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NIH Symposium Explores Promise of Stem Cell Therapies
Monday, Jul 14, 2008
Stem cells have been hailed as a toolkit to treat a host of diseases, but at an NIH symposium on May 6, researchers said they
are still deciphering the toolkit’s instruction manual.
Huntington’s Disease Protein Affects Nerve Signaling; Study Suggests New TreatmentsThursday, Jun 26, 2008
The abnormal protein found in Huntington’s disease (HD) leads to an unusually large amount of nerve signaling early in the
disease process, before other problems appear, a new study shows. Partially blocking these nerve signals prevents neuron
death and loss of motor function in fruit flies models of HD. The findings suggest possible new ways of delaying the onset
or slowing the progression of the disease.
Study Identifies Possible Trigger for Parkinson's DiseaseMonday, Feb 25, 2008
A chemical interaction that blocks cells' ability to break down damaged proteins may trigger development of Parkinson's disease
(PD), a new study shows. Finding ways to overcome the blockage could lead to strategies for preventing the disease or stopping
its progression.
Study Suggests Some Brain Injuries Reduce the Likelihood of Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderSunday, Dec 23, 2007
A new study of combat-exposed Vietnam War veterans shows that those with injuries to certain parts of the brain were less
likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The findings, from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the
National Naval Medical Center, suggest that drugs or pacemaker-like devices aimed at dampening activity in these brain regions
might be effective treatments for PTSD.
The Structure of an Important Drug Target Made Crystal ClearWednesday, Dec 5, 2007
Scientists have produced detailed 3-dimensional images of a common type of neurotransmitter receptor, the class of proteins
on the receiving end of chemical signals in the nervous system. The work, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH),
is expected to speed the development of drugs for a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Scientists Zero in on the Cellular Machinery that Enables Neurons to FireWednesday, Nov 14, 2007
If you ever had a set of Micronauts – toy robots with removable body parts – you probably had fun swapping their heads, imagining
how it would affect their behavior. Scientists supported by the National Institutes of Health have been performing similar
experiments on ion channels – pores in our nerve cells – to sort out the channels' key functional parts.
Imaging Neural Progenitor Cells in the Living Human BrainThursday, Nov 8, 2007
For the first time, investigators have identified a way to detect neural progenitor cells (NPCs), which can develop into neurons
and other nervous system cells, in the living human brain using a type of imaging called magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).
The finding, supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), may lead to improved diagnosis and treatment for depression,
Parkinson's disease, brain tumors, and a host of other disorders.
Blood Pressure Drug May Slow Parkinson's DiseaseFriday, Aug 3, 2007
For decades, scientists have tried to learn what causes the death of a select group of nerve cells in the brains of people
with Parkinson's disease (PD). New research identifies an unusual mode of activity in these cells that makes them exceptionally
vulnerable to toxins and stress and shows that a common drug can protect these neurons in animal models of PD. This work
suggests a possible new way to slow or prevent the disease.
NIH Announces Phase III Clinical Trial of Creatine for Parkinson's DiseaseThursday, Mar 22, 2007
The NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is launching a large-scale clinical trial to learn
if the nutritional supplement creatine can slow the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). While creatine is not an approved
therapy for PD or any other condition, it is widely thought to improve exercise performance. The potential benefit of creatine
for PD was identified by Parkinson’s researchers through a new rapid method for screening potential compounds.
Enzyme Reverses Memory Loss in Alzheimer’s Mouse ModelMonday, Nov 6, 2006
Increasing the amount of a specific enzyme in the brain partially restores memory in a mouse model for Alzheimer’s disease
(AD), researchers say. The results could eventually lead to new treatments for AD or other neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers Announce Results of Study on Genetic Variation in Parkinson's DiseaseWednesday, Sep 27, 2006
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have completed one of the first large-scale studies of the role of
common genetic variation in Parkinson’s disease (PD). While the results fill in some missing pieces of the genetic puzzle,
they are primarily of benefit as a starting point for more detailed studies. The information generated by the study is now
publicly available in a database that will serve as a valuable research tool for the future.
