Pharmacology/ Therapeutics News for April 2011

Pharmacology/ Therapeutics News Archive

Lithium Treatment Could Slow Progression of Memory Loss Lithium Treatment Could Slow Progression of Memory Loss

Lithium treatment helps slow the progression of memory loss, according to new research, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. The finding raises the possibility that lithium could one day be used to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

A Common Genetic Basis Between Epilepsy And Autism Has Been Identified A Common Genetic Basis Between Epilepsy And Autism Has Been Identified

Neurophysiologists of the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Iit) and the University of Genoa, together with geneticists of the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal have demonstrated the involvement of the Synapsin-1 gene (SYN1) in epilepsy and autism.

Babraham scientists reveal how white blood cells get activated in auto-immune disease, helping to target better drugs for these disorders Babraham scientists reveal how white blood cells get activated in auto-immune disease, helping to target better drugs for these disorders

Scientists at the Babraham Institute have discovered a critical piece of the jigsaw that explains how a type of immune cell – a white blood cell known as a neutrophil – is activated by antibodies. The research, published today in the journal Science Signaling, brings new understanding to how the Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signalling pathway is used to regulate neutrophil function. This may pave the way for the development of a strategy to specifically inhibit the inappropriate activation of these immune cells that is seen in auto-immune inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, glomerulonephritis and some skin blistering diseases.

Cellular Feast or Famine Cellular Feast or Famine

Study shows how cells decide whether they have enough fat – a molecular checkpoint that, when disturbed, could lead to obesity or other diseases.