Featured Articles
Boosting Your Brain Power
??Most people would want to have some improved brain power much like people would want to have improved muscles. But what can one actually do in order to help boost their brain power? Here are some of the simple ways that this can be done. Do routine activities a different way. One of the simple ways to sharpen your mind is by doing things differently from what your brain has been accustomed to. T... [Read More]
The Brain and The Nervous System
The Nervous systemIf you liken the body to a super computer, the brain would be the CPU which controls are programs or bodily functions. If the brain is the CPU, then the nervous system is perhaps a network of wires and cables where messages are relayed back and forth from the brain to different parts of the body. This is done via the spinal cord which connects the brain and the body, and which co... [Read More]
Aspirin Linked to Brain Microbleeds
In an article published in Health.com, a Dutch study found an increase in occurrence of microbleeding episodes in the brains of people who regularly take aspirin. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams of 1,062 people showed a 70 percent increase in frequency of microbleeds in those who take aspirin or carbasalate. On the other hand, the researchers found no increased frequency of microbleeds in p... [Read More]
What Is a Brain Aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm is a condition wherein a bulge develops in a brain artery. Small aneurysms may pose little health risks, considering that they don't rupture. Some aneurysms may sometimes go undetected and show no symptoms. But there are other considerably large brain aneurysms that may affect and put some pressure on the surrounding brain tissue. A ruptured brain aneurysm can be life threatening ... [Read More]
What Is a Meningioma?
A meningioma is a type of tumor that develops from the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and the spinal cord. While most cases of meningioma are non-cancerous, there are some that can become malignant growths. Even benign meningiomas can affect some people when they exert considerable pressure on the brain tissue or on the spinal cord. Causes of meningioma?The main cause of meningiom... [Read More]
Understanding Amnesia
Amnesia refers to the condition characterized by the loss portions of memory that is associated with remembering facts, events, and experiences. This loss of memory can be of two types- anterograde amnesia or retrograde amnesia. The former refers to difficulty in recalling recent events and immediate memory as they don't register or stored into the brain's long term memory. The latter on the other... [Read More]
More Heads Are Better Than One
There are those individuals who claim to be able to work and think better when they are alone. However, despite these claims, a recent research shows that more heads are better "if the task at hand is solving a logic problem."In a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (April issue, Vol. 90, No. 4 ), groups of 3-5 people came up with more competent solutions ... [Read More]
Top Neurosurgeons in the Washington Baltimore
The Washingtonian Magazine released the list of last year's top doctors in the Washington/Baltimore area. Over 1,250 doctors responded to the questionnaires asking them whom their family members would turn to in each of 36 specializations. This list is composed of doctors who received the most number of recommendations within their fields. The number is adjusted to account for the geographic distr... [Read More]
Understanding Viral Meningitis
Meningitis is condition characterized by the inflammation of the membranes, or meninges, and the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. The inflammation is usually the result of a spreading infection that affects the brain. The infection can mainly be brought about by a virus, although an untreated bacterial or fungal infection can also lead to meningitis. Causes of meni... [Read More]
Understanding Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is a condition wherein there is an excessive build up of fluid in the brain. The condition usually is present at birth but may also develop later on. The excess fluid in the brain can cause extensive damage to the fragile brain tissues by pushing them against the skull which can also lead to death. Causes of hydrocephalusThe brain normally floats on cerebrospinal fluid that keeps it ... [Read More]