Dopamine Drug Leads to New Neurons and Recovery of Function in Rat Model of Parkinson's DiseaseTuesday, Jul 4, 2006
In preliminary results, researchers have shown that a drug which mimics the effects of the nerve-signaling chemical dopamine
causes new neurons to develop in the part of the brain where cells are lost in Parkinson's disease (PD). The drug also led
to long-lasting recovery of function in an animal model of PD. The findings may lead to new ways of treating PD and other
neurodegenerative diseases.
New Orthostatic Hypotension Treatment Reduces Symptoms Without Causing High Blood PressureTuesday, Apr 11, 2006
A drug traditionally used to treat myasthenia gravis shows potential benefit for reducing symptoms of orthostatic hypotension
without raising blood pressure when people lie down, according to results of a double-blind, controlled clinical trial.
Study Implicates Potassium Channel Mutations in Neurodegeneration and Mental RetardationSunday, Feb 26, 2006
For the first time, researchers have linked mutations in a gene that regulates how potassium enters cells to a neurodegenerative
disease and to another disorder that causes mental retardation and coordination problems. The findings may lead to new ways
of treating a broad range of disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The study was funded in part by the
National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Preliminary Results Shows Creatine and Minocycline May Warrant Further Study in Parkinson’s DiseaseThursday, Feb 23, 2006
A National Institutes of Health-sponsored clinical trial with 200 Parkinson's disease patients has shown that creatine and
minocycline may warrant further consideration for study in a large trial.
Advancements in Symptomatic and Neuroprotective Treatments Highlighted at First World Parkinson CongressThursday, Feb 23, 2006
At today’s World Parkinson Congress, the first international gathering of Parkinson’s researchers, health professionals, patients,
and caregivers, some of the world’s leading neuroscientists from the United States, Canada, and Sweden presented on innovative
therapies that show promise in controlling the symptoms of Parkinson’s, restoring lost function, and even altering the progression
of the disease.
Living with Parkinson’s: A Jekyll and Hyde ExistenceThursday, Feb 23, 2006
"I live a strange double life," said 37-year-old Tom Isaacs, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) ten years ago
and is a co-founder of the Cure Parkinson's Trust in the United Kingdom. "I am both Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."
Study Identifies New Mode of Action for Ataxia GeneWednesday, Oct 19, 2005
For the first time, researchers have identified how the gene for a hereditary neurodegenerative disease called spinocerebellar
ataxia type 1 (SCA1) disables an important group of neurons in the brain. The findings improve understanding of how SCA1
and related diseases develop and may lead to new ways of treating them.
Toxic Interactions from Neighboring Cells May Be Necessary for Huntington’s diseaseTuesday, Sep 27, 2005
A new study suggests that interactions between different cells are critical for the development of Huntington’s disease (HD)
and perhaps other neurodegenerative diseases. This study provides the first genetic evidence that cell-cell interactions
may be a necessary step in the onset of HD symptoms in a mouse model. This knowledge may lead to new therapeutic strategies
to treat HD.
Drug Screening Study Suggests New Treatments for Alzheimer'sMonday, Sep 26, 2005
While several treatments are currently available for Alzheimer's disease (AD), none of them can slow or halt the course of
this devastating disorder. In a new study, researchers have now identified three compounds that inhibit an enzyme believed
to be involved in the process that leads to AD. This discovery may lead to new treatments that can stop the disease process
in its tracks.
TorsinA Protein Protects Against Neuron Loss in Model for Parkinson's DiseaseWednesday, Jun 1, 2005
A protein found naturally in the brain may protect against Parkinson's disease (PD), a new study shows. The findings also
may lead to an improved understanding of a disorder called early-onset torsion dystonia.
