New study pinpoints gene controlling number of brain cells
October 5th 2009 00:25
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In populating the growing brain, neural stem cells must strike a delicate balance between two key processes - proliferation, in which the cells multiply to provide plenty of starting materials - and differentiation, in which those materials evolve into functioning neurons.
the stem cells proliferate too much, they could grow out of control and produce a tumor. If they proliferate too little, there may not be enough cells to become the billions of neurons of the brain. Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine have now found that this critical balance rests in large part on a single gene, called GSK-3.
The finding suggests that GSK-3 controls the signals that determine how many neurons actually end up composing the brain. It also has important implications for patients with neuropsychiatric illness, as links have recently been drawn between GSK-3 and schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder
William D. Snider, M.D., professor of neurology and cell and molecular physiology, and director of the UNC Neuroscience Center, discusses the study. Credit: Video produced by Courtney Potter for the UNC Medical Center News Office.
use this link to see the video and read more if you wish to
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HYSORG.comJust take a quick look it will not be easy for those who have not done previous study in these areas
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