Probing Sporadic and Familial Alzheimer’s Disease using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Here researchers reprogrammed primary fibroblasts from two patients with familial Alzheimer’s disease, both caused by a duplication of the amyloid-β precursor protein gene, two with sporadic Alzheimer’s disease and two non-demented control individuals into induced pluripotent stem cell lines. Neurons from differentiated cultures were purified with fluorescence-activated cell sorting and characterized. [Nature] Abstract Mutation of a U2 snRNA Gene Causes Global Disruption of Alternative Splicing and Neurodegeneration Here, scientists demonstrate that mutation of Rnu2-8, one of the mouse multicopy U2 snRNA (uridine-rich small nuclear RNA) genes, causes ataxia and neurodegeneration. [Cell] Abstract Chronic In Vivo Imaging in the Mouse Spinal Cord using an Implanted Chamber Using their chronically implanted spinal chamber researchers quantified microglia and afferent axon dynamics after a laser-induced spinal cord lesion and observed massive microglia infiltration within 1 d along with a heterogeneous dieback of axon stumps. [Nat Methods] Abstract Secreted VAPB/ALS8 Major Sperm Protein Domains Modulate Mitochondrial Localization and Morphology via Growth Cone Guidance Receptors Researchers show that VAPB/ALS8 major sperm protein domains secreted by neurons act on Lar-like protein-tyrosine phosphatase and Roundabout growth cone guidance receptors expressed in striated muscle. [Dev Cell] Abstract | Press Release A Change in Nuclear Pore Complex Composition Regulates Cell Differentiation Here investigators show that a specific change in nuclear pore complex composition is required for both myogenic and neuronal differentiation. [Dev Cell] Abstract ATR Maintains Select Progenitors during Nervous System Development To understand how ATR [ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) and rad3-related] functions during neurogenesis, scientists conditionally deleted Atr broadly throughout the murine nervous system, or in a restricted manner in the dorsal telencephalon. [EMBO J] Abstract Transplanted Neural Stem/Precursor Cells Instruct Phagocytes and Reduce Secondary Tissue Damage in the Injured Spinal Cord Here, scientists interrogated the therapeutic plasticity of neural stem/precursor cells after their focal implantation in the severely contused spinal cord. [Brain] Abstract Amino-Nogo-A Antagonizes Reactive Oxygen Species Generation and Protects Immature Primary Cortical Neurons from Oxidative Toxicity Here, researchers show that HIV-1 trans-activating-mediated amino-Nogo-A protein transduction into cultured primary cortical neurons achieves an almost complete neuroprotection against oxidative stress induced by exogenous hydrogen peroxide. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract Injury-Dependent Müller Glia and Ganglion Cell Reprogramming during Tissue Regeneration Requires Apobec2a and Apobec2b Investigators found that two cytidine deaminases (apobec2a and apobec2b) were expressed basally in the uninjured retina and that they were induced in proliferating, dedifferentiated Müller glia. [J Neurosci] Abstract Differential Cell Proliferation in the Cortex of the APPswePS1dE9 Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model Plaque deposition in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is known to decrease proliferation in neurogenic niches in AD mouse models, but the effects on cell proliferation and differentiation in other brain areas have not been studied in detail. Researchers analyzed cell proliferation in the cortex of wild type and APPswePS1dE9 transgenic mice at different ages. [Glia] Abstract |