Researchers Find Brain Cell Transplants Help Repair Neural Damage

ScienceDaily (Oct. 29, 2009) — A Swiss research team has found that using an animal's own brain cells (autologous transplant) to replace degenerated neurons in select brain areas of donor primates with simulated but asymptomatic Parkinson's disease and previously in a motor cortex lesion model, provides a degree of brain protection and may be useful in repairing brain lesions and restoring function. (read more)

Neuroprotective effects of blockers for T-type calcium channels

Molecular Neurodegeneration 2009, 4:44doi:10.1186/1750-1326-4-44
Published: 28 October 2009

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Norelle C Wildburger , Avary Lin-Ye , Michelle A Baird , Debin Lei and Jianxin Bao


Abstract
Cognitive and functional decline with age is correlated with deregulation of intracellular calcium, which can lead to neuronal death in the brain. Previous studies have found protective effects of various calcium channel blockers in pathological conditions. However, little has been done to explore possible protective effects of blockers for T-type calcium channels, which forms a family of FDA approved anti-epileptic drugs. In this study, we found that neurons showed an increase in viability after treatment with either L-type or T-type calcium channel antagonists. The family of low-voltage activated, or T-type calcium channels, comprise of three members (Cav3.1, Cav3.2, and Cav3.3) based on their respective main pore-forming alpha subunits: alpha 1G, alpha 1H, and alpha 1I. Among these three subunits, alpha 1H is highly expressed in hippocampus and certain cortical regions. However, T-type calcium channel blockers can protect neurons derived from alpha 1H-/- mice, suggesting that neuroprotection demonstrated by these drugs is not through the alpha 1H subunit. In addition, blockers for T-type calcium channels were not able to confer any protection to neurons in long-term cultures, while blockers of L-type calcium channels could protect neurons. These data indicate a new function of blockers for T-type calcium channels, and also suggest different mechanisms to regulate neuronal survival by calcium signaling pathways. Thus, our findings have important implications in the development of new treatment for age-related neurodegenerative disorders.

Link to full text: http://www.molecularneurodegeneration.com/content/pdf/1750-1326-4-44.pdf

Epilepsy Drugs Could Treat Alzheimer's And Parkinson's

ScienceDaily (Oct. 29, 2009) — Researchers in the USA have discovered a potential new function for anti-epileptic drugs in treating neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The study, published in BioMed Central's open access journal Molecular Neurodegeneration, found that neurons in the brain were protected after treatment with T-type calcium-channel blockers, which are commonly used to treat epilepsy. (read more)