Test Could Improve Detection of Prion Disease in HumansMonday, Feb 14, 2005
A highly sensitive post-mortem test could help scientists more accurately determine if a person died of Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease (CJD), a human neurological disorder caused by the same class of infectious proteins that trigger mad cow disease,
according to a new study supported in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The finding opens the possibility that
such testing might be refined in the future so it can be used to detect prion disease in living people and animals before
the onset of symptoms.
Internationally Acclaimed Pianist Gives Thanks to the National Institutes of Health for Innovative Treatment That Enabled
His ComebackFriday, Nov 12, 2004
Maestro Leon Fleisher, one of the world's most renowned classical pianists and three-time Grammy-nominee, will perform selections
from his critically acclaimed new CD "Two Hands" at a pre-Thanksgiving event at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). More
than 40 years ago, at the height of his career, Mr. Fleisher lost the use of his right hand to dystonia, the third most common
neurological movement disorder after Parkinson's disease and essential tremor. He could no longer play the piano with both
hands and the frequently misdiagnosed disorder severely impeded his performance of everyday tasks. About 10 years ago, physicians
at the NIH were able to diagnose the problem as a focal dystonia and start him on a therapy which helped to reverse the condition.
Wednesday, Oct 13, 2004
Using a specially designed robotic microscope to study cultured cells, researchers have found evidence that abnormal protein
clumps called inclusion bodies in neurons from people with Huntington's disease (HD) prevent cell death. The finding helps
to resolve a longstanding debate about the role of these inclusion bodies in HD and other disorders and may help investigators
find effective treatments for these diseases.
Fact Sheet
Vaccine Reduces Parkinson's Disease Neurodegeneration in MiceFact Sheet
Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004
For the first time, researchers have shown that an experimental vaccine can reduce the amount of neurodegeneration in a mouse
model for Parkinson's disease. The finding suggests that a similar therapy might eventually be able to slow the devastating
course of Parkinson's disease in humans.
Fact Sheet
Yeast Model Yields Insight into Parkinson's DiseaseFact Sheet
Thursday, Dec 4, 2003
Scientists who developed the first yeast model of Parkinson's disease (PD) have been able to describe the mechanisms of an
important gene's role in the disease. Tiago Fleming Outeiro, Ph.D., and Susan Lindquist, Ph.D., of the Whitehead Institute
for Biomedical Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts, studied the gene's actions under normal conditions and under abnormal
conditions to learn how and when the gene's product, alpha-synuclein, becomes harmful to surrounding cells. The scientists
created a yeast model that expresses the alpha-synuclein gene, which has been implicated in PD. Yeast models are often used
in the study of genetic diseases because they offer researchers a simple system that allows them to clarify how genes work.
Fact Sheet
Major New Finding on Genetics of Parkinson's Disease Zeroes In on Activity of Alpha SynucleinFact Sheet
Thursday, Oct 30, 2003
Scientists investigating a rare familial form of early-onset Parkinson's disease have discovered that too much of a normal
form of the alpha-synuclein gene may cause Parkinson's disease. The finding, reported in the October 31, 2003, issue of Science,
shows that abnormal multiplication of the alpha-synuclein gene can cause the disease.
Fact Sheet
Study Reveals Patterns of Gene Activity in the Mouse Nervous SystemFact Sheet
Wednesday, Oct 29, 2003
The first published data from a government-funded project provide remarkable new insights into where specific genes are active
in the mouse nervous system during development and adulthood. Information from this project will advance researchers' understanding
of how particular genes function in the brain and spinal cord, leading to insights about how the nervous system works. It
also may lead to new ways of preventing or treating disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, psychiatric disorders,
and drug addiction.
Study Links Restless Legs Syndrome to Poor Iron Uptake in the BrainMonday, Aug 11, 2003
Results of the first-ever autopsy study of brains from people with restless legs syndrome (RLS) suggest that the disorder
may result from inefficient processing of iron in certain brain cells. The findings provide a possible explanation for this
disorder and may lead to new ways of treating the disease.
