NINDS - News and Events

NINDS Press Releases - Current

A montage of four images of the development of a single neuron over a two-week period. The neuron was transfected with green flourescent protein and a microscope imaged the neuron 3 hours, 64 hours, 113 hours, and 137 hours later.

Study Using Robotic Microscope Shows How Mutant Huntington's Disease Protein Affects Neurons
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Using a specially designed robotic microscope to study cultured cells, researchers have found evidence that abnormal protein clumps called inclusion bodies in neurons from people with Huntington's disease (HD) prevent cell death. The finding helps to resolve a longstanding debate about the role of these inclusion bodies in HD and other disorders and may help investigators find effective treatments for these diseases.
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Reorganization of the Brain Allows Blind Individuals to Process Speech More Effectively
Monday, October 04, 2004
The portion of the brain devoted to vision may play a prominent role in processing the spoken word in blind people. Research conducted by the NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) shows that the "sight" region of the brain is essentially reorganized in blind individuals to help them process spoken words more effectively. The findings yield important information about the brain's ability to compensate for lost function.

Small Trial Shows Daclizumab Add-On Therapy Improves Multiple Sclerosis Outcome
Monday, May 24, 2004
A small clinical trial of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who did not respond to interferon alone found that adding the human antibody daclizumab improved patient outcome. Patients who received the combined therapy had a 78 percent reduction in new brain lesions and a 70 percent reduction in total lesions, along with other significant clinical improvements.
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Combination Therapy Dramatically Improves Function After Spinal Cord Injury in Rats
Sunday, May 23, 2004
A combination therapy using transplanted cells plus two experimental drugs significantly improves function in paralyzed rats, a new study shows. The results suggest that a similar therapy may be useful in humans with spinal cord injury.
Fact Sheet

Study in Flies Allows Researchers to Visualize Formation of a Memory
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
For the first time, researchers have used a technique called optical imaging to visualize changes in nerve connections when flies learn. These changes may be the beginning of a complex chain of events that leads to formation of lasting memories.

Early Treatment Confirmed as Key to Stroke Recovery
Thursday, March 04, 2004
A study in the March 6, 2004, issue of The Lancet confirms the benefits of getting stroke patients to the hospital quickly for rapid thrombolytic treatment. The study provides the results of an extensive analysis of more than 2,700 stroke patients in six controlled clinical trials who were randomized for treatment with thrombolytic t-PA or a placebo.
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Qualified media representatives can arrange interviews and photos with NINDS researchers and administrators. E-Mail or call (301) 496-5751.
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