 |
 |
Blocking Molecule Spurs Neuron Birth Dwayne Hunter Betterhumans Staff Wednesday, July 30, 2003, 12:50:48 PM CT Blocking the production of nitric oxide could be an effective strategy for replenishing neurons that are lost from the brain during stroke or neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. Nitric oxide is an important signaling molecule in mammals, and now researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratoy in Long Island, New York have discovered that it is a regulator of the birth of neurons in the adult brain. The majority of neurons in the mammalian brain are produced during embryonic developlment, but researchers have known for some time that in some areas of the adult brain neurons are continually produced. It was believed that some growth factors had an effect on neuron production, but it is only now that a true understanding of the mechanisms are being achieved. Boosting brain circuitry The new study, published in this week's online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences http://www.pnas.org/ (read abstract) http://www.pnas.org/papbyrecent.shtml , shows that several regions of the adult brain spawn large numbers of neurons through the blocking of nitric oxide, and that these newly produced neurons are integrated into existing brain circuitry. It is the blocking of nitric oxide production that was found to stimulate neural cell proliferation. When researchers blocked nitric oxide production in rats, the number of neurons generated dramatically increased. The new neurons generated in the study display properties of normal neurons and directly contribute to the architecture of the adult brain. SOURCE: BetterHumans http://www.betterhumans.com/News/news.aspx?articleID=2003-07-30-1 * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn