Health Cancer-linked mutation accelerates growth of abnormal stroke-causing brain blood vessels AddThis Sharing Buttons Share to Print Share to Email Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to More Study of mouse brain shows the meningeal lymphatics system (purple and pink) could help reduce amyloid. Sandro Da Mesquita, Ph.D. What Researchers have discovered an explanation for why cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs)—clusters of dilated blood vessels in the brain—can suddenly grow to cause seizures or stroke. Specifically, they found that a specific, acquired mutation in a cancer-causing gene (PIK3CA) could exacerbate existing CCMs in the brain. Furthermore, repurposing an already existing anticancer drug showed promise in mouse models of CCMs in improving brain-vascular health and preventing bleeding into the brain tissue. Previous studies linked the initial formation of CCMs to various environmental factors, including differences in the gut micro

Health Brain’s waste removal system may offer path to better outcomes in Alzheimer’s therapy NIH-funded study in mice suggests lymphatic boost could help reduce amyloid buildup. Study of mouse brain shows the meningeal lymphatics system (purple and pink) could help reduce amyloid. Sandro Da Mesquita, Ph.D. Enhancing the brain’s lymphatic system when administering immunotherapies may lead to better clinical outcomes for Alzheimer’s disease patients, according to a new study in mice. Results published April 28 in Nature suggest that treatments such as the immunotherapies BAN2401 or aducanumab might be more effective when the brain’s lymphatic system can better drain the amyloid-beta protein that accumulates in the brains of those living with Alzheimer’s. Major funding for the research was provided by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, and all study data is now freely available to the broader scientific community. “A broad ra

  COVID-19 Updates: We May Need to Get Annual COVID-19 Vaccinations Written by Gillian Mohney and George Citroner on April 15, 2021 — Fact checked by Dana K. Cassell Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling via Getty Images The United States currently has the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and related deaths in the world. More than 564,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the United States. The CDC says people who are vaccinated can meet indoors without taking physical distancing measures. Update on COVID-19 numbers Globally, there have been more than 138 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 2.9 million associated deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University . The United States has reported more than 31 million confirmed cases. More than 564,000 people in the United States have died from the disease. More than 125 million people in the United States have received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose. More than 78 million people are fully vaccinated, according to the CDC . Health

Health The Pandemic Has Taken a Serious Toll on Mental Health. What Happens When It’s Over? Written by Lekan Oguntoyinbo on April 15, 2021 — Fact checked by Dana K. Cassell Getty Images The pandemic has taken a huge toll on many people’s mental health across the globe. Many wrestled with the stress and anxiety that came with the first wave of lockdowns. As public life returns to normal, experts caution there may be a PTSD-like lingering effect for some people. Many people have lost a loved one or lived through extended isolation that can exacerbate underlying mental health issues. Infections and deaths are down in several regions of the country. Vaccinations are up. And despite concern about an uptick of COVID-19 cases in some pockets and significant vaccine hesitancy in many communities, life is gradually returning to normal. But as people start venturing outdoors to restaurants, houses of worship, and other public gatherings, experts say that many people can expect to confr