TOP STORIES

Protein Found That Regulates Gene Critical to Dopamine-releasing Brain Cells
Researchers have identified a protein they say appears to be a primary player in maintaining normal functioning of an important class of neurons - those brain cells that produce, excrete and then reabsorb dopamine neurotransmitters.

SPECIAL FEATURE

VIDEO: Using Laser Tweezers For Manipulating Isolated Neurons In Vitro
In this video, researchers describe the protocols used to study the targeting preferences of regenerating cell processes of adult retinal neurons in vitro.

SCIENCE

Fatal Protein Interactions May Explain Neurological Diseases
In a collaborative study at the University of California, San Diego, investigators from neurosciences, chemistry and medicine, as well as the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) have investigated how proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease interact to form unique complexes.

Change in Single Gene Causes Degenerative Brain Disease in Mice
Mice whose brains receive half the dose of a critical growth-regulating gene exhibit the altered behaviors and nerve cell tangles common in people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, according to a new report by Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) scientists.

A Second Career For A Growth Factor Receptor: Keeping Nerve Axons On Target
Using the mouse visual system, a team of Salk Institute for Biological Studies investigators led by Dennis O'Leary, Ph.D., identified an unanticipated factor that helps keep retinal axons from going astray.

Bone Marrow Cells Could Alleviate Stroke Symptoms
Stroke patients could be treated with bone marrow in an attempt to reduce brain damage within the next year.

ABSTRACTS

Sustained Intraspinal Delivery of Neurotrophic Factor Encapsulated in Biodegradable Nanoparticles Following Contusive Spinal Cord Injury
In this study, researchers examined the efficacy of neural restoration of the injured spinal cord after using glial cell line derived neurotropic factor (GDNF) through a sustained release delivery system.

Effect of Spinal Transcutaneous Direct Current Stimulation on Somatosensory Evoked Potentials in Humans
Aiming to modulate human spinal cord function non-invasively, researchers in this study evaluated whether transcutaneous direct current (DC) stimulation induces long-lasting changes in conduction along the sensory spinal pathways.

p73 Regulates Neurodegeneration and Phospho-Tau Accumulation During Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
To better understand the mechanisms and underlying genetics of neurodegeneration, researchers show that the loss of one allele of a p53 family member, p73, makes mice susceptible to neurodegeneration as a consequence of aging or Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Large-Scale Movement within the Voltage-Sensor Paddle of a Potassium Channel-Support for a Helical-Screw Motion
In this study, researchers examine the molecular identity of moving parts of the voltage sensor of a voltage-gated ion channel based on the helical-screw and paddle models.

Leptin Regulated Calcium Channels of Neuropeptide Y and Proopiomelanocortin Neurons by Activation of Different Signal Pathways
To investigate the electrophysiological activity of neurons of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) and their responses to leptin, researchers recorded whole-cell calcium currents on neuropeptide Y (NPY) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the ARC of rats which were recognized by morphologic features and immunocytochemical identification at the end of recording.

Direct Quantification of CSF α-synuclein by ELISA and First Cross-sectional Study in Patients With Neurodegeneration
Because accumulation of α-synuclein (αS) in the brain is a hallmark of Parkinson disease (PD) and related disorders, researchers examined its occurrence in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using mass spectrometry.

INDUSTRY

Assay Designs(TM), Inc. and the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation Announce Collaboration to Accelerate the Discovery of New Therapeutics for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
Assay Designs and the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation (SMAF) are very pleased to announce a collaborative agreement for development of reagents and assays for SMN (Survival Motor Neuron) protein to expedite drug discovery and development efforts for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

POLICY

Neurotech Granted Fast Track Designations from the FDA
Neurotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designations for NT-501 for the treatment of visual loss in two indications, retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD).

Advocates Worry McCain Support for Embryonic Research May Waver
Despite Sen. John McCain's recent votes in favor of embryonic stem cell research, some advocates are worried he wouldn't be as supportive in the Oval Office as he was in the Senate chamber.

Concept Paper: Animal Models - Essential Elements to Address Efficacy Under the Animal Rule