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.

Research: ACOT7 enzyme keeps neurons' fat levels under control

We're all fatheads. That is, our brain cells are packed with fat molecules, more of them than almost any other cell type. Still, if the brain cells' fat content gets too high, they'll be in trouble. In a recent study in mice, researchers at Johns Hopkins pinpointed an enzyme that keeps neurons' fat levels under control, and may be implicated in human neurological diseases.

9 Apr 2013

Transposons increase in abundance and activity in brains as they age

As the body ages, the physical effects are notable; wrinkles in the skin appear, physical exertion becomes harder. But there are also less visible processes going on. Inside aging brains there is another phenomenon at work, which may contribute to age-related brain defects.

9 Apr 2013

Studies, search for genetic risk factors needed to predict individual's risk for traumatic brain injury

One of the most controversial topics in neurology today is the prevalence of serious permanent brain damage after traumatic brain injury. Long-term studies and a search for genetic risk factors are required in order to predict an individual's risk for serious permanent brain damage, according to a review article published by Sam Gandy, MD, PhD, from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in a special issue of Nature Reviews Neurology dedicated to TBI.

6 Apr 2013

Researchers identify new set of genetic markers for Alzheimer's

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a new set of genetic markers for Alzheimer's that point to a second pathway through which the disease develops.

5 Apr 2013

Sanford-Burnham selects organizations to participate in Florida Translational Research Program

Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute at Lake Nona announced the selection of the first five research organizations that will participate in the Florida Translational Research Program to advance drug discovery in the state.

3 Apr 2013

Imbalance between neutrophil elastase and α1-antitrypsin leads to obesity, inflammation

Many recent studies have suggested that obesity is associated with chronic inflammation in fat tissues. Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have discovered that an imbalance between an enzyme called neutrophil elastase and its inhibitor causes inflammation, obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease.

3 Apr 2013

Researchers to test cyclodextrin for treating Niemann-Pick Type C disease

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is playing a leading role in one of the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) first clinical trials to improve treatments for rare and neglected diseases.

3 Apr 2013

Sanford-Burnham scientists identify how enzyme PKCzeta suppresses prostate tumor formation

Scientists at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have identified how an enzyme called PKCζ suppresses prostate tumor formation. The finding, which also describes a molecular chain of events that controls cell growth and metastasis, could lead to novel ways to control disease progression.

2 Apr 2013

Study: Protein clumps in nerve cells are pathologies of Parkinson's disease

Clumps of α-synuclein protein in nerve cells are hallmarks of many degenerative brain diseases, most notably Parkinson's disease.

29 Mar 2013

Data shows efficacy of MANF in neuroprotection 6-hydroxydopamine rat models of Parkinson's disease

Amarantus BioScience, Inc., a biotechnology company discovering and developing treatments and diagnostics for diseases associated with neurodegeneration and apoptosis, today reported positive preclinical data for its lead therapeutic MANF in neuroprotection 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rat models of Parkinson's disease.

28 Mar 2013

Molecular biologist hopes to learn why degenerative disorder affects specific brain cells

Dr. Santosh D'Mello, professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of Texas at Dallas, has received a federal grant for research that may shed light on why and how specific brain cells are affected by Huntington's disease, a devastating, degenerative brain disorder.

27 Mar 2013

Study reveals role of SNX27 protein in brain function

What is it about the extra chromosome inherited in Down syndrome-chromosome 21-that alters brain and body development? Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have new evidence that points to a protein called sorting nexin 27, or SNX27.

25 Mar 2013

Study identifies genetic cause of developmental delay in Amish individuals in USA

Researchers from the research group in growth factors and cell differentiation at the University of Barcelona (UB) and the IDIBELL and have participated in an international study that has identified the genetic cause of developmental delay observed in Amish individuals in the USA.

15 Mar 2013

Phase 1b study of olesoxime initiated in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients

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14 Mar 2013

VCP gene mutations cause neurological conditions including IBMPFD and ALS

New research, published in Neuron, gives insight into how single mutations in the VCP gene cause a range of neurological conditions including a form of dementia called Inclusion Body Myopathy, Paget's Disease of the Bone and Frontotemporal Dementia (IBMPFD), and the motor neuron disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

14 Mar 2013

3-D structure of HNF-4α reveals new pockets that could be targeted with therapeutic drugs

Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have determined the complete three-dimensional structure of a protein called HNF-4α.

14 Mar 2013

Study demonstrates relationship between protein HERC2 and human diseases

Researchers from the research group in growth factors and cell differentiation at IDIBELL and the University of Barcelonahave participated in an international study that has identified the genetic cause of developmental delay observed in Amish individuals in the USA.

13 Mar 2013

ADP-ribose plays key role in repairing cellular DNA damage

Attaching chains of the small molecule ADP-ribose to proteins is important for a cell's survival and the repair of DNA damage, making this process a promising target for the development of new cancer drugs.

13 Mar 2013

Continuous dyskinesia monitoring technology for Parkinson’s to be developed by Great Lakes NeuroTechnologies

Great Lakes NeuroTechnologies (GLNT) announced today that they are launching commercialization and clinical studies to validate a system for objective, continuous monitoring of dyskinesias associated with Parkinson’s disease.

5 Mar 2013

Sanford-Burnham enters into partnership to test furin for treatment of dengue fever

Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute and 60- Pharmaceuticals, LLC, have entered into a partnership to test furin, a human proteinase, as a drug target for the treatment of dengue fever, one of the most common infectious diseases in the tropics and subtropics.

5 Mar 2013

Neurodegeneration News and Research

Further Reading

Research: ACOT7 enzyme keeps neurons' fat levels under control

Transposons increase in abundance and activity in brains as they age

Studies, search for genetic risk factors needed to predict individual's risk for traumatic brain injury

Researchers identify new set of genetic markers for Alzheimer's

Sanford-Burnham selects organizations to participate in Florida Translational Research Program

Imbalance between neutrophil elastase and α1-antitrypsin leads to obesity, inflammation

Researchers to test cyclodextrin for treating Niemann-Pick Type C disease

Sanford-Burnham scientists identify how enzyme PKCzeta suppresses prostate tumor formation

Study: Protein clumps in nerve cells are pathologies of Parkinson's disease

Data shows efficacy of MANF in neuroprotection 6-hydroxydopamine rat models of Parkinson's disease

Molecular biologist hopes to learn why degenerative disorder affects specific brain cells

Study reveals role of SNX27 protein in brain function

Study identifies genetic cause of developmental delay in Amish individuals in USA

Phase 1b study of olesoxime initiated in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients

VCP gene mutations cause neurological conditions including IBMPFD and ALS

3-D structure of HNF-4α reveals new pockets that could be targeted with therapeutic drugs

Study demonstrates relationship between protein HERC2 and human diseases

ADP-ribose plays key role in repairing cellular DNA damage

Continuous dyskinesia monitoring technology for Parkinson’s to be developed by Great Lakes NeuroTechnologies

Sanford-Burnham enters into partnership to test furin for treatment of dengue fever

Aneuro: A Year of Neuroscience in Review eBook

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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