African Folk Remedy's for Seizures Molecular Mechanism discovered

  The leaf extract from the shrub Malotus oppositifolius helps to control seizures. Now researchers at UC Irvine have identified two components from the leaf extract activate KCNQ2/3, a potassium channel essential for controlling electrical activity in the brain.   These two components together are highly effective at activating these potassium ion channels and preventing seizures.
  Isovaleric acid, a component of valerian root is one of these active compounds in this African folk remedy.
  Amazing.
Nat Comun. 2018;9(1):3845

Stiff Aorta Predicts Dementia

  From the Cardiovascular Health Study, researchers found that individuals with high carotid-femoral pulse wave velocities (consistent with increased aortic stiffness) were 60% more likely to develop dementia during the following 15 years.
J Alzheimers Dis. 2018;66(1):297-306

High Cortisol Associated with Impaired Memory

  From the Framingham heart study, researchers found that middle-aged individuals with high levels of cortisol in their blood have impaired memory compared to those with normal cortisol.
  Hmm...stay tuned.
Neurology. 2018 Oct 24

Good Sleep Quality to Improve Sport-related Concussion in the Young

  From researchers out of Texas, young athletes with good sleep quality after a sports-related concussion are more likely to recover within two weeks compared to those with poor quality sleep.
  Guide to parent's to improve their child's sleep: avoid electronics one hour before bedtime, establish a regular sleep schedule and encourage 8-10 hours of sleep each night.
American Academy of Pediatrics 2018 Annual Conference

Migraine Prevention in Pregnancy

  A review of the literature from researchers at UCSF indicate that only amitriptyline and LOW DOSE propanolol (ie, 30-40mg per day) have sufficient data to classify them as compatible during pregnancy. Higher doses of propanolol may cause intra-uterine growth retardation.

Contact Lawmakers to Support Brain Research !

  From researchers in the Netherlands, half of all women and one-third of all men will develop dementia, stroke or Parkinsonism.
  Please support the American Academy of Neurology's (and this neurologist's) advocacy efforts to continue funding of the BRAIN (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) initiative by contacting your representatives in congress and the senate.

Sing to Feel and Move Better with Parkinson's !

  From kinesiology researchers at Iowa State, singing improves motor symptoms, mood and decreases physiologic indicators of stress in patient's with Parkinson's disease. Also improved were swallowing and respiratory control. 
  The mechanism is unkown.
Society for Neuroscience 2018