Fact Sheet
What's in a Connection? A Look at Protein Patterns Within SynapsesFact Sheet
Monday, May 5, 2003
A new study has begun to unravel the mysteries of protein interactions that govern the strength of nerve cell connections,
or synapses, in the brain. The findings give researchers a better understanding of how synapses function during learning
and memory, and they may lead to new insights about such neurological disorders as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
New Findings About Parkinson's Disease: Coffee and Hormones Don't MixThursday, Apr 17, 2003
Several large studies have shown that caffeine intake is associated with a reduced risk of developing Parkinson's disease
(PD) in men, but studies in women have been inconclusive. A new study shows that hormone therapy is a possible explanation
for the different effects of caffeine on PD risk in men and women.
Fact Sheet
Dystonia Protein Linked to Problem Common in Other Neurological DisordersFact Sheet
Monday, Mar 24, 2003
A new study links the protein that is impaired in the movement disorder torsion dystonia to a problem that is common to many
neurological diseases. The finding may point to new treatments for dystonia, Parkinson's disease, and other disorders.
Fact Sheet
Doubling Up: Researchers Combine a Common Dietary Supplement with an Antibiotic to Treat Lou Gehrig's DiseaseFact Sheet
Friday, Jan 31, 2003
A new study shows that combining the supplement creatine and the antibiotic minocycline significantly slows disease progression
and prolongs survival in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease.
Fact Sheet
Bone Marrow Generates New Neurons in Human BrainsFact Sheet
Monday, Jan 20, 2003
A new study strongly suggests that some cells from bone marrow can enter the human brain and generate new neurons and other
types of brain cells. If researchers can find a way to control these cells and direct them to damaged areas of the brain,
this finding may lead to new treatments for stroke, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological disorders.
Study Suggests Coenzyme Q10 Slows Functional Decline in Parkinson's DiseaseMonday, Oct 14, 2002
Results of the first placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial of the compound coenzyme Q10 suggest that it can slow
disease progression in patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD). While the results must be confirmed in a larger
study, they provide hope that this compound may ultimately provide a new way of treating PD.
Fact Sheet
Researchers Successfully Deliver Drugs to the Primate BrainstemFact Sheet
Thursday, Oct 3, 2002
Current drug treatments of brainstem tumors are largely unsuccessful, because the drugs often fail to bypass the blood vessel
lining protecting the brainstem. Now, an NIH study shows that researchers can effectively deliver drugs to the primate brainstem
and monitor how the drugs spread inside the brain. The study provides hope for improving treatment of brainstem tumors and
other brain diseases.
Fact Sheet
Embryonic Mouse Stem Cells Reduce Symptoms in Model for Parkinson's DiseaseFact Sheet
Thursday, Jun 20, 2002
Embryonic mouse stem cells transformed into neurons in a lab dish and then transplanted into a rat model for Parkinson's disease
(PD) form functional connections and reduce disease symptoms, a new study shows. The finding suggests that embryonic stem
(ES) cells may ultimately be useful for treating PD and other brain diseases.
Fact Sheet
Minocycline Delays Onset and Slows Progression of ALS in MiceFact Sheet
Thursday, May 2, 2002
The antibiotic minocycline delays onset and slows progression of symptoms in a mouse model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS), a new study shows. The study also revealed that the drug may work by blocking release of a molecule that triggers
cell death. The findings may lead to new ways of treating ALS or other neurodegenerative disorders.
Fact Sheet
Study Finds Widespread Sympathetic Nerve Damage in Parkinson's DiseaseFact Sheet
Monday, Apr 22, 2002
Parkinson's disease is known to cause damage to a specific region of the brain. A new study led by NINDS scientist David
S. Goldstein, M.D., Ph.D., shows that the disease also causes widespread damage to the sympathetic nervous system, which controls
blood pressure, pulse rate, and many other automatic responses to stress. The study also shows that this damage is unrelated
to treatment with the most commonly used Parkinson's drug, levodopa, and may lead to new approaches to identifying the cause
of the disease. The study appears in the April 23, 2002, issue of Neurology.
