Neurodegeneration News and Research

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Neurodegeneration is the umbrella term for the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, including death of neurons.

Marijuana-like compounds may aid Parkinson's disease, pain and obesity

No longer a pipe dream, new animal research now indicates that marijuana-like compounds can aid a bevy of debilitating conditions, ranging from brain disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's disease, to pain and obesity.

28 Oct 2004

Robotic microscope shows how mutant Huntington's disease protein affects neurons

Using a specially designed robotic microscope to study cultured cells, researchers have found evidence that abnormal protein clumps called inclusion bodies in neurons from people with Huntington's disease (HD) prevent cell death.

13 Oct 2004

Duplication of the alpha-synuclein gene causes Parkinson's disease in a French family

In affected individuals, age of onset, symptoms and symptom progression are similar to that observed in people with sporadic or unexplained cases of Parkinson's disease.

27 Sep 2004

Disruption of protein folding causes neurodegeneration, mental retardation

Excess accumulation in brain cells of a fat molecule called GM1-ganglioside (GM1) disrupts the folding of newly assembled proteins into their proper shapes, triggering nerve degeneration and mental retardation in children.

10 Sep 2004

Researchers have shown that an experimental vaccine can reduce the amount of neurodegeneration in a mouse model for Parkinson's disease

The finding suggests that a similar therapy might eventually be able to slow the devastating course of Parkinson's disease in humans.

29 Jul 2004

Embryonic cell implantation improves motor skills in patients with Parkinson's disease

Patients with Parkinson disease (PD) who underwent treatment involving embryonic cell implantation had better motor functioning after their procedures than PD patients who did not receive embryonic cells

21 Jun 2004

Nordic networks to explore Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, stroke, migraine, epilepsy, cancer and autoimmune and metabolic disorders

Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, stroke, migraine, epilepsy, cancer and autoimmune and metabolic disorders – these are examples of diseases that will be explored by the three Nordic networks that have been granted financial support from the joint Nordic venture ”Nordic Centre of Excellence Programme in Molecular Medicine”.

15 Jun 2004