Novel Pathway Regulates Timing of Brain-Cell Development: Findings may aid in understanding Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, autism

Source: Children's Hospital Boston
Date: October 5, 2006

Summary:

Brain formation involves the carefully timed production of different types of nerve cells by neural stem cells: neurons are produced first, then astrocytes. Making too much of one kind of cell and too little of another at a given time could lead to brain malformations. In the October 6 issue of Cell, researchers in the Neurobiology Program at Children’s Hospital Boston report discovering a new molecular pathway that influences the timing of nerve-cell production. Researchers believe the discovery could have implications for diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and autism.

Commentary: This finding seems to provide researchers with a better understanding of developmental disorders and could provide a basis for producing effective treatments for them.