Motor Neurons News and Research

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Researchers find two types of neurons that enable spinal cord to control skilled forelimb movement

Researchers have identified two types of neurons that enable the spinal cord to control skilled forelimb movement. The first is a group of excitatory interneurons that are needed to make accurate and precise movements; the second is a group of inhibitory interneurons necessary for achieving smooth movement of the limbs.

2 May 2014

Astrocytes malfunction may contribute to neurodegenerative disorders

Scientists studying brain diseases may need to look beyond nerve cells and start paying attention to the star-shaped cells known as "astrocytes," because they play specialized roles in the development and maintenance of nerve circuits and may contribute to a wide range of disorders, according to a new study by UC San Francisco researchers.

29 Apr 2014

Positive results from pivotal clinical trial of Trophos’ olesoxime in SMA patients to be presented at AAN 2014

Trophos and AFM-Telethon today announce that data from the pivotal clinical trial of Trophos’ lead product candidate olesoxime in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) will be presented during the 66th American Academy of Neurology annual meeting to be held in Philadelphia, PA, USA, from April 26 to May 3 2014.

29 Apr 2014

Studies report new genetic disorder associated with degeneration of central/peripheral nervous systems

A newly identified genetic disorder associated with degeneration of the central and peripheral nervous systems in humans, along with the genetic cause, is reported in the April 24, 2014 issue of Cell.

25 Apr 2014

Study reveals factors that contribute to eye mobility disorder

Imagine you cannot move your eyes up, and you cannot lift your upper eyelid. You walk through life with your head tilted upward so that your eyes look straight when they are rolled down in the eye socket.

17 Apr 2014

New mouse study indicates that mutant protein in muscle cells is responsible for SBMA

Sometimes known as Kennedy's disease, spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a rare inherited neuromuscular disorder characterized by slowly progressive muscle weakness and atrophy.

17 Apr 2014

Researchers coax human embryonic stem cells to turn into working spinal cord cells

The sponginess of the environment where human embryonic stem cells are growing affects the type of specialized cells they eventually become, a University of Michigan study shows.

16 Apr 2014

UCL scientists find new way to artificially control paralyzed muscles using light

A new way to artificially control muscles using light, with the potential to restore function to muscles paralysed by conditions such as motor neuron disease and spinal cord injury, has been developed by scientists at UCL and King's College London.

7 Apr 2014

Researcher pinpoints error in protein formation that could be root of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

By studying nerve cells that originated in patients with a severe neurological disease, a University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher has pinpointed an error in protein formation that could be the root of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

4 Apr 2014

Harvard stem cell scientists discover potential treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Harvard stem cell scientists have discovered that a recently approved medication for epilepsy may possibly be a meaningful treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-Lou Gehrig's disease, a uniformly fatal neurodegenerative disorder. The researchers are now collaborating with Massachusetts General Hospital to design an initial clinical trial testing the safety of the treatment in ALS patients.

4 Apr 2014

Human motor neurons can be quickly generated from stem cells, say researchers

Researchers report they can generate human motor neurons from stem cells much more quickly and efficiently than previous methods allowed. The finding, described in Nature Communications, will aid efforts to model human motor neuron development, and to understand and treat spinal cord injuries and motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

2 Apr 2014

Cedars-Sinai earns grant to conduct clinical trial of gene therapy product for patients with Lou Gehrig's disease

The Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute has received a $2.5 million grant from the Department of Defense to conduct animal studies that, if successful, could provide the basis for a clinical trial of a gene therapy product for patients with Lou Gehrig's disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

2 Apr 2014

New research implicates that RNA processing is central to ALS disease process

In work supported by The ALS Association, researchers have discovered a new ALS-causing gene and have linked its function to that of another prominent disease gene. The study was published in the journal Nature Neuroscience.

1 Apr 2014

Study points to potential culprit that kills motor neurons in ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is marked by a cascade of cellular and inflammatory events that weakens and kills vital motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The process is complex, involving cells that ordinarily protect the neurons from harm. Now, a new study by scientists in The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital points to a potential culprit in this good-cell-gone-bad scenario, a key step toward the ultimate goal of developing a treatment.

27 Mar 2014

Trophos' olesoxime shows beneficial effect on maintaining motor function in SMA patients

Trophos today announces that top-line results from a pivotal clinical trial of its lead product candidate olesoxime in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) show a beneficial effect on the maintenance of motor function in SMA patients. If approved, olesoxime could be the first treatment specifically developed for SMA patients.

10 Mar 2014

Scientists reveal how a genetic code variation results in devastating brain diseases

New findings reveal how a mutation, a change in the genetic code that causes neurodegeneration, alters the shape of DNA, making cells more vulnerable to stress and more likely to die.

6 Mar 2014

Plant pigment could prevent damage to nerves linked with childhood form of SMA

The research team have found that a plant pigment called quercetin - present in some fruits, vegetables, herbs and grains - could help to prevent damage to the nerves associated with the childhood form of motor neurone disease, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

5 Mar 2014

Motor Neurons News and Research

Researchers find two types of neurons that enable spinal cord to control skilled forelimb movement

Astrocytes malfunction may contribute to neurodegenerative disorders

Positive results from pivotal clinical trial of Trophos’ olesoxime in SMA patients to be presented at AAN 2014

Studies report new genetic disorder associated with degeneration of central/peripheral nervous systems

Study reveals factors that contribute to eye mobility disorder

New mouse study indicates that mutant protein in muscle cells is responsible for SBMA

Researchers coax human embryonic stem cells to turn into working spinal cord cells

UCL scientists find new way to artificially control paralyzed muscles using light

Researcher pinpoints error in protein formation that could be root of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Harvard stem cell scientists discover potential treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Human motor neurons can be quickly generated from stem cells, say researchers

Cedars-Sinai earns grant to conduct clinical trial of gene therapy product for patients with Lou Gehrig's disease

New research implicates that RNA processing is central to ALS disease process

Study points to potential culprit that kills motor neurons in ALS

Trophos' olesoxime shows beneficial effect on maintaining motor function in SMA patients

Scientists reveal how a genetic code variation results in devastating brain diseases

Plant pigment could prevent damage to nerves linked with childhood form of SMA

Neuroscientists unlock a piece of puzzle in fight against Lou Gehrig's disease

High-carbohydrate, high-calorie diet could delay progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Study on Zebrafish neurons could lead to better understanding of birth defects in humans

Neuroscience - Second Edition eBook

Achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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