Fact Sheet
Parkinsonian Symptoms Decrease in Rats Given Stem Cell TransplantsFact Sheet
Wednesday, Jan 9, 2002
A new study shows that mouse embryonic stem cells transplanted into rats with brain damage resembling Parkinson's disease
spontaneously acquire many of the features of dopamine-producing neurons. Animals that received the transplants showed a
gradual reduction in their parkinsonian symptoms, and brain scans revealed evidence that the transplanted cells integrated
with the surrounding area and began to produce dopamine. The findings raise the possibility that embryonic stem cell transplants
may one day be useful in treating Parkinson's disease and other brain disorders.
Fact Sheet
Immunotherapy Treatment Shows Dramatic Results for Rare Neurological DisorderFact Sheet
Wednesday, Dec 26, 2001
An immunologic therapy, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), administered to patients suffering from stiff person syndrome
(SPS), provides dramatic relief from disabling symptoms, according to a study appearing in the December 27, 2001, issue of
The New England Journal of Medicine.* The study's principal author, Marinos C. Dalakas, M.D., chief of the Neuromuscular
Diseases Section of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, says that the success of the treatment supports
the theory that SPS is the result of an autoimmune response gone awry in the brain and spinal cord.
Researchers Find Genetic Links for Late-Onset Parkinson's DiseaseWednesday, Dec 19, 2001
Recent studies provide strong evidence that genetic factors influence susceptibility to the common, late-onset form of Parkinson's
disease (PD). The findings improve scientists' understanding of how PD develops and may lead to new treatments or even ways
of preventing the disease.
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet
Thursday, Nov 30, 2000
For years, researchers studying stem cells have been intrigued by the possibility that these cells might be used to treat
brain diseases. Recent studies have suggested that neural stem cells transplanted into the brain can migrate throughout the
brain and develop into other types of cells. Now, two new studies show that bone marrow cells transplanted into mice can
migrate into the brain and develop into cells that appear to be neurons. The studies suggest that bone marrow may be a readily
available source of neural cells with potential for treating such neurological disorders as Parkinson's disease and traumatic
brain injury.
NIH Grantees Awarded Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for Brain ResearchMonday, Oct 9, 2000
Long-time National Institutes of Health grantees Dr. Eric R. Kandel and Dr. Paul Greengard were awarded the 2000 Nobel Prize
in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries in signal transduction in the nervous system. Together their work has improved
treatments for Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and depression and holds promise for the improvement of memory in various
types of dementia.
Parkinson's Disease Is More Than a Brain DisorderMonday, Sep 4, 2000
For many years, researchers have known that the movement problems associated with Parkinson's disease result from a loss of
neurons that produce a nerve-signaling chemical called dopamine in one part of the brain. A new study suggests that Parkinson's
disease (PD) also affects nerve endings that produce a related chemical, norepinephrine, in the heart. The finding improves
understanding about how Parkinson's disease develops and may lead to a way of predicting the disorder and possibly even preventing
it.
Fact Sheet
NINDS Hosts First Parkinson's Disease Implementation Committee Meeting to Establish Priorities for Parkinson's ResearchFact Sheet
Monday, Jul 31, 2000
The first meeting of the NINDS Parkinson's Disease Implementation Committee (PDIC) was held July 31, 2000 at the National
Institutes of Health, Neuroscience Center in Rockville, Maryland. The Committee identified several areas of Parkinson's disease
research that will receive the highest priority in the coming weeks, including clinical trials and gene research.
Clinical Expert Dr. Guy McKhann Joins NINDS Research Planning Effort: Will Coordinate InstitutE'Ss Clinical Research ProgramsThursday, May 25, 2000
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) director Gerald D. Fischbach, M.D., today announced that Guy
McKhann, M.D., will serve as Associate Director for Clinical Research for the Institute. Dr. McKhann is former chairman of
The Johns Hopkins University Department of Neurology and founding director of the university's Mind/Brain Institute.
