Scientists demonstrate flaws in protein detection tools, and outline a solution

A new study points to the need for better antibody validation, and outlines a process that other labs can use to make sure the antibodies they work with function properly.

Antibodies are used in laboratories and clinics to study proteins, which are the biomolecules that translate information from an organism’s genes into the structure, function, and regulation of its tissues and organs. Genetic mutations can cause protein imbalances or malfunctions, leading to human disease.

Classified as: ALS, Peter McPherson, antibodies, proteins, genetics, reproducibility, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, genes
Published on: 15 Oct 2019

When it comes to weight gain, the problem may be mostly in our heads, and our genes

Clinicians should consider how the way we think can make us vulnerable to obesity, and how obesity is genetically intertwined with brain structure and mental performance, according to new research.

Classified as: alain dagher, Uku Vainik, obesity, brain volume, MRI, human connectome project, PNAS
Published on: 28 Aug 2018

Technique can be used to better categorize patients with neurological disease, according to their therapeutic needs

Personalized medicine – delivering therapies specially tailored to a patient’s unique physiology – has been a goal of researchers and doctors for a long time. New research provides a way of delivering personalized treatments to patients with neurological disease.

Classified as: Ludmer Centre, neuroinformatics, The Neuro, Neuro, MNI, Yasser Iturria Medina, Dr Yasser Iturria-Medina, Yasser Iturria-Medina
Published on: 10 Jul 2018

New study underlines importance of early screening and antiretroviral therapy

While the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has largely dropped from news headlines since the 1990s, at the end of 2016 there were 36.7 million people living with the infection, and of those only 53 per cent had access to treatment. A new study underscores the neurological consequences of exposure to HIV without antiretroviral therapy.

Classified as: HIV, Louis Collins, Ryan Sanford, brain atrophy, MRI, cART
Published on: 3 May 2018

The Neuro is an important centre for stroke care in Montreal

 

The Montreal Neurological Institute (The Neuro) is marking Stroke Month in June to increase public awareness about the dangers of this serious condition, and the importance of early intervention. A Canadian suffers a stroke every ten minutes. Each year, about 14,000 Canadians die of stroke, making stroke the third-leading cause of death in this country.

Classified as: stroke, stroke month, Donatella Tampieri, Jeanne Teitelbaum, Maria Del Pilar Cortes Nino
Published on: 1 Jun 2017

Microglia, critical to Alzheimer’s research, can now be produced artificially

The quest for better understanding of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has a powerful new tool at its disposal — the ability to artificially generate brain cells that have been shown to play an important role in the disease function.

Classified as: stem cells, iPSC, Alzheimer's disease, MS, Jack Antel, Luke Healy, microglia
Published on: 16 May 2017

Discovery expands our understanding of how we remember sound

The ability to remember sounds, and manipulate them in our minds, is incredibly important to our daily lives — without it we would not be able to understand a sentence, or do simple arithmetic. New research is shedding light on how sound memory works in the brain, and is even demonstrating a means to improve it.

Classified as: Montreal Neurological Institute, Neuroimaging and Neuroinformatics, Neurocognition, Sylvain Baillet, Robert Zatorre, Dr. Robert Zatorre
Published on: 27 Mar 2017

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.

Classified as: Neuro, MNI, stroke, Neurology, spinal cord injury, axon repair, 14-3-3, Fusicoccin-A, Alyson Fournier
Published on: 8 Mar 2017

Project will enhance mental health access for multicultural communities

On Jan. 18, 2017, Bell Let’s Talk announced a donation of $250,000 to McGill University’s Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital – known as The Neuro – to fund the development of online mental health resources focused on the needs of multicultural communities.

Classified as: Bell Let's Talk, Bell, mental health, Multicultural Mental Health Resource Centre, Guy Rouleau
Published on: 18 Jan 2017

Drug shown to reduce new attacks/symptom progression in some patients

In separate clinical trials, a drug called ocrelizumab has been shown to reduce new attacks in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), and new symptom progression in primary progressive MS.

Classified as: MS, ocrelizumab, Amit Bar-Or, Douglas Arnold, Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: 22 Dec 2016

MNI scientists will study stem cells, genetic mutations to develop new treatments

Researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute of McGill University who are playing key roles in uncovering the mechanisms underlying ALS will share in $3.9 million in research funding, part of $4.5 million announced on Nov. 23 by the ALS Society of Canada in partnership with Brain Canada.

Classified as: ALS, Brain Canada, C9ORF72, Canada Brain Research Fund, ALS Society of Canada, Gary Armstrong, Patrick Dion, Stefano Stifani, Peter McPherson, Guy Rouleau
Published on: 23 Nov 2016

Dr. Joe sits down with Bev Thomson on Canada AM and chats about his new book, "Monkeys, Myths, and Molecules."

Click here to see the full interview.

Classified as: Joe Schwarcz, book review, Office for Science and Society, CTV, Canada AM
Published on: 12 May 2015
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