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What to know about secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS)

What to know about secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS)

Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis is a later stage of multiple sclerosis. Instead of having symptom relapses and remissions, a person’s symptoms steadily get worse over time. Most people, but not everyone, with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) will eventually develop secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). Because of advances in current treatment, fewer people go on to […]

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What causes pupils of different sizes?

What causes pupils of different sizes?

Pupils, or the black parts at the center of the eyes, change size to regulate the amount of light entering the eye. Pupils are large in the dark to let more light in and small in bright light. Usually, the pupils in each eye dilate or constrict at the same time. When they do not, […]

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Human brains have evolved to ‘prefer’ music and speech

Human brains have evolved to ‘prefer’ music and speech

What makes humans so different from other primates? Though our brains are similar, it seems that they react differently to various stimuli. New evidence suggests that human brains “listen” for musical pitch, a preference that scientists have not detected in monkeys. Human brains have a particular ‘bias’ for music and speech, a new study shows. […]

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Magnetic stimulation may reduce the impact of concussion

Magnetic stimulation may reduce the impact of concussion

Mild traumatic brain injuries can result in long-term cognitive issues. According to research in mice, a new, low-intensity form of magnetic stimulation could be the first effective treatment for these injuries. Current research points to a possible new therapy for brain injury. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be mild or severe, but each case […]

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Why 6 fingers per hand are better than 5

Why 6 fingers per hand are better than 5

Some people around the world have polydactyly, meaning that they are born with extra fingers on their hands or extra toes on their feet. Some doctors may refer to this as a “malformation,” but does polydactyly actually bring benefits to an individual? Some people with polydactyly can use just one hand to perform tasks for […]

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What to know about deep sleep

What to know about deep sleep

Slow wave sleep, also called deep sleep, is an important stage in the sleep cycle that enables proper brain function and memory. While most adults are aware that they should aim for between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night, the science of sleep is quite complex. The two main categories of sleep are […]

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Why do people laugh in their sleep?

Why do people laugh in their sleep?

Laughing during sleep, or hypnogely, is relatively common and is not usually anything to worry about. In most cases, researchers believe that the cause is laughing at a dream during rapid eye movement sleep, which is entirely harmless. In some cases, sleep laughing has links to sleep disorders. In rare cases, hypnogely can be a […]

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What are the side effects and risks of Ritalin?

What are the side effects and risks of Ritalin?

Doctors often prescribe Ritalin for the treatment of ADHD and sometimes for narcolepsy. Ritalin can cause various side effects and also has the potential for misuse and addiction. Ritalin is the brand name for methylphenidate, a medication that stimulates the production of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Experts believe that these two chemicals play […]

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What to know about neuralgia

What to know about neuralgia

Neuralgia refers to severe, shooting pain that occurs due to a damaged or irritated nerve. Neuralgia can affect any part of the body, causing mild to severe pain. Certain medications and surgical procedures can effectively treat neuralgia. Severe neuralgia can interfere with a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks and may impact their quality of […]