 |
|
Mammalian neurogenesis breaks into the most static brain region
June 04, 2008New neurons in the cerebellum of adult rabbits
TURIN (Italy)-Fifteen years ago, the discovery of adult neurogenesis (the production of new neurons) in the highly static, non-renewable mammalian brain was a breakthrough in neuroscience. Most emphasis was put on the possibility to figure out new strategies for brain repair against the threath of neurodegenerative diseases. Yet, unlike lower vetebrates, which are characterized by widespread postnatal neurogenesis, neurogenic sites in mammals are highly restricted within two very small regions. Hence, the fact that protracted neurogenesis in mammals is an exception rather than the rule slowes down hopes for generalized brain repair.
Work carried out in the recent past at the University of Turin, involving Federico Luzzati and Paolo Peretto at the Department of Animal Biology, and Giovanna Ponti and Luca Bonfanti at the Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology, revealed striking examples of structural plasticity and neurogenesis in the nervous system of rabbits. These Lagomorphs show remarkable differences under the profile of neurogenesis with respect to their close relatives Rodents (mice and rats).
Now, in a work published in this week's issue of PLoS ONE and coordinated by senior author Luca Bonfanti, new neuronal progenitors were found to be produced in the cerebellum of young and adult rabbits. This is rather astonishing since the mammalian cerebellum is known as one of the most static brain regions, wherein microscopic synaptic remodelling has long been considered as the only type of plasticity.
In addition, unlike the two 'classic' neurogenic sites, the 'alternative' neurogenic sites discovered in rabbits are not remnants of embryonic germinal layers. These new cells are produced from neural progenitors localized within the mature brain parenchyma, thus representing a more widespread source of neurons and glial cells. This fact supports the emerging hypothesis that the existence of actively dividing parenchymal cell progenitors could be more interesting than stem cells located in neurogenic sites, at least for future perspectives of brain repair.
Under the functional profile, the unusual neurogenesis observed in rabbits could be related to a relatively longer lifespan of these animals, if compared to the short lived Rodents. This hypothesis opens new fields of research in humans, wherein adult neurogenic sites are known to exist, but less it is known about other regions of their large-sized brain.
Public Library of Science
Now, in a work published in this week's issue of PLoS ONE and coordinated by senior author Luca Bonfanti, new neuronal progenitors were found to be produced in the cerebellum of young and adult rabbits. This is rather astonishing since the mammalian cerebellum is known as one of the most static brain regions, wherein microscopic synaptic remodelling has long been considered as the only type of plasticity.
In addition, unlike the two 'classic' neurogenic sites, the 'alternative' neurogenic sites discovered in rabbits are not remnants of embryonic germinal layers. These new cells are produced from neural progenitors localized within the mature brain parenchyma, thus representing a more widespread source of neurons and glial cells. This fact supports the emerging hypothesis that the existence of actively dividing parenchymal cell progenitors could be more interesting than stem cells located in neurogenic sites, at least for future perspectives of brain repair.
Under the functional profile, the unusual neurogenesis observed in rabbits could be related to a relatively longer lifespan of these animals, if compared to the short lived Rodents. This hypothesis opens new fields of research in humans, wherein adult neurogenic sites are known to exist, but less it is known about other regions of their large-sized brain.
Public Library of Science
Neurogenesis News and Current Neurogenesis Events RSSPotential new targets for antidepressant medications
The news about antidepressant medications over the past several years has been mixed. The bad news from large multicenter studies such as STAR*D is that current antidepressant medications are effective, but not as effective as one might hope. Thus, there is a significant need for new treatment mechanisms for depression.
Sensitivity to antidepressants linked with TrkB-mediated neural proliferation
Scientists have unveiled a functional link between production of new neurons and the effectiveness of antidepressants (ADs) in an animal model. The study, published by Cell Press in the August 14 issue of the journal Neuron, provides exciting insight into a mechanism that might underlie a poor response to antidepressive medications for anxiety or depression.
Exercise Pill is No Replacement for Exercise
Recently, researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, a research organization focused on biology and its relation to health, published a study in the journal Cell on the results of a substance that increased exercise endurance without daily exertion when tested in mice.
