Neural Cell News Volume 7.45 | Nov 13 2013

Parvalbumin Interneurons Mediate Neuronal Circuitry-Neurogenesis Coupling in the Adult Hippocampus
Using immunohistology, electron microscopy, electrophysiology and optogenetics, investigators found that proliferating adult mouse hippocampal neural precursors received immature GABAergic synaptic inputs from parvalbumin-expressing interneurons. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract | Press Release

Synaptic NMDA Receptor Stimulation Activates PP1 by Inhibiting Its Phosphorylation by Cdk5
Scientists found that synaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor stimulation in neurons leads to activation of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) through a mechanism involving inhibitory phosphorylation at Thr320 by Cdk5. [J Cell Biol] Abstract

Interaction of Ganglioside GD3 with an EGF Receptor Sustains the Self-Renewal Ability of Mouse Neural Stem Cells In Vitro
The authors previously demonstrated that GD3 is a predominant ganglioside species (>80% of the total gangliosides) in mouse neural stem cells. To investigate its biological function, they found that GD3 is colocalized and interacts with the mitogen receptor EGFR in the microdomain structure of the plasma membrane. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

A Local Source of FGF Initiates Development of the Unmyelinated Lineage of Sensory Neurons
Investigators report that signals emanating from within the mouse dorsal root ganglion mediated partly by early-born neurons destined to a myelinated phenotype participate in fating late-born RUNX1⁺/TrkA⁺ neurons. [J Neurosci] Abstract

Leptin Signaling in GABA Neurons, but Not Glutamate Neurons, Is Required for Reproductive Function
Researchers tested whether GABAergic or glutamatergic neurons provide the intermediate pathway between the site of leptin action and gonadotropin releasing hormone neurons. [J Neurosci] Abstract

A Novel Neuroprotective Strategy for Ischemic Stroke: Transient Mild Acidosis Treatment by CO₂ Inhalation at Reperfusion
Researchers report that attenuating brain acidosis with NaHCO₃ significantly compromised the acidosis or ischemic postconditioning-induced neuroprotection. Consistently, both acidosis-treated primary cultured cortical neurons and acute corticostriatal slices were more resistant to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion insult. [J Cereb Blood Flow Metab] Abstract

Chronic Fluoxetine Treatment Reduces Parvalbumin Expression and Perineuronal Nets in Gamma-Aminobutyric Acidergic Interneurons of the Frontal Cortex in Adult Mice
Researchers used immunohistological analysis to assess the effect of fluoxetine treatment on gamma-aminobutyric acidergic interneurons in the medial frontal cortex and reticular thalamic nucleus. [Mol Brain]
Full Article | Press Release

Micromolar Copper Modifies Electrical Properties and Spontaneous Discharges of Dodose Ganglion Neurons In Vitro
Researchers studied the effect of physiological concentration of CuCl2 (μM range) on the activity of peripheral neurons using a preparation of nodose ganglion in vitro. [Biometals] Abstract

Derivation of Neural Stem Cells from an Animal Model of Psychiatric Disease
To investigate the role of resident neural stem cells (NSCs) in a murine model of psychiatric disease, authors sought to isolate and characterize NSCs from alpha-calcium-/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II heterozygous knockout mice, a model of schizophrenia/bipolar disorder. [Transl Psychiatry]
Full Article

A Role for the Neurexin-Neuroligi Complex in Alzheimer’s Disease
This review summarizes the current understanding of the roles of neurexins and neuroligins proteolytic processing in synaptic plasticity in the human brain, and outlines their possible roles in β-amyloid metabolism and function, which are central pathogenic events in Alzheimer’s disease progression. [Neurobiol Aging] Abstract

Modeling Astrocytic Contribution Toward Neurodegeneration with Pluripotent Stem Cells: Focus on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases
The authors review astrocyte heterogeneity and function in the brain. They also focus on the involvement of astrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, discussing the contribution of this type of glial cell toward mechanisms that can lead to neuronal death, which was previously attributed exclusively to neurons. [Neuroreport] Abstract

Celldex Therapeutics Announces Publication of Preliminary Data from the Phase II ReACT Study to be Presented at the 18^th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology
Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. announced that preliminary data from “ReACT: a Phase II Study of Rindopepimut Vaccine (CDX-110) Plus Bevacizumab in Relapsed Glioblastoma”, was published in the 2013 abstract supplement to the journal Neuro-Oncology. [Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

NEW Alzheimer’s Disease in Down Syndrome: From Molecules to Cognition
March 27-29, 2014
Cambridge, United Kingdom