Scientists Make Active Motor Neurons from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Stem cell scientists at UCLA showed for the first time that human induced pluripotent stem cells can be differentiated into electrically active motor neurons, a discovery that may aid in studying and treating neurological disorders.

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Human Stem Cells Provide a New Model for Lou Gehrig's Disease
Overcoming the limited success of previous models, a report published in Disease Models & Mechanisms describes how neurons can be derived from human stem cells, and engineered to mimic inherited ALS.

Compounds Protect Against Cerebral Palsy
Two compounds developed by Northwestern University chemists have been shown to be effective in pre-clinical trials in protecting against cerebral palsy.

Microscopic Fibers String Spinal Cord Back Together
Northwestern scientists are planning on tacking spinal cord injury through microscopic messenger molecules that can tell the disconnected nerve cells to re-grow.

Brain Cells' Hidden Differences Linked to Potential Cancer Risk
Brain cells long lumped into the same category have hidden differences that may contribute to the formation of tumors, according to a new study from researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Brain's Reserve Cells Can Be Activated After Stroke
Scientists at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet have found a way of activating the neuronal reserves in the brains of mice by switching off the signal that inhibits the formation of new nerve cells.

Neuralstem's ALS Trial on Clinical Hold
Neuralstem, Inc. announced recently its spinal cord stem cell trial to treat ALS is on clinical hold and that the Federal Drug Administration has provided the Company with specific comments, questions and recommendations for modifications to its protocol.

Winners of the Stem Cell Image Contest Announced by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
The twelve winning images from the first California Institute for Regenerative Medicine stem cell image contest range from a whirling galaxy of developing nerve cells to a moonscape of retinal pigment epithelial cells, both derived from human embryonic stem cells.

Long-Term Survival and Integration of Transplanted Engineered Nervous Tissue Constructs Promotes Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
This study describes an engineered transplantable living nervous tissue constructs to provide a labeled pathway to guide host axonal regeneration.

APP Binds DR6 to Trigger Axon Pruning and Neuron Death via Distinct Caspases
This study reports that beta-amyloid precursor protein and death receptor 6 (DR6, also known as TNFRSF21) activate a widespread caspase-dependent self-destruction program.

Level and Localization of Polysialic Acid is Critical for Early Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
In order to investigate the impact of polySia on regeneration processes of myelinated axons, this study examined mouse mutants retaining only one functional sialyltransferase allele.

Phenylbutyrate Ameliorates Cognitive Deficit and Reduces Tau Pathology in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model
In this study, the researchers report that administration of 4-PBA reversed spatial learning and memory deficits in an established mouse model of Alzheimer's disease without altering beta-amyloid burden.

The Neuropathic Potential of Anti-GM1 Autoantibodies is Regulated by the Local Glycolipid Environment in Mice
Using human and mouse monoclonal anti-GM1 antibodies to probe the GM1-rich motor nerve terminal membrane in mice, this paper shows that the antigenic oligosaccharide of GM1 in the live plasma membrane is cryptic, hidden on surface domains that become buried for a proportion of anti-GM1 antibodies due to a masking effect of neighboring gangliosides.

Immunogenicity of Allogeneic Adipose-derived Stem Cells in a Rat Spinal Fusion Model
To determine whether adipose-derived stem cells express a non-immunogenic profile in vivo, immune monitoring studies were carried out in conjunction with a rat spinal fusion study.

A Rosette-type, Self-renewing Human ES Cell-derived Neural Stem Cell with Potential for in Vitro Instruction and Synaptic Integration
Here, the researchers present a pure population of long-term self-renewing rosette-type hESC-derived neural stem cells (lt-hESNSCs), which exhibit extensive self-renewal, clonogenicity, and stable neurogenesis.

Neuronal Guidance Protein Netrin-1 Induces Differentiation in Human Embryonal Carcinoma Cells
This study suggests that Netrin-1 can induce neuroectodermal-like differentiation of human EC cells by affecting c-src signaling via SHP-2 activation and regulation of Nanog, Oct4, and Cripto-1 expressions.

Geron's Push to Europe Thwarted
Some of Geron's glow faded on Friday when the company realized that its worldwide license for its stem cell technology is not valid in Europe.

Genentech, Buck Institute Research Could Flip Alzheimer's Programs
Genentech Inc. and the Buck Institute for Age Research in separate projects said they have new theories about what causes Alzheimer's Disease, potentially overturning the basis of many companies' current drug-development programs.

ParkwayHealth and Mesoblast to Provide Cutting Edge Treatment Using Proprietary Adult Stem Cells
Parkway Group Healthcare Pte Ltd and Mesoblast Limited recently announced a collaborative program to facilitate commercialization of Mesoblast's proprietary "off-the-shelf" stem cell products within the extensive ParkwayHealth hospital network in Asia.

Norton Healthcare Announces Creation of Norton Neuroscience Institute
Norton Healthcare officials announced today the creation of Norton Neuroscience Institute, with plans to become a regional and national leader in treatment, research and academic training for all adult and pediatric neuroscience disciplines.

Texan Governor Announced Emerging Technology Fund Investment in Stem Cell Research at Texas A and M Health Science Center
Governor Rick Perry announced a $5 million investment through the Texas Emerging Technology Fund to recruit leading scientists focused on regenerative medicine technologies to the Texas A and M Health Science Center College of Medicine Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Scott and White.

Oklahoma Funding for Adult Stem Cell Research Approved
Legislation that could provide nearly $2 million for adult stem cell research in Oklahoma received committee approval last week.

Senate Votes to Authorize Stem Cell Research
A bill authorizing embryonic stem cell research in New Mexico has been approved by the Senate recently.

Industry Could Lose Battle over Language for Comparative Effectiveness Research
A House-Senate conference committee last night settled on a provision of the stimulus package that could be critical to the biotech and pharmaceutical industry in the coming years, nailing down the details of a $1.1 billion fund for comparative effectiveness research.

Cash Boost Coming for Stagnant U.S. Medical Research
After years of stagnant funding, medical research in the United States is set for a big cash infusion that experts expect will boost work on a range of ailments as well studies involving human embryonic stem cells.

F.D.A. Consolidates at Former Navy Site
The Food and Drug Administration has moved into the Naval Surface Warfare Center in White Oak, consolidating its previously scattered labs and offices.

Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission's Focus to Change
Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission members hashed out plans for the group's future Tuesday, as they discussed a new bill that would reorganize the commission to include biotechnology and change the purpose of the fund.