SCIENCE NEWS
Dr. Eva Feldman Begins Work on a Stem Cell Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease The University of Michigan Program for Neurology Research & Discovery, under the direction of Eva Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., has proposed a stem cell approach to Alzheimer’s Disease. It is based on a stem cell therapy that Dr. Feldman pioneered for the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and that is undergoing human clinical trials at Emory University in Atlanta. [A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute Press Release] Researchers Find that 2 Proteins are Key for Normal-Sized Brains In work that may one day correct or prevent genetic conditions tied to smaller-than-normal brains and shed light on the evolution of human head size, researchers analyzed the interaction of two proteins key to brain development. [PhysOrg Press Release] Researchers Find Mirror Neuron System Functions Normally in Individuals with Autism A team of neuroscientists has found that the mirror neuron system, which is thought to play a central role in social communications, responds normally in individuals with autism. Their findings counter theories suggesting that a mirror system dysfunction causes the social difficulties exhibited by individuals with autism. [Press release from EurekAlert! discussing online prepublication in Neuron] Scientists Alter Developing Brain to Resemble That of Another Species Scientists have found that by applying chemicals to manipulate genes in a developing embryo, they’ve been able to change the brain of one type of cichlid fish to resemble that of another. [Press release from the Georgia Institute of Technology discussing online prepublication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences] New Brain Cells Help Mouse Dads Recognize Offspring Much has been said about a mother’s bond with her young, but little is known about the biological glue that ties males to their offspring. Now Canadian scientists show that when male mice interact closely with their babies, their brains grow new neurons that help them recognize their pups weeks later, when they have grown into adults. [Press release from Nature discussing online prepublication in Nature Neuroscience] Genetic Variations Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease, But Do Not Help Predict Risk Although genome-wide analysis identified two genetic variations associated with Alzheimer disease (AD), these variations did not improve the ability to predict the risk of AD. [Press release from EurekAlert! discussing online prepublication in The Journal of the American Medical Association] Brain May Use Clot-Busting Drug Naturally as Protection Against Stroke New research on the properties of the clot-busting stroke drug tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) suggests that tPA can act as a neuroprotectant and may form the keystone of an adaptive response to a reduction in blood flow. [Press release from Emory University School of Medicine discussing online prepublication in the Journal of Clinical Investigation]
|
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor)
Genome-Wide Analysis of Genetic Loci Associated With Alzheimer Disease Genome-wide association studies have recently identified CLU, PICALM, and CR1 as novel genes for late-onset Alzheimer disease. [JAMA] The Fusogen EFF-1 Controls Sculpting of Mechanosensory Dendrites Researchers examined the dynamic development of two arborized mechanoreceptor neurons (PVDs) required for reception of strong mechanical stimuli in Caenorhabditis elegans. [Science] Dlg1-PTEN Interaction Regulates Myelin Thickness to Prevent Damaging Peripheral Nerve Overmyelination Here, researchers show that in Schwann cells, mammalian disc large 1 (Dlg1) interacts with PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) to inhibit axonal stimulation of myelination. [Science] Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator is a Neuroprotectant in the Mouse Hippocampus Here, researchers have demonstrated that hippocampal areas of the mouse brain lacking tissue-type plasminogen activator activity are more vulnerable to neuronal death following an ischemic insult. [J Clin Invest] Epigenetic Regulation of miR-184 by MBD1 Governs Neural Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation Here, researchers show that methyl-CpG binding protein 1 (MBD1) regulates the expression of several microRNAs in adult neural stem/progenitor cells and, specifically, that miR-184 is directly repressed by MBD1. [Cell Stem Cell] Normal Movement Selectivity in Autism Movement selectivity is a defining characteristic of neurons involved in movement perception, including mirror neurons, and, as such, these findings argue against a mirror system dysfunction in autism. [Neuron] Neurexins Physically and Functionally Interact with GABA(A) Receptors Researchers found that when overexpressed in