Dr. Eva Feldman Begins Work on a Stem Cell Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease The University of Michigan Program for Neurology Research & Discovery, under the direction of Eva Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., has proposed a stem cell approach to Alzheimer’s Disease. It is based on a stem cell therapy that Dr. Feldman pioneered for the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and that is undergoing human clinical trials at Emory University in Atlanta. [A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute Press Release]
Researchers Find that 2 Proteins are Key for Normal-Sized Brains
In work that may one day correct or prevent genetic conditions tied to smaller-than-normal brains and shed light on the evolution of human head size, researchers analyzed the interaction of two proteins key to brain development. [PhysOrg Press Release]
Researchers Find Mirror Neuron System Functions Normally in Individuals with Autism
A team of neuroscientists has found that the mirror neuron system, which is thought to play a central role in social communications, responds normally in individuals with autism. Their findings counter theories suggesting that a mirror system dysfunction causes the social difficulties exhibited by individuals with autism. [Press release from EurekAlert! discussing online prepublication in Neuron]
Scientists Alter Developing Brain to Resemble That of Another Species
Scientists have found that by applying chemicals to manipulate genes in a developing embryo, they’ve been able to change the brain of one type of cichlid fish to resemble that of another. [Press release from the Georgia Institute of Technology discussing online prepublication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences]
New Brain Cells Help Mouse Dads Recognize Offspring
Much has been said about a mother’s bond with her young, but little is known about the biological glue that ties males to their offspring. Now Canadian scientists show that when male mice interact closely with their babies, their brains grow new neurons that help them recognize their pups weeks later, when they have grown into adults. [Press release from Nature discussing online prepublication in Nature Neuroscience]
Genetic Variations Associated with Alzheimer's Disease, But Do Not Help Predict Risk
Although genome-wide analysis identified two genetic variations associated with Alzheimer disease (AD), these variations did not improve the ability to predict the risk of AD. [Press release from EurekAlert! discussing online prepublication in The Journal of the American Medical Association]
Brain May Use Clot-Busting Drug Naturally as Protection Against Stroke New research on the properties of the clot-busting stroke drug tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) suggests that tPA can act as a neuroprotectant and may form the keystone of an adaptive response to a reduction in blood flow. [Press release from Emory University School of Medicine discussing online prepublication in the Journal of Clinical Investigation]
Normal Movement Selectivity in Autism
Movement selectivity is a defining characteristic of neurons involved in movement perception, including mirror neurons, and, as such, these findings argue against a mirror system dysfunction in autism. [Neuron]
Neurexins Physically and Functionally Interact with GABA(A) Receptors
Researchers found that when overexpressed in neurons, neurexins do not increase synapse density, but instead selectively suppressed GABAergic synaptic transmission without decreasing GABAergic synapse numbers. [Neuron]
Paternal Recognition of Adult Offspring Mediated by Newly Generated CNS Neurons
Researchers found that paternal-adult offspring recognition behavior in mice was dependent on postnatal offspring interaction and was associated with increased neurogenesis in the paternal olfactory bulb and hippocampus. [Nature Neuroscience]
EnVivo Initiates Phase IIB Alzheimer's Disease Trial For EVP-6124
EnVivo Pharmaceuticals announced the initiation and dosing of patients in a Phase IIb study of its EVP-6124 compound, a selective alpha-7 nicotinic agonist in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. [Medical News Today]
Double Neuroscience Success
Two university academics, both leaders in different aspects of neuroscience research, have received one of the leading honours in medical science. [Cardiff University Press Release]
NIAMS and NINDS Announce Multicenter Award for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) are launching a five-year, $7.5 million natural history study of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. [National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Press Release]
Neuralstem, Inc. to Present At World Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Congress
Neuralstem, Inc. CEO and President, Richard Garr, has been invited to present at the Fifth Annual World Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Congress, held May 11-13, in London, UK. Neuralstem is currently in a Phase I clinical trial to treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis with its spinal cord stem cells. [Neuralstem, Inc. Press Release]
UC Irvine to Dedicate Sue and Bill Gross Hall: A CIRM Institute UC Irvine will dedicate its $80-million, 100,000-square-foot stem cell research building Friday, May 14. Reflecting the campus’s deep commitment to shaping the future of healthcare, Sue and Bill Gross Hall: A CIRM Institute is the first major stem cell center in Southern California, a region known for biomedical innovation. [UC Irvine Press Release]
NSF to Ask Every Grant Applicant for Data Management Plan
Scientists seeking funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) will soon need to spell out how they plan to manage the data they hope to collect. It's part of a broader move by NSF and other federal agencies to emphasize the importance of community access to data. [National Science Foundation, United States]
$1.9 Million Grant to Help UCF Find Multiple Sclerosis 'Nerve-ana' A National Institutes of Health grant will help University of Central Florida researchers explore new ways to potentially reverse the damage caused by multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders. [National Institutes of Health, United States]
NIH Starts to Flesh out Drug Development Program
Lawmakers began discussing the details of a newly created drug development program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH Director Francis Collins told a Senate panel that he's eager to get started—once the program has a budget. [National Institutes of Health, United States]
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