Cognitive Labs

UK researchers assert that two new gene associations (in addition to APOE) may be linked to Alzheimer's....more

Labels: alzheimers, apoe, CR1, genes

A paper on APOEe4, a genetic indicator of increased Alzheimer's propensity, cognitive speed, and the Cognitive Labs technology has been published in paper format.

The reference is here

O'hara R, Sommer B, Way N, Kraemer HC, Taylor J, Murphy G "Slower speed-of-processing of cognitive tasks is associated with presence of the apolipoprotein epsilon4 allele." Journal of Psychiatric Research, (2008)February; 42(3) 199-204

Previously it existed in as an e-publication (2007)

Labels: apoe, apoee4, cognitive, Cognitive Labs, genes, o'hara

credit: Gene Expression, University of Leeds

The late summer has been a dazzling period for useful, genetic-based observations that offer insight onto disease, aging, and sociology.

1. Like a sprawling suburb, cancerous conditions result from uncontrolled cellular growth. The four genes E2f1, E2f2, and E2f3a and E2f3b work as a quartet to regulate cellular growth. Understanding the interdependency between these genes may shed light on cancer's preconditions.

2. Children of older fathers are much more likely to be bipolar, according to the statistics, possibly a result of slight flaws introduced into the sperm of men as they age. The older the father, the greater the incidence of bipolarity compared to a control population.

3. The vasopressin receptor 1a gene governs relative 'commitment' in male voles (and probably humans)...

Labels: bipolar, e2f1, gene, genes, vassopressin

The rich latte, double decaf with a twist, americano, or hand-picked, massaged, rinsed, organic, towel-dried super-premium ecophreak blend may alter the activity of some genes in the brain, reducing the effects of sleep deprivation, even if you don't imbibe the liquid.

As LiveScience reports, coffee has been a part of the human diet for more than 1,000 years, and is now the most widely consumed beverage worldwide.

Scientists have conducted numerous studies that investigate both the beneficial and adverse effects that coffee can have on health, from the antioxidants it possesses to the possible detriments of too much caffeine. Much of coffee's lift has been attributed to its caffeine content.

Dr. Han-Seok Seo and colleagues at Seoul National University allowed lab rats, some of which were stressed by sleep deprivation, to inhale the aroma of coffee. The researchers then compared the expression of certain genes and proteins in the rats' brains. Some of the genes expressed in the coffee-sniffing, stressed rats expressed proteins that have healthful antioxidant properties known to protect nerve cells from stress-related damage. Their stressed out counterparts who weren't allowed to smell coffee didn't show these gene expressions.

More from LiveScience

Labels: brain, caffeine, coffee, genes

The genetic revolution meets late-night infomercials as an entrepreneur is marketing the first gene-based baldness test. I could see it emerging like this...


"Baldness, it doesn't have to happen to you...

If there was a way you could find out about being bald years before the Fates decreed it, you'd probably want to hear about it, right?

Friend, what if I told you that the key was in your genes, and I could tell you with 99.9% certainty when and if you will be bald by age 40?

No, it's not a dream come true. Just call this number - it's 3 easy payments, just pennies per day. No more wondering, no more worrying, instead, step up with confidence.

Knowing has its advantages. Head off balding with a lifetime supply of minoxydol, compresses of used Espresso coffee grounds wrapped in a turban, a pump-action concealing compound matched to your natural hair color; or better yet get a proactive hair transplant. Of course bald can be beautiful - just look at Barry Diller.

But first, let me send you my free book-all with absolutely no obligation. Operators are standing by...

And that's not all, call now and get 40% off the regular price and my handy guide to every single genetic test on Earth. Which ones can help you get ahead AND sleep soundly at night. Why wait? Call now.

Labels: bald, diller, genes

Duke University researchers have found that individual differences in disease through genetic heritability can sometimes be explained by an 'on' or 'off' switch which governs the activity of the genes.

Labels: binary, Duke, genes

Latin caption: Count Guy has led Harold to William duke of the Normans


According to Gregory Clark, a researcher at UC-Davis, the Industrial Revolution is as much about Genetics as anything else. Examining population data, he finds that most people alive in the U.K. today are descended from the upper classes during the Middle Ages. The reason for this is that the wealthy had far larger families than the typical peasant. Over a span of less than 1,000 years - an increasing percentage of the population was descended from these progenitors.

The surge in economic growth that occurred first in England around 1800 — occurred because of a change in the nature of the human population. The change was one in which people gradually developed the strange new behaviors required to make a modern economy work. The middle-class values of nonviolence, literacy, long working hours and a willingness to save emerged only recently in human history, Dr. Clark argues.

Because they grew more common in the centuries before 1800, whether by cultural transmission or evolutionary adaptation, the English population at last became productive enough to escape from poverty, followed quickly by other countries with the same long agrarian past. The approach is innovative, but somewhat controversial, and was influenced by the work of Jared Diamond, a popular geographer. Read the article at the NY Times. (you may need to register)

Labels: farewell to arms, genes, gregory clark, industrial revolution, middle ages, uc davis

Here is an interesting piece on gene expression from the Allen Neuroscience Gateway, commenting on research completed at UC-Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley Lab. You may access the gateway simply, from the Cognitive Labs' site brain.com. The subject (drosophila) is a fruit fly.

Labels: allen, berkeley, drosopilia, genes, lbl, neuroscience