Neural Cell News Volume 6.36 | Sep 12 2012

Conditional Ablation of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor-TrkB Signaling Impairs Striatal Neuron Development
Researchers report that ablation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) in both the cortex and substantia nigra depletes BDNF in the striatum, and leads to impaired striatal development, severe motor deficits, and postnatal lethality. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Myelination of Rodent Hippocampal Neurons in Culture
Scientists established a new myelin coculture from embryonic day 18 rat embryos consisting of hippocampal neurons and oligodendrocytes, with which novel intra-axonal signaling pathway regulating the juxtaparanodal clustering of Kv1.2 channels were identified. The detailed protocol for this new coculture is described. [Nat Protoc] Abstract

PTEN Deletion Enhances Survival, Neurite Outgrowth and Function of Dopamine Neuron Grafts to MitoPark Mice
Since the lipid phosphatase, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) inhibits Akt, researchers generated a mouse with conditional knock-out of PTEN in dopamine neurons, leading to constitutive expression of Akt in these neurons. [Brain] Abstract

Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neural Stem Cells Fuse with Microglia and Mature Neurons
Investigators studied the interaction of a mouse embryonic stem cell-derived neural stem (NS) cell line with rat and mouse microglia and neurons in vitro and in vivo. They showed that NS cells spontaneously fuse with co-cultured cortical neurons, and that this process requires the presence of microglia. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Robo2–Slit and Dcc–Netrin1 Coordinate Neuron Axonal Pathfinding within the Embryonic Axon Tracts
To understand the mechanism underlying neuron axonal pathfinding within the embryonic scaffold of axon tracts, researchers studied zebrafish anterior dorsal telencephalic (ADt) neuron development. They determined that the guidance receptors roundabout2 (Robo2) and deleted in colorectal cancer (Dcc) were differentially expressed in the ADt neurons. [J Neurosci] Abstract

An α7 Nicotinic Receptor-G Protein Pathway Complex Regulates Neurite Growth in Neural Cells
Scientists revealed a novel intracellular pathway of signaling for α7 within neurons, and suggest a role for its interactions with the G protein pathway complex in brain development. [J Cell Sci] Abstract

Micropatterning of Neural Stem Cells and Purkinje Neurons Using a Polydimethylsiloxane Stencil
A new fabrication method using a polydimethylsiloxane stencil and micro-wellplate was proposed and applied to a localized culture of Purkinje neurons and neural stem cells. [Lab Chip] Abstract

ITO/Gold Nanoparticle/RGD Peptide Composites to Enhance Electrochemical Signals and Proliferation of Human Neural Stem Cells
A cell chip composed of ITO, gold nanoparticles and RGD-MAP-C peptide composites was fabricated to enhance the electrochemical signals and proliferation of undifferentiated human neural stem cells. [Nanomedicine] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

17β-Estradiol and Progesterone Regulate Expression of β-Amyloid Clearance Factors in Primary Neuron Cultures and Female Rat Brain
Researchers investigated the effects of 17β-estradiol and progesterone treatment on the expression levels of β-amyloid protein clearance factors including insulin-degrading enzyme, neprilysin, endothelin-converting enzyme 1 and 2, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and transthyretin, both in primary neuron cultures and female rat brains. [Endocrinology] Abstract

Neural Mechanisms of Stress Resilience and Vulnerability
This review reports on the causal and mechanistic evidence implicating altered functions and connectivity of the neuroendocrine system, and of hippocampal, cortical, reward, and serotonergic circuits in the establishment and the maintenance of stress resilience and vulnerability. [Neuron] Abstract

Don’t Judge a Neuron Only by Its Cover: Neuronal Function in In Vitro Developmental Neurotoxicity Testing
This review focuses on in vitro models and innovative experimental approaches for functional developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) testing, ranging from optical and electrophysiological measurements of intra- and intercellular signaling in neural stem/progenitor cells to measurements of network activity in neuronal networks using multi-electrode arrays. [Toxicol Sci] Abstract

ReNeuron Files Two New Clinical Trial Applications Ahead of Plan in Stroke and Critical Limb Ischaemia as Its Stem Cell Programs Advance
ReNeuron is pleased to report that it has submitted an application to the UK regulatory authority to commence a multi-site phase II clinical trial to examine the efficacy of its ReN001 stem cell therapy in patients disabled by an ischaemic stroke. The company is also pleased to report that it has submitted an application to the UK regulatory authority to commence a first clinical trial of its ReN009 stem cell therapy for critical limb ischaemia. [ReNeuron Group plc] Abstract

Neuralstem Grants First Licenses for CNS Therapy Surgical Devices
Neuralstem, Inc. announced that it has granted the first licenses for use of its Spinal Cord Delivery Platform and Floating Cannula, for delivering therapeutic agents to the spinal cord, to Salt Lake City-based Q Therapeutics. [Neuralstem, Inc.] Press Release

FDA Approves First Drug Developed for Children with Rare Brain Tumor
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Afinitor Disperz, pediatric doses of everolimus tablets, to treat a rare brain tumor called subependymal giant cell astrocytoma. Afinitor Disperz is the first approved form and dose of a drug developed to treat pediatric tumors. [National Cancer Institute]
Press Release

Obama and Romney Tackle 14 Top Science Questions
Scientific American partnered with grassroots organization ScienceDebate.org to encourage the two main presidential candidates – Barack Obama and Mitt Romney – to answer 14 questions on some of the biggest scientific and technological challenges facing the nation. [Presidential Candidates, United States]
Press Release

U.K. Devotes £10 Million to Open Access Shift
Following up on recommendations to make more research freely available to scientists and the public, the U.K. government pledged £10 million toward making scientific papers open access. [U.K. Government, United Kingdom] Press Release

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