neurons, neurexins do not increase synapse density, but instead selectively suppressed GABAergic synaptic transmission without decreasing GABAergic synapse numbers. [Neuron] Paternal Recognition of Adult Offspring Mediated by Newly Generated CNS Neurons Researchers found that paternal-adult offspring recognition behavior in mice was dependent on postnatal offspring interaction and was associated with increased neurogenesis in the paternal olfactory bulb and hippocampus. [Nature Neuroscience] G(Beta)5 Recruits R7 RGS Proteins to GIRK Channels to Regulate the Timing of Neuronal Inhibitory Signaling Researchers found that mouse RGS7-G(beta)5 complexes bound to G protein–gated potassium channels and facilitated their functional coupling to GABA(B) receptors in neurons. [Nature Neuroscience] Neurons Derive from the More Apical Daughter in Asymmetric Divisions in the Zebrafish Neural Tube Researchers found that asymmetric inheritance of a subcellular domain is strongly correlated with asymmetric daughter fates and the results reveal an unexpected feature of this process. [Nature Neuroscience] OSVZ Progenitors of Human and Ferret Neocortex are Epithelial-Like and Expand by Integrin Signaling Researchers found that progenitors in the outer SVZ (OSVZ) of developing human neocortex retain features of radial glia, in contrast to rodent SVZ progenitors, which have limited proliferation potential. [Nature Neuroscience] Sublayer-Specific Microcircuits of Corticospinal and Corticostriatal Neurons in Motor Cortex Researchers found that the main excitatory pathway in mouse motor cortex, layer 2/3 to 5, is fractionated into distinct pathways targeting corticospinal and corticostriatal neurons, which are involved in motor control. [Nature Neuroscience]
|
INDUSTRY NEWS
Anavex Reports Animal Study Results as Lead Alzheimer’s Compound Approaches Phase I Clinical Trials Anavex Life Sciences Corporation is pleased to report promising results from animal studies with ANAVEX 2-73, the company’s lead compound for the treatment and modification of Alzheimer’s disease. [Anavex Life Sciences Corporation Press Release] EnVivo Initiates Phase IIB Alzheimer’s Disease Trial For EVP-6124 EnVivo Pharmaceuticals announced the initiation and dosing of patients in a Phase IIb study of its EVP-6124 compound, a selective alpha-7 nicotinic agonist in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. [Medical News Today] Double Neuroscience Success Two university academics, both leaders in different aspects of neuroscience research, have received one of the leading honours in medical science. [Cardiff University Press Release] NIAMS and NINDS Announce Multicenter Award for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) are launching a five-year, $7.5 million natural history study of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. [National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Press Release] Neuralstem, Inc. to Present At World Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Congress Neuralstem, Inc. CEO and President, Richard Garr, has been invited to present at the Fifth Annual World Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Congress, held May 11-13, in London, UK. Neuralstem is currently in a Phase I clinical trial to treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis with its spinal cord stem cells. [Neuralstem, Inc. Press Release] UC Irvine to Dedicate Sue and Bill Gross Hall: A CIRM Institute UC Irvine will dedicate its $80-million, 100,000-square-foot stem cell research building Friday, May 14. Reflecting the campus’s deep commitment to shaping the future of healthcare, Sue and Bill Gross Hall: A CIRM Institute is the first major stem cell center in Southern California, a region known for biomedical innovation. [UC Irvine Press Release]
|
EVENTS
2010 Canadian Neuroscience Meeting May 15-18, 2010 Ottawa, Canada International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 8th Annual Meeting June 16-19, 2010 San Francisco, United States BIT’s 1st World Congress of NeuroTalk 2010 June 25-28, 2010 Singapore City, Singapore 7th Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum of European Neuroscience July 3-7, 2010 Amsterdam, The Netherlands 6th International Symposium on Neuroprotection and Neurorepair October 1-4, 2010 Rostock, Germany 40th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience 2010 November 13-17, 2010 San Diego, United States Visit our events page to stay up to date with the latest events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community. JOB OPPORTUNITIESBusiness Development Manager Europe – Cell Therapy Products (Pall Corporation)Manager/Sr. Manager, Therapeutic Cell Solutions, Process Development (Lonza) Sr. Product Support and Training Specialist (CardianBCT) Recruit Top Talent Reach more than 11,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities with Neural Cell News. Visit here to post your career opportunities.
|
|