Introduction: Agnosia is a rare neurological disorder that arises due to an impairment in sensory processing. Sufferers of the condition typically fail to recognise previously known stimuli such as objects, faces, or sounds – despite sensory perception and intellect remaining fully intact. This review will focus more specifically on visual agnosia, including its different subtypes […]
Introduction: Insomnia is typically described as a state of hyperarousal which interferes with a person’s ability to fall asleep or maintain sleep. It is the most common sleep related condition and can significantly impact a person’s overall quality of life. Some individuals may suffer from an extremely rare form of the condition known as fatal […]
I’ve recently developed a keen interest in the field of neurogenetics and have been keeping up to date with recent developments in this highly exciting area of research. In this article, I will outline the discovery of a new genetic variant which has been implicated in abnormal neurodevelopment, and the subsequent onset of Autism Spectrum […]
I recently came across an article published in ‘The Conversation’ suggesting that quantum theory may be a possible new explanation for the origins of human consciousness. For years, quantum theory was often dismissed in favour of classical mechanics when it came to discussing biological phenomena, however, recent research has shone a new light on the […]
Researchers at the University of Cambridge recently embarked on a study with the aim of seeing whether the ageing process in oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPC’s) could be reversed. OPC’s are responsible for regenerating myelin (the fatty sheath surrounding nerve cells which increases the speed of conductance of electrical impulses). As we age, OPC’s are known […]
Glioblastoma is the most common form of brain cancer in adults and is thought to originate from cells known as astrocytes (a type of glial cell within the CNS). The highly aggressive nature of the cancer means that patients typically only live for up to 15 months after diagnosis. Treatment options are often limited, with […]
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disorder primarily characterised by motor symptoms such as tremor, muscle stiffness, slowness of movement, and loss of balance/coordination. Most cases of Parkinson’s appear after the age of 65, however, early-onset forms of the disease can also occur. If lest untreated, symptoms typically worsen over time and significantly impair […]
Background to spinal cord injury: Spinal cord injury is a devastating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), which leads to significant functional impairment. The pathological processes following injury include widespread inflammation and loss of neurons, both of which prevent functional recovery from occurring. However, recent research within the field of regenerative medicine has offered […]
Introduction: In the early 1990s, a group of neuroscientists at the University of Parma discovered a new population of neurons in the brains of Macaque monkeys. The scientists discovered that these neurons fired when the monkeys picked up an object, however, this same group of neurons also fired when the monkeys observed other macaques picking […]
Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease is a highly debilitating brain disorder characterised by symptoms such as memory loss, personality change, cognitive decline, and language impairment. The condition is most prevalent in those aged over 65 and is believed to affect around 55 million people worldwide. Recently, dementia overtook heart disease as the leading cause of death in […]
