LearningRx1 July, 2013 | http://www.learningrx.org - Part 3

Poor planning skills add to income gap as early as kindergarten...

Jul 20, 2013 by

A new study from Cornell University has found that poor planning skills contribute to the income-achievement gap starting as early as kindergarten. The researchers found that low-income children have a harder time accomplishing planning tasks efficiently in a goal-oriented...

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Impulsive young people more prone to drinking heavily

Jul 19, 2013 by

ADHD isn’t just about weak attention skills; for some, it’s also about impulsivity. And a new study from the University of Liverpool found that young people who show impulsive tendencies are more prone to drinking heavily at an early...

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Narcoleptics have 90% less neuropeptide hypocretin

Jul 18, 2013 by

Curious what causes narcolepsy? Part of the disorder is due to narcoleptics having 90 percent fewer neurons containing the neuropeptide hypocretin than non-narcoleptics. Hypocretin is a chemical that keeps us awake and alert. It also elevates mood....

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Surgeon planning a head transplant

Jul 17, 2013 by

A head transplant? No, you’re not watching the SyFy channel. A neurosurgeon named Dr. Sergio Canavero plans to carry out the project (code-named HEAVEN/GEMINI) within the next two years. He estimates the procedure would take 100 surgeons 36 hours...

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Formoterol improves cognitive function from Down syndrome

Jul 16, 2013 by

An asthma medication called formoterol has been found to improve cognitive function in mice with Down syndrome. The drug strengthens nerve connections in the hippocampus (which deals with forming new memories, paying attention and navigating spaces), and helps integrate...

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Low education is a risk factor for cognitive impairment from MS...

Jul 15, 2013 by

Here’s another reason to stay in school: Low education is a risk factor for cognitive impairment in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). In research published in “Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience,” scientists found that MS patients with high educational levels...

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