NINDS Funds Five Specialized Neuroscience Programs at Minority InstitutionsTuesday, Jan 18, 2000
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), in collaboration with the National Center for Research
Resources (NCRR) and the Office for Research on Minority Health (ORMH), recently awarded grants to five minority institutions
under a new funding mechanism called Specialized Neuroscience Research Programs at Minority Institutions (SNRP).
NINDS to Support Eight New Parkinson's Disease Research Centers of ExcellenceTuesday, Sep 28, 1999
As part of its efforts to defeat Parkinson's disease, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
today announced plans to award new grants to eight top universities. The new awards will raise to eleven the number of Parkinson's
Disease Research Centers of Excellence the Institute funds and represent a total commitment of $49 million to be spent over
the next 5 years. Added to the $24 million committed to three such centers in September of 1998, this brings total Institute
funding for the Parkinson's Disease Research Centers of Excellence program to $73 million.
Transplanted Neural Stem Cells Migrate Throughout the Abnormal Brain, Reduce Disease SymptomsMonday, Jun 7, 1999
For years, researchers have probed the mysteries of neural stem cells -- immature cells that can differentiate into all the
cell types that make up the brain -- with the idea that they might be useful for treating brain disorders such as Parkinson's
disease. Important new animal research now suggests that these cells may be effective in treating a much broader array of
brain diseases than previously anticipated, including Alzheimer's disease and many childhood brain disorders.
Fetal Cell Therapy Benefits Some Parkinson's Patients: First Controlled Clinical Trial Shows Mixed ResultsWednesday, Apr 21, 1999
Results from the first randomized, controlled clinical trial of fetal dopamine cell implants for Parkinson's disease show
that the surgery helped a small number of Parkinson's patients, but not all who underwent the experimental therapy. These
results raise important questions in the search for improved treatments for Parkinson's disease.
Genetics Not Significant to Developing Typical Parkinson's DiseaseTuesday, Jan 26, 1999
Genetic factors do not play a significant role in causing the most common form of Parkinson's disease (PD), according to a
study to be published in the January 27, 1999 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. This epidemiological
study, the largest of its kind to investigate the role of genetic or environmental causes of PD, examined 19,842 white male
twins enrolled in a large registry of World War II veteran twins.
NINDS Awards Almost $24 Million to Support Parkinson's Disease Research Centers of ExcellenceFriday, Dec 4, 1998
Three top university hospitals will receive a total of almost $24 million from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Stroke (NINDS) to advance understanding of Parkinson's disease and related movement disorders. Investigators at Emory
University, Massachusetts General Hospital, and The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine will spend the next five years
unraveling the cause or causes of Parkinson's disease and seeking new ways to diagnose and treat it. They will also provide
state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary training for young scientists preparing for research careers investigating Parkinson's
disease and related neurodegenerative disorders.
Cultured Neural Stem Cells Reduce Symptoms in Model of Parkinson's DiseaseMonday, Jul 20, 1998
For decades, researchers have imagined treating human diseases by replacing damaged cells with stem cells - embryonic cells
from which all other kinds of cells develop. While the potential benefits are enormous, such strategies have been limited
by an uncertain supply of stem cells. Now, scientists have shown that neural stem cells can be multiplied and raised to maturity
in the laboratory and that these cells can greatly reduce symptoms in an animal model of Parkinson's disease.
Gene Locus Found for Essential Tremor DisorderFriday, Nov 7, 1997
Researchers from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke have located a gene locus responsible for the
most common human movement disorder, essential tremor (ET). In an article in the November 1997 issue of Movement Disorders,
Joseph J. Higgins, M.D., Lana T. Pho, and Linda E. Nee, M.S.W., report how they traced the gene to the short arm of chromosome
2.
