(Medical Xpress) — A protein produced by the central nervous systems support cells seems to play two opposing roles in protecting nerve cells from damage, an animal study by Johns Hopkins researchers suggests: Decreasing its activity seems to trigger support cells to gear up their protective powers, but increasing its activity appears to be key to actually use those powers to defend cells from harm.
Fish study raises hope for spinal injury repair
(Medical Xpress) — Scientists have unlocked the secrets of the zebra fishs ability to heal its spinal cord after injury, in research that could deliver therapy for paraplegics and quadriplegics in the future.
Diabetes drug could be a promising therapy for traumatic brain injury
Although the death toll is relatively low for people who suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI), it can have severe, life-long consequences for brain function. TBI can impair a patient’s mental abilities, impact memory and behavior, and lead to dramatic personality changes. And long-term medical treatment carries a high economic cost.
Researchers restore neuron function to brains damaged by Huntington’s disease
Researchers from South Korea, Sweden, and the United States have collaborated on a project to restore neuron function to parts of the brain damaged by Huntington’s disease (HD) by successfully transplanting HD-induced pluripotent stem cells into animal models.
Physical sciences illuminate neurodegenerative diseases
What do physicists, chemists, mathematicians and biologists have in common? One of the answers at Cambridge is a shared interest in unravelling the processes behind neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Motor Neurone Disease.