News

Kidney Protein Plays Key Role in Brain Axonal Branching

A protein, known for its role in the kidneys, has been identified by University of Louisville scientists as a key player in axonal branching –  a process by which nerve cells extend  processes to connect to other nerve cells. The discovery of the protein’s crucial role will shed light…

Exercise Lowers Brain Glutamate, May Reduce Toxicity

Scientists at the University of Guelph in Canada, have concluded in a recent study, that exercise can increase the use of the neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain, potentially lowering toxicity associated with excessive levels of the compound in neurodegenerative conditions such as Huntington’s disease. Glutamate is one of the…

Huntington’s Neurodegeneration May Be Caused by Rampant Immune Processes

Converging evidence suggests that neurodegenerative conditions, such as Huntington’s disease, are caused by persistent inflammatory immune processes that ultimately kill neurons. This insight, presented by researchers at University of Adelaide, Australia, might change the way researchers approach drug development for neurodegenerative diseases and possibly alter the trajectory of unsuccessful…

Investigational Drug, Olesoxime, Seen to Ease Huntingtin Fragmentation in Mouse Model

Beneficial effects of the investigational neuroprotective drug olesoxime have mainly been attributed to its effects on mitochondria, but new research suggests it also blocks calpain — a molecule directly involved in Huntington’s disease. The findings indicate that exploring the drug’s exact mechanism might bring scientists closer to effective treatments for Huntington’s.

FDA Clears Genetically Engineered Mini Pig Model For Use in Research And Drug Development

Exemplar Genetics announced that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared its low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) mini pig for use in scientific studies. In the future, this type of model could become an invaluable addition to study diseases such as Huntington’s disease, as mouse models have proven insufficient at optimally translating preclinical research…