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Genetics

The image shows Newborn neurons in the brain of a 3 month old mouse.

·February 7, 2013·3 min read

Dickkopf Makes Fountain of Youth in the Brain Run Dry

Scientists have discovered that significantly more neurons are generated in the brains of older animals if the signaling molecule Dickkopf-1 is turned off. The results give rise to the question whether the function of Dickkopf-1 may be turned off using drugs to prevent age related cognitive decline.

Featured Psychology

·February 6, 2013·2 min read

Induction of Mild Inflammation Leads to Cognitive Deficits Related to Schizophrenia

Researchers have identified an exceptional mouse model of schizophrenia. The study identified a mutant mouse lacking the Schnurri-2 protein (Shn-2 KO) that exhibits behavioral deficits and other brain features consistent with schizophrenia.

The image shows the structure of protein LRRK2.

Featured Genetics

·February 6, 2013·4 min read

Study Points to Possible Cause and Treatment for Non-familial Parkinson’s

Researchers identify a protein trafficking defect within brain cells that may underlie common non-familial forms of Parkinson’s disease. The study implicates two genetic variants that disrupt protein sorting in neurons.

Image shows brain slices with deposits of proteins associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Featured Neurology

·February 5, 2013·3 min read

Study Confirms No Transmission of Alzheimer’s Proteins Between Humans

While evidence suggests pathological proteins linked to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disorders are capable of spreading from cell-to-cell within the brains of affected individuals, new research shows no evidence to support concerns that these abnormal disease proteins are “infectious” or transmitted from animals to humans or from one person to another.

The image shows a person with Lupus erythematosus from around 1900.

Featured Genetics

·February 4, 2013·5 min read

Scientists Find a Key Element of Lupus: Suggesting Better Drug Targets

Researchers have identified specific cellular events that appear key to the debilitating autoimmune disease, lupus. The findings suggest that blocking this pathway in lupus-triggering cells could be a potent weapon against the disease.

Featured Neurology

·February 2, 2013·3 min read

Researchers Identify Biomarker and Potential Therapy Target in MS

Researchers discover proteins in the IL-6 signaling pathway may be leveraged as novel biomarkers of multiple sclerosis (MS) to gauge disease activity and as a target for new therapies.

The image shows a black fly with Onchocerca volvulus emerging from its antenna. Onchocerca volvulus is responsible for the parasitic disease Onchocerciasis.

Featured Neurology

·February 1, 2013·2 min read

Parasites and Poor Antenatal Care are the Main Causes of Epilepsy in Sub-Saharan Africa

A new study found adults in sub-Saharan Africa who had been exposed to parasitic disease were 1.5 to 3 times more likely to have epilepsy.

The image shows the gut nervous system. The caption explains the image best.

Featured Genetics

·February 1, 2013·5 min read

How Deficiencies in Two Genes Synergize to Halt Formation of Gut Nervous System

Researchers identify a new gene associated with Hirschprung Disease and show how the migration of cells that form the gut nervous system is impeded when the combined doses of two candidate genes are low. Understanding the genetic basis of HSCR offers hope for better diagnostics and treatment for it and other developmental defects caused by failure of cell migration.

The image shows a modified schematic of the Circulatory system.

Featured Genetics Psychology

·January 31, 2013·3 min read

Examining the so-called Basque Mutation of Parkinson’s

Researchers examine mutations of the LRRK2 gene and R1441G, known as the Basque mutation, to better understand Parkinson's disease among patients in the Basque Country.

The image shows the atlas activity of the forebrain. The caption describes the image best.

Featured Genetics

·January 31, 2013·5 min read

Genome-Wide Atlas of Gene Enhancers in the Brain On-line

Future research into the underlying causes of neurological disorders such as autism, epilepsy and schizophrenia, should greatly benefit from a first-of-its-kind atlas of gene-enhancers in the cerebrum (telencephalon). This new atlas identifies and locates thousands of gene-regulating elements in a region of the brain that is of critical importance for cognition, motor functions and emotion.

The image shows a schematic structure of Insulin-like growth factor-1.

Autism Featured

·January 31, 2013·4 min read

Researcher Uncovers Potential Cause, Biomarker for Autism and Proposes Study to Investigate Theory

Based on prior findings, researchers propose that depressed levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) in the blood of newborns could potentially serve as a biomarker for the later development of autism.