Resting brain stem cells hardly differ from normal astrocytes, which support the nerve cells in the brain. How can almost identical cells perform such different functions? The key lies in the ...

The brain stem is a portion of the brain made of four distinct sections: the diencephalon, mesencephalon, pons, and medulla oblongata. Each of these sections has associated functions which are vital ...

When someone has a stroke—a leading worldwide cause of death and disability—time is of the essence. Almost nine out of 10 cases are ischemic strokes, caused by restricted blood flow in the brain, and ...

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. For survivors of the most common type of stroke, called an ischemic stroke, only about 5 percent fully recover. Most others suffer from ...

Like the seeds of a forest, a few cells in embryos eventually sprout into an ecosystem of brain cells. Neurons get the most recognition for their computing power. But a host of other cells provides ...

Some parts of the body can recover from injury fairly rapidly. The cornea, for example, can heal from minor scratches within a single day. The human brain, however, is not one of these fast-healing ...

Stem cell transplantation can reverse stroke damage, researchers at the University of Zurich report. Its beneficial effects include regeneration of neurons and restoration of motor functions, marking ...

A type of aggressive, treatment-resistant brain tumor has a distinct population of immune cells that support its growth, according to new research. A type of aggressive, treatment-resistant brain ...