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Genetics

·July 23, 2012·5 min read

Genetic Mutations that Cause Common Childhood Brain Tumors Identified

Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital have identified several gene mutations responsible for the most common childhood brain tumor, called medulloblastoma, adding evidence to the theory that the diagnosis is a group of genetically distinct cancers with different prognoses. These and accompanying findings are likely to lead to less toxic, better targeted treatment approaches over the next two years, the researchers said.

Electrophysiology Featured Genetics Neurology

·July 18, 2012·2 min read

Protein Build-Up Leads to Neurons Misfiring

Using a two-photon microscope capable of peering deep within living tissue, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have found new evidence that alpha-synuclein protein build-up inside neurons causes them to not only become leaky, but also to misfire due to calcium fluxes.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Business

·July 17, 2012·3 min read

Experimental Drug May Extend Therapeutic Window for Stroke

An experimental drug that reduces brain damage and improves motor skills among stroke-afflicted rodents when given with federally approved clot-busting therapy has been created.

Featured Genetics Neurology

·July 16, 2012·2 min read

Gene Therapy Treatment Extends Lives of Mice with Fatal Disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Mice born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy typically only live five to six days. University of Missouri researchers introduced the SMN gene into the mice’s central nervous systems and were able to extend their lives 10-25 days longer.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 16, 2012·3 min read

Neurons Derived from Cord Blood Cells May Represent New Therapeutic Option

The researchers demonstrated that cord blood cells, which come from the mesoderm, the middle layer of embryonic germ cells, can be switched to ectodermal cells, outer layer cells from which brain, spinal and nerve cells arise. "This study shows for the first time the direct conversion of a pure population of human cord blood cells into cells of neuronal lineage by the forced expression of a single transcription factor," says Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte.

Electrophysiology Featured Psychology

·July 11, 2012·7 min read

Why the Thrill is Gone: Scientists Identify Potential Target for Treating Major Symptom of Depression

Scientists have laid bare a novel molecular mechanism responsible for the major depression symptom, anhedonia, the loss of the ability to experience pleasure. The brain circuit involved in this newly elucidated pathway is largely identical between rodents and humans, upping the odds that the findings point toward new therapies for depression and other disorders. Additionally, opinion leaders hailed the study’s inventive methodology, saying it may offer a much sounder approach to testing new antidepressants.

Featured Genetics Neurology

·July 11, 2012·3 min read

Gene Link to Multiple Sclerosis Explains Drug Side Effects

The biological role of a gene variant implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been determined by researchers at Oxford University. The researchers investigated one particular genetic variant - found in a gene called TNFRSF1A - which has previously been associated with the risk of developing MS.

Featured Genetics Neurology

·July 11, 2012·3 min read

Two Proteins Offer a Clearer Way to Treat Huntington’s Disease

HD mice crossbred with mice that produced greater levels of PGC-1alpha showed dramatic improvement. Production of misfolded proteins was essentially eliminated and the mice behaved normally. “Degeneration of brain cells is prevented. Neurons don’t die,” said La Spada.

Featured Genetics Neurology

·July 9, 2012·4 min read

Researchers Discover Gene Defect for New Syndrome

Research teams discovered a gene defect linked to a cluster of systemic complications, including life-threatening thoracic aortic disease and intracranial aneurysms. The new syndrome is similar, but distinct from known syndromes such as Marfan and Loeys-Dietz syndrome.

Brain Cancer Featured Genetics Neurology

·July 9, 2012·3 min read

Pediatric Tumors Traced to Stem Cells in Developing Brain

Scientists showed in mice that disabling a gene linked to a common pediatric tumor disorder, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), made stem cells from one part of the brain proliferate rapidly. But the same genetic deficit had no effect on stem cells from another brain region.

Featured Genetics Neurology

·July 6, 2012·2 min read

Zebrafish Reveal Promising Mechanism for Healing Spinal Cord Injury

Preliminary results in mice show that Fgf injections near a spinal injury increase both the number of glia cells at the site and the elongated morphology. Their evidence suggests that Fgfs may work to create an environment more supportive of regeneration in mammals as well and could be a valuable therapeutic target.

Genetics

·July 5, 2012·3 min read