3rd International conference on Brain disorders & Neurodegeneration

After binding of the ligand, the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) autophosphorylates Tyrosine -> activates GRB2 -> SOS -> RAS -> downstream kinase -> transcription factors. Think  anabolic / growth factors  - Insulin, IGF-1, FGF, PDGF, and EGF Nonreceptor tyrosine kinase receptors dimerizes -> recruits JAK -> JAK cross-phosphorylate dimer -> activate STAT and dimerize it -> STAT translocates into nucleus and activates transcription. The hormones are mostly related to immunity. Think  acidophils and cytokines . A good mnemonic is PIGG (L) ET: Prolactin, Immunomodulators (cytokine, IL-2, Il-6, IFN), GH, G-CSF, Erythropoietin and Thromobopoietin The key conceptual difference here is RTK has  intrinsic  TK activity and nRTK needs to recruit JAK to have kinase activity. Reference: Kayee Tong

Alzheimer’s disease usually is not diagnosed in the early stages, even in people who visit their primary care doctors with memory complaints. ·          People and their families generally underreport the symptoms. ·          They may confuse them with normal signs of aging. ·          The symptoms may emerge so gradually that the person affected doesn’t recognize them. ·          The person may be aware of some symptoms but go to great lengths to conceal them. Recognizing symptoms early is crucial because medication to control symptoms is most effective in the early stages of the disease and early diagnosis allows the individual and his or her family members to plan for the future. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact a physician. Memory loss that disrupts daily life. Challenges in planning or solving problems. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home or at work. Confusion with time or place. Trouble understandin

Dementia is a category of disease, not a diagnosis. It indicates that there are problems with cognition severe enough to interfere with daily function. AD is the most common form of dementia. It is characterized by plaques (beta amyloid) that form outside the neuron, and tangles (tau tangles) that form inside the neuron. The neuron subsequently dies, and the surround structures of the brain are affected until the brain can no longer sustain life. There are three forms of AD, and one subtype. Lewy Body Dementia is the third most commonly occurring dementia. Lewy bodies are deposits of alpha-synuclein in the brain. If those deposits form and stay in the substantia nigra, it is Parkinson’s disease. If they form elsewhere in the brain, it is LBD. LBD is characterized by psychiatric features, and does not progress in the same manner as AD (which has a fairly predictable progression). LBD is misdiagnosed about 25% of the time. Having an accurate diagnosis for this form of dementia is

Well, I must admit that  Diagnosing ADHD  isn’t just about reading symptoms and reading relate able posts. It’s much beyond that. It  requires a psychologist and various tests and behavioural observation over a period of time. It could often have overlapping symptoms with Bipolar Disorder, depression and anxiety . Psychiatrists diagnose attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) if the individual displays six or more of the following symptoms of inattention or six or more symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity. The signs must occur often and be present for at least six months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with the person’s developmental level. ADHD involves two sets of symptoms: inattention and a combination of hyperactive and impulsive behaviours- INATTENTION ·          Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work or other activities ·          Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play acti

Gray matter is the part of brain where cell bodies of nerve cells reside. Normally the gray matter forms the outer part of the brain and certain islands of tissues deep within the brain like basal ganglia nuclei, thalamic nuclei etc. The axons of the cells present within these areas travelling downwards to form the white matter. They form collection of nerve cell axons which are called tracts. These tracts connect various areas of the brain. The gray matter and white matter are named due to their respective colours in the cut section of brain. Reference: Madhukar Mohan