain hand and arm function after spinal cord injury

Using physical therapy combined with a noninvasive method of stimulating nerve cells in the spinal cord, University of Washington researchers helped six Seattle area participants regain some hand and arm mobility. That increased … READ MORE

New non-invasive technology could spot early signs of motor disorders in babies

Imperial College London scientists have created the world’s first non-invasive way to map how baby movements are generated on a neuronal level. Babies synchronise their spinal nerves for a hard kick. Photo by Picsea on Unsplash by … READ MORE

Differences in walking patterns could predict type of cognitive decline in older adults

Canadian researchers are the first to study how different patterns in the way older adults walk could more accurately diagnose different types of dementia and identify Alzheimer’s disease. Lawson Health Research Institute Emilly … READ MORE

Canadian innovators use video games to help children with neuro-development disabilities

Dino Island improves attention and executive function in children with neuro-developmental disabilities. Dino Island Intervention Program Therapeutic Video Game. University of Victoria Yvonne Chiang, HealthTech Connex Inc. March 8, … READ MORE

Bluetooth – a technology with bite

Those familiar with this young column know that “the machine” represents the large or small barriers and roadblocks those of us with mobility disabilities have to overcome. Todd Stabelfeldt By Todd Stabelfeldt, New Mobility July … READ MORE

A next-gen EEG could help bring back lost brain function

SLAC and Stanford researchers are developing a device that combines electrical brain stimulation with EEG recording, opening potential new paths for treating neurological disorders. Researchers at SLAC and Stanford are developing a … READ MORE

FDA approves new drug to treat common form of muscular dystrophy based on research from U of A scientist

Created using synthetic DNA, viltolarsen is an excellent example of precision medicine. The U.S. FDA has approved a drug called viltolarsen to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The drug was developed based on research by U of A … READ MORE

Changes in older people’s central nervous system leads to compromised ability to sense movement

The central nervous system of older individuals responds to movement and initiates muscular contraction differently compared to young individuals. This is the result of a study led by researcher Simon Walker at the University of … READ MORE

Finding one’s way home

The Otic placode gives rise to the inner ear in vertebrates. A new study shows that even when it is transplanted to ectopic positions, the nerve cells that grow out of the transplanted ear can form functional connections in the brain. … READ MORE

Imagining grasping may help restore hand function in spastic CP children

Children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP) have a preserved ability to imagine grasping with both hands, according to a new study. Recognise Apps for iOS in the  Apple App Store and for Android in ▶︎ Google … READ MORE

New wearable sensor for people with incomplete paraplegia

A new electromyography biofeedback device that is wearable and connects to novel smartphone games may offer people with incomplete paraplegia a more affordable, self-controllable therapy to enhance their recovery, according to a new … READ MORE

Mirror movements may be markers of severity for unilateral CP patients who had perinatal stroke

Monitoring mirror movements in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) due to perinatal stroke may be a useful clinical marker to determine motor disability severity. It also may be helpful in selecting patients for personalized … READ MORE

Disability progression in multiple sclerosis linked to income, education

Neighbourhood income and education level is associated with risk of disability progression in patients with multiple sclerosis, suggests new research from the University of British Columbia. North Vancouver resident Marilyn Lenzen, … READ MORE

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