Posts Tagged ‘Genetics’
Microtubule Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease Shares Some Blame
New Parkinson's disease research suggests defective regulation of microtubules may be responsible for some cases of Parkinson's disease. [Read More]
Neuronal Loss in ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Possibly Due to TDP-43 Loss
Research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, has lead to new information about neuronal loss seen in neurodegenerative disorders. The main findings reported involve the RNA binding protein TDP-43. The TDP-43 protein was found [Read More]
FLIP Switch of Programmed Cell Death
Research involving programmed cell death has lead to new information about the involvement of a protein named FLIP in cell survival and cell death. Researchers identified the protein FLIP and the silencing of the enzyme RIPK3 as important clues to the confusing nature of [Read More]
Human Embryonic Stem Cells Used to Create Variety of Motor Neurons in Lab
Researchers created a wide variety of motor neurons using human embryonic stem cells and a new technique. In previous research, scientists were only able to create one kind of motor neuron that required a technique using retinoic acid. This new method does not rely on the [Read More]
Alzheimer’s Symptoms Reversed in Mice with Human Tau Genes
Alzheimer’s disease research has lead to important findings involving the tau gene and the possibility of reversing the disease’s progression. The researchers used transgenic mice with two different human tau gene variants. One variant leads to tau proteins that [Read More]
Reelin Nerve Cells Into Neocortex Without Glial Cell Hooks
Scientists found that the protein named reelin is deeply involved in the migration of new nerve cells to the neocortex independently of glial cells. The research provides evidence that one class of molecules involved with reelin’s control of nerve migration is [Read More]
Stem Cells Delivered in Nasal Spray Ease Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms in Rats
Scientists have shown that stem cells delivered to rats via a nasal spray lead to an improvement of motor functions in rats with Parkinson’s disease like symptoms. Mesenchymal stem cells sprayed into the rat noses migrated to the brain and survived for at least 6 [Read More]
Oxidative Stress, Defective Nucleoli Likely a Cause of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease may be caused by oxidative stress within cells due to defective nucleoli. Dopamine producing neurons are particularly sensitive to oxidative stress. The researchers present evidence showing defective nucleoli within dopamine producing neurons lead [Read More]
Genetic Mutations in Brain Tumors Could Turn Out Useful
Scientists have discovered genetic mutations in brain tumors that alter brain tumor metabolism. The scientists report that cells with defective IDH1 or IDH2 genes had over 100 more metabolites with altered concentrations than cells without defective IDH1 or IDH2 genes. One [Read More]
Myelination, Schwann Cells Devastated in Erk Knock-out Mice
The researchers knocked out the Erk gene during peripheral nervous system development in mice. The researchers noticed the neurons of these knock-out mice were largely unaffected, but Schwann cells were "just devastated at every stage of development." [Read More]
