Blog Topic: Neurology

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  Modeling Migraines

  July 24, 2017

  There are still questions waiting to be answered about exactly how and why migraines are generated: What are these things? Why are they so difficult to treat? Why are they different for everybody? Research is ongoing, though, and several different models are helping physicians shed new light on what makes migraines tick — which could, in turn, lead to new and more effective treatment options down the line.

  Brain and Behavior Neurology
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  Rare 19th Century Notebooks Reveal New Lessons in Neurology

  April 21, 2017

  The crinkly pages filled with elegant script, a dispatch from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania’s Dispensary in the late 19th century, are a window into medical history. Geoffrey Aguirre, MD, PhD, an associate professor of Neurology, recently received the notebooks after they were discovered by a colleague. Now, they’re getting fresh life as an official Penn historical artifact.

  Neurology
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  Mind Your Brain: Closing the Gap for Brain Injury Survivors

  March 20, 2017

  In 1989, Trisha Meili was viciously attacked, leaving her with a severe traumatic brain injury. Doctors didn’t think she’d survive. But Meili did more than survive: She thrived. What kept her going is part of the message she’ll share with attendees at this week’s annual Mind Your Brain @ Penn Medicine conference, all of whom are brain injury survivors, families, and caretakers.

  Brain and Behavior Trauma Neurology
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  Putting the ‘Plastic’ in ‘Synaptic Plasticity’

  March 03, 2017

  We’ve all seen 'em: Children displaying prowess far beyond ours in areas we considered ourselves capable. They make up for a lack of experience with the ability to learn at an extraordinary pace, surpassing their elders quickly. You may be relieved to know there’s a term, and full scientific explanation, for this phenomenon—beyond just your being out of touch.

  Aging Brain and Behavior Neurology Psychology
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  Playing an Instrument: Better for Your Brain than Just Listening

  January 30, 2017

  While research has long suggested listening to an orchestra’s performance of such well-known pieces as Beethoven’s 5th Symphony and Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro may boost the audience’s brain power – a hypothesis aptly named The Mozart Effect—Penn Medicine experts suggest those playing in the orchestra may derive the most benefits of all.

  Neurology Trauma Surgery Psychology
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  Getting a Medical Education from Your Headphones

  January 20, 2017

  Stacks of textbooks and medical journals may soon go the way of the Dodo for many physicians looking to stay updated on latest medical research and breakthroughs. Digital learning tools, such as podcasts, are the way of the future—at least, according to Penn Medicine resident physician in Neurology, James Siegler, MD.

  Neurology Big Data
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  Scaling a Tall Peak

  August 12, 2016

  In June, the world mourned the loss of American boxing great Muhammad Ali, who long suffered the effects of Parkinson’s disease (PD). While too late for Ali, the Penn community of clinicians and researchers are hard at work finding new ways to detect the disease so that the next generation...

  Neurodegenerative Diseases Neurology
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  Getting our Heads Around Talking about Alzheimer’s

  June 24, 2016

  A missed credit card payment. Forgetting why you entered a room. Misplacing your keys. Not being able to remember someone’s name. Sound familiar? Probably. Reason for alarm? Probably not. These types of “slips” typically fall into the category of normal cognitive decline. Cognitive abilities are the mental skills you need...

  Brain and Behavior Neurodegenerative Diseases Neurology
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  The Data and Scientists Behind Beautiful Images

  May 20, 2016

  As Nancy Speck, PhD, chair of the department of Cell and Developmental Biology, mentioned in a past blog post on the annual Perelman School of Medicine Art in Science Competition, “anyone can generate data, but not everyone can make pictures.” At the time, she was commenting on Amanda Yzaguirre, a...

  Awards Accolades Basic Science Brain and Behavior Ear Nose and Throat General Interest Neurodegenerative Diseases Neurology Neurosurgery
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  How Childhood Poverty Affects the Brain

  March 18, 2016

  The general findings that cognitive neuroscientist Martha J. Farah, PhD, reported at the beginning of her recent talk on Penn’s campus were grim: the poorer you are, the more depressed you are; a child’s IQ is related to family income; psychological well-being and intelligence both depend on the brain; low...

  Brain and Behavior Neurology Psychiatry Psychology