UNC study ties ending moderate drinking to depression
Scientific evidence has long suggested that moderate drinking offers some protection against heart disease, certain types of stroke and some forms of cancer.
Blueberry and green tea containing supplement protects against stroke damage
A unique dietary supplement called NutraStem ® has been shown to have beneficial effects following experimental stroke. A nutritional supplement product, NutraStem also known as NT-020, is a proprietary formulation of blueberry, green tea, vitamin D3 and carnosine extracts- a combination of nutritional ingredients thought to be potent in protecting against brain damage.
Building brains: Mammalian-like neurogenesis in fruit flies
A new way of generating brain cells has been uncovered in Drosophila. The findings, published this week in the online open access journal Neural Development, reveal that this novel mode of neurogenesis is very similar to that seen in mammalian brains, suggesting that key aspects of neural development could be shared by insects and mammals.
Trainor Lab characterizes gene essential for prenatal development of nervous system
The Stowers Institute's Trainor Lab has demonstrated the role of a gene important to the embryonic development of the nervous system, a process that requires coordination of differentiation of immature neural cells with the cycle of cell division that increases their numbers. Until now, the mechanisms regulating these distinct cellular activities have been poorly understood.
Brain cell growth diminishes long before old age strikes, animal study shows
Even early in adulthood, aging begins to slow the mind's growth -- but it does not have to stop it altogether, suggests a Princeton University study on the brains of adult monkeys.
Stem cells show promise for treating Huntington's disease
Paying close attention to how a canary learns a new song has helped scientists open a new avenue of research against Huntington's disease - a fatal disorder for which there is currently no cure or even a treatment to slow the disease.
Schizophrenia-linked gene keeps new adult brain cells under control
A gene with reported links to schizophrenia and other mood disorders plays a broader role in the brain than scientists had previously suspected.
More Neurogenesis News Articles
 | Adult Neurogenesis (Cold Spring Harbor Monograph) (Cold Spring Harbor Monograph) The idea that the adult brain of mammals can generate new neurons has only recently been accepted by the scientific community, and research in this exciting area is now in full swing. Bringing together leading researchers in the field of adult neurogenesis, the 30 chapters in this monograph provide a valuable overview of this emerging field and lay the groundwork for future studies. Adult... |
 | Adult Neurogenesis: Stem Cells and Neuronal Development in the Adult Brain by Gerd Kempermann The discovery of adult neurogenesis and of stem cells in the brain has changed our view of the mature brain. Though we now know that the adult brain can make new neurons, it normally does so only in two privileged regions, the olfactory bulb and the hippocampus. Yet stem cells, which have the potential to produce new neurons, can be found throughout the adult brain. So why does the brain not... |
| The growing hippocampus: antidepressant therapy may enhance hippocampal neurogenesis.(Broca's Area): An article from: Clinical Psychiatry News by Emily McKinley This digital document is an article from Clinical Psychiatry News, published by International Medical News Group on April 1, 2005. The length of the article is 594 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web... | |
 | NeuroGenesis by Helen Collins When the mission of the SPEED ship Procne is sabotaged, its crew suffers death by time dilation. It's thirty years later on the planet z2, and the travelers had been assumed dead, at least that's what their murderer... |
| The Psychobiology of Gene Expression: Neuroscience and Neurogenesis in Hypnosis and the Healing Arts.(Book Review): An article from: Annals of the American Psychotherapy Association by Michael A. Baer This digital document is an article from Annals of the American Psychotherapy Association, published by American Psychotherapy Association on June 22, 2003. The length of the article is 440 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it... | |
| Biology and Knowledge Revisted: From Neurogenesis to Psychogenesis. The Jean Piaget Symposium Series | |
| Formshaping Movements in Neurogenesis | |
| Adult Neurogenesis : Stem Cells And Neuronal Development In The Adult Brain by GERD KEMPERMANN | |
| ARTS AND COGNITION (PROGRESS REPORT ON BRAIN RESEARCH 2005) BRAIN RESEARCH PROGRESS REPORT... | |
| Alcohol, neural stem cells, and adult neurogenesis.(Research Update): An article from: Alcohol Research & Health by Fulton T. Crews, Kim Nixon This digital document is an article from Alcohol Research & Health, published by U.S. Government Printing Office on March 22, 2003. The length of the article is 5189 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |