Neuron Precusor Cells

Researchers at the University of California-San Diego, and the Salk Institute, have taken skin cells from Rett syndrome mice, induced those cells to become pluripotent, developing them into neurons, and then successfully applied insulin growth factor (IGF1) to correct those cells’ physical abnormalities and ability to communicate.  While it may be a while before this comes to human trials, the method they used is a possible strategy for Rett syndrome (one type of autism spectrum disorder) in children.             MORE

Image Credit: Carol Marchetto/Alysson Muotr and Technology Review