Monday, November 23, 2015

Scientists Uncover Mechanism that Explains how Single Gene Drives Brain Development

     The brain is the most complex organ in the body, and the most difficult to understand at a molecular level. Scientists dedicate their lives trying to understand the brain and how it functions. Understanding the brain at such a complex level would create incredible health innovations and provides cures for current degenerative diseases. Scientists have found in new research the the gene NeuroD1 drives the formation of brain cells single handedly. Currently, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's are unable to be cured because the brain loses function due to a loss of brain cells that are unable to replace themselves. Since the cells cannot replace themselves, the damage is permanent, which is why these diseases get worse and not better. Understanding the function of NeuroD1 can lead to regenerative therapy innovations, which would be imperative in the medical world.

     I find this article extremely important because these types of diseases are extremely heartbreaking and difficult to handle. Nothing must be worse than watching a loved one slowly deteriorate and not being able to do anything to help them. It is crazy to me that with all of our technology and ability to conduct such incredible research that we still have such a hard time understanding the brain. Finding a way to regenerate brain cells to help cure these diseases would be absolutely incredible, and I hope to hear more findings on this topic.

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1 comment:

  1. I wonder if scientists were able to look at a functioning brain while the body was not alive, would they be able to figure out ways to cure certain diseases? I guess there are some things that man are not meant to see. I hope scientists really do find out ways to regenerate neurons because I know a lot of people who suffer from diabetic neuropathy would love to have the pain from the feet and hands removed.

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