Neural Cell News Volume 6.31 | Aug 8 2012

Drug Screening for ALS Using Patient-Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers generated motor neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells from familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, who carry mutations in Tar DNA binding protein-43. [Sci Transl Med]
Abstract | Press Release

Circadian Rhythm of Redox State Regulates Excitability in Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Neurons
Scientists detected self-sustained circadian rhythms of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) redox state that required molecular clockwork. The redox oscillation could determine the excitability of SCN neurons through nontranscriptional modulation of multiple K⁺ channels. [Science] Abstract

FM19G11 Favors Spinal Cord Injury Regeneration and Stem Cell Self-Renewal by Mitochondrial Uncoupling and Glucose Metabolism Induction
FM19G11 was found to exert an important influence on the self-renewal of ependymal stem progenitor cells with a plausible neuroprotective role, providing functional benefits for spinal cord injury treatment. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Recombinant Spider Silk Matrices for Neural Stem Cell Cultures
Researchers evaluated the suitability of recombinant spider silk matrices for growth of neural stem cells. [Biomaterials] Abstract

HIV-1 Alters Neural and Glial Progenitor Cell Dynamics in the Central Nervous System: Coordinated Response to Opiates During Maturation
Investigators hypothesized that central nervous system (CNS) progenitor cells in both the adult and developing CNS are affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and that opiates exacerbate these effects. Neural progenitors were exposed to HIV-1 Tat_1–86 in the developing brain of inducible transgenic mice and in vitro. [Glia] Abstract

Induction of Neuronal Phenotypes from NG2+ Progenitors by Inhibiting Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Mouse Spinal Cord Injury
Scientists showed that antagonizing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) function with EGFR inhibitor caused a significant number of proliferative NG2+ glial progenitors to acquire neuronal phenotypes in contusive spinal cord injury. [Glia] Abstract

The Organizational and Aromatization Hypotheses Apply to Rapid, Nonclassical Hormone Action: Neonatal Masculinization Eliminates Rapid Estradiol Action in Female Hippocampal Neurons
Researchers tested whether membrane estrogen receptor regulation of cAMP response element binding protein phosphorylation observed in female hippocampal pyramidal neurons is due to the lack of androgen and/or estrogen exposure in females during a critical developmental period. [Endocrinology] Abstract

Schwann Cells Migrate Along Axons in the Absence of GDNF Signaling
In contrast to previous in vitro findings in the sciatic nerve and a Schwann cell (SC) precursor cell line, researchers found that Glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is dispensable for embryonal SC migration. This was demonstrated for the sympathetic nervous system and also for the sciatic nerve in mouse. [BMC Neurosci] Abstract | Full Article

Ectopic Expression of Melanopsin in Orexin/Hypocretin Neurons Enables Control of Wakefulness of Mice In Vivo by Blue Light
Investigators found that ectopic expression of human melanopsin in orexin neurons enables long-lasting activation of orexin neurons by blue light to control sleep/wakefulness of the mice. [Neurosci Res] Abstract

CTCF Is Required for Neural Development and Stochastic Expression of Clustered Protocadherin Genes in Neurons
Investigators found that CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) regulates functional neural development and neuronal diversity by controlling clustered protocadherin expression. [Cell Rep] Abstract

The Michael J. Fox Foundation Awards Grant to Center Researcher
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research awarded funds to Sarah K. Lageman, PhD, ABPP-CN, a clinician-investigator with the VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center and Assistant Professor of Neurology. [The Virginia Commonwealth University Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center] Press Release

Functional Neuromodulation Initiates North American Study of Deep Brain Stimulation for Alzheimer’s Disease
Functional Neuromodulation Ltd has initiated the ADvance Study in the U.S. and Canada to assess deep brain stimulation in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease. [Functional Neuromodulation, Ltd.] Press Release

Johnson & Johnson Announces Discontinuation of Phase III Development of Bapineuzumab Intravenous (IV) In Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease
Johnson & Johnson announced that phase III clinical development of IV in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease is being discontinued. [Johnson & Johnson] Press Release

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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