Current News Articles

Scientists have long known that cancer results from an accumulation of genetic damage. But despite decades of research, the list of known cancer related genes is surprisingly short.

Parkinson's disease (PD) slowly robs people of their ability to control movement. Purposeful movements become slow and rigid, while periods of rest become interrupted by shakes and tremors. In a study reported in Science, researchers say they are closer to understanding how these symptoms arise, and possibly how to treat them.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) was more effective than best medical therapy (BMT) in improving “on” time-- periods of unimpeded motor function--and quality of life in a large comparison study of more than 200 advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. Patients in the DBS group, even those over 70 years old, gained as much as four and a half hours of on time compared to the BMT group, who gained none.

Three recent studies show that the drug rapamycin reduces neurological symptoms in mouse models of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a rare genetic disorder associated with epilepsy and autism. Scientists say those results could pave the way for effective treatment – and not just for TSC.

NINDS Scientist Emeritus Dr. Roscoe O. Brady has been selected to receive the National Medal of Technology and Innovation—the highest honor for achievement in science and technology bestowed by the President of the United States.

Stem cells have been hailed as a toolkit to treat a host of diseases, but at an NIH symposium on May 6, researchers said they are still deciphering the toolkit’s instruction manual.