ScienceDaily (Feb. 14, 2012) — A UT Dallas undergraduate's research is revealing new information about a key protein's role in the development of epilepsy, autism and other neurological disorders. This work could one day lead to new treatments for the conditions. Senior neuroscience student Francisco Garcia has worked closely with Dr. Marco Atzori, associate professor in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS), on several papers that outline their findings about interleukin 6 (IL-6) and hyper-excitability. An article on the project is slated for publication in Biological Psychiatry later this year. Scientists know that stress elevates the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (signaling molecules used in intercellular communication) and promotes hyper-excitable conditions within the central nervous system. This hyper-excitability is thought to be a factor in epilepsy, autism and anxiety disorders. Garcia and Atzori hypothesized that the protein IL-6 acutely and directly induces hyper-excitability by altering the balance between excitation and inhibition within synaptic communication. In other words, IL-6 is not just present when hyper-excitability occurs in the nervous system. It may actually cause it in some circumstances, Garcia said. The UT Dallas research team administered IL-6 to rat brain tissue and monitored its synaptic excitability. The brain tissue exhibited … Continue reading →

A deal struck after weeks of negotiations among House Republican leaders could extend coverage for treatment of about 800 children with autism, but would stop short of a more sweeping and contentious mandate. “We believe this is a Utah solution to addressing autism,” said House Assistant Majority Whip Ronda Menlove, R-Garland, who had sponsored the bill requiring about a third of Utah’s insurance carriers to cover autism treatment. Under terms of the deal, which will be contained in HB272, the state would set up a two-year pilot program within the health plan that covers public employees, which would extend coverage to a few hundred children. The state would then put about $2 million toward covering low-income children through Medicaid, which would be matched by several million in federal funds to cover about 500 children. Then, private commercial carriers, corporations and others have agreed to kick in about another $2 million to a state fund that would enable the treatment of few hundred others. Children between ages 2 and 6 would qualify for the benefits. “It will not help everyone universally,” said House Majority Whip Greg Hughes, R-Draper. “But we’ve been told that early intervention is critical in terms of costs … Continue reading →

AP UPDATED 2/14/2012 @ 3:27 p.m. ET: North Texas head coach Dan McCarney confirmed to the Des Moines Register that he had indeed suffered a stroke over the weekend.  McCarney told the paper that, after his daily workout Sunday morning, he “was just sitting down to eat a sandwich when my left side went numb.” He remains hospitalized, but doctors told him he’s fine and that “[t]hey’re expecting a full recovery – no permanent damage.”  The health issue should not prevent McCarney from coaching his team in spring practice. As for the steps he will take to get beyond the medical setback and ensure his presence at the sessions? “Nothing wrong with me that a little Grey Goose won’t cure,” the 58-year-old coach said, quickly becoming the leader in the clubhouse for inspirational quote of the year in college football. In a press release issued Tuesday afternoon, UNT confirmed that McCarney has been moved out of ICU and will continue to undergo medical treatment.  A statement from McCarney was also included in the release: First, thanks to all the wonderful people who sent well-wishes during my time of illness.  I am reminded of how truly blessed I am by the … Continue reading →

DENTON, Texas (AP)—North Texas coach Dan McCarney said Tuesday that he suffered a stroke over the weekend and expects to recover in time to lead his team through spring drills. McCarney said in a statement provided by the school that he felt his left side go numb Sunday and was taken to a hospital. Doctors later confirmed he had a stroke. McCarney, 58, is out of intensive care but remained in the hospital Tuesday for further treatment. He said he expected to be back to his normal routine “in time.” The team starts spring practice March 28. “While I have a great passion for coaching and approach my job with a tireless effort, I’m sure that my doctors will ask that I come back at a slower pace,” he said. “I fully intend on leading the North Texas football program through spring drills and can’t wait to be back around my staff and players.” McCarney told the Denton Record-Chronicle that he had finished a workout and was sending a text message when he felt numbness. “There was a blood clot that hit the back of my brain,” McCarney told the newspaper. “My son Shane and my wife were there. We … Continue reading →

Chronic exposure to air pollution, even at levels typically considered safe by federal regulations, increases the risk of stroke by 34 percent and may accelerate cognitive decline in older adults, according to two separate studies published this week in the Archives of Internal Medicine. In one study, researchers studied more than 1,700 stroke patients in the Boston area over a 10-year period, and found exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM), generally from vehicle traffic, was associated with a significantly higher risk of ischemic strokes on days when the EPA’s air quality index for PM was yellow instead of green. The researchers focused on tiny particles with a diameter of 2.5 millionths of a meter, less than 1/30th the width of a human hair, referred to as PM2.5. These particles come from a variety of sources, including power plants, factories, trucks and automobiles, and can travel deep into the lungs.  They have been associated in previous studies with increased numbers of hospital visits for cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks. “The link between increased stroke risk and these particulates can be observed within hours of exposure and are most strongly associated with pollution from local or transported traffic emissions,” said the … Continue reading →