Here is a short but sweet report regarding neural progenitors that I’ve been meaning to write about for a while. Previous work from this lab showed that neural progenitors could be implanted into the brains of mice and help recover function after stroke. They showed that the implanted progenitors had migrated into the stroke region. This study is an extension of the previous work and attempted to determine if migration was due to a signal provoked by a stroke.

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The brain is a complicated place and one small mutation could set things on fire. Epilepsy is an excellent example. There is no single gene that is the source of epilepsy. Rather, epilepsy can develop from any number of mutations that affect the various processes in the brain. But what happens when you have multiple mutations for known epilepsy genes? Recent research shows two mutations that actually compliment each other to restore normal function.

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You may have a sweet tooth but your brain doesn’t. More specifically, your neurons don’t especially enjoy storing glycogen. Accumulation of glycogen in neurons leads to cell death. It was widely supported that neurons don’t synthesize or store their own glycogen. Rather, they rely on their neighboring glial cells for nutrition.

A new study in Nature Neuroscience shows that, contrary to popular belief, neurons are capable of synthesizing glycogen. This glycogen synthesis pathway is inhibited by a redundant mechanism. Their research shows that if this mechanism fails, glycogen accumulates in neurons and leads to cell death, a key feature in several neurodegenerative diseases.

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Nanoparticles offer an intriguing possibility for treating diseases, especially neurodegenerative diseases. It has been theorized that their uses could range from simple drug delivery to full fledged microscopic machines, an inorganic version of a protein. Unfortunately, inorganic molecules are often quite lethal when allowed inside the body in considerable quantities. Nanoparticles are no different. Furthermore, their small size raises questions regarding toxicity.

New research has shown some initial data regarding toxicity and how to best clear nanoparticles from your system. Details after the jump.
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Anyone who says evolution isn’t real should take pause at this new study (they won’t, but that is neither her nor there). A study published today in Science demonstrates that a common orchard pest, codling moths, has evolved extremely rapidly to be resistant to current methods of eradication. The resistant gene is sex-linked and grants the moths almost 100,000 fold resistance.

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Imagine having a new sense - the ability to sense ambient magnetic fields. Imagine not just sensing it but actually seeing magnetic fields, especially in the dark when there are fewer visual cues. This may sound alien but it exists right here on earth. Research in the field of avian magnetoreception suggests that birds not only sense magnetic fields to help them migrate but actively see the fields.

Everyone knows that certain varieties of birds migrate vast distances. Unlike you or I, birds can’t hop on Google Maps or pull out a GPS. They can’t read maps yet somehow manage to align themselves for the long flight. Several mechanisms, such as using the sun as a guide or mountains as landmarks, have been proposed that allow birds to orient themselves and successfully complete such long journeys.

Migratory birds and homing pigeons can also orient themselves with magnetic fields and it is theorized this magnetic sensory ability plays a key role in migration. Two magnetoreceptor mechanisms have been proposed. One theory uses magnetite crystals while the other involves photoreceptor based chemistry.

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New research coming out of the University of Rochester suggests that inducing neurogenesis could be a possible treatment option for Huntington’s Disease.

Huntington’s Disease (HD) is a rare, autosomal dominant disease. The effects of HD are generally both physical and mental. Those afflicted with HD generally have erratic movements, slurring of speech, unsteady walking and uncoordinated facial expressions. As the disease progresses, patients typically lose the ability to feed themselves and require full-time care. Cognitively, patients lose their spatial skills, abstract thinking, planning and ability to learn new skills.

HD, unfortunately, has an extremely late onset which typically means the affected individual already has a family. Since HD is a dominant gene, only one parent must have the mutation to pass it on to their kids. The disease is caused by a number of repeats in the Interesting Transcript 15 gene, which encodes the huntington protein. Those with HD exhibit neurodegeneration throughout the brain, the neostratium in particular. The exact role of this protein in neurodegeneration, however, is still unknown.

Research headed by Sung-Rae Cho at the University of Rochester shows that inducing neurogenesis in striatal neurons slows the onset of HD, increasing life expectancy and reducing cognitive impairments in mice.

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As humans, we like to think of ourselves as special. Especially when it comes to our intelligence. New research from Harvard University shows that our ability to infer the intentions of others is an ability that arose as far back as 40 million years ago. The research showed that three different types of primates (New World monkeys, Old World monkeys and apes) could infer rational, goal-direction actions just like humans. Not so special now, are you!

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The developing brain is a very interesting place. One fascinating aspect is the migration of embryonic neurons from their birthplace to their adult position. Embryonic neurons in the neocortex migrate to their appropriate position by crawling along fibers which are created by radial glial cells. Radial glia also act as stem cells, replicating and differentiating into new neurons. The molecular interactions between infant neurons and radial glial cells, until recently, was relatively unknown. Recent research from the Institute of Regenerative Medicine shows that gap junctions play a prominent role in the migration of neurons.

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Garlic is one of those foods you constantly hear about. One day it is saving your heart. Another day it is boosting your immune system. Romans ate it for courage, I eat it for taste. Many people avoid it for its smell. You may even cry over it.

But your neurons will thank you the most for eating it. A recent study from the Medical University of South Carolina reveals that garlic is an excellent means of killing brain tumors. More details after the jump.
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