Brain Research

Large-Scale Study Provides New Insights Into the Genetic Contributors to Schizophrenia

By Brian Burns | April 27, 2018

Tarjinder Singh, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Mark Daly, PhD, in the Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. His poster, The meta-analysis of rare coding variants in the whole-exome sequences of 25,000 cases and 50,000 controls implicates individual risk genes for schizophrenia, was among the winners at this
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Genetic Insights, New Research Models Help to Drive New Rare Disease Research

By Brian Burns | April 23, 2018

Florian Eichler, MD While it may not have been called rare disease research by name, Massachusetts General Hospital has been identifying and tracking rare diseases for more than a century, says Florian Eichler, MD, Director of the Center for Rare Neurological Diseases in the Department of Neurology. In recent years, advances made by the Human
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New Research Explores Link Between Mind-Body Techniques and Blood Pressure

By Brian Burns | April 20, 2018

A new study published in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine from researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Mass General, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has found a possible explanation for why performing activities such as yoga and meditation can help patients reduce their high blood pressure without medication.

Multiple Sclerosis Treatments are Advancing, But There is Still More Work To Be Done

By Brian Burns | March 23, 2018

Farrah Mateen, MD, PhD Multiple sclerosis (MS) is not your average neurological disorder. For one thing, it tends to strike patients at a much younger age than most cases of Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease. In fact, it is the leading non-traumatic cause of disability in young adults in the United States. For another, each
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Celebrating Women in Science and Medicine: Interview with Daphne Holt

By Brian Burns | March 19, 2018

During the month of March, Massachusetts General Hospital is celebrating Women’s History Month by highlighting our outstanding women scientists, physicians and staff members. In the coming weeks we’ll be sharing a few of their profiles, and be sure to visit the women’s history month landing page to see the full series. Daphne Holt, MD, PhD
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Could the Secret to a Good Night’s Sleep Be Found in Our Genes?

By Brian Burns | March 9, 2018

It’s the night before a big meeting at work—or a race you’ve been training months for—and you want to do everything you can to get the next day off to a great start. How much sleep do you need to be at your best? Jacqueline Lane, PhD For years, the magic number for a good
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Martinos Center Researcher Receives Award to Explore Anesthesia and Sleep

By Brian Burns | March 2, 2018

The Society for Neuroscience recently named Mass General researcher Laura Lewis, PhD, a recipient of the Peter and Patricia Gruber International Research Award.

Could Controlling Inflammation Improve Cystic Fibrosis Therapies?

By Brian Burns | February 28, 2018

Fifty years ago, a cystic fibrosis (CF) diagnosis was like receiving a death sentence. Most children with CF did not live past the age of 10. Thanks to heavy investment and advancements in medical research, children diagnosed with CF after the year 2000 are expected to live into their 50s. However, more research is needed
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Remembering the Legacy of a Mass General Neurophysiologist and Pioneer in Race Relations at Harvard

By Brian Burns | February 21, 2018

Black History Month is an annual celebration in February of achievements by African Americans. This year, we’re commemorating the life and legacy of S. Allen Counter, a Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, a neurophysiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and the founding director of the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations. Although Counter
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Research Your Resolution: Reduce Your Stress and Anxiety with Meditation

By Brian Burns | January 29, 2018

If you want to reduce your level of stress and anxiety in 2018, our imaging studies have shown that the regular practice of meditation can change how the brain works.

Research at Mass General Brigham