| PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor of the Journal) | Absence of CNTNAP2 Leads to Epilepsy, Neuronal Migration Abnormalities, and Core Autism-Related Deficits Here, investigators characterize a mouse knockout of the Cntnap2 gene, which is strongly associated with autism spectrum disorders and allied neurodevelopmental disorders. [Cell] Abstract Direct Lineage Conversion of Terminally Differentiated Hepatocytes to Functional Neurons Here, researchers demonstrate that terminally differentiated hepatocytes can be directly converted into functional induced neuronal cells. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract Distinct Hypothalamic Neurons Mediate Estrogenic Effects on Energy Homeostasis and Reproduction The results indicate that estrogens act on distinct hypothalamic estrogen receptor-α neurons to regulate different aspects of energy homeostasis and reproduction. [Cell Metab] Abstract A Dual Shaping Mechanism for Postsynaptic Ephrin-B3 as a Receptor That Sculpts Dendrites and Synapses Researchers find that ephrin-B3, a transmembrane ligand for Eph receptors, functions postsynaptically as a receptor to transduce reverse signals into developing dendrites of mouse hippocampal neurons. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract Accelerating Axonal Growth Promotes Motor Recovery After Peripheral Nerve Injury in Mice Heat shock protein 27 is a regeneration-associated protein that accelerates axonal growth in vitro. Here, researchers have shown that it can also do this in mice after peripheral nerve injury. [J Clin Invest] Abstract | Press Release Grafted Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem-Cell–Derived Neurospheres Promote Motor Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury in Mice Here, researchers investigated the therapeutic potential of transplanting human-induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived neurospheres into nonobese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficient mice to treat spinal cord injury. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Nongenomic Glucocorticoid Receptor Action Regulates Gap Junction Intercellular Communication and Neural Progenitor Cell Proliferation Investigators found that both continuous and transient exposure of embryonic day 14.5 mouse neurosphere cultures to dexamethasone limits proliferation of coupled neural progenitor cells, which is manifested by both a reduction in S-phase progression and enhanced cell-cycle exit. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Repressor Element 1 Silencing Transcription Factor (REST) Controls Radial Migration and Temporal Neuronal Specification During Neocortical Development Here, researchers show that the transcriptional repressor, repressor element 1 silencing transcription factor (REST), regulates radial migration and the timing of neural progenitor differentiation during neocortical development, and that the regulation is contingent upon differential REST levels. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Astrocytes Carrying the Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1G93A) Mutation Induce Wild-Type Motor Neuron Degeneration In Vivo Here, researchers transplanted SOD1G93A glial-restricted precursor cells—glial progenitors capable of differentiating into astrocytes—into the cervical spinal cord of wild-type (WT) rats to reveal how mutant astrocytes influence WT motor neurons and other cells types (microglia and astrocytes) in an in vivo setting. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Synaptic and Extrasynaptic NMDA Receptors Differentially Modulate Neuronal Cyclooxygenase-2 Function, Lipid Peroxidation, and Neuroprotection Scientists hypothesized that stimulation of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors converts cyclooxygenase-2 signaling from a physiological to a potentially pathological process. [J Neurosci] Abstract | Press Release |
| INDUSTRY NEWS | Neuralstem Receives Patent Allowance For Compounds That Effect Neuronal Growth Neuralstem, Inc. announced that it has received patent allowance for U.S. Patent 8,030,492, entitled: “Compositions to Effect Neuronal Growth.” The claims covered by the patent include both structure and method claims for inducing neurogenesis and the growth of new neurons, both in-vitro and in-vivo. [Neuralstem, Inc.] Press Release Nationwide Children’s Hospital Researchers Receive Neurology Award for Contribution to Clinical Neuroscience Jerry Mendell, MD, and his fellow researchers, are the latest recipients of the Annals of Neurology prize for an outstanding contribution to clinical neuroscience. [Nationwide Children’s Hospital] Press Release ViroPharma Licenses Rights From Intellect Neurosciences for Product Candidate for Friedreich’s Ataxia ViroPharma Incorporated announced the license of worldwide rights from Intellect Neurosciences, Inc. to its clinical stage drug candidate, OX1, being developed for the treatment of Friedreich’s Ataxia. [ViroPharma Incorporated] Press Release Children’s Oncology Group and Apeiron to Jointly Conduct Phase II Study in Neuroblastoma with hu14.18-IL2 (APN301) Children’s Oncology Group and APEIRON Biologics AG announced that they will jointly investigate Apeiron’s APN301 in a clinical phase II study in pediatric neuroblastoma patients. [APEIRON Biologics AG] Press Release Cogane™ – European Commission Grants Orphan Drug Status for Treatment of ALS Phytopharm plc announced that the European Commission has granted Orphan Drug status to Cogane™ (PYM50028) for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). [Phytopharm plc] Press Release Adamas Pharmaceuticals Initiates A Phase 2/3 Clinical Study of ADS-5102 for Parkinson’s Disease Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has initiated a Phase 2/3 clinical trial of its proprietary investigational drug ADS-5102 (amantadine HCl extended release) for the treatment of levodopa induced dyskinesia in patients with Parkinson’s disease. [Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release |
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