UK shortage of drugs used to prevent brain damage in alcoholics

UK shortage of drugs used to prevent brain damage in alcoholics

Doctors have warned that severe shortages of an “essential” drug used to protect alcoholics from degenerative brain diseases could disproportionately affect “some of the most vulnerable” in society. Pabrinex, a multivitamin injection, is used to protect drinkers against conditions such as Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s syndrome, which can have dementia-like symptoms. Doctors are concerned that … Read more

How a stressed brain can weaken the immune system

Artist's illustration of the amygdaloid body (shown in red) in the brain on a black background

The vagus nerve connects the brain region called the amygdala (red; artist’s illustration) to nerves for Brunner’s glands in the gut.Credit: Sebastian Kaulitzki/Science Photo Library Stress can cause illness and gut bacteria could be to blame, according to a study1 in mice. The research suggests that a stressed brain directly shuts down certain glands in … Read more