Neural Cell News Volume 4.41 | Oct 20 2010

TOP STORY

Fezf2 Directs the Differentiation of Corticofugal Neurons from Striatal Progenitors In Vivo 
Here researchers show that, within the niche of the striatum, the expression of a single transcription factor, Fezf2, is sufficient to generate corticofugal neurons from progenitors fated to become medium spiny neurons. [Nat Neurosci]

 

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Pericytes Regulate the Blood-Brain Barrier
The results indicate a novel and critical role for pericytes in the integration of endothelial and astrocyte functions at the neurovascular unit, and in the regulation of the blood brain barrier. [Nature]

Efficient CNS Gene Delivery by Intravenous Injection
Researchers administered recombinant SV40-derived viral vectors (rSV40s) intravenously to mice with or without prior intraperitoneal injection of mannitol to deliver transgenes to the central nervous system (CNS). [Nat Methods]

Wild-type and Mutant SOD1 Share an Aberrant Conformation and a Common Pathogenic Pathway in ALS
The findings suggest that wild-type SOD1 can be pathogenic in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SALS) and identify an SOD1-dependent pathogenic mechanism common to familial ALS (FALS) and SALS. [Nat Neurosci]

The Functional Asymmetry of Auditory Cortex is Reflected in the Organization of Local Cortical Circuits
The results are consistent with the hypothesis that auditory cortical microcircuitry is specialized to the one-dimensional representation of frequency in the auditory cortex. [Nat Neurosci]

Early Deficits in Synaptic Mitochondria in an Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) Mouse Model
The results demonstrate that synaptic mitochondria, especially A(beta)-rich synaptic mitochondria, are more susceptible to A(beta)-induced damage, highlighting the central importance of synaptic mitochondrial dysfunction relevant to the development of synaptic degeneration in AD. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA]

Divergent and Nonuniform Gene Expression Patterns in Mouse Brain
Here, researchers examine the relationship between genetic background and spatial patterns of gene expression across seven strains of mice, providing the most extensive cellular-resolution comparative analysis of gene expression in the mammalian brain to date. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA]

The OGG1 DNA Glycosylase is Essential for Mitochondrial Maturation During Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells
Here, researchers show that the differentiation of neural stem cells involves robust increases in mitochondrial mass, mitochondrial DNA copy number and respiration capacity. [Stem Cells]

RBPJ(Kappa)-Dependent Signaling Is Essential for Long-Term Maintenance of Neural Stem Cells in the Adult Hippocampus
The results identify RBPJ(kappa)-dependent pathways as essential regulators of adult neural stem cell maintenance and suggest that the actions of RBPJ(kappa) are, at least in part, mediated by control of Sox2 expression. [J Neurosci]

Enhanced Neuronal Expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Leads to Aberrations in Neurodevelopment and Neurorepair
Researchers found that transgenic C57Bl/6 mice that are engineered to express higher levels of self-Db on their CNS neurons have alterations in their hippocampal morphology and retinogeniculate projections, as well as impaired neurorepair responses. Thus, enhanced neuronal classical MHCI expression can lead to aberrations in neural circuitry and neurorepair. [J Neuroimmunol]

Ceregene Initiates a New Controlled Phase 2b Trial of CERE-120 for Parkinson’s Disease
Ceregene, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, announced that enrollment has begun in a new double-blind sham surgery-controlled Phase 2b study evaluating CERE-120 in Parkinson’s disease patients. [Ceregene, Inc. Press Release]

NeurogesX to Pursue Expanded U.S. Label for Qutenza(R) (capsaicin) 8% Patch in HIV-Associated Neuropathy
NeurogesX, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel pain management therapies, announced plans to pursue a U.S. label expansion for Qutenza(R) (capsaicin) 8% patch to include patients with painful HIV-associated neuropathy (HIV-AN, also referred to as HIV-distal sensory polyneuropathy (HIV-DSP)). [NeurogesX, Inc. Press Release]

Neuralstem Updates ALS Clinical Trial Progress
Neuralstem, Inc. updated the progress of its ongoing Phase I human clinical trial of the company’s spinal cord stem cells in the treatment of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. [Neuralstem, Inc. Press Release]

European Medicines Agency Strengthens Rules on Conflicts of Interests of Its Scientific Experts
The European Medicines Agency has published new rules on how the Agency will be handling potential conflicts of interests of its scientific experts, following endorsement by its Management Board. [European Medicines Agency, European Union]

Loss of UK Genetics Public Bodies Confirmed
The official announcement from the UK Government on the future of non-departmental public bodies has confirmed the rumored abolition of a total of 192 public bodies, with a further 118 to be merged. [Foundation for Genomics and Population Health, United Kingdom]

Cancer Chief Varmus Draws Up a List of Unsolved Mysteries
Harold Varmus has made a start on one of his first priorities as chief of the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI): coming up with a set of key unanswered questions. [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health; Notice of Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-26036) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

National Human Genome Research Institute; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-25634) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-26318) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-26320) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-26321)[National Institutes of Health, United States]

Draft Guidance for Industry: Early Clinical Trials With Live Biotherapeutic Products: Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control Information; Availability (FR Doc. 2010-25850) [Food and Drug Administration, United States]
 
Draft Guidance for Industry on Investigational New Drug Applications–Determining Whether Human Research Studies Can Be Conducted Without an Investigational New Drug Application; Availability (FR Doc. 2010-25851) [Food and Drug Administration, United States]