Neural Cell News Volume 6.07 | Feb 22 2012

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Repetitive Motor Learning Induces Coordinated Formation of Clustered Dendritic Spines In Vivo
To investigate whether neighboring synapses are involved in encoding similar memory and how task-specific cortical networks develop during learning, scientists followed apical dendrites of layer five pyramidal neurons in the motor cortex while mice practiced novel forelimb skills. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

ATM Kinase Inhibition in Glial Cells Activates the Innate Immune Response and Causes Neurodegeneration in Drosophila
To investigate the mechanistic basis for central nervous system neurodegeneration in the disease ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), researchers analyzed flies mutant for the causative gene A-T mutated (ATM). [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Targeting the UPR Transcription Factor XBP1 Protects against Huntington’s Disease through the Regulation of Forkhead Box O1 and Autophagy
Scientists have investigated the functional contribution of endoplasmic reticulum stress to Huntington’s disease by targeting the expression of two main unfolded protein response (UPR) transcription factors, XBP1 and ATF4, in full-length mutant Huntingtin transgenic mice. [Hum Mol Genet] Abstract

Local Dendrodendritic Inhibition Regulates Fast Synaptic Transmission in Visual Thalamus
To gain additional insight into the computational power of presynaptic dendrites, researchers have combined two-photon laser scanning microscopy, glutamate uncaging, and whole-cell electrophysiological recordings to locally activate dendritic terminals and study their inhibitory contribution to rat thalamocortical relay neurons. [J Neurosci] Abstract

Matrix Metalloproteinase9 Regulates Survival of Neurons in Newborn Hippocampus
Scientists show that levels of the matrix metalloproteinase9 decrease and the level of the extracellular matrix protein laminin increases in rat hippocampus during the period of neuronal death. [J Biol Chem] Abstract

A Human Stem Cell Model of Early Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology in Down Syndrome
Researchers report the development of Alzheimer’s disease pathologies in cortical neurons generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells derived from patients with Down syndrome. [Sci Transl Med]
Abstract | Press Release

Developmental Regulation of Membrane Excitability in Rat Spinal Lamina I Projection Neurons
Scientists have used in vitro whole-cell patch clamp recordings in rat spinal cord slices to determine whether the intrinsic membrane properties of lamina I projection neurons, as well as their synaptic inputs, are developmentally regulated during the early postnatal period. [J Neurophysiol] Abstract

Intraneuronally Injected Amyloid Beta Inhibits Long-Term Potentiation in Rat Hippocampal Slices
Scientists have investigated the effect on long term potentiation of intracellular injection of amyloid beta into hippocampal pyramidal cells using patch clamp technique. [J Neurophysiol] Abstract

New York Genome Center Launches Major Initiative with the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research to Sequence Whole Genomes of Alzheimer’s Patients
New York Genome Center, in collaboration with Illumina, announced at the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology annual meeting the initiation of a large-scale whole genome sequencing project with the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. [New York Genome Center] Press Release

NeuroPhage Receives Michael J. Fox Foundation Funding for Parkinson’s Disease Research
NeuroPhage Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has been awarded funding by The Michael J. Fox Foundation to conduct pre-clinical research targeting alpha-synuclein, a protein whose clumping is the pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. [NeuroPhage Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

American Academy of Neurology Announces 2012 Research Award Winners
Nearly two dozen scientific research awards are being bestowed on researchers around the world this year by the American Academy of Neurology, the world’s largest association of neurologists. [American Academy of Neurology] Press Release

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2012-3438) [National Institute of Health, United States]

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

NEW 2012 Till & McCulloch Meetings 
April 30-May 2, 2012 
Montreal, Canada 

NEW International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) 18th Annual Meeting 
June 5-8, 2012 
Seattle, United States 

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Postdoctoral Fellow – Visual Neuroscience (RIKEN Brain Science Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Program in Children’s Regenerative Medicine (The University of Texas Medical School at Houston)

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