About Us
Founded in 1944, the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science develops philanthropic support for the Weizmann Institute in Israel, and advances its mission of science for the benefit of humanity.
Jan 05, 2017... It’s All About Balance: Prof. Alon Chen on Stress and the Brain
Jun 19, 2014...
According the World Health Organization, mood disorders such as depression affect some 10% of the world’s population and are associated with a heavy burden of disease. That is why numerous scientists around the world have invested a great deal of effort in understanding these diseases. Yet the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie these problems are still only partly understood.
The existing antidepressants are not good enough: Some 60-70% of patients get no relief from them. For the other 30-40%, that relief is often incomplete, and they must take the drugs for a long period before feeling any effects. In addition, there are many side effects associated with the drugs. New and better drugs are clearly needed, an undertaking that requires, first and foremost, a better understanding of the processes and causes underlying the disorders.
Oct 22, 2015... The human brain is “limitless” – and yet, sometimes things go wrong. In this video, Prof. Noam Sobel, Dr. Assaf Tal, Prof. Michal Schwartz, Prof. Alon Chen, Dr. Tali Kimchi, Dr. Ofer Yizhar, Prof. Daniel Zajfman, and Prof. Yadin Dudai talk about studying the brain in health and disease, always learning “what it means to be human, what it means to think, what it means to remember.”
https://www.weizmann-usa.org/news-media/feature-stories/shedding-light-on-the-secrets-of-autism/
Apr 13, 2017... Despite the fact that autism is more prevalent today than ever, its causes are still unknown – though research indicates that there are likely a number of contributing factors: environmental, genetic, neurological, biological. And while Weizmann Institute scientists have made significant contributions to the understanding of autism, developing means of diagnosis, and creating potential treatments, much remains to be done – which is why their research continues at a rapid pace and approaches the condition from multiple angles.
Feb 05, 2019...
Illustration via Shutterstock.com
Comparing human brains to monkey brains reveals that our more evolutionarily advanced brains may be more efficient but are also less robust, according to new research from Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science.
Neurobiology Prof. Rony Paz explains that our brains are like modern washing machines – technologically sophisticated but more vulnerable to breakdown and costly disorders.
https://www.weizmann-usa.org/news-media/in-the-news/immune-system-may-also-help-brain/
Jan 17, 2006...
Scientists have surprising new evidence that the immune system, best known for protecting the body against pathogens, also plays a key role in the brain's ability to grow new neurons in adulthood.
If true, boosting the immune system may be one way to protect against age-associated learning and memory problems, said Michal Schwartz, lead author of a paper on the research published this month in Nature Neuroscience.
https://www.weizmann-usa.org/news-media/feature-stories/obesity-stress-and-science/
Dec 11, 2011... The holiday season may be full of joy, but it is also full of temptation, with abundant food and drink at seemingly every turn, and even full of stress, as family, economic, and other tensions can arise. And at a time when health officials around the world are increasingly concerned about the obesity epidemic and its related conditions, such as diabetes, there is particular reason to be aware of overeating, stress, coping mechanisms, and related issues.
https://www.weizmann-usa.org/news-media/news-releases/science-tips-june-2012/
Jun 12, 2012... Financial loss can lead to irrational behavior. Now, research by Weizmann Institute scientists reveals that the effects of loss go even deeper: loss can compromise our early perception and interfere with our grasp of the true situation. The findings, which recently appeared in the Journal of Neuroscience, may also have implications for our understanding of the neurological mechanisms underlying post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
https://www.weizmann-usa.org/news-media/news-releases/science-tips-february-2012/
Feb 24, 2012...
The Weizmann Institute is One of Seven “Instruct” Core Centres
Major transformations in biomedical science are on the horizon with the establishment of the world-class Integrated Structural Biology Infrastructure (Instruct) in support of European biomedical research.
The European Strategy Forum of Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) is involved in establishing about 40 such infrastructures, seven of them in biomedical sciences. Instruct is one such biomedical project, whose aim is to provide pan-European user access to state-of-the-art equipment, technologies, and manpower in cellular structural biology. This will allow Europe to maintain a competitive edge and play a leading role in this vital research area.
https://www.weizmann-usa.org/news-media/news-releases/keeping-up-the-pressure/
Feb 13, 2017...
Brain tissue from genetically engineered mice. Neurons that express CRFR1 appear in green and those that release the neurotransmitter CRF are in red. The image was obtained with fluorescence microscopy
In addition to the classic stress response in our bodies – an acute reaction that gradually abates when the threat passes – our bodies appear to have a separate mechanism that deals only with chronic stress. These Weizmann Institute of Science findings, which recently appeared in Nature Neuroscience, may lead to better diagnosis of and treatment for anxiety and depression.
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