Gene Sequenced for Disabling Childhood Movement Disorder: Early-Onset Torsion Dystonia Protein FoundWednesday, Sep 3, 1997
Scientists have sequenced the gene responsible for early-onset torsion dystonia and have found a new class of proteins that
may provide insight into all of the dystonia disorders. The discovery of the gene will make diagnosis of early-onset torsion
dystonia easier and allow scientists to investigate other factors that might contribute to the disease.
Scientists Gain New Understanding of CNS Stem Cells: Findings May Lead to Improved Treatments for Parkinson's Disease, Other
DisordersThursday, Apr 3, 1997
For decades, scientists believed that the adult central nervous system could not repair itself, in part because it lacked
fundamental 'stem cells', mother cells that can divide to form other kinds of cells. A series of findings has now shown that
stem cells are present in the adult brain and spinal cord, and that they can be grown in culture and directed to act in much
the same way as fetal stem cells. These findings provide new hope for people with Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury,
and a host of other disorders.
Scientists Locate Parkinson's GeneThursday, Nov 14, 1996
For the first time, scientists have pinpointed the location of a gene they believe is responsible for some cases of Parkinson's
disease. Their discovery provides strong evidence that a genetic alteration is capable of causing the disease. The study,
published in the November 15 issue of Science,1 sheds light on the mysterious origins of this devastating neurological disease
that affects about 500,000 Americans.
New Drug Prolongs Symptom Relief in Parkinson's DiseaseThursday, Apr 29, 1993
A new drug, when added to standard treatment for Parkinson's disease, prolongs relief of symptoms by more than 60 percent,
report scientists from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). In announcing their findings today
at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in New York,* scientists said that the drug, called R0 40-7592,
could help overcome drawbacks of current drug treatment.
NINDS Hails Discovery of Gene for Familial ALSWednesday, Mar 3, 1993
Officials at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) hailed the identification of a gene associated
with the familial form of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). "This discovery is extremely important because it marks the first identification
of a specific gene for a neurodegenerative disease of adult life," said Carl M. Leventhal, M.D., director of the NINDS
program that contributed to support for the research reported in the March 3 issue of Nature*. "It also suggests a likely
mechanism for the damage to nerve cells in familial ALS and, possibly, other brain disorders."
DATATOP Study Confirms Deprenyl's Efficacy in Fighting the Progression of Parkinson's DiseaseWednesday, Jan 20, 1993
Scientists announced today in the January 21 New England Journal of Medicine the results of a broad, long-term study on the
effects of deprenyl and tocopherol (a form of vitamin E) on the progression of early Parkinson's disease. The investigators,
who comprise a group known as the Parkinson's Study Group, confirmed that deprenyl is effective in slowing the early progression
of Parkinson's disease and delaying the need for initiation of therapy with the drug levodopa. The latest results of the study
showed, however, that the beneficial effects of deprenyl were not as lasting in fighting Parkinson's disease as the investigators
had anticipated when evaluating the preliminary results in 1989. The clinical trials also showed no evidence that tocopherol
was useful in Parkinson's disease.
Study Detects Brain Virus in HIV-Positive PatientsTuesday, May 5, 1992
Scientists at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) have identified a potentially fatal virus
in the bloodstream in half of a small group of HIV-positive patients without neurological symptoms, they announced today at
the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in San Diego.
Newly developed electrode records neurotransmitter release from a single cellMonday, Jun 17, 1991
Scientists supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) have invented a tiny, ultra-sensitive
electrode that can record, for the first time, the millionths-of-a-second-long burst of catecholamine molecules as they erupt
from the surface of a single cell. Catecholamines are used by some cells as neurotransmitters, or molecules that allow nerve
cells to communicate between themselves and with other kinds of cells.
Mounting knowledge of Parkinson's disease leads to new treatment theoriesThursday, Dec 6, 1990
Animal studies have revealed new knowledge of brain chemistry in Parkinson's disease and suggest new treatment approaches,
according to results published in the December 7, 1990 issue of Science.*
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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