Delivery of the gene for neurotrophic factor-α1 directly into the hippocampus of the brain prevents neurodegeneration and memory loss in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.
News
NICHD issues News Releases and Media Advisories to the news media. Spotlight and Research Feature articles explain NICHD research findings and public health issues to the general public. An Item of Interest is a short announcement of relevant information, such as a notable staff change.
Spotlight: Scientific Advances from the Division of Intramural Research
The Division of Intramural Research provides fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems through basic, clinical, and population-based research.
Science Update: NIH-funded researchers identify another potential SIDS-related brain anomaly
Researchers funded in part by the National Institutes of Health have identified a second brain receptor abnormality in tissue from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) cases. Like the abnormality the group identified previously, the receptor binds to serotonin, a chemical that conveys messages between neurons. Although serotonin is involved in diverse functions such as mood, sleep, digestion, and wound healing, the abnormality the researchers identified is found in the medulla, or brain stem, a region involved in waking up, arousal, and breathing. The study authors believe the abnormalities underlie a vulnerability in the infant brain and may be responsible for an inability to wake up and take a breath under low oxygen conditions, such as when an infant’s mouth and nose are entrapped by bedding materials while sleeping face down.
Media Advisory: Researchers develop model for how the brain acquires essential omega-3 fatty acids
Findings may aid design of targeted drug delivery into the brain and central nervous system.
Science Update: Gene therapy for rare neurodegenerative disease shows early promise
A research team including NICHD scientists has developed a potential gene therapy for hereditary spastic paraplegia 50, a rare childhood-onset neurodegenerative disorder that leads to developmental delays, cognitive impairment, and eventual paralysis.
Spotlight: Scientific Advances from the Division of Intramural Research
The Division of Intramural Research provides fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems through basic, clinical, and population-based research.
Item of Interest: NICHD Scientific Director Christopher McBain Elected AAAS Fellow
Christopher McBain, Ph.D., scientific director of the Division of Intramural Research at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), has been elected as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Release: Neuroscientist McBain appointed director of intramural research at NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Christopher McBain, Ph.D., has been appointed scientific director and director of the Division of Intramural Research at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), part of the National Institutes of Health.
Selected NICHD Research Advances of 2022
Read about NICHD’s research findings and activities from 2022.
Spotlight: Scientific Advances from the Division of Intramural Research
The Division of Intramural Research provides fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems through basic, clinical, and population-based research.
Spotlight: Expanding Research Opportunities at NIH for Howard University Students
Learn about a collaboration between NICHD and Howard University.
Item of Interest: NICHD researchers collaborate with basic scientists to understand rare, fatal childhood neurological disorder
NICHD researchers conducting a clinical study of patients with a rare, fatal neurological disorder have partnered with basic scientists to find better ways to understand the disease, monitor its progression, and ultimately find treatments.
Spotlight: Advancing neuroscience research for children around the world
Eight years ago, NIH announced a collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop solutions for a variety of global health challenges. Learn how NICHD research is supporting this goal.
Item of Interest: NIH-funded research leads to pediatric labeling updates for diazepam and clindamycin
Drug labels for diazepam and clindamycin now include better information for healthcare
providers on recommended usage and dosage in pediatric populations.
Release: NIH announces winners of 2022 DEBUT Challenge
The nine winning teams and five honorable mentions designed technology solutions to unmet health care needs.
Science Update: NIH-developed multidimensional MRI can detect “invisible” brain injuries, studies suggest
A multidimensional MRI method developed at NICHD can detect astrogliosis, a neuroinflammatory response that occurs in traumatic brain injury and many other neurological conditions, a new study suggests. Researchers had previously established that the multidimensional MRI strategy can identify diffuse axonal injury—a microscopic brain injury that, like astrogliosis, cannot be detected by conventional radiological methods.
Spotlight: Scientific advances from the Division of Intramural Research
The Division of Intramural Research provides fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems through basic, clinical, and population-based research.
Science Update: Online tool helps protect adolescents from stress, NIH-funded study suggests
A 30-minute, self-administered online training module can protect adolescents from unhealthy responses to stress and related mental health consequences, suggests research funded in part by NICHD.
Spotlight: Women in Science: Dr. Claire Le Pichon and the Importance of Adaptability
NICHD’s Dr. Claire Le Pichon helps advance understanding of neuron injury and neurodegenerative diseases by embracing new technologies, collaborating with other researchers, and mentoring the next generation of scientists. Read about her career path.
Spotlight: Scientific advances from the Division of Intramural Research
The Division of Intramural Research provides fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems through basic, clinical, and population-based research.